Birding, Birding... and Birding!!!

Welcome!!                                                                                                                             this page is dedicated to Naturalists from all over the world. If YOU would like to report on a great birding experience in Clayoquot-Sound, we'll be delighted to post it!

Tofino's ancient temperate Rainforest, and the nurturing mudflats have been designated as the 'Important Migratory Bird Area' in Canada. They are an integral part of the 'Clayoquot-Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve'  and the mighty Western Pacific Ocean is know for hosting many bird species, and sea mammals as they follow migratory routes thousand of miles to and from across the planet.

Some of this incredible Eco activity is evolving daily on our portion of the mudflats, and in our Old Growth Rainforest, just steps away from our Lodge; so I invite you, to tag along with me for the adventure of the day exploring this magical world...' even better, come visit and lets explore it together! 

It is All here---shouldn't YOU be!!!

Easter Weekend, 2010

Yes, it has been a while, but i was fortunate to travel through B.C. and Europe. I didn't realize how much birding meant to me, but to say at least I watched birds every day of my travels, so I must be a 'birder'. Here some photos from european birds.

When i returned to Tofino, i heard that we are hosting for the first time the Tofino Shorebird Festival. Wow, I am excited to meet more crazy birders. Yesterday i hiked the Schooner Cove trail in the Pacific Rim National Park, watching American Robins, Rufous Hummingbirds and American Oystercatcher on shore. It is wonderful to be home!!!

Dec 06, 2009

Another great day of birding in Tofino. We were on our way to Grice Bay, when we stopped along the highway, to watch a clan of crows attacking a Barred Owl, that was sitting in a lower brach of a Sitka Spruce tree. This went on for over 30 min before the Owl flew away. Finally at Grice Bay we saw circa 60 Aleutian Canada Geese, on their pacific flyway. Almost being extinct it was a great treat to see these geese in our waters. Our Mudflats have been busy, hosting many waterbirds since early November.

Finally i have to admit: WINTER HAS ARRIVED !!  Winter Wren, Varied Thrushes, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Golden Crowned Kinglets and Darkeyed Juncos are the first birds visiting our feeder every day.

Nov 09, 2009

Bright lovely morning, the rays of the sun are filtered through the giant canopy of the forest; and, there a pair of Stellar Jay's in a Sitka Spruce tree. The black crest and iridescent blue wings, and their raucous call make for easy identification. Do you know that the Stellar Jay is the provincial Bird of British Columbia? On my way toward our bay 'Birders Delight' I surprised a Wilson Snipe in the higher sea grasses---the question is...who was more startled?--Me or the Snipe!

There are 1000 or more Waterbirds here at the moment: Mallards, Northern Pintail, Green-Winged Teal, Buffelhead, American Widgeon, Common & Hooded Merganser, Canada & Cackling Geese. I watched a pair of Gadwall Ducks close to the shore, and there in the middle of a group of Mallards and American Widgeon, one male Eurasian Widgeon in its full colors, ... WOW! they are seldom so close to the inside waters. Amazingly beautiful.

Closer to the shore, i realized most birds were enjoying an afternoon snooze. Groups of Canada Geese, heads tucked under a wing, look frozen in time, others indulge in bathing rituals, and appear to be having a fine frolic This peaceful scene got interrupted by the high calls of a pair of Bald Eagles, approaching along the shoreline. Most Ducks flew further out into deeper water, unfortunately. Before I reached the woods, i saw Golden-Crowned Kinglets and Chestnut-backed Chickadees snacking on seeds from an old Douglas Fir. Looked like that they had a fine time... certainly i did.