Are you an avid bird watcher? Well, your eagle-eye could win you some fun prizes thanks to a new BC Bird Trail Scavenger Hunt going on right here in Squamish.
The BC Bird Trail, in collaboration with Tourism Squamish, launched the scavenger hunt in October as a way to get people into bird hotspots and discover the natural wonders amongst the Sea to Sky region.
How to take part?
Step one: Download the Scavenger Hunt PDF as a guide from the BC Bird Trail website. The guide can be used online or printed to help keep track of your progress.
By filling it out and submitting the completed page, you could win one of five BC Bird Trail prize packs. The packs include a pack of four limited edition enamel pins featuring birds commonly found in Squamish, a BC Bird Trail hat and a bandana.
Step two: Go find some birds at one (or two, or all) of the listed locations below. Check off which places you visit on the guide.
- Squamish Bird Trail
- Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
- Sea to Sky Gondola
- Rose Park
- Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area
- Mamquam River
- Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park
- Fisherman’s Park
- Alice Lake Provincial Park
Step three: Play some birdwatch bingo using the guide.
Step four: After all that exploring, head into town for a drink or bite to eat.
“We’re all about celebrating local businesses. Stop by one of the local businesses on the Squamish Bird Trail Itinerary and show them some love,” reads the BC Bird Trail blog.
Step five: Time for some bird trivia. Try your luck at answering some of the bird trivia questions on the PDF. (Answers are found at the bottom of the page to check your work.)
Step six: Learn some words in the native Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language. Scan the QR code on the PDF to watch a video on the names of some familiar animals and birds. (Hint: this will help you in the birding trivia!)
Step seven: Submit your completed scavenger hunt before Jan 15, 2025 to win.
Fill out the scavenger hunt PDF, scan it or take a photo of it, and submit it on the BC Bird Trail website or email it to them at [email protected].
Winners will be drawn in January and contacted by email.
Some info on the birding hotspots around Squamish
Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park
According to the Tourism Squamish website, “Brackendale is one of the continent’s most significant areas for wintering Bald Eagles.”
The eagles can be seen along the Eagle Run Vista Point, located on the dyke along Government Road.
“If you are visiting during the months of December and January, you can join an eagle count, hosted by the Squamish Environment Society.”
“Located in the wetlands where the Squamish River meets Howe Sound, the estuary is a prime birding location with approximately 200 species reported, including the endangered Purple Martin,” Tourism Squamish writes.
Herring have returned to the shorelines, which attracts a number of marine birds. Bears, coyotes, seals and sea lions can also be spotted in the area.
Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
The Stawamus Chief is a nesting ground for peregrine falcons.
Ruffed grouse can also be spotted in the park. According to All About Birds, “ruffed grouse are fairly small grouse with a short, triangular crest and a long, fan-shaped tail. They have short legs and often look slimmer than other grouse species.”
Rose Park
A number of local and migratory birds can be spotted at the viewing platforms along the waterfront trail. The birds are attracted as a result of tidal waters from the Blind Channel.
Fisherman's Park
Want to spot buffleheads, trumpeter swans, common mergansers, and belted kingfishers? This is the place in Squamish to find them. As a bonus, you get to feel some sand under your toes and hear the sounds of the Squamish River.
Visit the Alice Lake Provincial Park forest to view Swainson’s thrush, warbling vireo, and a variety of flycatchers.
According to Tourism Squamish, ravens are also very present in the park. The birds can be spotted while biking, hiking, paddling and swimming throughout the park.
For more information on the scavenger hunt, visit the BC Bird Trail website.
