Haida Gwaii bird watching
British Columbia, Canada. (Queen Charlotte Islands)

Bird Watching in the Queen Charlottes is a treat. The birds can be seen year round and other birds only seen in specific seasons. The islands fall within the migratory path of many species, so the opportunity to view some birds is seasonal. The Queen Charlottes is a stopping gap, for some of our tired and weary feathered friends. Unfortunately, some are on the endangered species list.

The Haida Gwaii region is a popular destination for bird watchers, photographers, painters and the curious. Famous bird watchers (ornithologists) like John Kerry (1890-1897) lived on the Queen Charlottes. He documented the first sharp-tailed Sandpiper for Canada. And then there is Mr. Allen Brooks studying the spring shorebird migration in the early 1920s.

The whole of the Queen Charlottes is a bird sanctuary drawing many to the west coast to view the 140 or so bird species. Today, bird watchers, naturalists and all who enjoy and appreciate the outdoors can view birds like a Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Mallard and Pintail Duck, Trumpeter Swan, Canada Goose, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red Tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Black Oystercatcher, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow and so many more.

A popular destination is the Delkatla Wildlife migratory bird sanctuary in Masset. A sanctuary complete with viewing platforms, shoreline access viewpoints, some short walking trails and a gravel road access to the sandy ocean beaches and more seabirds.