THE
NEWSPAPER.COM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012
A17
COMMUNITY White Rock/South Surrey
Birders have pacific flyway to thank for hot spots Bird lovers have good reason to anticipate the winter watching season Christopher Poon
Now staff Twitter @questionchris
As the days grow colder and sunshine increasingly becomes a rarity around these parts, there’s one group of people eagerly looking forward to the winter season. Known as birdwatchers to most, they usually refer to themselves as birders and are dedicated to, you guessed it, watching and appreciating birds. But while there are plenty of bird species common to the area, there are quite a few species that are something of a rarity in these parts, and they happen to make use of the White Rock/South Surrey area at this time of year. According to Margaret Cuthbert, president of the Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society, White Rock and Boundary Bay are particularly good spots for visitors and residents alike to partake in birdwatching and the area is well-known in the birding community. “White Rock is definitely part of the most important bird area in Canada,” said Cuthbert. “It’s on the regular birdwatching route during the fall, winter and spring and there’s usually birders down on the promenade and the pier quite regularly.” Those birders, said Cuthbert, are also
A harrier hawk hunts for a meal along the shores of Boundary Bay. (Photo: DAN BRODIE) a boon to local businesses, as they bring much-needed revenue to the area during what would typical be considered the offseason. “Birdwatching is the number-one activity in North America,” said Cuthbert, who travels regularly for birdwatching trips. “Birdwatchers are pretty obsessive and so they spend a lot to get to certain destinations and they’re good visitors, they don’t make trouble and they’re just out to observe nature.” While the Lower Mainland is perhaps best known for the snow geese that arrive in the winter, the birds found in the White Rock area are also a draw for those in the know. “Some of the rare birds that will be coming in are the yellow-billed loon and the lark skreep,” said Cuthbert. “The lark
skreep are quite unusual in the fall but they will draw people just to see that bird.” However, while the fall and winter may be the best time for seeing rare birds in the area, the spring and summer months also see people coming out with the binoculars. “A brown pelican comes in the summer and occasionally in the spring and that’s quite rare. It’s not native here, it’s actually from southern California, so to get them here, it’s off its normal area.” What makes the area so great, said Cuthbert, is that the peninsula is right on the pacific flyway, essentially making the area a pit stop for birds looking for warmer climates. “Of course, the mud flats out here in White Rock are essential for a number them,” explained Cuthbert, noting that many need a few days rest on the wide open
A short-eared owl rests on a fence post in Boundary Bay. (Photo: BRAD BRODIE) flats during journeys that could be as long as flying from Asia down to South America. However, because there are only a few major mud flats left on the pacific flyway, Cuthbert would like to encourage would-be birders to keep their distance when a flock of rare birds land. “They come in and they’re exhausted and there are a lot of people on the beach or a lot of dogs off-leash chasing them, those birds can’t feed and rest and can’t gain that fat they need to get to the next stage,” she said. “These birds have been doing this for thousands, if not millions of years and we’ve just been here for a very short time.” For more on local bird watching, go to birdsonthebay.ca.
cpoon@thenownewspaper.com
CORRECTION NOTICE
In the November 22nd issue of The Now Newspaper Bozzini’s Restaurant ad should have said Lunch Buffet on Wednesdays & Sundays.
& CAFE BAR
13655 104th Ave, Surrey 604-588-6880 www.bozzinis.ca
Do something about it.
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