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Barred Owl

Western Canada

British Columbia

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Alberta

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Saskatchewan

British Columbia

BC Species

  • ​Birding in British Columbia offers incredible diversity, from spotting Bald Eagles and Harlequin Ducks along the coastline to searching for Varied Thrushes and Steller’s Jays in the rainforest. The province's wetlands host migratory Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans, while alpine regions reveal unique species like Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches. With its mix of rare, iconic, and migratory birds, BC is a paradise for birdwatchers year-round

  • More than 500 species of birds can be found in BC.

  • The Steller's Jay is the provincial bird.

 

Clubs and Organizations 

  • BC Nature maintains a comprehensive list of nature clubs throughout BC, where you can find (and join) an organization where you live or are visiting.

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​Hotspots

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​Events & Festivals 

  • April 4-7, 2025: The Brandt Wildlife Festival aims to connect community with the spectacular migratory return of Brant geese to raise awareness for the biological diversity within the region and highlight the importance of protecting critical habitat and minimizing disturbance to wildlife. Based out of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (Central Vancouver Island).

  • May 5-11, 2025: Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival is a massive festival, where participants can enjoy over 100 events from in-the-field excursions, luncheon, and evening presentations, a Gala dinner with keynote speaker, and large music concert. Based out of Invermere.

  • May 9-25, 2025: The Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration is a two-week series of events that include birds walks, seminars and online events.

  • May 9-11, 2025: Creston Valley Bird Fest offers a variety of birdwatching activities guided by field experts on foot, kayak, canoe, bike, and safari bus! There are also workshops, photography/art displays, and other activities.

  • May 15-19, 2025: Meadowlark Nature Festival presents interactive, multi-disciplinary events that explore and celebrate the spectacular natural environment of the Okanagan Similkameen, including birding walks led by experts. Based out of Penticton.

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Guided Tours

BC

Alberta

Alberta Species

  • Alberta is a fantastic place for birdwatching, bordered by prairies, boreal forest, wetlands, and the Rocky Mountains. You can spot Mountain Bluebirds in the grasslands, watch American Avocets feed in the wetlands, or head to Kananaskis in the winter, for a glimpse of a White-tailed Ptarmigan. The variety of landscapes means there’s always something new to discover.

  • About 430 species of birds can be found in Alberta.

  • The Great Horned Owl is the provincial bird.

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Clubs and Organizations 

  • Nature Alberta maintains a comprehensive list of nature clubs throughout Alberta, where you can find (and join) an organization where you live or are visiting.

  • Vancouver Island Queer Bird Club is a bird club for curious queers and their allies!
    Meeting last weekend of each month, as well as guided bird walks, check their Instagram for details.

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​Hotspots

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Events & Festivals 

  • April 26-27, 2025: Snow Goose Festival, where you'll experience a grand wonder of nature as thousands of migrating snow geese, Canada geese, various shorebirds, cranes, and swans return to Beaverhill Lake and area. Bus tours out of Tofield, with possible transport from Sherwood Park. 

  • May 24-25, 2025: Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory's Songbird Festival kicks off bright and early on Saturday with an early-bird pancake breakfast. After breakfast there are a variety of guided birding hikes, nature workshops, and tours of our migration monitoring station. Based out of the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation in Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.

 

Guided Tours

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Alberta

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Species

  • Saskatchewan is a hidden gem, with wide-open prairies and wetlands, as well as a massive boreal forest. It’s a great place to spot species like Western Meadowlarks, Ferruginous Hawks, Sandhill Cranes and numerous species of warblers. It is one of the few places in Canada where you have a good likelyhood of finding Whooping Cranes during their fall migration. 

  • About 400 species of birds can be found in Saskatchewan.

  • The Sharp-tailed Grouse is the provincial bird.

 

Clubs and Organizations 

  • Nature Saskatchewan maintains a comprehensive list of nature clubs throughout Saskatchewan, where you can find (and join) an organization where you live or are visiting.

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Events & Festivals 

 

Guided Tours

  • Meadowlark Birding:  offers a four day tour in the fall looking for Whooping Cranes as well as an inter-provincial tour that starts in Regina and ends in Calgary.

  • Redberry Lake Biosphere: day tours including catching, banding and releasing birds for conservation (and soon to be glamping domes). 

  • Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation: full, half-day, and multi-day tours, including private options. Also offers online workshops as well as photography tours.

  • Eagle-Eye Tours: offers 6 or 7 day Whooping Crane tours. 

Saskatchewan

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