Wildlife Viewing

This feature now available on our Backroad GPS Maps!

Canada is considered by many to be one of the best places in the world to see wildlife. From large mammals to migratory birds and spawning salmon and trout, we are truly blessed with an amazing amount of variety. Now finding good wildlife viewing and bird watching sites in such a vast country could be a challenge. Thankfully you have the Backroad Mapbook series.

Not only do we list many of the better sites in any given region, we also show you how to get there. From hatchery or fish spawning sites to bird watching hot spots and parks where animals big and small roam, the Backroad Mapbook covers it all. The maps also show countless other nature or protected areas as well as the wetlands that seem to attract wildlife.

What to look for

Newsletter's Featured Trips   For more Featured Trails check out our Blog.

Vancouver Coast & Mountains BC: Weaver Creek Spawning Channel (Map 4/E1)
Weaver Creek spawning channel is one of the biggest in the area. An average of 32,000 sockeye salmon and 2,500 chum salmon use the channel, depositing an estimated 76 million eggs. Next to the Adams River, this is the best site in British Columbia to see sockeye spawning in September. In winter, the channel and surrounding streams are terrific places to look for American Dippers, a small slate-grey songbird that walks under water.

Canadian Rockies: Siffluer Wilderness Area (Map 11, 17)
The Siffluer Wilderness is a large wilderness area located just east of Banff. There is no road access into the area; instead, you will have to explore this area on foot. If you stay in the valleys, expect to see ungulates such as moose, elk and deer. You may also see predators, such as grizzly bear, cougars, wolves and wolverines. If you venture higher into the alpine, watch for mountain goats, woodland caribou, golden-mantled ground squirrels, bighorn sheep, hoary marmots and pikas. Hikers should be experienced and well prepared for wilderness travel before setting out on any of the several access trails.

Cottage Country Ontario: Conroys Marsh Conservation Reserve (Map 38/F1)
Conroys Marsh is located east of the town of Maynooth and is part of the York River system. The marsh, in its entirety, is approximately 2,400 hectares and the game preserve is about 2,100 hectares. The reserve is a refuge to many fur bearing animals, including fox, beaver and marten. There are no direct road access points to the marsh, although Mayhews Landing, up river, can provide a means of access.

Prince Edward Islands: Auburn Demonstration Woodlot (Map 7/E2)
Found on Route 213 this woodlot features several wildflowers and plants along with a good selection of wildlife. There is a good population of Snowshoe Hare, Red Squirrels and raccoons, while birdwatchers can see robins, Whit-throated Sparrows, Northern Juncos, Northern Flickers and sometimes merlins or Northern Harriers. Wood Frogs, American Toads and Eastern Garter Snakes are the main sort of reptiles or amphibians you can find here.

Tips

Never approach an animal directly and do not try to bring animals to you by offering them food. This is dangerous to not only the animal but to you as well.

Check out our Blog for more tips on wildlife safety.

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