Manning Bird Blitz June 19-21 2026
The Manning Park Bird Blitz was founded in 1983 by Environmental Endowment Commission Canadian Commissioner Gail Ross, is British Columbia's longest-running bird count. It is an annual citizen-science event held every June during the active bird.
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| Spectacular Scenery |
June is a great time to visit, when forests are alive with a riot of birds exuberantly advertising for mates and defending territory. This, combined with the park’s extensive network of scenic trails, makes Manning a paradise for birders - experts and novices alike!
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| Olive-sided Flycatcher |
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| Three-toed Woodpecker |
E.C. Manning Provincial Park boasts over 100 varieties of alpine and subalpine wildflowers, acting as a transition zone between coastal and dry interior climates. Highlights include the Pacific rhododendron (blooming mid-June), avalanche lilies (late spring), and vast meadows filled with mountain-heather and harsh paintbrush. We were too late for the avalanche lilies but several butterfly species were seen during the heat of the day when the birds were less active.
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| Hoffmann's Checkerspot. |
Hoffmann's Checkerspot ranges from California to British Columbia.
In British Columbia it is only found at Manning Park.
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| Hermit Thrush |
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| Canada Jays are always on the lookout for a handout. Feeding wildlife is frowned upon. |
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| A flock of six Pine Grosbeaks visited the campsite everyday. |
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| Western White feeds on the nectar of the Saskatoon flower |
After walking part of the Poland Lake trail to the top of the ski lift our group stopped for lunch. The break gave is a chance to take in spectacular views. Our gaze was interrupted when a Mountain Bluebird flew past us into a cavity in the ski lift apparatus, a nest site perhaps. Soon afterwards we spotted a Sooty Grouse, five chicks could seen following close behind.
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| Sooty Grouse |
We may have been too close as one of the chick flew into a bush. We continued our walk.
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| Sooty Grouse chick |
Portions of Strawberry Flats were well shaded providing the moisture for numerous species of butterflies.
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| Western Meadow Fritillary |
The annual Manning Park Bird Blitz is one of the best kept secrets in the birding community. If three days of birding in a region of natural beauty isn't enough, add great camaraderie, butterflying, wildflowers and wildlife sightings. Enough said. See you there next year,
A short video here
"It's never too late to attend a Manning Park Bird Blitz"
John Gordon
Langley/Cloverdale
Hello John, amazing observations of birds and butterflies. Your captures are most wonderful.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Roos
Gorgeous photos, speaking at the bird blitz in the past for me was a true honour. I agree it’s a great weekend of birding in such an amazing spot in our province. Your photos are phenomenal congrats on that goshawk. Liron and I had one and the same spot they definitely breed there.
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