Birding from the Ferries
British Columbia and Washington


Under Construction

 
Click HERE to view the birdfinding index

This page is under construction.  It does contain useful info, so has been posted now.

This page describes birding along some of the ferry routes in the Georgia Basin of British Columbia and Washington.  There are numerous excellent viewing opportunities from the ferries.

Port Angeles to Victoria

Site #23 Tsawwassen (Vancouver area) to Swartz Bay (Victoria area) (updated April 8, 2005)

Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver area)

Little River (Courtenay area) to Powell River

Anacortes to Sidney

A few notes on other routes

 
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PORT ANGELES TO VICTORIA                           Click HERE for schedules and other route information
Operated by Black Ball Transport, this one has the best potential of all these routes for finding pelagic species.  Northern Fulmars, Sooty Shearwaters, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, Cassin's Auklets and Tufted Puffins are reported annually.  This route is at its best from mid-July through early December.  On average, late October and November seem to produce the highest diversity and numbers of birds.

PRESENT NOW IN JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT:  Pacific Loon, Brandt's Cormorant, Red-necked Phalarope, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Tufted Puffin, Rhinoceros Auklet. 
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SWARTZ BAY TO TSAWWASSEN TO SWARTZ BAY

Click HERE to view birding information for this route.
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DEPARTURE BAY TO HORSESHOE BAY
Most of this route goes well out in to the Strait of Georgia which is relatively birdless.  The section closest to the Departure Bay terminal is the best.  Gulls, cormorants, alcids, waterfowl and grebes of several species are often seen in this stretch.  Prime time of the year is September and October.

PRESENT NOW:  Brandt's Cormorant, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Rhinoceros Auklet.
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LITTLE RIVER (COURTENAY/COMOX AREA) TO POWELL RIVER
This route is not frequently travelled by birders.  It can be excellent, particularly in the fall.  Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, Parasitic Jaegers and Ancient Murrelets are good possibilities in season.  The shores near the Little River terminal are excellent for shorebirds much of the year.  No recent reports from this route. 

LIKELY PRESENT RECENTLY:  Brandt's Cormorant, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Rhinoceros Auklet, Marbled Murrelet.

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ANACORTES TO SIDNEY
Operated by Washington State Ferries this route is a summer run.  Birding is particularly good between the northwest corner of San Juan Island and Sidney.  Tufted Puffins occasionally breed on Mandarte Island near Sidney, and many species of alcids and other seabirds frequent the area.  No recent reports from this route.
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NOTES ON SOME OTHER FERRY ROUTES
  • Horseshoe Bay to Snug Cove (Bowen Island)
    Not usually too productive.  From late October through mid-October, Barrow's Goldeneye are easy to find at both terminals.  Bald Eagles are year round fixtures.  Some years Marbled Murrelets are conspicuous.
  • Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)
    Pigeon Guillemots and Pelagic Cormorants are currently at Swartz Bay.  Salt Spring Island is a fairly good place to find soaring birds.  Currently Bald Eagles and Common Ravens are the most prevalent species.
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Useful Information Sources:
  • Victoria Rare Bird Alert - recorded message (250) 592-3381

 

 
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2005 08 02