Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary)

British Columbia · Canada

Habitat
Estuary
Best Seasons
SpringSummerFall
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

May-October

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open year-round, dawn to dusk

About This Location

Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary) is a productive birding destination in British Columbia, with 253 species recorded on eBird. This estuary habitat attracts Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, and Mallard among many others. Boreal and temperate forests host breeding warblers, sparrows, and waterfowl during the productive summer months.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

3/6/2026Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary)1 observed

Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

3/6/2026Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary)1 observed

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

3/5/2026Lake Terrell3 observed

White-crowned Sparrow (Dark-lored)

Zonotrichia leucophrys

3/5/2026New Westminster--Port Royal River Walk1 observed

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

3/5/2026Pitt Meadows--Connecting Road Area1 observed

Rock Sandpiper

Calidris ptilocnemis

3/5/2026Steveston--Jetty at Sand Heads4 observed

Redhead

Aythya americana

3/4/2026Surrey Lake Park1 observed

Rough-legged Hawk

Buteo lagopus

3/4/2026160th St Access Road To The Serpentine Dike Pumphouse.2 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/4/2026Boundary Bay Dyke (12th Ave-64th St)1 observed

Hudsonian Whimbrel

Numenius hudsonicus

3/4/2026Drayton Harbor--Peace Portal Dr2 observed

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

3/3/2026Serpentine Fen1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Eurasian Wigeon

13/6/2026

American Wigeon

143/6/2026

Mallard

353/6/2026

Green-winged Teal

253/6/2026

Greater Scaup

223/6/2026

Bufflehead

43/6/2026

Common Goldeneye

23/6/2026

Red-breasted Merganser

13/6/2026

Eurasian Collared-Dove

13/6/2026

Anna's Hummingbird

23/6/2026

Black-bellied Plover

23/6/2026

Killdeer

33/6/2026

Long-billed Dowitcher

33/6/2026

Wilson's Snipe

143/6/2026

Greater Yellowlegs

23/6/2026

Dunlin

10003/6/2026

Short-billed Gull

23/6/2026

Glaucous-winged Gull

43/6/2026

Horned Grebe

13/6/2026

Red-necked Grebe

13/6/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Time your visit around low tide for the best shorebird viewing.

  2. 2

    Scan open mudflats and salt marsh edges for rails and herons.

  3. 3

    Peak breeding season runs from late May through June for most songbirds.

  4. 4

    Visit during spring migration (April-May) for the greatest species diversity

  5. 5

    Fall migration (September-October) brings waves of southbound warblers and raptors

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary) for birding?
The best months to visit Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary) for birding are May-October. The best seasons are Spring and Summer and Fall.
What birds can I see at Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary)?
Notable species at Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary) include Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Anna's Hummingbird, Black-bellied Plover. The area supports estuary habitats.
How difficult is birding at Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary)?
Birding at Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary) is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
Is there an entrance fee at Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary)?
There is no entrance fee at Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary). Hours: Open year-round, dawn to dusk.
What amenities are available at Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary)?
Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary) offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.