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
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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
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Numenius hudsonicus
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Heermann's Gull
Larus heermanni
Black-bellied Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan's)
Buteo jamaicensis
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Mallard
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Rock Pigeon
Black Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Marbled Murrelet
Pigeon Guillemot
Glaucous-winged Gull
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
American Crow
Common Raven
Barn Swallow
European Starling
American Robin
White-crowned Sparrow
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 →