Birding in British Columbia
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These spots around the Nanaimo area are known for good birding.
Nanaimo Airport
"Vesper Sparrows" - Take the airport access exit off the highway, go past the terminal, and take the first exit right. Travel along the hangers, and watch in the chain link fence for vesper and savannah sparrows. Also a popular spot for hawks.
Buttertubs Marsh
Take the South Jinglepot road exit off of the bypass, turning right, (east) .. Park at the side of the road, opposite Addison Road. A large trail circles the marsh on the left. The marsh can also be accessed by turning on to Buttertubs drive, off of Bowen road. Buttertubs marsh evidently has one of the largest varieties of bird life that can be found in the Nanaimo area.
Hemer Park
Is found at the end of Hemer road, off of Cedar road. Cedar road can be accessed from the TCH, by turning right at the Omega Restaurant, on the south side of the Nanaimo Airport, or by turning right just past the start of the new bypass, at the bottom of the hill just entering Nanaimo. Hemer park has both lake and marsh habitat, with some older trees and snags. An excellent place also for a Grand Slam of woodpeckers. (Flicker, Pileated, Downy, Hairy, and R.B. Sapsucker)
Neck Point Park
Turn east at the sign off of Hammond Bay road. Hammond bay road can be accessed by turning right off of TCH, at Woodgrove Mall.
Piper's Lagoon Park
Turn east at the sign off of Hammond Bay road. Hammond bay road can be accessed by turning right off of TCH, at Woodgrove Mall.
Westwood Lake
Take the South Jinglepot road exit off of the bypass, turning left, (west) .. 2 streets past the Jinglepot Pub, turn left onto Westwood Lake road. There is a 5 k trail around the lake.
Colliery Dam Park/Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary
Come into Nanaimo, via the new bypass. Take the first exit right, onto Fifth Street, at Malaspina College. At the first 4 way stop, turn right again onto Wakesiah Avenue. At the first 4 way stop on Wakesiah ave., turn right onto Harewood/Nanaimo River Road. The first road on your left is the parking lot for Colliery Dam Park. Appx 1 mile further down Nanaimo River Road on your right, is the Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary. For more information, visit the Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary Website.
Haslam Road Marsh
Take the first right hand road past the Nanaimo Airport. (Haslam road) Appx 1k from the highway, is a small marsh on the left. This marsh has numerous Cedar Waxwings, some Virginia Rail.
Nanaimo River Estuary
Take the Cedar road exit, just south of Nanaimo. Travel past the landfill, (another good place for birds), and turn left just past the Silver Bridge, onto Raines Road. Park at the end, and walk past the gate.
Thanks go out to Terry Flamand of Nanaimo as he has graciously offered to help initiate this resource for the Greater Nanaimo Area.
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