Birding in British Columbia
A hub for birding information for British Columbia, Canada. Featuring Rare Bird Alerts, directory to nature clubs and online birding groups, birding forums, and more.
Rare Bird Alert
Where to go?
British Columbia is a vast and diverse natural region of Canada located on the Pacific Flyway that hosts many world renowned birding locations.
From offshore pelagics to high alpine plateau, from temperate rainforests to pocket deserts, from coastal bays and inlets to rolling prairie, British Columbia has it all.
Choose where to go based in the species you wish to see !
Visitor Information
Recommended Binoculars
Nikon Monarchs (Nikon M7 or Nikon M5) are a popular choice among birders as they offer a good balance between quality optics and price. The M7 is waterproof and protects the bins better from water, dust/sand, bumps and knocks. Get the M5s if you mostly bird in fair weather and on easy trails.
8x42 magnification is the sweet spot for most birders, as more magnification is not better. If you have sharp eyes and really steady hands, you can try 10x42 to get that extra zoom. When increasing magnificaiton, you sacrifice field of view so there is a trade off.
Bird Photography
- Sep 13 2025 Photo Challenge - All BC Birds! (168)
- Aug 03 2025 Bird Challenge: Current Bird List (8)
- Jul 21 SPECTACULAR Birds from Brazil... (1)
- May 08 A Few Funky Chickens, Ptarmigan and Grouse... (1)
- Jan 01 2024 Photo Challenge - All BC Birds! (209)
- Dec 17 2024 Bird Challenge: Current Bird List (11)
- Dec 11 Red-tailed Hawk with strange field marking... (4)
- Oct 21 Birds from the Land Down Under (1)
Birder's Corner
- Aug 25 Sandhill Cranes (1)
- Nov 29 Rob Butler at Outer Shores Lodge, Bamfield, ... (1)
- Sep 18 Rookie Backyard Bird Lover (2)
- Aug 13 american white pelican (1)
- May 05 OWL Open House May 4 & 5 2024 (2)
- Feb 17 Birdhouse (1)
Birding in the News
Jul 31, 2025 | Canadian Geographic
Aug 24, 2025 | Victoria News
Jul 20, 2025 | Coast Reporter
September Birding Tips
Fall migration is in full swing.
- On the warmer, sunnier days, watch the sky for migrating raptors, soaring high in the late summer warm air currents.
- Similar species may join mixed flocks and flock together. Look for a rare bird mixed with common species.
- Good places to search include berry bushes and berry trees. Check Aspens, Arbutus, Hawthorn, Blackberry and other fruiting plants.
- During southern migration, bad weather may produce a fallout of species, especially near a large crossing. Check areas at the fringe of a large body of water crossing as birds will rest and wait for good weather before making the journey south.
- Pelagic species may venture into near shore waters to feed. Ferry passengers can often view several pelagic species during a crossing.
- Summer vagrant species may still be around, keep an eye out for them.
- Let garden flowers go to seed to help attract seed eating birds.
- Check harvested farm fields, low farm reservoirs, mud flats, estuaries, and the sea shore for migrating shorebirds.
Recommended Bird Finding Guide Books for BC
The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Edition
The most comprehensive bird guide available for North America.
Excellent illustrations, detailed information on bird behaviour and distribution.
Field Guide to North American Birds
Best-selling North American bird field guide is the most up-to-date guide on the market.
Compact, good colour plates and many rare species covered in this bird identification book.
Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding
A guide for the more experienced birder, this book covers advanced identification techniques.
Great for those who want to take their birding skills to the next level.
Birding in British Columbia is a BC Birding resource and community message board maintained by Kevin Slagboom | About