Each island posted on this Gulf Islands tourism website provides a list of birdwatching destinations for you to visit. Each destination includes a description, directions, lists of activities, services onsite and in most cases pictures.

Birdwatching on the Gulf Islands provides an opportunity to view sea birds, song birds and predator birds. There are birds which are on protected wildlife lists and there are birds thriving with healthy populations.

Birding is enjoyed in a structured park or at anytime when hiking a trail or exploring a sandy beach. There are birdwatching destinations on mountain cliffs, rural islands, remote islets, marine parks, sandy beaches, wetlands, marshes and forest destinations located throughout the Gulf Islands.

There are local birds living on teh islands and there are migratory birds who visit the islands every year. The Gulf Islands is located on a migration route known as the Pacific Flyway. Every year birds migrate to the Gulf Islands visiting various nesting and feeding grounds.

Many Gulf Island birdwatching destinations are also hiking, beachcombing, sightseeing and wildlife watching destinations. Here are a few notable Gulf Island birding locations to make note of.

North Gulf Islands

• The Ecological Park on Cormorant Island is a wetland park with hiking trails and a boardwalk path. The short, easy-grade, boardwalk trail explores through a marsh with many birding opportunities.
• Mitlenatch Island near Cortes Island is a bird sanctuary. Sea Lions often sunbathe on Mitlenatch Island with the birds. Access by boat only.
• The 2450 hectare Main Lake Provincial Park on Quadra Island is home to 70 bird species and 200 plant species.

Central Gulf Islands

• Tribune Bay Provincial Park on Hornby Island enjoys a 1 kilometre sandy beach with plenty of sea birds.

Southern Gulf Islands

• Ruckle Park on Saltspring Island includes a rocky and sandy beach that stretches out along the coastline for over 7 kilometres with many opportunities for birding.
• Brickyard Beach on Gabriola Island overlooks Mudge and the Pylades Islands and is a birdwatching destination for sea birds and marine wildlife viewing.

Have fun birding EH!

The EH TEAM