It doesn’t matter if you are a complete newbie or a pro, the habitats of South Chilcotin Mountains of British Columbia, Canada is home to dozens of species of birds. On this four-day adventure, not only will you learn about and see these birds, but you will also learn where and when and the basics if you are new to birdwatching. You will spot different types of birds, like prey, predators, and scavengers. During the birding holidays, you will witness birds such as the Horned Lark, American Pipit, Rock, White-Tailed, and Willow Ptarmigan, Franklin’s, Blue, and Ruffed Grouse, Red and White-Winged Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, and Gray and Stellar’s Jay, soaring through the skies. During birding breaks, you will get the chance to see the Bald eagle and the Golden eagle.
When you arrive from Vancouver aboard the Chilcotin Bus Shuttle, you should just arrive just in time for lunch. You will have a map orientation to learn more about the places and highlights of birdwatching with your guides. Your guides will teach you the basics of identifying bird activity as well as the best places to look out for them. You will be brought to key viewing locations to scan the skies, ponds, and lakes for birds. You will be travelling to these places either by hiking or by riding a truck. Return to the ranch for dinner and spend the night in ranch accommodation.
There are no differences on your schedules on the second and third days. After breakfast at the ranch you will be grabbing your spotting scopes and binoculars before riding out on a truck or hiking your way to your birdwatching adventure. You will find yourself scanning the surrounding areas such as mountains, lofty treetops, ponds, and lakes. You will learn more about the different types of bird species that call the South Chilcotin Mountains and the surrounding areas their home. Their diets, instincts, and the wilderness they live in are only some of the information that will be covered in the trip. After a lunch break you will continue your adventure, but you will be focusing on the tree-lined lakeshore. Drive or hike back to ranch for dinner and spend the night in ranch accommodations.
On the last day you will head out for one final birdwatching in the beautiful and unpredictable wilderness. You will be discussing the bird activities, birds, and highlights you have observed in the past two days. When you return to the ranch at midday, you will be eating the farewell lunch before boarding the Chilcotin Bus Shuttle back to Vancouver where you might arrive in the evening.
Please note that we try to follow the itinerary as much as possible but due to changes in weather and circumstances, we may need to adapt to any circumstance as to what we see proper.
by Melissa D.
Read more on our Birdwatching page!
