A reserve that should have been preserved

When I caught a train to Tamsui, my eyes followed a trail running parallel to the tracks that continued all the way to the last MRT station. On the journey I spotted so many pieces of garbage it seemed like someone had tipped a box of never-ending litter along the route.

Birdwatchers on patrol

In spite of living only half an hour’s drive from Maplewood Flats Wild Bird Sanctuary, I had only ever driven past heading further a field. This quiet corner of North Vancouver offered excellent views of Burrard Inlet, and I was keen to explore the reserve even though I was no bird watcher.

Reifel Bird Sanctuary

Even though this reserve on Westham Island was about birds, I couldn’t help be in wonder at the vegetation.

Reifel Bird Sanctuary

I’ve visted this isolated island reserved south of Vancouver in the summer, but this time, I wanted to see if the snowy owl had made its way south yet.

A Sea of Snow Geese

I crossed the wooden single lane bridge to Westham Island from Ladner heading to Reifel Bird Sanctuary.

Puffins, puffins and more puffins

 

I arrived in Elliston, the puffin capital. After the long distance view of birds at Bay Bulls, I was surprised at how close I was to these puffins.

I sat on a cliff where across on a stack, breeding pairs were busy around their burrows. I’m guessing the ones on the cliff where I sat were those without partners. They were within a metre of where I sat perfectly still watching their antics.

Newfoundland’s Cape St Mary’s Ecological Reserve

I started to realise, this island, The Rock, as Newfoundland was often called, was bird haven. I left St John’s and drove south, to Cape St Mary’s which was another bird breeding reserve.

Following the cliff trail, murre, cormorant, guillemot and gannet nesting sites dotted the cliffs, each with their own breeding area.