Birding on Haida Gwaii
Join us for this unique birding journey to Haida Gwaii, a remote and captivating archipelago off the northwest coast of British Columbia. Known for its rugged coastlines, ancient rainforests, and deep cultural roots, Haida Gwaii is also home to a remarkable array of birdlife with some endemic subspecies found nowhere else. Of these we hope to encounter the endemic subspecies of American Goshawk, Steller's Jay, Hairy Woodpecker and if we are very lucky, Northern Saw-whet Owl. October is a dynamic time to explore Haida Gwaii, as fall migration brings a mix of northern breeders returning south for the winter and unexpected asian vagrants blown in from across the Pacific. In past years rarities such as Rustic Bunting, Eurasian Skylark, Red-throated Pipit and White Wagtail have been reported from here.
Highlights
✅ Endemic subspecies of Steller's Jay, Hairy Woodpecker and Northern Saw-whet Owl, which differ from those found on the mainland.
✅ Chance to encounter rarities from Asia such as Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Rustic Bunting, Brambling and Red-throated Pipit.
✅ Chance to encounter rarities from Asia such as Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Rustic Bunting, Brambling and Red-throated Pipit.
Tour Information
Dates: October 2-8, 2026 (7 Days): Early October is an ideal time for birding in Haida Gwaii due to peak fall migration, with shorebirds, seabirds, and songbirds actively moving through the region. Rarities from Asia are possible, alongside large flocks of sparrows and waterfowl. The weather is still mild, trails are quiet, without the summer crowds.
Leader: Gavin McKinnon
Cost: $3495 CAD The tour fee above is per person and based on double occupancy and includes all ground transportation, accommodation, breakfast, lunch and professional guiding services. The price does not include dinners, items of a personal nature and travel to and from Vancouver (YVR) and Sandspit (YZP) and onwards from Prince Rupert (YPR). A single supplement is available for $680 CAD. All prices are subject to 5% GST.
Deposit and Cancellation Information: $800 CAD - the deposit for this tour becomes non-refundable 180 days prior to the starting date of the tour. The remaining balance is due by July 1, 2026.
Group Size: 3-6 participants. This small group size and high guide-to-participant ratio ensures that everyone will have an enjoyable experience on this tour and get the most out of their experience.
Dates: October 2-8, 2026 (7 Days): Early October is an ideal time for birding in Haida Gwaii due to peak fall migration, with shorebirds, seabirds, and songbirds actively moving through the region. Rarities from Asia are possible, alongside large flocks of sparrows and waterfowl. The weather is still mild, trails are quiet, without the summer crowds.
Leader: Gavin McKinnon
Cost: $3495 CAD The tour fee above is per person and based on double occupancy and includes all ground transportation, accommodation, breakfast, lunch and professional guiding services. The price does not include dinners, items of a personal nature and travel to and from Vancouver (YVR) and Sandspit (YZP) and onwards from Prince Rupert (YPR). A single supplement is available for $680 CAD. All prices are subject to 5% GST.
Deposit and Cancellation Information: $800 CAD - the deposit for this tour becomes non-refundable 180 days prior to the starting date of the tour. The remaining balance is due by July 1, 2026.
Group Size: 3-6 participants. This small group size and high guide-to-participant ratio ensures that everyone will have an enjoyable experience on this tour and get the most out of their experience.
Itinerary
October 2: Arrive in Sandspit & Birding at Sandspit airport
This we will arrive in Sandspit where the tour will begin, flights are not included in the itinerary but if arriving on this day we will try to coordinate with everyone to book the same flight. After settling in, we will begin birding around the perimeter of the Sandspit airport. Here we will hope to encounter many shorebird species; Dunlin, Sanderling, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Western Sandpiper are all possible. We may even encounter a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper or Pacific Golden-Plover, "regular rarities" that occur annually along the British Columbia coast. We will also take time to scan the open waters for Pacific Loons, Rhinoceros Auklets, Marbled Murrelets, and Common Murres. We will spend the first two nights of the tour at a beach house in Sandspit.
October 3: Birding in Sandspit
This coastal zone has a strong reputation for attracting rare bird species over the years, although these rarities aren't to be expected. The area's rocky shoreline reliably attracts good numbers of shorebirds, such as Black Turnstone, with chances for less common finds, including Rock Sandpiper, Surfbird, or Wandering Tattler. We will also spend time birding the lush forested trails near Sandspit, and we hope to see western songbirds such as Townsend's Warbler, Pacific Wren, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees. We may also encounter Golden-crowned Kinglets, Fox Sparrows, and large numbers of Dark-eyed Juncos.
October 4: Birding Alliford Bay
We will spend the early morning birding on Moresby Island, looking out on Alliford Bay, where we hope to see Harlequin Ducks, Rhinoceros Auklets, Red-necked Grebes, Western Grebes, Pacific Loons, and Black-legged Kittiwakes. We will also look along the shoreline for "rockpiper" flocks and Black Oystercatchers along the shoreline. After a couple of hours of birding, we will board the ferry across the bay to Skidegate, where we may see the species mentioned before, but possibly closer. Once we arrive on Graham Island, we will break for lunch and in the afternoon, begin exploring the shoreline. More Pacific Loons, Rhinoceros Auklets, Marbled Murrelets, and Bald Eagles are all possibilities here. Walking the neighbourhood can sometimes turn up a rarity, but more expected species here include Orange-crowned Warbler, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker (Haida Gwaii endemic subspecies), and Red-breasted Sapsuckers. Night in Skidegate.
October 5: Drive to Masset via Port Clements.
Today we will travel north along the east coast of Graham Island, making several birding stops along the way. Shoreline pullouts often provide excellent views of Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, and Common Loon, along with Horned and Red-necked Grebes. We may also see Pigeon Guillemots close to shore, as well as Pelagic Cormorants perched on rocky outcroppings. Inland thickets and forest edges can hold migrant sparrows such as Lincoln’s Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and Golden-crowned Sparrow, while mixed flocks may include Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warbler. Raptors are always a possibility, with Bald Eagles, Merlins, and Northern Harriers frequently encountered. We will break in Port Clements for lunch, then continue north to Masset, our base for the next two nights. Night in Masset.
October 6: Birding Tow Hill & North Beach.
This morning we will explore the spectacular Tow Hill area, where mature Sitka Spruce forest is home to Pacific Wren, Varied Thrush, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and the local Haida Gwaii subspecies of Steller’s Jay. Later, we’ll venture onto expansive North Beach, an excellent location for shorebirds and seaducks. Species we may see include Black-bellied Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, and Western Sandpiper, as well as flocks of Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, and Black Scoter. Offshore scanning could reveal Northern Fulmar or migrating Shearwaters. Night in Masset.
October 7: Birding Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary & return to Skidegate.
We will spend the morning at Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary, a key birding site on Haida Gwaii. Here, large flocks of waterfowl such as Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Greater Scaup, and Green-winged Teal congregate in fall, while raptors like Peregrine Falcon and Northern Harrier are often present. Marshes and thickets may hold Lincoln’s Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow. After lunch, we will begin our journey south, making birding stops en route for seabirds, loons, and potential migrants. By evening we will arrive back in Skidegate, where we’ll spend our final night on Haida Gwaii. Night in Skidegate.
October 8: Ferry to Prince Rupert.
This morning we will board the ferry across Hecate Strait to Prince Rupert. The crossing provides excellent seabirding opportunities, with chances to see Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters, Northern Fulmar, Parasitic Jaeger, and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel. We will also watch closely for loons, including the possibility of Yellow-billed Loon among the more common Pacific and Common Loons. Marine mammals such as Humpback Whales and Dall’s Porpoises are also frequently encountered on this route. Upon arrival in Prince Rupert, the tour will conclude, with participants able to connect to onward travel.
This we will arrive in Sandspit where the tour will begin, flights are not included in the itinerary but if arriving on this day we will try to coordinate with everyone to book the same flight. After settling in, we will begin birding around the perimeter of the Sandspit airport. Here we will hope to encounter many shorebird species; Dunlin, Sanderling, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Western Sandpiper are all possible. We may even encounter a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper or Pacific Golden-Plover, "regular rarities" that occur annually along the British Columbia coast. We will also take time to scan the open waters for Pacific Loons, Rhinoceros Auklets, Marbled Murrelets, and Common Murres. We will spend the first two nights of the tour at a beach house in Sandspit.
October 3: Birding in Sandspit
This coastal zone has a strong reputation for attracting rare bird species over the years, although these rarities aren't to be expected. The area's rocky shoreline reliably attracts good numbers of shorebirds, such as Black Turnstone, with chances for less common finds, including Rock Sandpiper, Surfbird, or Wandering Tattler. We will also spend time birding the lush forested trails near Sandspit, and we hope to see western songbirds such as Townsend's Warbler, Pacific Wren, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees. We may also encounter Golden-crowned Kinglets, Fox Sparrows, and large numbers of Dark-eyed Juncos.
October 4: Birding Alliford Bay
We will spend the early morning birding on Moresby Island, looking out on Alliford Bay, where we hope to see Harlequin Ducks, Rhinoceros Auklets, Red-necked Grebes, Western Grebes, Pacific Loons, and Black-legged Kittiwakes. We will also look along the shoreline for "rockpiper" flocks and Black Oystercatchers along the shoreline. After a couple of hours of birding, we will board the ferry across the bay to Skidegate, where we may see the species mentioned before, but possibly closer. Once we arrive on Graham Island, we will break for lunch and in the afternoon, begin exploring the shoreline. More Pacific Loons, Rhinoceros Auklets, Marbled Murrelets, and Bald Eagles are all possibilities here. Walking the neighbourhood can sometimes turn up a rarity, but more expected species here include Orange-crowned Warbler, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker (Haida Gwaii endemic subspecies), and Red-breasted Sapsuckers. Night in Skidegate.
October 5: Drive to Masset via Port Clements.
Today we will travel north along the east coast of Graham Island, making several birding stops along the way. Shoreline pullouts often provide excellent views of Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, and Common Loon, along with Horned and Red-necked Grebes. We may also see Pigeon Guillemots close to shore, as well as Pelagic Cormorants perched on rocky outcroppings. Inland thickets and forest edges can hold migrant sparrows such as Lincoln’s Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and Golden-crowned Sparrow, while mixed flocks may include Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warbler. Raptors are always a possibility, with Bald Eagles, Merlins, and Northern Harriers frequently encountered. We will break in Port Clements for lunch, then continue north to Masset, our base for the next two nights. Night in Masset.
October 6: Birding Tow Hill & North Beach.
This morning we will explore the spectacular Tow Hill area, where mature Sitka Spruce forest is home to Pacific Wren, Varied Thrush, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and the local Haida Gwaii subspecies of Steller’s Jay. Later, we’ll venture onto expansive North Beach, an excellent location for shorebirds and seaducks. Species we may see include Black-bellied Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, and Western Sandpiper, as well as flocks of Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, and Black Scoter. Offshore scanning could reveal Northern Fulmar or migrating Shearwaters. Night in Masset.
October 7: Birding Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary & return to Skidegate.
We will spend the morning at Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary, a key birding site on Haida Gwaii. Here, large flocks of waterfowl such as Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Greater Scaup, and Green-winged Teal congregate in fall, while raptors like Peregrine Falcon and Northern Harrier are often present. Marshes and thickets may hold Lincoln’s Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow. After lunch, we will begin our journey south, making birding stops en route for seabirds, loons, and potential migrants. By evening we will arrive back in Skidegate, where we’ll spend our final night on Haida Gwaii. Night in Skidegate.
October 8: Ferry to Prince Rupert.
This morning we will board the ferry across Hecate Strait to Prince Rupert. The crossing provides excellent seabirding opportunities, with chances to see Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters, Northern Fulmar, Parasitic Jaeger, and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel. We will also watch closely for loons, including the possibility of Yellow-billed Loon among the more common Pacific and Common Loons. Marine mammals such as Humpback Whales and Dall’s Porpoises are also frequently encountered on this route. Upon arrival in Prince Rupert, the tour will conclude, with participants able to connect to onward travel.