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. |