
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.
Spring and summer
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.
Find the Western Sandpiper on the bird trail
Cranbrook
Harrison River Valley
Richmond
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.Langley
Golden
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.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 NationsKelowna
Kelowna is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx/Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial.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.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.Nanaimo
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.Columbia Valley
The traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc people.or jump right to an itinerary...
Cranbrook Radium Hot Springs and Invermere-Panorama Golden KimberleyVernon
We recognize the City of Vernon is located in the traditional territory of the Syilx people of the Okanagan Nation.Delta
Kimberley
Parksville Qualicum Beach
Radium and Invermere
Cowichan
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.or jump right to an itinerary...
Kelowna:A Bird Trail Outpost Osoyoos:
A Bird Trail Outpost Vernon:
A Bird Trail Outpost