Western Sandpiper
Small and stocky with black legs and beak, they’re one of the tough-to-tell-apart sandpipers known as “peeps”. Look for rust-coloured patches on the head and wings during warmer months, which is the most likely time you’ll find them on the BC Bird Trail.
Active seasons
Spring and summer
How/where to find
Shorelines, mainly beaches and mudflats, are the place to try and spot these tiny sandpipers running around. You may not notice them until you or someone else gets too close and a handful of them lift off and fly a bit farther down the beach.
Most active in the Western parts of the province, you can spot the Western Sandpiper on the Central Vancouver Island, Columbia Valley, Fraser Valley, and South Fraser Bird Trails. The outposts where they can be observed include Langford, Tofino, Sooke, Kelowna, Vernon and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Photo by Carrie Olson / Shutterstock
Find the Western Sandpiper on the bird trail
Cowichan
Located between Victoria and Nanaimo, Cowichan takes its name from “Quw’utsun,” the name given to the valley by its original inhabitants, the Quw’utsun people. It is rooted in the Hul’q’umi’num word “shquw’utsun” which directly translated means “to warm one’s back in the sun. Look out for turkey vultures in the spring and summer, trumpeter swans in…
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Delta
The City of Delta is composed of Ladner, Tsawwassen, and North Delta – three distinct communities that welcome an incredible diversity of migratory birds, from snow geese to the western sandpiper, year-round.
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Parksville Qualicum Beach
Parksville Qualicum Beach is a charming collection of 14 unique communities – all epitomizing the relaxing Vancouver Island lifestyle. The sandy beaches of this region are truly remarkable, spanning as wide as 1 kilometre at low tide. Stick to the scenic coastline for plentiful pelagic birding opportunities, then relax and recharge your batteries with the…
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Fraser Valley
The traditional territories of the Sts’ailes, Seabird Island, Sq’ewá:lxw, Cheam, Douglas, Leq’a:mel, Samahquam, Sq’ewlets, Skatin and Stó:lō Coast Salish Peoples, as well as the Katzie, Kwantlen, Matsqui, Semiahmoo, Semá:th, and Mathxwí First Nations.
The Fraser Valley Bird Trail ushers birders along on a riverside tour of some of the province’s richest birding regions. Composed of four unique communities, this trail stretches from the Township of Langley in the west, through the Fraser River cities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack to the Village of Harrison Hot Springs at the southern…
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Harrison River Valley
Not only do the sandy beaches of Harrison Lake, thirty-two kilometres north of Chilliwack, inspire some of the most dynamic outdoor adventure opportunities in the province, but they also provide a unique habitat for migratory birds and birders alike.
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Cranbrook
Cranbrook is known as the true crossroads of the Kootenays, as you’ll only ever be a few minutes from experiencing incredible lakes, rivers, and adventure. Plus, it routinely reports the most sunshine hours of any city in BC, so it’s best to plan for a lot of time spent outdoors.
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The Okanagan
This trail exists upon the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Syilx (Okanagan) Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and their people. Travel consciously and respectfully.
Home to diverse ecosystems and habitats such as wetlands, forests, deserts and grasslands, the Okanagan offers a fantastic bird-watching experience. The region’s unique climate attracts both migratory and resident birds. Throughout the trail in the spring and summer, you’ll see the bright plumage of migratory birds, like the vibrant Lazuli Bunting or Yellow Warblers. Rolling…
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Kelowna:A Bird Trail Outpost Osoyoos:
A Bird Trail Outpost Vernon:
A Bird Trail Outpost
Chilliwack
34 kilometres northeast of Abbotsford, Chilliwack is one of the province’s most popular outdoor destinations, boasting an assortment of parks, nature reserves, and farm-fresh eateries. This agricultural region is home to farm birds like red-tailed hawks and harriers and is also a great spot for cedar waxwings.
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Surrey
Surrey is a big city full of people, farmland, and birds. The shores of Boundary Bay full of endless amounts of marine life, while nearby rivers and farmland ecosystems provide bird-friendly habitats all year round. Since the 1980s Surrey has seen an immigration boom create an incredibly diverse city, with more than 30% of local…
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Columbia Valley
The traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc people.
Located between the Rocky and Purcell Mountains in southeast BC, the Columbia Valley is just a short trip from Alberta and the USA border, and about a ten hour drive from Vancouver. Situated along the Upper Columbia River, the wetlands surrounding these friendly communities are renowned for their birdlife. Stretching from Golden in the north,…
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Golden Cranbrook Kimberley Radium Hot Springs and Invermere-Panorama
Radium and Invermere
Entering the village of Radium through the iconic Sinclair Canyon presents visitors with pristine views as they’re welcomed to the crossroads of adventure and relaxation. Farther south lies Invermere: a quaint, lakeside mountain town. Life on the edge of the Canadian Rockies affords incredible opportunities to slow down and relax, or ramp up and explore…
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Kelowna
Kelowna is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx/Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial.
Kelowna is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx/Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial. With diverse ecosystems including lakeshores, wetlands, riversides, and sprawling vineyards, this region offers many birding hotspots. This itinerary leads you through the city’s distinct neighborhoods, unearthing its hidden treasures like charming wineries and breweries,…
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Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Ken Hagen
Richmond
The heart of the Pacific Flyway, and a central hub to travellers throughout BC, Richmond’s diverse communities and spectacular waterfront vistas are home to a plethora of migratory birds.
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Nanaimo
Nanaimo, The Harbour City, is a central hub and major ferry port on Vancouver Island. While the Old City Quarter and Commercial Street are full of retail shops and restaurants, a quick drive out of the city presents beautiful outdoor experiences and opportunities to view cedar waxwings, sparrows, hawks, and waterfowl.
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Southern Gulf Islands
We are grateful to live on and visit the Southern Gulf Islands and acknowledge that the lands and waters that encompass these islands have been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, part of the traditional unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations and Hul’quimi’num Treaty Group.
Easily accessible from Victoria or Vancouver via a serene ferry ride, the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia offer a captivating birdwatching escapade. Encompassing a rich tapestry of coastal, forested, and shoreline habitats, these islands are a haven for bird enthusiasts. From the diverse ocean and estuarine landscapes to lush marshlands and serene woodlands, the…
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Langford
The traditional territories of the Coast Salish, specifically Esquimalt, Songhees, Scia’new, and W̱SÁNEĆ people represented by the Tsartlip, Pauquachin, Tsawout, Tseycum and Malahat First Nations.
Inset from the southern tip of Vancouver Island, this outdoor lover’s paradise just 15 kilometres from Downtown Victoria. Named “BC’s Best Community 2021” by Maclean’s Magazine, Langford’s popular downtown core is surrounded by lush, green hills chock-full of hiking trails and lookouts with local wildlife around every turn. Though many small private lakes dot the…
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Vernon
We recognize the City of Vernon is located in the traditional territory of the Syilx people of the Okanagan Nation.
The City of Vernon, located in the traditional territory of the Syilx people of the Okanagan Nation, is set against a backdrop of diverse ecosystems including lakeshores, wetlands, and picturesque meadows. From the serene lakeshores of Kalamalka Lake to the tranquil woodlands of Silver Star Mountain, the region provides habitats for numerous avian species. This…
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Central Vancouver Island
The traditional land of the Coast Salish people including the Quw’utsun, Halalt, Stz’uminus, Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, K’ómoks, and Qualicum First Nations
A short drive from Victoria or serene ferry sailing from Vancouver, Central Vancouver Island is home to diverse ocean, estuary, riverside, marshland, forest, and alpine habitats – a wide variety of birding hot spots, all nestled safely along the Strait of Georgia. Never far from farm-fresh dining and locally-roasted coffee, birders can plan a route…
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Golden
Golden, British Columbia is a historic town nestled in the Columbia Valley at the northern end of the Columbia Wetlands. This 180km stretch of protected wetlands is home to more than 260 bird species as well as a variety of fish, amphibians, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. It’s these very mountain ranges, two historic rivers, and…
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Abbotsford
Renowned for its airshow, planes aren’t the only sights in the skies above Abbotsford – look out for hawks around the farms and airfield, as well as swamp sparrows and elusive American bittern. 45 km east of Langley, this cultivated city weaves an eclectic tale of agriculture, community, and natural environment.
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Kimberley
Home of both the largest urban park and freestanding cuckoo clock in Canada, Kimberley is a good place to hide out and take in the splendour of the Rocky Mountains.
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South Fraser
The traditional territories of the scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and other Coast Salish Peoples.
The mouth of the mighty Fraser River empties into the Salish Sea and all around lie some of the most diverse waterways and marshlands in the province. Just a short 15 km drive from downtown Vancouver, the South Fraser Trail begins in Richmond with a series of important locations along the Pacific Flyway. Neighbouring Delta…
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Tofino
We respectfully acknowledge the unceded traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples and the traditional keepers of their land. We want to say thank you for allowing us to live, work, and play on your lands.
A beautiful drive across Vancouver Island, Tofino offers an unforgettable birdwatching adventure. Set against the backdrop of diverse coastal ecosystems, including oceanfronts, estuaries, marshlands, and dense forests, Tofino serves as an oasis for birding enthusiasts. With its prime location along the Pacific coastline, this region presents a rich array of birding hotspots and opportunities to…
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Langley
From the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo and Matsqui First Nations who have lived in the region for centuries, to the Fort Langley National Historic Site, the Township of Langley is rich in local traditions. A one hour drive east of Vancouver, take in beautiful riverside and lagoon bird watching opportunities, keeping an eye out for kingfishers…
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Sooke
The District of Sooke occupies the unceded traditional territories of the T’Sou-ke and Scia’new Nations. Central to Sooke’s history, we recognize the ongoing presence, influence and rights of these Nations within the community. It is with tremendous gratitude that we have the honour to call these lands home.
A short drive from Victoria or a peaceful ferry ride from Vancouver, Sooke, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, offers an enchanting birdwatching experience. Surrounded by a tapestry of coastal landscapes, including ocean shores, estuaries, woodlands, and lush marshlands, Sooke provides an ideal habitat for a diverse range of bird species. Nestled within…
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