| Delkatla
Wildlife Sanctuary, Masset: A migratory bird sanctuary
with viewing platforms, shoreline access viewpoints, some short
walking trails and a gravel road access to the sandy ocean beaches.
The Delkatla bird sanctuary population changes
seasonally with people and birds coming and going.
The region is a big attraction for bird watchers,
photographers, painters and the curious. The bird sanctuary draws
many to the west coast to view the 140 or so bird species who
visit yearly. But, it was not until 1969 when the Masset Rod and
Gun Club turn the land over to the village with conditions - it
had to be a wildlife sanctuary and a recreational area.
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.
Seasons play a big part as birds are migratory.
Spring, summer, fall and winter all bring different wildlife guests
to the Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary. 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.
How to Get to
the Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary:
Drive north on Hwy 16 from Skidegate BC Ferry towards Masset Village.
Once over the bridge driving into Masset Village, continue straight
through to Trumpeter Drive. There are access trails along this
road, as well as, the Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Interpretive
Centre.
There
is also a poorly marked gravel road entrance off of the main hwy
at the north end of the wildlife sanctuary. This road leads to
more trails, bird watching areas and to sandy beaches. |
Delkatla
Masset Village