www.reifelbirdsanctuary.com

Welcome to the Sanctuary

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Winter home of the Snow Geese and one of Canada's top birdwatching sites.
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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

9 am to 4 pm every day of the year including all holidays.

The Sanctuary is not open in the evenings.

Most visitors spend 1 to 1.5 hours walking.

Admission:

 

Adults $5
Seniors (60+) $3
Children (2-14) $3

Note that annual memberships are available. Admissions and membership fees help our non-profit society to manage the Sanctuary.

Special Notices:

Last Updated: February 16, 2020

THE UPCOMING FAMILY DAY LONG WEEKEND: Family Day weekend is very busy here every year, with parking running out sometimes mid-morning. Please check our Twitter postings @ReifelSanctuary for any updates about whether we are full before coming for a visit.

WINTER WEATHER NOTICE: Please wear proper winter footwear and proceed with care and attention on our trails and on any of our structures. Visitors use these at their own risk. Snow, heavy rain, and windstorms have had an impact on our trails and trees and there are many broken branches and muddy areas. Please review our Disclaimer page.

READ THE RULES: Check our Rules below before planning a trip here. Note that visitors are expected to follow instructions from staff and volunteers, particularly around sensitive species such as owls.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR BIRD SEED AT HOME: Only the Sanctuary bird food can be used to feed the birds. See the Bird Feeding Rules, effective January 1st, 2020.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN LATE FEBRUARY: For most of the winter, it is not exceptionally cold and many of our winter birds are abundant along trails. Winter is usually a good time to see hawks, eagles and owls, as most of the birds they like to hunt (ducks and shorebirds and songbirds) are all down at sea level and concentrated in areas like the Sanctuary. Snow Geese are regularly seen offshore in the marshes and in fields near the Sanctuary. Our Sandhill Crane pair is showing some courtship behaviour and may soon chase out the extra cranes that have been spending the winter with them. Canada Geese are pairing up, and Wood Ducks are up in the trees checking out our nest boxes. Shorebirds, Snow Geese and Swans can be seen offshore.

Watch Your Time

The Sanctuary closes for business at 4pm, and late-arriving visitors are not allowed entry into the trails after that. All visitors must leave the Sanctuary and be out on Robertson Road no later than 5 pm, when all the gates are locked.

Come Prepared For The Weather

Dress appropriate for walking outdoors on gravel and grassy trails. Check the local weather station in Ladner for a live report on weather conditions. Consider bringing refreshments, as the Gift Shop carries only basic snacks such as pop and chocolate bars (no hot drinks).
   

Rules

Our Society manages the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary through a long-term agreement with the Government of Canada. Our rules reflect wildlife laws that protect birds and their habitats, and we also restrict activities which threaten the enjoyment and safety of others.

The habitat is protected here, so please stay on trails and do not pick flowers or fruit or other plants. What grows in the Sanctuary stays in the Sanctuary. To maintain the natural ecology, we also do not allow visitors to bring in plant or animal materials including bird seed from external sources. (see Bird Feeding Rules).

Trails are pedestrian walking paths for quiet birdwatching and nature appreciation.

  • No bicycles, tricycles, skateboards or other wheeled forms of locomotion except for wheelchairs and strollers;
  • No dogs or any other domestic or exotic animals;
  • No sports equipment, musical instruments, remote-controlled devices or devices with speakers. No drones, either, please.

Help us to keep this conservation area clean and safe for the birds and all visitors.

  • No smoking or littering
  • No cooking of any form on site
  • No picnic activities except at designated facilities at the entrance;
  • No climbing on or over fences, or tampering with bird feeders, nest boxes or other Sanctuary infrastructure.

Wildlife laws apply in this Migratory Bird Sanctuary (and National Wildlife Area).

  • No hunting or fishing;
  • No cutting, picking, damaging or removing vegetation, and no disturbing or removing soil, sand, gravel or other material;
  • No destroying or harrassing of any birds or wildlife, carcasses, nests or eggs;

It is illegal to harrass or harm birds here, so do not chase, pet or even try pick them up. Keep away from birds that are sleeping or nesting, and keep far away (2m) from all nests.

Visitors are expected to obey posted signs and instructions from staff and volunteers.
   

How To Get Here


The Sanctuary is 13 km west of Ladner in the Municipality of Delta. Ladner is west of the intersection of Highways 10 and 17A. From Ladner, follow Ladner Trunk Road (Highway 10) west to 47A Avenue and on to River Road. Follow River Road westward for 3 km and cross the bridge on your right onto Westham Island. Follow the main road to where it ends and there is a sign pointing left towards the driveway entrance gates of the Sanctuary. Follow the driveway 1 km to the Sanctuary parking lot and our facilities. (more detailed Google Maps driving instructions). NOTE: There is no public transit out to the Sanctuary.

What To Do

Birdwatching

For the keen birdwatchers, we have a special Birding Page to outline how to get the most from your visit. For beginners this is a good place to learn, and you will find staff, volunteers and even other visitors quite willing to help you. Explore the Sanctuary on your own. We have some identification signs out along the trails. Be sure to take a trail map with you.

Book a program

Sign up your group for one of our Programs. We do educational tours for school classes, birding groups and others. Loaner binoculars are available at the Gift Shop.

Sightseeing & Photography

There are several kilometers of trails through diverse coastal habitats, many scenic lookouts and a constantly changing mix of bird life to observe here at the Sanctuary. Visit our What To See Page for an overview. Most of our visitors like the tower that overlooks the ocean marshes, the Vancouver area and Vancouver Island.

Kids & Nature

A trip to the Sanctuary to learn about the birds and watch all the wild things makes for an enjoyable family outing. Visit our Kids & Nature page for helpful hints for a good visit. Feeding the ducks in a long-standing popular activity for all ages, and Black-capped Chickadees will also take sunflower seeds from the hands of visitors.See our Bird Feeding Rules, though.

Quiet Zones

The quiet oceanside pathways of the Sanctuary are posted as No Feeding Areas, giving visitors opportunities to see shorebirds and more secretive wildlife such as rails with a minimum of noise and disturbance, and to reduce slope erosion caused by waterfowl.

Visit Our Shop

The Gift Shop is open from 9 am to 4 pm, and sells snacks, bird seed, binoculars, bird books, and many gift items, as well as an assortment of gently used books. This is where you can also borrow binoculars.

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