Visiting The George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC

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When visiting Vancouver, there are a lot of great outdoor spaces: parks, trails, beaches and lakes. Though the varied Vancouver neighborhoods are not the only places to check out on a trip to British Columbia. A short distance from downtown Vancouver is the city of Delta, with fun family friendly trails and rural farming areas. But also home to one of the best wildlife viewing places in the lower mainland: The George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary.

What is the Reifel bird sanctuary?

The George C. Reifel bird sanctuary, unlike many other sanctuaries, is not like a zoo. There are no cages, there are no birds on display, they are all wild and free to come and go as they please. This is a migratory bird sanctuary, which means that you will see different types of birds depending on the season.

The snow geese for example are around from September to about April. But Ospreys may only be found there between April and September on the opposite migration patterns. The sanctuary consists of many marshes and wetlands along the Fraser River in Delta, BC. Surviving on this land for over 50 years, the sanctuary is a great place to see some local wildlife and enjoy a quiet walk outdoors away from the busy city.

Getting to the Reifel bird sanctuary

There is no public transit to the sanctuary. From downtown Vancouver you can take a combination of skytrain and bus to reach the village of Ladner, Delta. However this won’t get you all the way to the Reifel bird sanctuary.

Your best option is to drive to the sanctuary on the far side of the beautiful Westham island. Make a day of it and visit some of the amazing farms and fresh produce stands along the way.

Planning your visit

The George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary is open every day except Monday (everything seems to be closed on Mondays in Ladner). Their opening hours are 9am to 4pm but currently reservations are required for timed entry. You can select a morning reservation (arriving between 9am and 11am) or afternoon (arriving between 1pm and 3pm).

Reservations can be made through their website and times are released a couple of days in advance. Pre-payment is not required, you can pay when you arrive.

NOTE: Due to COVID-19 and the timed entry, the staff at the gate will only allow you to enter if you have a reservation and are on their list.

The entrance fee is $5 per person, or for locals you might want to consider an annual pass for $25. That’s what I did, and it means I can go as often as I want.

The main toilet facilities are at the entrance to the sanctuary although there are a couple of portable toilets or toilet huts along the trails. For comfort it’s best to go before you set off on your walk.

What can you do at the George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary?

You can spend as little as an hour here or up to three hours depending on how slow you walk, how many rest stops you make, or how many interesting birds you find. The Reifel Bird Sanctuary is on nearly 850 acres of land (which expands into the wetlands past the areas you can walk around). And with so much space, there are of course a number of things to do here.

Walk the trails

There are a number of beautiful trails, from wide open bordering the wetlands to forested paths and strolls alongside serene ponds. Starting at the visitor center at the entrance, walk past the ponds on either side of a gravel path where you’ll be immediately met by more ducks than you can count. Continue through the trails in any direction, always keeping an eye out for wildlife.

Feed the ducks

So. Many. Ducks. They know exactly where the food is: it’s in $1 paper bags available for purchase at the entrance when you pay your admission. Feeding the ducks and geese and other birds is encouraged in all areas except the West Field and West Dyke are. Don’t worry, there are signs to let you know areas you shouldn’t feed the birds.

Top Tip: Buying at least a bag of food is a good idea, if nothing else than to use to distract the honking geese as you make your escape. They own this place and aren’t afraid to show it.

Enjoy the views

It’s not just the pretty birds that can sit and watch the world go by. Take advantage of the benches around the Reifel Bird Sanctuary facing out into the wetlands or around one of the ponds. The are some beautiful flowers and plants around the garden areas, and since Delta is a very flat city, you can see gorgeous views of the city and mountains in the distance.

For some extra special views there are a couple of lookouts around the sanctuary, the best of which is the tower where the North and West Dyke meet. If visiting alone, I recommend bringing a book and enjoy the scenery and quietness of the sanctuary for a short time.

Learn about local wildlife

You don’t have to know everything about birds to enjoy your experience at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Quite the opposite in fact. With knowledgeable staff at the entrance kiosk, and spread out throughout the sanctuary there’s always someone at hand if you want to know something.

Or keep your eyes peeled for helpful information boards which detail the birds you might see and include pictures. You’ll find them throughout the sanctuary in areas where the birds they talk about are commonly found.

Try your hand at bird spotting

For a couple of dollars you can pick up a printed checklist of birds you might see to accompany you on your walk. At the very least take a look in window by the entrance as they always have a list of birds that have been seen there that week. They also have binoculars for rent or to buy.

To see some good birds you’ll want to keep the noise down. Many of the birds are curious enough to come up to you (especially if you have food) if you’re quiet. To observe the birds there are also a few bird blinds (enclosed hides where you can sit and watch through small windows).

Top Tip: Don’t forget to look up: Ladner is famous for its incredible numbers of bald eagles always circling above.

Gift shop

A little shopping never hurt anyone. But it’s not all binoculars and bird books. The gift shop has some lovely local crafts and other gifts including artwork, clothing, puzzles and jewelry. If you’re interested in buying a bird book, check out the gift shop on your way in. Otherwise, make sure to pay a visit before you leave.

The gift shop also sells a small number of snacks in case you forgot to bring your own. Or in case the kids are jealous that the birds are getting all the food.

What else is there to see near the Reifel Bird Sanctuary?

A trip to Delta wouldn’t be complete without a stop at a farm stall or local produce stand. My favorite is probably Emma Lea Farms just a few minutes before you get to the bird sanctuary. In the summer they even have an ice cream hut as well as berry picking.

There are a few other nice trails around Ladner too. Try Brunswick Point Trail which is an 8km trail that hugs the Strait of Georgia and has mesmerizing ocean views. It’s very flat and easy for all skill levels. Visiting with kids? Ladner Spirit Trail has incredible hand-carved statues and fairy doors for kids to try and find on this wooded trail.

If you need some liquid refreshment after your day in the countryside, pop over to two of Greater Vancouver’s top breweries. Barnside Brewing and Four Winds Brewing are both just off the highway you take to get back to Vancouver (or Surrey). They are fantastic local breweries serving delicious craft beer and snacks, and Barnside has a lovely outdoor area too.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Do you have anywhere like the George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary near you? What are your favorite birds to see on your nature walks?