A birding expert is eager to inspire more Richmondites to venture into nature this autumn.
Hollie Galloway, BC Bird Trail project coordinator, loves birding this time of the year because it “anchors you into the changing of the season.”
And she wants to share this activity with other community members as well.
Richmond hosts 15 different bird populations considered globally or continentally significant, said Galloway, including snow geese, dunlins and American coots that made their way here for winter.
Other birds community members can spot this season are great blue herons, western grebes and American widgeons.
An app for the BC Bird Trail project was launched earlier this year to help novice birders embark on self-guided birdwatching tours around the region.
According to Galloway, the top birding locations in the city include Iona Beach Regional Park, West Dyke Trail and Garry Point Park for waterfowls. Terra Nova Rural Park, on the other hand, offers a different habitat and birders are more likely to encounter owls, bald eagles and sharp-shinned hawks.
Although it’s not easy to get out this time of the year, birders can treat it as a “little scavenger hunt.”
Galloway mentioned birding has many benefits for community members apart from the satisfaction of spotting the birds they’re seeking.
Birding can help reduce stress and anxiety by spending time outdoors, she explained.
For those planning to try birding this fall, Galloway suggests layering up and bringing a warm drink.
The lack of binoculars “shouldn’t be a barrier,” she added, and birders can use the Merlin Bird ID app to identify birdsongs.
It’s also “always a good idea to give wildlife space,” said Galloway.
If the bird’s behaviour changes, such as when it moves away or puffs up its feathers, people are advised to leave the area and avoid disturbing wildlife where possible.
Galloway, who has been a birdwatcher for “a number of years,” said she is excited to see a growing interest in the hobby.
“The more the people learn about their environment and become interested in it, the more they can enjoy the benefits of the environment, and the more they get interested in conservation.”
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