Birding Near Nanaimo, BC

30 birding locations within 50 miles

British Columbia · Canada

30

Locations

73+

Species

9

Habitats

4

Peak Seasons

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Birding Locations Near Nanaimo

River/Riparian birding habitat

British Columbia

3.0 mi away

Moderate

Nanaimo River Estuary

River/Riparian birding hotspot in British Columbia with 233 recorded species.

River/RiparianEstuarySpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

18.3 mi away

Moderate

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 207 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
River/Riparian birding habitat

British Columbia

19.6 mi away

Moderate

Englishman River Estuary

River/Riparian birding hotspot in British Columbia with 236 recorded species.

River/RiparianEstuarySpringSummer
River/Riparian birding habitat

British Columbia

21.4 mi away

Moderate

ts’uḵw’um (Wilson Creek) Estuary

River/Riparian birding hotspot in British Columbia with 234 recorded species.

River/RiparianEstuarySpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

23.4 mi away

Moderate

Columbia Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 210 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
Estuary birding habitat

British Columbia

28.5 mi away

Moderate

Little Qualicum estuary

Estuary birding hotspot in British Columbia with 220 recorded species.

EstuarySpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

30.7 mi away

Challenging

Iona Island - South Jetty

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 230 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
Boreal/Taiga birding habitat

British Columbia

31.5 mi away

Moderate

UBC - Cecil Green & Museum of Anthropology grounds

Boreal/Taiga birding hotspot in British Columbia with 202 recorded species.

Boreal/TaigaForestSpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

31.6 mi away

Moderate

Cowichan Bay

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 214 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
a stone building sitting on top of a lush green hillside

British Columbia

33.1 mi away

Challenging

Iona Island

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 288 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
Boreal/Taiga birding habitat

British Columbia

33.5 mi away

Moderate

Richmond - Terra Nova

Boreal/Taiga birding hotspot in British Columbia with 215 recorded species.

Boreal/TaigaForestSpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

34.2 mi away

Challenging

Sea Island

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 217 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
Tall trees in a lush green forest

British Columbia

34.4 mi away

Easy

Vancouver - Jericho Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in British Columbia with 244 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringSummer
gray bird on body of water under white sky

British Columbia

34.4 mi away

Moderate

Reifel Bird Sanctuary

Boreal/Taiga birding hotspot in British Columbia with 275 recorded species.

Boreal/TaigaForestSpringSummer
Marsh and wetland at Reifel Bird Sanctuary in the Fraser River Delta

British Columbia

34.5 mi away

Easy

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Fraser River Delta sanctuary near Vancouver with 300+ species and massive winter Snow Goose flocks.

WetlandMarshCoastalWinterFall
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

36.2 mi away

Challenging

Delta—Westham Island

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 228 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
Boreal/Taiga birding habitat

British Columbia

36.2 mi away

Moderate

Delta - Brunswick Point

Boreal/Taiga birding hotspot in British Columbia with 241 recorded species.

Boreal/TaigaForestSpringSummer
Urban Park birding habitat

British Columbia

37.2 mi away

Easy

Stanley Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in British Columbia with 253 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringSummer
Urban Park birding habitat

British Columbia

37.5 mi away

Easy

West Vancouver - Ambleside Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in British Columbia with 215 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringSummer
Side view of a seagull standing on pier by sea at sunset.

British Columbia

38.7 mi away

Moderate

Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal Jetty

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 229 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
Estuary birding habitat

British Columbia

41.0 mi away

Moderate

Port Alberni - Somass Estuary & sewage lagoons

Estuary birding hotspot in British Columbia with 202 recorded species.

EstuarySpringSummer
Urban Park birding habitat

Washington

41.0 mi away

Easy

Lighthouse Marine Park, Point Roberts

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 217 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

41.2 mi away

Moderate

Deep Bay

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 201 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

41.7 mi away

Easy

Boundary Bay Regional Park

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 231 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringSummer
Forest birding habitat

Washington

42.0 mi away

Moderate

Point Roberts

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 234 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

42.1 mi away

Moderate

Delta—Boundary Bay - 72nd Saint Access

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 216 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
a view of a mountain range with a lake in the foreground

British Columbia

43.5 mi away

Moderate

North Vancouver - Maplewood Flats Conservation Area

Boreal/Taiga birding hotspot in British Columbia with 246 recorded species.

Boreal/TaigaForestSpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

44.5 mi away

Moderate

Delta—Boundary Bay

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 239 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer
Lake birding habitat

British Columbia

45.3 mi away

Easy

Burnaby Lake Regional Park

Lake birding hotspot in British Columbia with 211 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

British Columbia

45.9 mi away

Moderate

Delta—Boundary Bay - 104th Saint

Coastal birding hotspot in British Columbia with 215 recorded species.

CoastalSpringSummer

Top Species Near Nanaimo

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

Eurasian WigeonAmerican WigeonMallardNorthern PintailGreen-winged TealBrantBuffleheadBlack OystercatcherCanada GooseCommon GoldeneyeCommon MerganserGadwallHarlequin DuckCalifornia GullBlack-bellied PloverKilldeerGreater YellowlegsGreater ScaupSurf ScoterWhite-winged ScoterBlack ScoterDouble-crested CormorantRed-breasted MerganserAnna's HummingbirdBonaparte's Gull+48 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Coastal15 locations
Forest6 locations
Urban Park6 locations
Estuary5 locations
Boreal/Taiga5 locations
River/Riparian3 locations
Wetland1 location
Marsh1 location
Lake1 location

Best Seasons:

Spring29 locations
Summer27 locations
Fall30 locations
Winter1 location

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near Nanaimo, BC?
Top birding locations within 50 miles of Nanaimo include Nanaimo River Estuary, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, Englishman River Estuary, ts’uḵw’um (Wilson Creek) Estuary, Columbia Beach. These spots offer river/riparian, estuary, coastal habitats.
What birds can I see near Nanaimo?
Birders near Nanaimo can spot species including Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Brant, Bufflehead, Black Oystercatcher. The area's 9 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near Nanaimo?
The best seasons for birding near Nanaimo are Spring and Summer and Fall and Winter. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near Nanaimo?
There are 30 documented birding locations within 50 miles of Nanaimo, BC, ranging from 3.0 to 45.9 miles from the city center.

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