Birds of Lillooet
With a list of 240 birds, Lillooet offers an opportunity to see many interior and coastal birds.
Along Highway 99 towards Seton Lake are a number of trails and visitor stops that are excellent birding areas. In the spring and summer these places often yield warblers and Western Tanagers. Cayoosh Creek is a nesting area for the spectacular Harlequin Duck.
Along the Fraser River, at the historic Old Bridge, the Lazuli Bunting and the Bullock’s Oriole can be found. Listen for the melodic sound of the Western Meadowlark and watch for Chukars as you head towards Pavilion.
A hike into the alpine tundra can afford a look at White-tailed Ptarmigan. This is also a good area to see Golden Eagles and other raptors on mountain ridges.
The Fountain Valley, about 20 km east of Lillooet is a migration stopover for many birds including several artic-bound waterfowl and shorebirds. The valley is also a good place to see breeding waterbirds, especially Barrow’s Goldeneye, Horned Grebe, Canada Goose, Mallard and Spotted Sandpiper.
Heading north on Highway 99, the hayfields past Xaxli'p (Fountain) are a good place to look for the regal Long-billed Curlew. Watch the fence posts for Mountain Bluebirds. The sparsely treed slopes above the highway support Common Nighthawks and Common Poorwills in summer.
Bird List compiled by the Lillooet Naturalist Society
( updated May 2009)
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