Birds of Richmond

The islands of Richmond are located in prime habitat for birds in British Columbia.  Not only are they positioned on the Pacific Flyway, a major migration corridor, but the shoreline habitats of the Fraser River support large resident populations of waterfowl and other birds. The estuary of the Fraser River is rich in bird species both during the summer breeding season and during migration periods. The marshlands of the estuary are significant staging grounds. Three islands are easily accessed: Lulu Island, Sea Island and Iona Island.  The other Richmond islands are accessed by boat.

Richmond is home to eight species of owls, Pileated Woodpeckers, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Bald Eagles, Rufous Hummingbirds, Orange-crowned Warblers and many other bird species. Breeding Sandhill Cranes are repored in the Lulu Island Wetland, two colonies of Great Blue Herons have been reported on Lulu Island, and concentrations of Bald eagles line the riverbank in winter. Raptors are common in Richmond, and you can see Red-Tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Harriers, Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks and even Peregrine Falcons within minutes of each other in the old fields on Sea Island.

Breeding Sandhill Cranes, Lulu Island Wetlands

Prime birding areas in Richmond include Iona Beach Regional Park (and adjacent sewage ponds), Sea Island Conservation Area (adjacent to the Vancouver International Airport), the extensive marshlands of Sturgeon Banks, and the adjacent Terra Nova Natural Area and Rural Park. 

Among the highlights of Richmond birding are the large flocks of overwintering Snow Geese in winter, Trumpeter Swans, shorebirds at Iona Beach and adjacent sewage lagoos, concentrations of Bald Eagles along the river in winter, and nesting Sandhill Cranes in the Lulu Island Wetland.

 

Sea birds are particularly abundant in Richmond in the winter months--in the sewage lagoons, in the branches of the Fraser River, and in the offshore waters.  Buffleheads, Goldeneyes, Mergansers, and Loons are among the species regularly sighted.  

Barn Owl nest box on Lulu Island

Rare birds are frequently spotted in the municipality, and Iona Beach Regional Park is a birding hotspot with frequent sightings of rare or accidental birds, including sightings of Long-tailed Jaegars and King Eiders off the Iona Island jetty.  Migrating shorebirds are abundant in the Iona Island sewage lagoons, including Whimbrels, Avocets, Dunlins, Plovers and Sandpipers. 

Extensive bird survey work has been done by Nature Vancouver in Richmond.  The following report is now available:

 

Ryder, June. 2009.  Sea Island Conservation Area Bird Surveys 2003-2007. Nature Vancouver (Vancouver Natural History Society) and Canadian Wildlife Service. Available through Nature Vancouver. 

Winter Arrival of Snow Geese in Richmond