Top 5 Birdwatching Areas in Victoria
Victoria is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with hundreds of bird species making Victoria their permanent or transient home. With our geography offering a huge diversity of habitats, from rock and sandy shorelines to tidal mud flats to dense old growth cedar and douglas fir trees to inland rocky hilltops and Garry oak meadows, there is something suitable for many different birds. If you enjoy being out in nature and seeing the local wildlife, here are 5 places near Salish where you can go birdwatching.
1. Esquimalt Lagoon
Actually located in Colwood, the Esquimalt Lagoon National Migratory Bird Sanctuary offers a place for many migrating waterbirds to feed and rest. Mudflats, eelgrass, and estuary fringe marsh habitats provide excellent foraging and nesting habitats for a variety of birds, with the most often seen being gulls and herons, feeding in large numbers.
Large numbers of waterbirds including the American coot, mallard, northern pintail, green-winged teal and American wigeon can also be seen in the shallow water along the edges of the lagoon and the northeastern end of the lagoon. Deeper waters, particularly on the north side, are where you are most likely to spot diving ducks such as canvasback, bufflehead, and ruddy duck. Rare birds observed in the area include Eurasian wigeon, hooded merganser, black oystercatcher, American golden-plover, common tern, and western meadowlark.
To get an overview of the Lagoon you don’t need to exert much effort, as there is a road going right through it, parallel to the beach, so you can easily stop and walk as much or as little as you need to in order to spot some birds.
2. Swan Lake
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is the full name of this green space located in Saanich, which includes two distinct ecosystems, a low wetland around Swan Lake and a rocky, Garry oak-forest on top of Christmas Hill.
During the winter months, the lake and flooded fields provide resting and feeding areas for a variety of grebes, ducks, and other waterfowl. In spring and summer, the forests and blooming hedgerows are filled with nesting birds such as warblers, sparrows, wrens, and finches. The fields of cattails and marsh grass are alive with calling red-winged blackbirds and marsh wrens.
For those who like to meander or need a more accessible hike, the Swan Lake Loop trail is an easy walk, and the floating boardwalk puts you right in the centre of this significant wetland area. Just note that no dogs are allowed, to protect the delicate ecosystem.
3. Clover Point
Clover Point is a popular and fairly easy walk along the coastline right in Victoria, anchoring one end of the Dallas Road trail. It’s a stunning piece of land where you can see a variety of birds along with plants, trees, the ocean, and great views of the Olympic Mountains. When the wind is right you can even watch windsurfers and parasailers!
For most of the year, you can see black oystercatchers, black turnstones, surfbirds, dunlin, black-bellied plovers, and sanderlings. Other possible sightings include greater or lesser yellowlegs, a spotted sandpiper, killdeer, or a few of the less common shorebirds, such as Baird’s sandpiper, semi-palmated sandpiper, short-billed dowitcher, whimbrel or marbled godwit.
4. Cattle Point
Running along the coastline of Oak Bay is Cattle Point in Uplands Park, which gives spectacular views of the natural surrounding area. It’s an undeveloped natural area home to a Garry Oak meadow, as well as one of the greatest concentrations of rare plant species in Canada, making it a great spot to do some birdwatching.
Great blue heron, black oystercatchers, killdeer, double-crested cormorants, and mallards can be seen throughout the year, as well as bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, downy woodpeckers, northern flickers, northwestern crows, American robins, spotted towhee, song sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, anna’s hummingbirds and chestnut-backed chickdees.
The park is easy to access from any side and has a myriad of trails to explore, making it a beautiful walk during any season. While here visitors can also walk down a steep set of stairs to get to Willows Beach, one of Victoria’s most popular beaches.
5. The Martindale Valley
Adjacent to Island View Beach on the Saanich Peninsula is the Martindale Valley, which has plenty to keep birdwatchers entertained. This is agriculture country where land is long and flat, making the sky gloriously open. Some 170 bird species have been recorded in this small area, with the best time to see birds in the fall and winter. Spring migration is less productive here than elsewhere in Victoria due to the shortage of woodland and 'edge' habitat.
The Valley is a fall stopover point for birds on their way to points south, most notably shorebirds and open-country songbirds. In winter the cold, dark season provides a great feeding table for large numbers, including for green-winged teals, northern shovelers, gadwalls, ring-necked ducks, lesser scaup, common goldeneyes, buffleheads, hooded mergansers, and Eurasian wigeons.
Note that this area is privately owned, so it is essential for visitors to respect the no-trespassing signs and stay on the allowed perimeters. As long as people remain respectful of the land, the local farmers and landowners allow birders access.
Bonus: Whale Watching
Another great place to see birds is right on the ocean! With a whale watching tour you’ll get the opportunity not only to see whales and other sea mammals, but also a variety of birds will be swimming and flying around your vessel. We recommend Eagle Wing Tours, and if you use this link you can get 10% off your booking.
With our mild climate and numerous parks, birdwatching in Victoria is a year-round delight. From the tranquil Swan Lake to the coastal beauty of Clover Point, there's no shortage of avian wonders to spot. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just beginning to get into this wonderful pastime, the diverse habitats promise endless discoveries, so grab binoculars, a camera, or just yourself, and enjoy exploring this birdwatching haven.
