George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary

British Columbia · Canada

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandMarshCoastal

Best Seasons

WinterFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

November-March

Entrance Fee

C$5 adults

Hours

9 AM - 4 PM daily

About This Location

The Reifel Bird Sanctuary sits in the Fraser River Delta near Vancouver, one of the most important estuaries on the Pacific coast. Over 300 species have been recorded in this 850-acre sanctuary, which combines managed marshes, sloughs, and grasslands with natural shoreline habitat.

Winter is spectacular here, with tens of thousands of Snow Geese and thousands of ducks and shorebirds. The sanctuary is also a reliable spot for Northern Saw-whet Owls, Sandhill Cranes, and diverse raptors throughout the year.

Location

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Notable Species

Snow Goose Sandhill Crane Northern Saw-whet Owl American Bittern Short-eared Owl

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

3/4/2026Martindale Flats1 observed

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

3/4/2026James Chabot Provincial Park1 observed

Taiga Flycatcher

Ficedula albicilla

3/4/2026Vancouver--Sunset Beach Park1 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Powell River - Cranberry Lake1 observed

Redhead

Aythya americana

3/4/2026Surrey Lake Park1 observed

Redhead

Aythya americana

3/4/2026Surrey Lake Park1 observed

Western Meadowlark

Sturnella neglecta

3/4/20264928–5066 Kootenay Rd, Columbia Lake 3 CA-BC 50.46121, -115.965551 observed

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

3/4/2026Vernon--Polson Park1 observed

Yellow-billed Loon

Gavia adamsii

3/4/20263780 Roberts Rd, Nanaimo CA-BC 49.05759, -123.767791 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Wardner2 observed

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

3/4/2026Wardner2 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Wardner2 observed

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

3/4/2026Wardner2 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Wardner2 observed

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

3/4/2026Wardner2 observed

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

3/4/2026Wardner2 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Wardner2 observed

Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

3/4/2026Clover Point2 observed

Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

3/4/2026Clover Point2 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026Kamloops--Airport Trail (Cinnamon Ridge Trail Head)3 observed

Recent Observations

Bald Eagle

4928–5066 Kootenay Rd, Columbia Lake 3 CA-BC 50.46121, -115.96555

3/4/2026

1 birds

European Starling

4928–5066 Kootenay Rd, Columbia Lake 3 CA-BC 50.46121, -115.96555

3/4/2026

6 birds

Common Raven

4928–5066 Kootenay Rd, Columbia Lake 3 CA-BC 50.46121, -115.96555

3/4/2026

17 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Lake Cowichan--Gordon Bay Provincial Park

3/4/2026

4 birds

American Robin

Lake Cowichan--Gordon Bay Provincial Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Canada Goose

Lake Cowichan--Gordon Bay Provincial Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Brown Creeper

Lake Cowichan--Gordon Bay Provincial Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Tundra Swan

1618 Lakeview Ln, Invermere CA-BC 50.49879, -116.01909

3/4/2026

10 birds

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Lake Cowichan--Gordon Bay Provincial Park

3/4/2026

Belted Kingfisher

Lake Cowichan--Gordon Bay Provincial Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Common Merganser

Lake Cowichan--Gordon Bay Provincial Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Lake Cowichan--Gordon Bay Provincial Park

3/4/2026

House Finch

1859 Ballou Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, CA (49.917, -119.45)

3/4/2026

House Sparrow

1859 Ballou Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, CA (49.917, -119.45)

3/4/2026

California Quail

1859 Ballou Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, CA (49.917, -119.45)

3/4/2026

Hooded Merganser

751 28 Street Northeast, Salmon Arm, British Columbia, CA (50.705, -119.254)

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mallard

751 28 Street Northeast, Salmon Arm, British Columbia, CA (50.705, -119.254)

3/4/2026

5 birds

Common Goldeneye

751 28 Street Northeast, Salmon Arm, British Columbia, CA (50.705, -119.254)

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Crow

751 28 Street Northeast, Salmon Arm, British Columbia, CA (50.705, -119.254)

3/4/2026

4 birds

Bufflehead

Port Renfrew--Pacific Gateway Marina/River Raven Retreat

3/4/2026

3 birds

Birding Tips

1
Visit from November through January for peak Snow Goose numbers in the thousands
2
Ask the volunteer staff about current owl roosting locations — they are very helpful

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Gift Shop

Nearby Attractions

Boundary Bay
Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

How to Start a Birding Life List

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary for birding?▼

The best months to visit George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary for birding are November-March. The best seasons are Winter and Fall.

What birds can I see at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary?▼

Notable species at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary include Snow Goose, Sandhill Crane, Northern Saw-whet Owl, American Bittern, Short-eared Owl. The area supports wetland, marsh, coastal habitats.

How difficult is birding at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary?▼

Birding at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary?▼

The entrance fee at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is C$5 adults. Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM daily.

What amenities are available at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary?▼

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Gift Shop.