Look Up, Stay Grounded

Situated on the Pacific Flyway, British Columbia is home to a vast array of North America’s best birdwatching opportunities.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just taking off, The BC Bird Trail is your guide to exploring birding, conservation, and community in British Columbia.

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Regional Bird Trails

Bringing multiple communities together, Regional Bird Trails form a thorough network of iconic points of interest connected to The BC Bird Trail.

The Okanagan

This trail exists upon the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Syilx (Okanagan) Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and their people. Travel consciously and respectfully.
Home to diverse ecosystems and habitats such as wetlands, forests, deserts and grasslands, the Okanagan offers a fantastic bird-watching experience. The region’s unique climate attracts both migratory and resident birds. Throughout the trail in the spring and summer, you’ll see the bright plumage of migratory birds, like the vibrant Lazuli Bunting or Yellow Warblers.  Rolling…
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Kelowna:
A Bird Trail Outpost Osoyoos:
A Bird Trail Outpost Vernon:
A Bird Trail Outpost

Fraser Valley

The traditional territories of the Sts’ailes, Seabird Island, Sq’ewá:lxw, Cheam, Douglas, Leq’a:mel, Samahquam, Sq’ewlets, Skatin and Stó:lō Coast Salish Peoples, as well as the Katzie, Kwantlen, Matsqui, Semiahmoo, Semá:th, and Mathxwí First Nations.
The Fraser Valley Bird Trail ushers birders along on a riverside tour of some of the province’s richest birding regions. Composed of four unique communities, this trail stretches from the Township of Langley in the west, through the Fraser River cities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack to the Village of Harrison Hot Springs at the southern…
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Chilliwack Harrison River Valley Abbotsford Langley

South Fraser

The traditional territories of the scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and other Coast Salish Peoples.
The mouth of the mighty Fraser River empties into the Salish Sea and all around lie some of the most diverse waterways and marshlands in the province. Just a short 15 km drive from downtown Vancouver, the South Fraser Trail begins in Richmond with a series of important locations along the Pacific Flyway. Neighbouring Delta…
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Richmond Delta Surrey

Sea to Sky

The traditional and unceded shared territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Lilwat7úl (Lil’wat) Nations.
Regarded as one of the world’s best road trip routes, Highway 99 stretches 377 kilometers from the US border northeast to Cache Creek, BC. But it’s at the northern tip of Howe Sound, in view of the towering Stawamus Chief Mountain, that the Sea to Sky corridor of this coastal route earns its namesake. As…
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Squamish Whistler

Central Vancouver Island

The traditional land of the Coast Salish people including the Quw’utsun, Halalt, Stz’uminus, Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, K’ómoks, and Qualicum First Nations
A short drive from Victoria or serene ferry sailing from Vancouver, Central Vancouver Island is home to diverse ocean, estuary, riverside, marshland, forest, and alpine habitats – a wide variety of birding hot spots, all nestled safely along the Strait of Georgia. Never far from farm-fresh dining and locally-roasted coffee, birders can plan a route…
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Cowichan Parksville Qualicum Beach

Vancouver Island North

GILAKAS’LA. Our Vancouver Island North communities are located on the traditional territory of the Kwakwakaʼwakw people, who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial.
The Northern tip of Vancouver Island is home to some of the most exceptional bird watching opportunities on the Pacific Coast. This ecologically diverse region, with ancient coastal rainforests, rocky islets, and expansive estuaries, supports a wide range of bird species. While the sheltered waters of the Broughton Archipelago serve as an excellent winter habitat…
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Sointula & Alert Bay Port Hardy Port Alice Port Mcneill

Columbia Valley

The traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc people.
Located between the Rocky and Purcell Mountains in southeast BC, the Columbia Valley is just a short trip from Alberta and the USA border, and about a ten hour drive from Vancouver. Situated along the Upper Columbia River, the wetlands surrounding these friendly communities are renowned for their birdlife. Stretching from Golden in the north,…
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Cranbrook Radium Hot Springs and Invermere-Panorama Golden Kimberley

OutPosts

Beginning to pop up throughout the province, BC Bird Trail Outposts are standalone trails that offer the opportunity to discover individual communities throughout the province.

Along the shores of Shuswap Lake, rich histories foster a vibrant future.
The Shuswap
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Nestled between the mountains and the sea, There's Nowhere Better Natured.
Vancouver’s North Shore
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Your basecamp to BC's spectacular Northern wilderness.
Prince George
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Experiences
Bookable Experiences in BC
Plan your next experience with our diverse selection of local experts to help guide you through the province’s great outdoors.
Bookable Experiences
Birds
Meet the Birds of BC
Learn more about some of British Columbia's birds!
Learn More

Get the App

The BC Bird Trail Mobile Experience is the perfect companion piece for your next adventure. Our new mobile app lets you track progress across the province’s incredible birdwatching opportunities by checking in at birding hotspots throughout participating regions and communities, and earning rewards along the way.

Field Notes
Browse all stories
Video Story | BC Communities

Stories from The BC Bird Trail Vol. 3

Join us as we attend the Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival in our latest Story from The BC Bird Trail video.

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Video Story | BC Communities

Stories from The BC Bird Trail Vol. 2

Discover the fascinating story behind Chilliwack’s Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in our latest Story from The BC Bird Trail video.

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Video Story | BC Communities

Stories from The BC Bird Trail

3 Stories of Birding, Conservation, and Community featuring renowned biologist, birder and author, Dick Cannings.

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BC Birders Profile Series – John Woods, The Shuswap

As the BC Bird Trail expands throughout the province, we wanted to shine a light on the people on the ground in these communities. Learn more about the bird-watching experiences in these destinations through the eyes of the experienced locals with our BC Birders profile series. John Woods is a retired wildlife biologist and writer living…

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