Bird Watching in the Bella Coola Valley - Adventure on the Wild Side - Part III of the Series
As with any of BC's west coast salmon rivers, follow the Bella Coola River from the ocean to the source and discover the diverse bird life that calls British Columbia's coastal rainforest home.
Drawn by the presence of verdant plant growth and the fresh water of the Atnarko River and Bella Coola River watersheds, the forest resonates with bird song year-round.
Throughout the year, the Bald Eagles call echoes across the misty mountain sides of this narrow valley, the raucous caw of the Crows and the legendary Ravens chatter from the tree tops.
The Winter Wren flits amongst the brush along all the streams and meadows.
The black capped Juncos, Fox Sparrow, Chickadees and startling blue Stellers Jay raid the feeders put out by the Valley's bird lovers.
Hawks ride the thermals rising up the granite cliffs of Nuxalk, Nusatsum and Saloompt mountains.
Thanks to the celebrated Ralph Edwards and his daughter Trudy, the once endangered Trumpeter Swan, the largest of North America's waterfowl, has made its come back in this region wintering in the marshes and wetlands of the Valley.
Ralph and Trudy hand fed the wintering swans along the shores of Lonesome Lake in the Tweedsmuir Park South for over 40 years, ensuring their survival.
Sharing the shores of the Bella Coola estuary year round is the Great Blue Heron standing up to 5ft/1.
5m tall.
Spring heralds the return of the red breasted Robin and Swallows.
The trill of the the diminutive Rufous Hummingbird can be heard as early as April 1st, as they seek to attract a mate.
The thrum of the Ruffed Grouse rises out the forest.
The brilliant red head of the Pileated Woodpecker, as well as the Sapsuckers, Flickers, and Hairy Woodpeckers hammer at rotting old growth forest giants and beetle killed snags.
The saw and tick of the Townsend's Warbler resonates in the cool fir forests.
Practical Notes:
Drawn by the presence of verdant plant growth and the fresh water of the Atnarko River and Bella Coola River watersheds, the forest resonates with bird song year-round.
Throughout the year, the Bald Eagles call echoes across the misty mountain sides of this narrow valley, the raucous caw of the Crows and the legendary Ravens chatter from the tree tops.
The Winter Wren flits amongst the brush along all the streams and meadows.
The black capped Juncos, Fox Sparrow, Chickadees and startling blue Stellers Jay raid the feeders put out by the Valley's bird lovers.
Hawks ride the thermals rising up the granite cliffs of Nuxalk, Nusatsum and Saloompt mountains.
Thanks to the celebrated Ralph Edwards and his daughter Trudy, the once endangered Trumpeter Swan, the largest of North America's waterfowl, has made its come back in this region wintering in the marshes and wetlands of the Valley.
Ralph and Trudy hand fed the wintering swans along the shores of Lonesome Lake in the Tweedsmuir Park South for over 40 years, ensuring their survival.
Sharing the shores of the Bella Coola estuary year round is the Great Blue Heron standing up to 5ft/1.
5m tall.
Spring heralds the return of the red breasted Robin and Swallows.
The trill of the the diminutive Rufous Hummingbird can be heard as early as April 1st, as they seek to attract a mate.
The thrum of the Ruffed Grouse rises out the forest.
The brilliant red head of the Pileated Woodpecker, as well as the Sapsuckers, Flickers, and Hairy Woodpeckers hammer at rotting old growth forest giants and beetle killed snags.
The saw and tick of the Townsend's Warbler resonates in the cool fir forests.
Practical Notes:
- An excellent reference book for bird watchers is Birds of the Raincoast, Habits and Habitat by Harvey Thommasen and Kevin Hutchings.
The book is full of the rich Coastal photography of Michael Wigle www.
mwigle.
zenfolio.
com - Local guides are available through the lodge for both river drifts and hiking or fishing.
For those wanting to strike out on their own Bella Coola Valley Tourism has produced an excellent Trails Guide that includes maps and descriptions of 17 of the most popular hikes. - Because the winding Bella Coola Valley is so narrow, and Highway 20 runs the entire length of it, access to bird watching areas can be as easy as a stroll in Saloompt Forest Trails, a wheel chair accessible park.
An excellent Trail Guide is available at the Visitor Centre for those wanting to get off the beaten track. - Valley visitors should be prepared to explore the outdoors.
The Bella Coola Valley is located in a temperate rainforest where rain is possible year round.
Visitors are reminded to bring rain gear and good walking shoes.
Plan on dressing in layers as the weather can change completely in just a few hours.