March 27, 2026
All of a sudden, I’m hearing bird song wherever I go, from the single-note whistle of a varied thrush, to the drumming of woodpeckers and the elaborate symphony of a pacific wren who has laid claim to my yard.
It’s a great time of year for bird watching. Early migrants are starting to arrive and nesting season has begun. Males are in their colorful breeding plumage and are singing on territory. All this means a greater variety of birds to see, as well as more visual and auditory clues to identify them.
Know what to look for and where to look
- Download a copy of our birding checklists for the Squamish Estuary and Upper Howe Sound. These useful guides give an indication of species abundance at any given time of year.
- Download the e-Bird app to find birding hotspots, look up recent sightings, and record your bird lists.
- Check out our Monthly Bird Count Data Explorer to really dig into seasonal trends.
Connect with local birders
- Join experienced birders on the Squamish estuary monthly bird count. Everyone welcome. Check our Events Calendar and socials sites @naturesquamish for details.
- Share your observations on our Facebook and Instagram pages! @naturesquamish #birdsighting
- Join the Sea to Sky Birders WhatsApp group or newsletter for regular updates on bird sightings and happenings. Contact birders@naturesquamish.ca to sign up.
Brush up on your bird identification
- www.allaboutbirds.org (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) includes a fantastic online guide, webcams, a section on bird ID skills, news and more.
- Chris Dale’s wonderful bird videos show local color morphs and song dialects
Download a birding app (or two!) for your phone
- Merlin Bird ID is a great free app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that will help you identify birds by sight and sound.
- The Sibley eguide is a popular paid bird ID app.
- eBird lets you explore birding hotspots, recent sightings, other birders’ checklist, and record and save your own bird lists.
- When using these apps in the field, remember that playing the recording of a bird’s call, especially in breeding season, may be harmful if done near the bird in question.
Binoculars are a must!
If you are new to birding, you’ll also want to invest in a decent pair of binoculars. There are plenty of sites that explain what to look for (check out Audubon.org). Ask experienced birders about their preferences and give their binoculars a try to see what works best for you.
Happy spring and happy birding to all!
Banner image: Mountain bluebirds migrate through Squamish each spring, by Claudia Cridge.