Esquimalt Lagoon
British Columbia · Canada
Moderate
May-October
Free
Open daily
About This Location
Esquimalt Lagoon is a productive birding destination in British Columbia, with 244 species recorded on eBird. This wetland habitat attracts Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, and Mallard among many others. Boreal and temperate forests host breeding warblers, sparrows, and waterfowl during the productive summer months.
Location
Loading map...
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
Wilson's Warbler
Cardellina pusilla
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Northern Yellow Warbler
Setophaga aestiva
American Wigeon x Green-winged Teal (hybrid)
Mareca americana x Anas crecca
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Black Oystercatcher
Glaucous-winged Gull
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid)
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
American Crow
Common Raven
Brewer's Blackbird
Bonaparte's Gull
Short-billed Gull
Western Gull
Birding Tips
- 1
Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.
- 2
Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.
- 3
Peak breeding season runs from late May through June for most songbirds.
- 4
Check tide tables before visiting — low tide exposes mudflats that attract the most shorebirds.
- 5
Onshore winds can push pelagic species closer to shore, making post-storm days excellent for rarities.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse
- Royal Roads University
- Hatley Castle
More in British Columbia
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Fraser River Delta sanctuary near Vancouver with 300+ species and massive winter Snow Goose flocks.
Beatton Provincial Park
Boreal/Taiga birding hotspot in British Columbia with 212 recorded species.
Becher's Prairie & Lakes North of Hwy 20
Grassland birding hotspot in British Columbia with 207 recorded species.
British Columbia Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in British Columbia →