Some examples of pelagic birding in the Salish Sea off Vancouver Island include Shearwater, Fulmar, Phalarope, Cormorant, Brown Pelican, Merganser, Harlequin Duck, Grebe, Pacific Loon, Common Mure, Marbled Murrulet.

Our Medline III Zodiac based in Victoria, BC can safely and comfortably take you on a private pelagic birding excursion anywhere on the west coast of British Columbia. While day trips are more easily started from the Victoria - southern Vancouver Island area - we can tow the Zodiac to just about any launch point. We are also open to arranging multi-day trips with on shore accommodations.

Of the approximately 10,000 birds in the world, about 300 are regarded as sea-birds. These are defined as those species whose normal habitat and food source is the sea, whether they may be coastal, offshore or pelagic.

True pelagic birds are those that spend most of their time at sea, beyond the continental shelf, returning to land only to breed.

^{Black Oyster Catchers at Race Rocks - Photo Credit Jeff Lorton}

Sea-birds are one of the bird groups that cause the greatest difficulties with identification. Many of the group fly similarly, are similarly coloured in dull hues like grey and brown and are of a similar size. As well, observing conditions can be challenging. Boats provide an unstable platform in conditions that are often overcast, wet, windy and cold and with distant birds flying close to the waves and appearing and disappearing regularly in the crests and troughs.

For a comprehensive insight - and stunning pictures - we invite you to read Mike Yip’s Birding Journals on his web site at www.VancouverIslandBirds.com and/or buy his book called Vancouver Island Birds.

Birds to be seen:

September - May

• Red-throated Loon
• Pacific Loon
• Common Loon
• Yellow-billed Loon

September - April

• Pied-billed Grebe
• Horned Grebe
• Red-necked Grebe
• Eared Grebe
• Western and Clarks Grebe
• Short tailed Shearwater
• Fork-tailed Stormn-Petrel
• Northern Fulmar (r)
• Brandt’s Cormorant
• Double-crested Cormorant
• Pelagic Cormorant
• Surf Scoter
• White-winged Scoter
• Black Scoter
• Harlequin Ducks
• Long-tailed duck
• Bufflehead

October - April

• Common and Barrow’s Goldeneye
• Common Murre Pigeon Guillemot

October - February

• Ancient Murrelet
• Marbled Murrelet

November - February

• Cassin’s Auklet
• Rhinoceros Auklet

June - July

• Tufted Puffin

Most of these birds would be seen off the southern-most coast of Vancouver Island. Our Zodiac Medline III is perfectly suited to safely observe these birds in these waters. These birds generally follow the tide lines. Renowned Birder and Naturalist, Richard MacDonald is also often available for for our Pelagic Birding Tours.