Birdwatching Continued

Recently designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and containing several BC Parks as well as portions of Pacific Rim National Park, the Clayoquot Sound region is a biologically rich and diverse marine ecosystem. Surrounded by coastal temperate rainforest with a scenic mountain backdrop, perched on the outer edge of Vancouver Island, surrounded by coastal temperate rainforest with a scenic mountain backdrop-a truly majestic setting.

Small wonder then, that it also is rich in birdlife. More than 250 species have been recorded here, and key among them are the water-birds: in fact, they make up about half of all the species found here. Of the water-birds, the shorebirds predominate, with some 35 species, followed closely by more than 30 species of ducks, geese and swans. Pelagic seabirds such as albatross, petrels and shearwaters, and alcids including the puffins, auklets, murres and murrelets, make up another 20 species in the rich feathered tapestry of our west coast birdlife, while gulls and jaegers account for almost 20 more species. And the list goes on to include several species of loons, grebes, herons, cormorants, not to mention the abundant bald eagles and over 100 species of land-oriented birds.

Chesterman Beach, along with the outer coast beaches of Pacific Rim National Park and the adjacent tidal flats of Clayoquot Sound have been recognized by BC birders and ornithologists for their importance to the migration success of Pacific Flyway shorebirds and waterfowl. In particular, Chesterman Beach provides a key stop-over for some 200,000 Western Sandpipers, along with other species traveling in association with them each spring and fall.

This recognition led to the establishment of a program to enhance public awareness of the special role Chesterman Beach plays for migrating shorebirds: local naturalists initiated a Shorebird Festival in May 1997, offering free public outings and illustrated lectures on local birding and the migration. They also applied to the Shell Environmental Fund, the Wickaninnish Inn and the Tofino Community Mapping Project, to fund interpretive signs which were installed at public beach accesses and at the Wickaninnish Inn.

The program informs people of the migration and the great birding opportunity it affords, and also builds public support for ensuring the birds are not disturbed from their feeding and resting during their stopover The signs remain permanently in place, and plans to make the Shorebird Festival an annual event specializing in enhanced bird-watching opportunities, continue.

The highly-convoluted interface between land and sea occurring on Vancouver Island's west coast, combine with the dynamic nature of the outer wave-swept shores, and the ebb & flow of 3-metre tides twice daily to & from the exposed shoreline to the inner protected waterways, to create a rich diversity of habitats favouring a wide range of bird species. The result is a wild and natural paradise for bird-watchers; a place where both novice and expert can quickly and easily add to their knowledge and experience in the fast-growing recreational pursuit of birding.

One of the best ways to do so is to enlist the services of locally-available guides to lead you to areas where your specific interests can be indulged, and where westcoast bird species can most easily be spotted.

Whether you choose to head out on your own, or prefer an insider's knowledge through the benefit of a guided tour to the best locations our Guest Services Desk can arrange it all.

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