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
Birding Forums
- Jul 01 Birds from the Tundra of Churchill, Manito... (1)
- Jun 28 2026 Photo Challenge -- Year 8 of All BC B... (117)
- Jun 26 2026 Bird Challenge -- Current Bird List (4)
Forum content is visible to registered members only. Register for free to join our birding community.
Birding in the News
May 30, 2026 | CBC
May 05, 2026 | Abbotsford News
Jun 02, 2026 | Coast Reporter
May 16, 2026 | CBC
Jun 11, 2026 | Vancouver Is Awesome
July Birding Tips
Summer dispersal and wandering.
- Watch for juvenile birds as they often look different from their parents
- Listen for the persistent calls from hungry young
- Start early in the day as birds are most active in the morning (birds avoid hot sun as well)
- Forests, Meadows, Hilltop, and Sea and Oceans should have an abundance of species to view.
- During breeding and post-breeding, song birds will quiet down so listen and learn their call sounds, however some species may continue to sing.
- Post breeding shorebirds begin their southern migration in July with juveniles migrating mid-August/September
- Post breeding adults and juveniles may wander outside their normal range, watch for rare species
- Many birds molt in summer and develop an alternate/eclipse plumage which is more drab, offering a better natural camouflage.
Recommended Binoculars
The Nikon Monarch M7 is one of the most popular binoculars among BC birders — and for good reason. It hits a sweet spot between optical quality and price, with a rubberized, waterproof body that holds up to years of field use in rain, mud, and rough terrain. The Nikon M5 is a solid, lighter-weight alternative if you mostly bird in fair weather.
For most birders, 8x42 is the ideal combination — enough magnification to pick out field marks without sacrificing the wide field of view you need to track moving birds. Stepping up to 10x42 gives you extra reach but a narrower view and less forgiveness for hand movement, so it's best suited to experienced birders with steady hands.
Other binoculars worth considering:
- Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 — a great entry-level option with solid optics at a lower price point
- Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 — excellent value with HD glass and Vortex's lifetime warranty
- Vortex Razor HD 8x42 — premium optics for serious birders who want the best clarity available
Recommended Bird Finding Guide Books for BC
Sibley Guide to Birds of Western North America
The gold standard for western birders — superb illustrations and detailed coverage of every species found in BC.
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Canada and the USA
One of the most up-to-date and comprehensive guides available, with excellent plates and range maps.
Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding
Essential reading for birders ready to tackle the tricky identifications — covers ageing, subspecies, and difficult species groups in depth.
Birding in British Columbia is a BC Birding resource and community message board maintained by Kevin Slagboom | About