Spread Your Wings: Bird Watching for Beginners

Have you ever considered taking the plunge into bird watching? 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 a beginner, Harrison Hot Springs offers rich marshlands and an abundance of salmon to welcome home migrating birds every year.

Is the practice of observing birds in their natural environment. Many individuals enjoy birding as a calming, contemplative activity that allows them to disconnect from the day-to-day and immerse themselves in nature. It can be done in your backyard, your local park or out on a hike.

• Binoculars
• Field Guide
• Comfortable Footwear

Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park

Located a short drive from Agassiz, Cheam Wetlands is a great spot to see a variety of birds. This 2-kilometer trail offers two viewing platforms and easy walking trails take you through forest and marsh habitats.

Chehalis Estuary

Located just outside of Harrison Mills, in Sta’sailes. This estuary if the breeding grounds for species of salmon including coho and chum. Due to the large volume of bald eagles and trumpeter swans, this area was designated as an important bird area.

Kilby Park

Situated where the Harrison and Fraser rivers meet, this park is a common resting and feeding ground for many migratory and resident birds.

Lha:lt/Harrison-Chehalis Wildlife Management Area

Stretching over the Harrison River, this area is renowned for bald eagles feeding on the salmon in the fall and trumpeter swans in the Winter. Follow the Eagle Viewing Trail at the Sandpiper Resort for the first of many spectacular views.

Sasquatch Provincial Park

A beautiful park with pocket lakes perfect for a variety of outdoor activities. Bald eagles’ woodpeckers, warblers, and vireos are some of the more common birds seen in the area.

It is important that we explore nature with good intentions. When observing birds in their natural habitat, make sure that you:

• Stay on designated paths and keep out of protected areas
• Do not feed or all out to the birds
• Don’t leave anything behind – pack out what you pack in.

Every Fall thousands of migratory birds return to the Fraser Valley to hunt, and build their nests along the Fraser and Harrison rivers. If you’re looking to escape to Harrison Hot Springs,  We offer a 90-minute eagle viewing package with Fraser River Safari. Here you might spot some of the area’s abundant salmon and sturgeon population, as well as see bald eagles watching high overhead. Book your stay today!