Fly Over Delta

Whether you're a seasoned birder or simply beak-curious, Delta is a feathered paradise waiting to be explored. Nestled at the mouth of the Fraser River and along the Pacific Flyway, our region is a crucial pit stop for millions of migratory birds and home to a diverse array of year-round avian residents. If you're ready to take flight on a new pastime, let this be your guide to the world of birding in Delta, BC.

The Pacific Flyway

Before we dive into where to watch, let's talk about why Delta is such a bird magnet. Our region sits along the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south route for migratory birds in the Americas. This aerial superhighway stretches from Alaska to Patagonia, and Delta serves as a crucial rest stop and refueling station for millions of birds each year.

The South Fraser BC Bird Trail

Delta is a key part of the South Fraser BC Bird Trail, a self-guided birding route. This trail showcases our rich biodiversity, connecting world-class birding hotspots with local amenities and attractions. From the shores of Boundary Bay to the farmlands of Westham Island, the South Fraser route offers diverse habitats supporting over 250 bird species.

Talk a walk down Brunswick Point and apres at Sharkey's Seafood Bar & Grille on the riverfront or Taverna Gorgona for a Greek feast in the heart of Ladner Village for the perfect birding itinerary. It's all about the stroll, feathered finds, and the feast that follows that makes Delta so delightful to birders.

Best Viewing Spots: Where the Wild Things Are

📍George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary | 5191 Robertson Road, Westham Island

This sanctuary offers an intimate birding experience with trails winding through diverse wetland habitats. In the fall, thousands of Lesser Snow Geese arrive (oh, you'll hear them too), plus ducks like Mallards, Northern Pintails, and American Wigeons, as well as smaller birds like Black-capped Chickadees and Red-winged Blackbirds. Lucky visitors may also spot a Sandhill Crane or catch a glimpse of raptors like Northern Harriers on marsh patrol.

📍Boundary Bay Regional Park | 541 Boundary Bay Road, Tsawwassen

A crown jewel in the Fraser Delta ecosystem, which ranks as one of Canada's premier Important Bird Areas, Boundary Bay and all along the dyke offers amazing birding opportunities, binoculars in hand or not. As fall progresses, pay attention to the waterfowl's transition from coasting feeding to foraging in nearby farmlands, as they're often found feasting on grasses and crops.

📍Brunswick Point | End of Brunswick Point Road, Delta, BC

In the fall, this unique river and sea vantage point becomes a hot spot for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. Watch for groups of Western Sandpipers and Dunlins probing the mudflats at low tide alongside Snow Geese and raptors like Bald Eagles and Northern Harriers. Keep an eye out for Great Blue Herons stalking the shallows and flocks of ducks like Northern Pintails and American Wigeons enjoying the misty rains of the season.

Delta provides an unparalleled diversity of avian life. Our mix of habitats - from coastal wetlands to agricultural fields - supports an impressive variety of species, making every birding outing an adventure - whether you're out with kids or trekking about with a seasoned birding club. So grab your binoculars, don your wellies, and join fellow birdwatchers, flocking to Delta.