Five Fall Birding Hotspots in Richmond

With its plethora of parks and shimmering shoreline, Richmond is an ideal destination for easy-access birding at any time of year. But unlike other regions, the city’s cooler months are actually the best time to enjoy some amazing avian viewing––whether you’re a veteran spotter or a curious newbie.

The reason? Richmond is located on the celebrated Pacific Flyway migratory route, which means there’s an ever-changing cavalcade of travelling birds pit-stopping here from October to spring. And since there’s already an abundant array of local birds to see as well, this is a great time to head out and explore.

Birding used to be a niche pastime, of course, but many more of us have discovered the restorative benefits of slowing down and reconnecting with nature in recent years. Keen to give it a try? Here’s our road-tested guide to where to go and what you’ll see in Richmond over the coming months.

Minoru Park

If you’re in the city centre and have time to add a little nature stroll to your day, this park is perfect for some easy-access urban birding. Recently refurbished with new boardwalks and bridges built across its large ponds, there are even a couple of islands––which are especially popular with birds. We spotted lots of mallards, two American wigeons and a couple of coots noodling in the water on our recent visit.

And since there are lots of well-established trees at Minoru, resident birds have been calling this area home for decades. We also saw nuthatches, a varied thrush, a large raven croaking its distinctive caw and a soaring bald eagle scoping out the area from above. We even saw signs alerting visitors to the presence of some resident barred owls––although we didn’t see any on our visit.

Richmond Nature Park

Ideal for birding first-timers, there are 200 acres of lush habitat plus several well-marked trails to explore in this park. You’ll also find the excellent (and free-entry) Nature House, an interpretive centre that profiles the region’s wild side with fascinating displays and kid-friendly exhibits––right now, there’s a fascinating exhibition about B.C. mushrooms.

Just behind the Nature House, get your camera ready for what may be Richmond’s easiest birding opportunity: syrup feeders that are continually visited by feisty little Anna’s hummingbirds. There are also plenty of well-stocked seed feeders here that attract an ever-changing array of larger birds. On our regular visits, we’ve seen juncos, finches, mourning doves, spotted towhees and much more here.

Iona Beach Regional Park

Arguably the city’s most popular birding destination, this coastal landmass is home to a surprising diversity of habitats including woodland, sand dunes, wetland areas and estuary shorelines. That means there’s often an eye-popping variety of birds to see––which is why experienced spotters and savvy beginners have been flocking here for decades.

On our most recent visit, we saw gadwalls, pied-billed grebes and­ some northern shovelers––their long, spoon-shaped bills giving them an almost cartoonish quality. We even saw a pair of Cooper’s hawks battling talon-to-talon in mid-air. The spine-tingling highlight, though, was a northern harrier, which swooped gracefully along the shoreline, diving up and down in search of prey.

Garry Point Park

This waterfront peninsula on the western edge of Steveston Village is a small but surprisingly effective bird magnet. Start at the park’s Scotch Pond area, where we’ve often seen American robins, black-capped chickadees and even a belted kingfisher or two. You can also access the West Dyke Trail from here— the perfect place to see large flocks framed by panoramic skies.

But don’t leave the park just yet. Instead, head to its westerly edge, where you’ll often see (and hear) clusters of energetic shorebirds on the muddy banks. We’ve seen dunlins, sandpipers, killdeer and greater yellowlegs here. And make sure you keep your eyes peeled for snow geese. Visiting from Siberia, these flocks are a dramatic presence in the park and across Richmond in fall and winter.

Terra Nova Rural Park

One of the city’s most popular outdoor hangouts, families love the brilliant playground and easy trails at Terra Nova Rural Park. But while you’ll likely spot hummingbirds, red-winged blackbirds and lots of ducks here, make sure you save time to explore the park’s adjoining 34-acre Natural Area as well.

This carefully preserved environmentally sensitive expanse is encircled by a perimeter trail that enables you to gaze at the tall trees and the abundant birdlife that lives here. We’ve seen herons, barred owls, bald eagles, sharp-shinned hawks and even bats here––bring your binoculars and long-lensed camera to make sure you don’t miss anything

Responsible Birding

Wherever your avian gazing takes you in Richmond, it’s vital to respect the birds you’re looking at. Keep your distance and use the zooming capabilities of your camera or binoculars to get close to the critters without actually getting close to them. As a rule of thumb: if they fly away or seem alarmed, you are too close and you need to step back.

Also, never let your dog chase birds. And if you’re one of those parents that allows their children to run after wildlife, now is the time to stop that bird-bothering practice––it’s also a great opportunity to teach your kids how to appreciate and value the natural world around them.

Resources

This excellent list of local birds shows you what you might find on a feather-forward day out in Richmond. You can also use a free phone app such as Merlin to help you identify exactly what you’re seeing.

Looking for inspiration? Passionate local naturalist Pacific Northwest Kate frequently posts Instagram photos and YouTube videos of local birds she spots on her daily explorations around the area. Recent images have included dippers, northern shrikes, snow geese and much more.

If you have a Richmond library card, you can borrow a free Birdwatching ExplorePACK from your local branch. This starter backpack is pre-filled with binoculars, a field guide, a Richmond birding map and more. The packs are available in one-person or two-person formats and it’s best to reserve ahead—they’re very popular!

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Start Birdwatching with Free ExplorePACK

Do you know you can borrow Birdwatching ExplorePACKS from Richmond Public Library? The Birdwatching ExplorePACK is a bird watching starter pack, perfect for a fun and educational way to spend time outdoors and appreciate nature! Each Birdwatching ExplorePACK contains:

• Crossfire 8×42 binoculars with lens cap, strap and a soft case
• National Geographic field guide to the birds of Western North America
• Pacific authentic Richmond BC birding map
• Map-guide to the common birds of Vancouver
• British Columbia birds: a folding pocket guide to familiar species.
• Discover Richmond: birds
• List of resources on birdwatching
• Satisfaction survey

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Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by Tourism Richmond