Canadian Rockies
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The price is per person and includes scheduled flights London-Calgary and Vancouver-London return; all accommodation and meals, ground transportation, all excursions, entry fees and permits, tips (15-20% expected in N America), airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leader/s throughout.
The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. Both trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays Leader: Chris Charlesworth |
Canada's sublime Rocky Mountains have a majesty all their own. Join us in our annual quest for Lewis's Woodpecker, Townsend's Solitaire, Varied Thrush and so much more, as we cross from Calgary to Vancouver in one exhilarating tour! |
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Awesome, breathtaking, spectacular... Nothing can quite prepare first-time visitors to Canada for the sheer immensity and scenic grandeur of the sublime Rocky Mountains. Raging torrents, frequented by plump American Dippers, forge through rocky chasms where Cliff Swallows fly. Magnificent forests of pine and spruce clothe the slopes, providing a summer home to an array of colourful warblers, whilst a backcloth of ragged, snow-capped peaks soars ever higher towards the endless Canadian skies. And amidst it all, tiny Rufous Hummingbirds buzz frantically from one flower to another, seemingly out of place in this land of giant superlatives.
Our Rocky Mountains adventure begins at Calgary, in southern Alberta, on the eastern flank of this great faunal divide. From here we travel west to the superb Banff National Park, taking in the swirling cascades of Johnston Canyon and the evocative Vermilion Lakes. Grey Jays nest in the tranquil forests (and can be extremely tame), as the mighty Bow River meanders through a landscape of majestic mountains where Bighorn Sheep graze the slopes and the icy summit of Mount Rundle towers over alpine meadows. As we continue west through the higher Rockies to Kamloops, we shall encounter a different suite of birds, from Varied Thrush and Rock Wren to MacGillivray's Warbler and the tiny Calliope Hummingbird, North America's smallest bird. Swinging south, Kelowna's tapestry of picturesque forests and lakes is the haunt of Steller's Jay and Townsend's Solitaire, the latter a bird whose very name compels one to look for it. After stopping just short of the US border to seek the attractive Lewis's Woodpecker, the final leg of our journey finds us dropping down from the mountains to the beautiful Pacific coast. We conclude our tour with a two-night stay in Vancouver. American Black Oystercatcher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee and the delectable Black-throated Grey Warbler await us here, as British Columbia's remarkable temperate rainforests tumble down the Pacific slope to greet the sea. Chris Charlesworth lives in Kelowna (where we stay for two nights on our tour) and knows the Rockies with an intimacy few can match. Join us in our quest for five or more Canadian owls, ten woodpeckers, Townsend's Warbler, Clark's Nutcracker, American Black Bear and a host of other western wildlife delights as we cross from Calgary in the east to Vancouver in the west in one exhilarating tour. The birding is brilliant and the scenery will blow you away! Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Calgary, where Chris will be waiting to welcome us. Arrival and transfer to our nearby hotel. Overnight Calgary Day 2 Our birding should get off to a cracking start today with a visit to Frank Lake, which lies to the south of Calgary. This impressive wetland is home to a wealth of exciting birds and our bird list could very well top the hundred species mark by the end of the day. Out on the water, we'll watch Redhead, Canvasback and the dainty Bufflehead, while the lake's reedy margins are attractive to richly-coloured Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teals, whinnying Sora Rails, scolding Marsh Wrens and eye-catching Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Huge numbers of dapper Franklin's Gulls breed at the lake, completely unconcerned by our presence so close to their nests. As they drift noisily overhead, with them we should find smaller numbers of the attractive California Gull, along with Forster's Terns. As we investigate the more open stretches of shoreline, we should also enjoy our first North American waders, with species such as Willet, Marbled Godwit, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Wilson's Snipe and Wilson's Phalarope. White-faced Ibis and the outsize American White Pelican are possible too, and it is here that we'll see our first Tree and Cliff Swallows - two common species that we are sure to encounter most days, but seeing the first is always a joy. The lake itself is fringed by grasslands where the rich fluting song of Western Meadowlarks fills the air, and Northern Harriers quarter in search of a meal. There are Horned (Shore) Larks to watch for as well as Savannah and Vesper Sparrows. If we are very lucky, we may also come across the secretive Le Conte's Sparrow and furtive Sprague's Pipit, both of which breed here in small numbers. Late in the afternoon, we'll return to our hotel in Calgary and reflect on a superb day's birding. Overnight Calgary Days 3 - 4 We make an early start, heading west from Calgary to Banff, where we should arrive by mid-morning on day three. Set against a backcloth of high snowy peaks, our birding at Banff promises to be spectacular! Its pristine coniferous forests harbour such gems as Townsend's and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Lincoln's Sparrow, Pine Siskin, and Mountain and Boreal Chickadees. Trying to locate Wilson's, Tennessee, MacGillivray's, Orange-crowned, Yellow and Blackpoll Warblers will keep us on our toes, while Swainson's Thrushes taunt us as they sing from deep within the forest. Showy Willow Flycatchers flirt in - yes, you guessed it! - the willows, incessantly uttering their repetitive 'fits you' song. The look-alike Alder Flycatcher also occurs here too, so we need to be alert. Animated Red-breasted Nuthatches feed acrobatically in the woodlands, their distinctive nasal 'beeping' reminiscent of a reversing lorry, and Wilson's Snipe bleat throughout the night in 'drumming' display above our hotel. This is also an excellent area for mammals, and we have chances of seeing Bighorn Sheep, Coyote, Elk and possibly even American Black Bear. Our stay at Banff will be further enhanced by visits to several wetlands, including the evocatively-named Vermilion Lakes. These shallow waters are home to nesting Ospreys and Bald Eagles, Great Northern Divers and Trumpeter Swans, while on the deeper Moraine Lake we shall hope to find two of North America's most desirable ducks: Barrow's Goldeneye and the immaculate Harlequin. Grey-suited Clark's Nutcrackers can be especially confiding here, and will doubtless try to steal any morsel of food that we have upon us. Nearby woodlands are home to Grey Jay, Varied Thrush and that monster of a finch, the highly desired Pine Grosbeak. A stroll along the Johnson Canyon trail to the waterfall may reward us with our first Pacific-slope Flycatcher and American Dipper. Here we should also find the exquisite Calypso Orchid... while the inquisitive Golden-mantled Squirrels are sure to find us! Two nights Banff Day 5 We cover quite a bit of ground today as we continue westward, up and over the high Rockies to Salmon Arm, a small town on the shore of Shuswap Lake. Our journey along the Trans-Canada Highway will take us through Banff, Yoho, Glacier and Revelstoke National Parks, with some of the most spectacular scenery in all North America, and we'll make several stops along the way simply to enjoy the view. We will also pause for birds (and any bears!) when opportunities arise, and will aim to break our journey at the Skunk Cabbage trail in Revelstoke. Despite its name, the Skunk Cabbage is a wonderful plant, its brilliant yellow spathes brightening the marsh in spring. With luck, they will be past their smelly 'best' by the time we arrive to enjoy the boardwalk through the reserve's alder and willow carr in search of flirtatious American Redstarts and Willow Flycatchers. Elusive Veerys sing from deep within the scrub and the shy MacGillivray's Warbler may pop into view - and out again! On reaching Salmon Arm, we should have time for a spot of birding by the lakeshore. Ring-billed Gulls and Western Grebes occur in abundance, Ospreys nest almost 'arms-length' from the trail and the impressive Belted Kingfisher calls in defiance. Overnight Salmon Arm Day 6 Having got a fair chunk of the driving out of the way yesterday, we will be free to spend much of today exploring the varied mosaic of habitats by the lakeshore at lovely Salmon Arm. Waterbirds will be much in evidence and we should encounter our first Wood Ducks, along with numerous American Wigeon, Shovelers and Redheads. The large flocks of Western Grebes here usually harbour one or two Clarke's Grebes and we will endeavour to pick one out by its contrasting paler flanks and richer-toned bill. Noisy Brewer's, Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds abound; Marsh Wrens and Common Yellowthroats are also present in these wetlands but with all those distracting icterids around, they are easily overlooked! Virginia Rails and Soras call from deep within the reedbeds and, with a bit of luck, we will hope to lure one or two into view. The adjacent scrub and woodlands hold Black-capped Chickadees, Red-eyed Vireos and Yellow-rumped Warblers. In the afternoon, we follow the South Thomson River into Kamloops, a journey of just ninety minutes. As we progress westwards, the habitat becomes noticeably drier, with towering Ponderosa Pines dotting the sage covered hillsides. By the roadside, many Ospreys nest on power poles and powerful Bald Eagles are numerous. We should arrive in Kamloops with time to enjoy some birding at one of the many superb sites around the edge of town. Overnight Kamloops Day 7 Our two-night stay at Kamloops offers a chance to enjoy the different range of birds to be found along the productive Paul Lake Road. Running through a succession of habitats - from riparian woodland to arid, aromatic sagebrush and grasslands - this area supports many small rodents, which in turn attract numerous raptors. Likely species include Golden and Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk and the pretty American Kestrel. It is here that we'll also hope to watch stately Long-billed Curlews stalking through the grasslands, and lemon-chested Western Meadowlarks singing from roadside fenceposts. Higher still, woodlands are the haunt of Red-naped Sapsucker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher and the very beautiful Mountain Bluebird. We have good chances to come across an American Black Bear up here, perhaps chomping nonchalantly on daisies beside the road. We will pause at Lake Paul for lunch, listening out for singing Townsend's and MacGillivray's Warblers, American Robins, Swainson's Thrushes, Warbling Vireos and Dark-eyed Juncos. The lake itself is a good spot to see the appealing Barrow's Goldeneye, numerous Lesser Scaup and Great Northern Diver, while restless Spotted Sandpipers teeter beside the shore. If time allows, we will call in at Tranquille, along the shores of Kamloops Lake. This delightful corner is home to many of the commoner species and we can look for any that may have eluded us until now, perhaps including Lazuli Bunting, Grey Catbird, Eastern Kingbird and Cedar Waxwing. The nearby Cottonwood trees generally hold one or two pairs of Lewis's Woodpeckers. This most unusual woodpecker - which looks remarkably Jackdaw-like in flight! - can often be seen flycatching from the tops of the taller trees. Overnight Kamloops Days 8 - 9 Leaving Kamloops this morning, we make our way slowly towards Chris's 'home town', Kelowna. As we pass through these low-lying warmer valleys, the exciting birding on the numerous roadside lakes is sure to slow our progress. Fortunately, we have most of the day set aside to complete this short drive and so will have ample time to seek out some of the more alluring inhabitants. Some of the best birding will doubtless be at Beaver Ranch Flats, a superb wetland that is home to a breeding colony of Black Terns, and we can expect to catch up with many ducks, such as Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal, that we won't have seen since Frank Lake. American Coots, and Pied-billed, Black-necked and Red-necked Grebes are numerous here, too. If we are lucky, we may encounter Black Swifts and Common Nighthawks hawking over the lakes, or watch a dashing Peregrine hunting the duck flocks. Eventually we must drag ourselves away from this delightful spot and continue on our way to Kelowna, where we plan to arrive in time for dinner. Surrounding Kelowna is a patchwork of beautiful mixed forests and lakes that are home to some of western North America's most sought-after specialities. After breakfast, we will drive into the forested hills high above the town on what should be the start of an exciting day. On the lower slopes we may find Calliope Hummingbird - North America's smallest bird - along with the skulking Northern Waterthrush (with its decidedly Chaffinch-like song), Dusky Flycatcher, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and the gorgeous Western Tanager. Higher up, parties of Grey Jays may glide across the road, bringing us to a sudden halt. One of the 'most wanted' specialities in the forests is the stunning Varied Thrush, and we will hope to find a male in his exotic black and orange garb. Nearby, we are sure to hear noisy parties of Steller's Jays, although it is often them that manage to 'find' us. These wonderful woodlands are also home to the big Fox Sparrow, shy Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes and, if we are lucky, the elusive Pine Grosbeak. The latter is seldom an easy bird to find, but is seemingly quite numerous here. We will seek out patches of burnt forest that woodpeckers - especially Hairy, American Three-toed and Black-backed - find particularly attractive. The evocatively named Townsend's Solitaire also frequents these blackened forests, its song drifting through the stark, charred skeletons of the trees. On the way back to Kelowna, we'll visit Robert Lake. Although we may be too early in the season to find migrant shorebirds here, there are sure to be many Wilson's Phalaropes, Killdeers, Wilson's Snipes, Spotted Sandpipers and possibly American Avocet to keep us entertained. One of Kelowna's star attractions most years is the elusive Flammulated Owl - and being local, Chris knows exactly where best to look for them! So, for those that want, one evening after dinner we will take a drive for forty minutes or so up into the surrounding hills and begin our search. The call is deceptively quiet, invariably sounding distant - but it isn't! In fact, if you can hear it, the owl can probably see you! We will hope that we can again get close enough to encourage one into view and repeat the successes of our June 2006, 2008 and 2010 tours, on which we enjoyed fantastic views of this elfin denizen of the western forests. Returning to town, we'll make a short stop to try for Common Poorwill, North America's smallest nightjar, which is fairly common in this region. Two nights Kelowna Days 10 - 11 South to Osoyoos, last stop before the border with Washington State and the USA. We'll pause en route to bird at Hardy Falls and in the hills above Okanagan Falls, where silvered torrents cascade through the extensive mixed woodlands. The delightful American Dipper, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo and that ultimate test of field skill, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, are all here - and waiting to be found! As we approach Okanagan Falls, we'll head into the hills in search of the stunning Williamson's Sapsucker which frequents old trees surrounding secluded glades. Nearby, we may encounter Black-backed Woodpecker, the big Barred Owl and Goshawk, while hoping that the likes of Lewis's Woodpecker, Mountain Bluebird and Pygmy Nuthatch will give themselves up without too much of a fight in the forests of Ponderosa Pine. Our time at Osoyoos will take us into some varied habitats, including extensive sagebrush flats that are home to some of Canada's rarest breeding birds. With luck, here we will find Sage Thrasher, Brewer's Sparrow and the diminutive Grasshopper Sparrow. Later we shall go in search of Canada's rarest Empidonax, the inspiring Grey Flycatcher, stopping along the way to also search for the boldly-patterned Lark Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Wood Pewee, Cassin's Finch, Common Crossbill and Nashville Warbler. The cliffs, wetlands, fields and woodland edge surrounding Osoyoos should reveal yet more enticing birds. Large numbers of Ospreys and Bald Eagles breed here, often very close to the roads and affording photographers unparalleled opportunities. Bobolink breed in the grassy meadows and the striking Yellow-breasted Chat hides in the roadside scrub. Nearby, Northern Harriers drift low over the fields, and graceful Violet-green and Tree Swallows hawk insects over the rivers. While we are here, we'll check to see whether the powerful Prairie Falcon has returned to its favoured location on Throne Mountain. Weather permitting, there'll be a further opportunity for those that wish to go out again after dinner in search of owls and other nocturnal creatures. Although night-birding is always unpredictable, past groups have been lucky to see Great Horned, Long-eared, Western Screech and Barn Owls. Two nights Osoyoos Day 12 After some early morning birding near Osoyoos, we head west to Manning Park, keeping an eye on the roadside wires for the recently-arrived Eurasian Collared Dove, which continues its relentless pursuit for world domination! The cool hills of Manning Park are a pleasant place to break our journey, and it is here that we may enjoy our best looks at Rufous Hummingbirds as they zip and dart around the feeders. When seen well, this really is a spectacular little bird! Overhead, parties of stub-tailed Vaux's Swifts dash above the forest canopy and, in the parking lot, we'll doubtless be pestered by the resident Clark's Nutcrackers that want to share our lunches! In the afternoon, we'll continue down towards the coast, where Glaucous-winged Gulls and Northwestern Crows become ever more plentiful. The range of habitats and great birding spots in and around Vancouver is impressive, so we've allowed ourselves plenty of time to make the most of what is on offer. To avoid the worst of Vancouver's traffic we will stay on the outskirts of the city, with ready access to the freeways and best birding spots. Overnight Vancouver Day 13 Birding along Canada's Pacific shore offers a superb contrast to that in the mountains as we seek to round off our tour with a wealth of exciting coastal species. Lighthouse Park is a quiet spot set in a pleasant neighbourhood. Here we'll find ourselves birding amidst British Columbia's 'temperate rainforest', with its dense groves of stately old Western Hemlocks and Western Red Cedars, draped in lichens and mosses, towering high above our heads. This is one of the most threatened habitats in all of North America, and rich in birds. In quick succession here, we may find the snazzy Red-breasted Sapsucker, handsome Black-throated Grey and Townsend's Warblers, Brown Creeper, the kinglet-like Hutton's Vireo and the engaging Chestnut-backed Chickadee. The tree-tops are also home to Olive-sided Flycatchers and we are sure to hear their 'quick, three beers' song... but actually seeing one sitting right up there, one hundred metres or so above our heads in the dense forest canopy, may prove taxing - not to mention a pain in the neck! As we reach the lighthouse itself, Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants, American Black Oystercatcher and Pigeon Guillemot will be likely additions to our list. We might even be fortunate to spot the strange Marbled Murrelet, a seabird that, bizarrely, nests high in the tree-tops deep within the old-growth forests! Later in the day we will visit the Maplewood Flats reserve, situated on the Burrard Inlet. Caspian Terns, Great Blue Herons and Pelagic Cormorants sail by over the inlet, and it's at Burrard that we have our only real chance to see Purple Martin. Unlike their eastern counterparts, here they attend nestboxes set on posts in the sea, shunning the garden settings which they generally prefer elsewhere! Parties of diminutive Bushtits roam the adjacent woodland and Song Sparrows are also numerous - but sounding quite different to those we may already have heard in the Rockies. Overnight Vancouver Days 14 - 15 On our final day in Canada, we'll visit two excellent birding localities that lie to the south of Vancouver and conveniently close to the airport. At low tide, the extensive mud flats at Tsawwassen hold huge numbers of Great Blue Herons, but as the tide starts to rise, these retreat to their nearby colony. Feeding shorebirds and gulls are displaced too and we should enjoy good looks at the many birds here. We'll scan the sea for summering parties of Surf and White-winged Scoters, and Harlequin Ducks, and may also be lucky to spot a tardy Pacific Diver or watch as a distant party of Rhinoceros Auklets goes skittering past. The lounging groups of Pelagic and Double-crested Cormorants sometimes conceal a stray Brandt's Cormorant, a regular although scarce bird here at the northern edge of its range. American Black Oystercatcher is the most likely shorebird, but we can also hope to find a lingering Black Turnstone or possibly a Surfbird on the rocks and groynes. To finish off a superb tour, we'll call in at the Reifel Migratory Bird Refuge. Even at this late stage we may come across one or two new species for the trip, perhaps a pair of majestic Sandhill Cranes, a vociferous Bewick's Wren or a party of passing Greater Yellowlegs with their Greenshank-like call. Afternoon transfer to Vancouver airport for farewells to Chris and our overnight flight home. Arrival in London on the afternoon of Day 15, where our Canadian Rockies tour concludes. Accommodation: Hotels and motels are of good standard, all rooms with private facilities. Meals: All included in the price. Food is good, varied and plentiful. As is the norm across North America, some meals will be taken at local restaurants as many hotels lack restaurant facilities. Some lunches will be picnics. Walking: Easy. Always at a gentle pace, generally along well-marked trails and boardwalks. The ground is stony underfoot at times, so stout footwear necessary. Maximum elevation: at Moraine Lake, we shall be birding up to around 2000m (6500ft). Weather: Changeable. The Canadian summer is short, warm and showery, cooler with altitude. Some rainfall is likely on this tour. In June, average temperatures at Vancouver in the range of 11-21oC. Be prepared for a range of climatic types as this tour crosses a broad range of habitats and altitudes - from edge of prairie, through arid sage-brush country in the rainshadow of the mountains, to cool montane pine forest in the Rockies and moist temperate rainforest along the Pacific coast. Ground Transport By air-conditioned minibus or people-carrier. Leader: Chris Charlesworth Numbers: Max. 14 clients |
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