George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Westham Island is in the Fraser River Estuary on the Southern Arm of the Fraser River where the river meets the Strait of Georgia near the community of Ladner, British Columbia, Canada.

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is part of an even bigger picture of protected wetlands, marshes and islands. The sanctuary neighbors other wildlife protected areas including the Alaksen National Wildlife Area and the South Arm Marshes Wildlife Management Area.

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is considered one of the best birdwatching destinations in Canada for viewing resident and migratory birds. The wildlife estuary, not only protects feeding, resting and nesting grounds for birds, it also protects the ecological well being of fish and other wildlife.

The sanctuary engulfs most of Westham Island measuring over 300 hectares (850 acres) in size. The sanctuary includes many dykes (dikes) and many of them double as walking paths. The paths lead to many natural view points, a 10 metre high lookout tower, some bird blinds and a good selection of information signs and billboards.

The trail network connects to some services and amenities like a gift shop, a bird museum, a day use picnic area and washrooms. In total the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary includes over 7 kilometres of hiking trails.

The trails and dyke walkways and pathways follow crushed gravel paths and boardwalk. They are level trails, easy going and suitable for all fitness levels. A good number of trails are wheelchair and baby stroller friendly.

Throughout the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary there have been over 260+ different bird species sighted in the reserve. Both resident and migratory birds consider the reserve a top nesting, feeding and resting haven.

Some of the birds sighted in the bird sanctuary include the Saw-Whet Owl, Double-crested Cormorant, Barn swallow, Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl, Bufflehead, Black-Capped Chickadees, Sandhill Crane, Red-throated Loon, Trumpeter Swan, Common Goldeneye, Killdeer, Western Sandpipers, Cooper's Hawks, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Western Sandpipers, American Robin, Barn Swallow, Bushtit, Marsh Wren, Red-Winged Blackbird, Tree Swallows, Bewick’s Wren, House Sparrows, Wood Ducks, Rufous Hummingbirds and the Lesser Snow Geese.

The birdwatching activities vary per season. Some birds are only viewed at certain times. The most talked about sighting is the white cloud of birds which take over the skies in the fall season - the Lesser Snow Geese.

During the fall months (September - November) over 30,000+ (as high as 80,000) Snow Geese arrive in the sanctuary from their Arctic breeding home on Wrangel Island (Russia). The last remaining geese leave, in and around, the months of May and April the following year. Peak viewing season is in September.

Explore George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Delta, Ladner, and the Tsawwassen BC Ferry Terminal in British Columbia, Canada