Anyone been to Boundary Bay wildlife area in BC Canada?

[FlyingSquirrel]

Wondering if anyone has been to Boundary Bay for wildlife in BC Canada. If so, was hoping for some insight, tips, experiences, best areas, etc etc. Feel free to send me a private message if desired. Thanks for any input.

[Rita]

Hi Matt, I am not sure how much actual wildlife you will see in Boundary Bay but it is a great birding area. If you google Boundary Bay, Burns Bog, and Riefle (or Reifle) Bird Sanctuary this might help to give you an idea of what it is like.

[Brownbear]

Hi Matt,

Having just moved back here I am still learning and exploring areas for wildlife. I hope to visit Boundary Bay this winter because I understand it to be a great area to photograph birds, but especially because in 2012 the area was frequented by Snowy Owls (also in 2013) and I'm hoping that they will return again this year.

Birds in the area

http://www3.telus.net/driftwood/boundbl.htm

http://www.natureguidesbc.com/Boundary_Bay.html


Some gorgeous owl images by a photographer who shares a little bit of information on the area.. ie; you can't wade into the water to get closer

http://www.canadiannaturephotographe...on_Huyer5.html
http://www.canadiannaturephotographe...on_Huyer5.html

[Brownbear]

Hi Matt,

Having just moved back here I am still learning and exploring areas for wildlife. I hope to visit Boundary Bay this winter because I understand it to be a great area to photograph birds, but especially because in 2012 the area was frequented by Snowy Owls (also in 2013) and I'm hoping that they will return again this year.

Birds in the area

http://www3.telus.net/driftwood/boundbl.htm

http://www.natureguidesbc.com/Boundary_Bay.html


Some gorgeous owl images by a photographer who shares a little bit of information on the area.. ie; you can't wade into the water to get closer

http://www.canadiannaturephotographe...on_Huyer5.html

[tbob]

Matt (and Christina) Here are some areas to check out

1) The south side of the Tswassen Ferry Causeway. Turn left at the traffic lights just before going onto the causeway. The road makes a sharp left turn into the Tsatsu Shores condo complex, just drive straight ahead into the parking area along side the causeway. There is a huge heron rookery at the base of the cliff. Also shore birds on the extensive mud flats (with interesting stuff left behind by the receding tide) and a lot of driftwood on the shore. The land up to the highest tide mark is Crown land, which in Canada means you can walk freely on it as it is public land. However no one at Tsatsu Shores will care if you set up anywhere to take pictures of the herons. I know this because my sister in law lives there.

2) The Boundary Bay Dike. Several access points. The access point I use is to drive into Tswassen townsite, turn left at 12 Avenue ( shopping mall on the right side of the road) and follow the road down to Boundary Bay Public park. You can then poke about in the brushy areas in the park or walk for miles along the dike.

3) Point Roberts. The border crossing is quick if you avoid peak times (7 to 10 am and 3 to 6 pm I am told). I just spent Xmas there so I am not overly familiar with it, however Lily Point Park and the Point Roberts Lighthouse Park are worth going to. A local told me that the beaches, even if posted Private and No Trepassing, can be used by photographers are long as you are unobtrusive and park only in public parking areas and walk in. They are more concerned about large groups and noise. Take that for what it is worth. Nobody said a word to me, for that matter I saw no one else; but that was at Christmas and before sunrise and at sunset.

4) McDonald Park on the north side of the Vancouver Aeroport. I haven't been there in years, but there used to be a population of Short Eared Owls hunting in the abandoned farmland. Worth a try anyway. The access has probably changed since I was last there so I cannot give you directions. Should be reasonably easy to check it on Goggle Earth.

[t6b9p]

Matt & Christina

Trevor has provided some excellent directions.

2012 was a bonus year for Snowy owls, it doesn't happen every year although some stragglers may show up. Check the tweeters websites to see whats been reported.

[Brownbear]

Hi Trevor,

Thank you for sharing this information. Truly appreciated as I plan on visiting Boundary Bay soon. I don't have a car so I use a combination of buses, taxis and walking.

By any chance do you know if it is easy to walk to the heron rookery from the ferry terminal? ie does one have to walk along the highway?

Owls... Thank you.

PS Sorry for the double post. I tried to delete it but it didn't work.

Matt (and Christina) Here are some areas to check out

1) The south side of the Tswassen Ferry Causeway. Turn left at the traffic lights just before going onto the causeway. The road makes a sharp left turn into the Tsatsu Shores condo complex, just drive straight ahead into the parking area along side the causeway. There is a huge heron rookery at the base of the cliff. Also shore birds on the extensive mud flats (with interesting stuff left behind by the receding tide) and a lot of driftwood on the shore. The land up to the highest tide mark is Crown land, which in Canada means you can walk freely on it as it is public land. However no one at Tsatsu Shores will care if you set up anywhere to take pictures of the herons. I know this because my sister in law lives there.

2) The Boundary Bay Dike. Several access points. The access point I use is to drive into Tswassen townsite, turn right at 12 Avenue ( shopping mall on the left side of the road) and follow the road down to Boundary Bay Public park. You can then poke about in the brushy areas in the park or walk for miles along the dike.

3) Point Roberts. The border crossing is quick if you avoid peak times (7 to 10 am and 3 to 6 pm I am told). I just spent Xmas there so I am not overly familiar with it, however Lily Point Park and the Point Roberts Lighthouse Park are worth going to. A local told me that the beaches, even if posted Private and No Trepassing, can be used by photographers are long as you are unobtrusive and park only in public parking areas and walk in. They are more concerned about large groups and noise. Take that for what it is worth. Nobody said a word to me, for that matter I saw no one else; but that was at Christmas and before sunrise and at sunset.

4) McDonald Park on the north side of the Vancouver Aeroport. I haven't been there in years, but there used to be a population of Short Eared Owls hunting in the abandoned farmland. Worth a try anyway. The access has probably changed since I was last there so I cannot give you directions. Should be reasonably easy to check it on Goggle Earth.

[t6b9p]

I entered on 72nd st, off Ladner Trunk Rd by Boundary Bay Airport. This takes you to the dike. If you get there at or just before sunrise you will probably be able to park right at the end by the dike. It can get packed especially on nice weekends or if the Snowys show up.

Matt I see you are in WA, are you close to Snohomish?

[tbob]

My directions to the Boundary Bay park to get onto the dike. You need to turn east on 12 Avenue (which is left; not right, if coming from Vancouver) I edited the original post as well

[tbob]

By any chance do you know if it is easy to walk to the heron rookery from the ferry terminal? ie does one have to walk along the highway?

The rookery is right off the access road, and I mean right off the road, probably 100 metres from the road itself. Impossible to miss as the herons fly over the road to get to the mudflats and the nests are fully visible from the road itself. Most people stand just off the road to view it.

If taking a bus to the terminal you will able to walk back along the side of the causeway, off the highway itself, and back towards the mainland.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Trevor. Truly appreciated!

Off to photograph herons as soon as they arrive!

The rookery is right off the access road, and I mean right off the road, probably 100 metres from the road itself. Impossible to miss as the herons fly over the road to get to the mudflats and the nests are fully visible from the road itself. Most people stand just off the road to view it.

If taking a bus to the terminal you will able to walk back along the side of the causeway, off the highway itself, and back towards the mainland.

[tbob]

Just to whet your appetite This is taken from the access road to Tsatsu Shores condo complex. This is only a small part of the overall rookery. It extends for about 200 metres along the cliff base. Gives you some idea of the density of birds. With a large lens (600 mm or so) you can get some brilliant shots of individual birds.

[Brownbear]

Whet my appetite, yes indeed! That is a lot of herons! Thank you for sharing.

I will have to figure out how to entice the herons to come a bit closer.

Just to whet your appetite This is taken from the access road to Tsatsu Shores condo complex. This is only a small part of the overall rookery. It extends for about 200 metres along the cliff base. Gives you some idea of the density of birds. With a large lens (600 mm or so) you can get some brilliant shots of individual birds.

[Cantab]

Hi Matt,

Having just moved back here I am still learning and exploring areas for wildlife. I hope to visit Boundary Bay this winter because I understand it to be a great area to photograph birds, but especially because in 2012 the area was frequented by Snowy Owls (also in 2013) and I'm hoping that they will return again this year.

Birds in the area

http://www3.telus.net/driftwood/boundbl.htm

http://www.natureguidesbc.com/Boundary_Bay.html


Some gorgeous owl images by a photographer who shares a little bit of information on the area.. ie; you can't wade into the water to get closer

http://www.canadiannaturephotographe...on_Huyer5.html

Snowy owls who get a bit off track seem to like Boundary Bay. I saw one there two decades ago.

[Brownbear]

Two decades ago (:

Snowy owls who get a bit off track seem to like Boundary Bay. I saw one there two decades ago.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Thank you very much to all who responded, especially Trevor; thank you so much for the very detailed information!!! Excellent info which I shall stash away into my files. You and Christina are lucky to live up there in such a great area.

Shane, I live in the "eastside" of puget sound, 30 minutes north of Seattle, so I am not far from Snohomish.

Note to all: Snowies are being spotted at Boundary Bay currently

[t6b9p]

Shane, I live in the "eastside" of puget sound, 30 minutes north of Seattle, so I am not far from Snohomish.

are you the same Matt that bought my 500/4?

[FlyingSquirrel]

Hey all. So me and some folks from a photo group I am part of went to Boundary Bay yesterday. The group organizer/leader took us on the dike trail. Unfortunately we did not have enough time to check out any of the other spots suggested in this thread, but I will definitely try them out in future trips. The trip didn't go as well as we'd hope. I got a few ok photos but nothing I'm ecstatic about. Will post up some stuff in another thread after editing. Thanks again, and I can't wait to go back again and try more areas, and hopefully have more luck.

are you the same Matt that bought my 500/4?

Nope, that wasn't me. I bought mine from B&H.

[Brownbear]

Hi Matt,

I'm very much looking forward to reading your report. I made a 2nd trip out to Brackendale today to try and capture some eagle shots but it was impossible to get close to the eagles, limitations on where you can go (understandably the best thing for the eagles) and hundreds of photographers everywhere, way too crowded for me. Albeit I took more eagle shots then I have ever before but I prefer finding my own places.

That said, I have yet to see a snowy owl let alone photograph one, so I hope you found some. All the searches I have done for snowy owl sightings bring up years past... Did you see any?

Hey all. So me and some folks from a photo group I am part of went to Boundary Bay yesterday. The group organizer/leader took us on the dike trail. Unfortunately we did not have enough time to check out any of the other spots suggested in this thread, but I will definitely try them out in future trips. The trip didn't go as well as we'd hope. I got a few ok photos but nothing I'm ecstatic about. Will post up some stuff in another thread after editing. Thanks again, and I can't wait to go back again and try more areas, and hopefully have more luck.



Nope, that wasn't me. I bought mine from B&H.

[drjuice]

Hi, Matt -

Yup, been there done that. Are you staying north or going out to Point Roberts? Why I ask (and I haven't been there for about 4 years) is that we used to stay with some friends who retired from Port Townsend to Point Roberts. While we visited, I used to just go down towards the bay and take pictures of the birds. Once, I got great pictures of some orcas dancing around in the bay. I figured they were lost because the bay is relatively shallow, but when I went back the next morning, they'd left (whew).

As I recall, most of my shooting was golden hour and, particularly, one day when I found a sea lion (not just seals), I remember shooting one with the light directly behind him. It made his whiskers light up, which I thought was pretty cool!

I've also gone over to White Rock and taken sunset pictures from there, but I never got as familiar with their critters as I was with the ones at Point Roberts.

Hope this helps.

virginia