Wildlife Viewing in the Skeena Region

plate number of the offender. the of number plate

(D.K. Harris) (D.K. Lake Francois Swans, rumpeter T Harris) (D.K. Lake Tyhee Loon, Common location, date, time, vehicle description and license license and description vehicle time, date, location,

abuse to any Conservation Officer. Please record the record Please Officer. Conservation any to abuse

for the environment. Report environmental or wildlife or environmental Report environment. the for

are all responsible all are We - abuse environmental Report •

may cause mothers to abandon them them abandon to mothers cause may

unhealthy reliance on people, touching young animals young touching people, on reliance unhealthy

feeding can create an create can feeding - animals touch or feed Don't •

out

take your garbage your take - unchanged environment the Leave •

they want they

property and leave other viewers the space and quiet and space the viewers other leave and property

bears and mooseResponsible viewing mooseResponsible and bears

ask owners if you wish to cross private cross to wish you if owners ask - others Respect •

very protective and can be quite aggressive, especially aggressive, quite be can and protective very

free river is used by over-wintering Trumpeter Swans. Trumpeter over-wintering by used is river free

you better viewing opportunities viewing better you

mothers are often are mothers - wildlife young around Caution

•

Salmon swim up-river. From November to April this ice- this April to November From up-river. swim Salmon

to avoid wildlife harassment and to give to and harassment wildlife avoid to - pets Control •

Grizzly Bears are often found nearby found often are Bears Grizzly the highway bridge. In August and September, Sockeye September, and August In bridge. highway the

stress on wildlife on stress

careful when viewing spawning fish as both Black and Black both as fish spawning viewing when careful early summer, Cliff Swallows build mud nests under nests mud build Swallows Cliff summer, early

by staying farther away you can reduce can you away farther staying by - binoculars Use

• occur when they meet by accident, be particularly be accident, by meet they when occur Fraser Lakes is accessible at both ends by paved road. In road. paved by ends both at accessible is Lakes Fraser

many incidents between people and wildlife and people between incidents many - alert Stay

This 10 km river between Francois and Francois between river km 10 This - River Stellako 1 • survival survival

movement uses energy that may be needed for their for needed be may that energy uses movement

dangerous, respect their space space their respect dangerous, dusk.

unnecessary - animals chase or approach Don't

• many wild animals can be can animals wild many - distance your Keep Mule Deer and they can often be seen browsing at dawn or dawn at browsing seen be often can they and Deer Mule •

open south-facing slopes are important habitat for Moose and Moose for habitat important are slopes south-facing open

example when hikers stay on trails trails on stay hikers when example

stay safe. stay

habitat from spring to fall. During the winter months, the months, winter the During fall. to spring from habitat

can better adapt when human use is predictable, for predictable, is use human when adapt better can

ild animals are often unpredictable; follow the tips below to below tips the follow unpredictable; often are animals ild W

nesting waterfowl. These wetlands are also excellent Moose excellent also are wetlands These waterfowl. nesting

many animals experience less stress and stress less experience animals many - trails on Stay •

Staying Safe Staying and wetlands are ideal places to observe migrating and migrating observe to places ideal are wetlands and

reduce habitat usefulness for wildlife for usefulness habitat reduce grassy openings. During spring and early summer, the lakes the summer, early and spring During openings. grassy

search larger areas areas larger search

vegetation, causes soil erosion, disturbs wildlife and may and wildlife disturbs erosion, soil causes vegetation, pine, spruce and aspen. Drier south-facing slopes often have often slopes south-facing Drier aspen. and spruce pine,

wildlife and other scenery. They allow you to effectively to you allow They scenery. other and wildlife

off-road traffic damages traffic off-road - roads on vehicles Keep • of small lakes and wetlands. The forests are mixed lodgepole mixed are forests The wetlands. and lakes small of

help you view you help - scopes spotting and Binoculars

•

landscape with small mountains, rock outcrops and hundreds and outcrops rock mountains, small with landscape

below.

Houston, you are crossing the Nechako Plateau, a hilly a Plateau, Nechako the crossing are you Houston,

habitat where wildlife can be found be can wildlife where habitat on wildlife and their habitat. Please follow the guidelines the follow Please habitat. their and wildlife on

Region just west of Fraser Lake. From here until you reach you until here From Lake. Fraser of west just Region

identify wildlife. Guides often include descriptions of descriptions include often Guides wildlife. identify all have a responsibility to minimize the effects we have we effects the minimize to responsibility a have all We

raveling west along Highway 16 you enter the Skeena the enter you 16 Highway along west raveling T

provide clues to help you find and find you help to clues provide - Guides Field •

Responsible viewing Responsible

Fraser Lake to Houston to Lake Fraser

nests, sleeping beds and dens if you look carefully look you if dens and beds sleeping nests,

(D. Horwood) (D. Islands Charlotte Queen Deer, Sitka many animals leave tracks, droppings, tracks, leave animals many - signs for Look •

those who come to the area to fish and boat on the ocean. ocean. the on boat and fish to area the to come who those

with excellent viewing opportunities are also included for included also are opportunities viewing excellent with surroundings for long periods before moving before periods long for surroundings

wildlife as you travel these highways. Several marine sites marine Several highways. these travel you as wildlife many animals will observe their their observe will animals many - patient Be •

This guide is arranged to help you find opportunities to view to opportunities find you help to arranged is guide This

wildlife and improve your viewing success viewing your improve and wildlife

west, and Highway 37, connecting the area with the Yukon. the with area the connecting 37, Highway and west,

to avoid startling avoid to quiet be and slowly move cover, Use

• ellowhead Highway (Highway 16), running from east to east from running 16), (Highway Highway ellowhead Y

The most heavily traveled routes in the region are the are region the in routes traveled heavily most The are often good times good often are

early morning and evening and morning early - important is day of ime T • Rupert.

islands, including the Queen Charlotte Islands west of Prince of west Islands Charlotte Queen the including islands,

when more birds or animals may be seen be may animals or birds more when

by steep sided granite peaks. Off the coast, there is a sea of sea a is there coast, the Off peaks. granite sided steep by

most sites have a time of year year of time a have sites most - season the Check

•

On the coast, dense rain forests border long fiords surrounded fiords long border forests rain dense coast, the On

largest rivers including the Skeena, the Nass and the Stikine. the and Nass the Skeena, the including rivers largest wildlife during your travels through the region. region. the through travels your during wildlife

large plateaus, hundreds of lakes and several of the province's the of several and lakes of hundreds plateaus, large viewing tips below to increase your chances of seeing of chances your increase to below tips viewing

Skeena Region. It is a mountainous landscape, broken by broken landscape, mountainous a is It Region. Skeena viewing wildlife in the Skeena Region. Follow some of the of some Follow Region. Skeena the in wildlife viewing

The Northwest part of British Columbia is known as the as known is Columbia British of part Northwest The This guide will help you find some of the best places for places best the of some find you help will guide This

The Skeena Region Skeena The viewing for ips T

17 Skidegate Inlet - The inlet is an excellent place to spot 24 Todagin Mountain - Look for opportunities to pull off migrating and feeding Grey Whales in April and May. Highway 37 near the north end of Kinaskin Lake. Then You can also look for a wide variety of migrating use your binoculars to look for Stone's Sheep on the waterfowl and seabirds from April through June. open mountain slopes east of the highway. The best viewing is in July and August. 18 Queen Charlotte Island Highway - Look for a race of very small Black-tailed Deer called Sitka Deer that may 25 Gnat Pass - This pass just north of the Stikine River is be seen at dawn and dusk feeding along the grassy low and marshy with a number of small lakes. Look for clearings on either side of the highway. Woodland Caribou in May, nesting waterfowl over the early summer and Moose in the wetlands around lakes 19 Delkatla Wildlife Refuge - Here, you will find a tidal from spring to fall. lagoon with trails and viewing platforms that enhance wildlife viewing all year round. Over 130 species of 26 Black Mountain - The mountain is just south of the birds have been recorded here including Sandhill Cranes, Yukon boundary on the road to Atlin. Stone's Sheep Least Sandpipers, Great Blue Herons, Common Snipe, can often be seen very close to the road from July to shorebirds and waterfowl. Best mid March through May. September.

20 North Beach - Drive 25 km east of Masset on a mainly gravel road to find North Beach in Naikoon Provincial Park. This 14 km hard sand beach provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities year round. You are likely to see several species of Shearwaters and numerous other seabirds. Beach combing can be good after storms. Remember to check the tide tables to pick the best time to travel on the beach.

Highway 37 leaves Highway 16 at Kitwanga and winds north through forested valleys, often alongside wilderness rivers and lakes. The climate becomes drier and colder as you travel north. Most of the route is wilderness with small outposts of civilization widely spaced along the way. Marshy lakes and wetlands near the road are good North Beach, Naikoon Provincial Park (D.K. Harris) places to spot nesting waterfowl and Moose feeding on aquatic vegetation. 27 Haines Road - Travelers use this road to cross the very 21 Meziadin Fish Ladder - Take the first left turn north of northwest corner of BC between Haines Junction in the the Nass River Bridge (approximately 16 km south of Yukon and Haines in Alaska. Much of the road Meziadin Junction) and follow the road until you reach traverses alpine tundra, which aids in sighting wildlife. the parking lot near the river. From July to mid Dall Sheep and Golden Eagles may be seen in the September you will often see Sockeye and Chinook Blanchard Creek area just south of the BC/Yukon Salmon jumping to reach the fish ladder. Be aware, both border. Willow, Rock and White-tailed Ptarmigan are all Black and Grizzly Bears are found in the area. found here as well as numerous other bird species including Gyrfalcon and Snow Buntings. Grizzly Bear 22 Bear River Estuary - The Bear River enters the may be seen from spring through fall, while Moose are Portland Canal near Stewart. A new boardwalk along the more often seen during the summer months. estuary provides viewing of Bald Eagles, waterfowl and shorebirds. The viewing season extends from April through July but is best in April and May. This brochure was funded by the 23 Ningunsaw Pass - Highway 37 winds through this Habitat Conservation Trust Fund narrow pass north of the Bell-Irving River. Look for and supported by the wildlife on the many avalanche slopes, particularly Federation of British Columbia Grizzly Bears foraging for the first green vegetation in Naturalists and the May as the snow melts. If you do sight bears, stay BC Ministry of Water, close to your vehicle to avoid danger. Land and Air Protection. Wildlife of the Skeena Region

2 Fulton River Spawning Channel - Drive 35 km north 8 Deep Creek Hatchery - To find the hatchery, drive Terrace to Prince Rupert of Topley on a paved road and look for the spawning 7 km north of Terrace on the Kalum Lake Road. Highway 16 follows the banks of the Skeena River for most channel just after you cross the Fulton River Bridge. Facilities at the site include walking trails, rearing ponds, of its route to Prince Rupert at the foot of the massive granite From mid to late September hundreds of thousands of and a viewing bridge across Deep Creek. Natural domes of the Coast Range. The dense temperate rainforest is spawning Sockeye Salmon fill the river and spawning spawning takes place in Deep Creek and you may see broken by huge avalanche slopes and dozens of waterfalls. channel. A fish counting fence improves viewing Spawning Steelhead as well as Pink, Coho and Chinook opportunities and interpretive signs can be found along Salmon in the creek at various times from March to 11 Exchamsiks Provincial Park - This park is just off the riverbank. Keep an eye out for Osprey, Bald Eagles October. Hatchery tours may be booked in the spring Highway 16 on the banks of the Exchamsiks River, 37 and Black Bears attracted by the salmon carcasses. months. km west of Terrace. Here you can use binoculars to spot Similar viewing opportunities are found at the Pinkut Mountain Goats on the cliffs south of the Skeena River. Creek Spawning Channel north of Burns Lake. The best viewing is April through August.

3 Morice Mountain - Just west of Houston turn south on 12 Skeena River - The best wildlife viewing is found the Morice River Forest Road and follow this gooD downstream from the Kasiks River. The spring Eulachon gravel road for 17 km to the Aspen Forest Recreation run and summer salmon runs are followed upriver by Site. Use your binoculars to spot Mountain Goats on the Harbour Seals, Northern Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and five rocky cliffs that can be seen east of the forest road. species of gulls. The Eulachon run occurs mid March to mid April and salmon runs occur mid July to early September. The mouths of major tributary rivers and mud banks exposed at low tide are very good places to see shorebirds and waterfowl year round. From November through April, Trumpeter Swans over-winter in several of the back channels seen near the highway.

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Chatham Sound off Prince Rupert attracts a wide variety of

r e v sea mammals, waterfowl, shorebirds and seabirds because of i R large variations in the tide, complex shorelines, herring In gen ika R Iskut 23 spawning and high populations of salmon. This is especially WILLISTON

true in the spring and early summer when the salmon are LAKE

schooling prior to migrating up the Nass and Skeena Rivers.

However, the best locations, including those listed below, are Houston to Terrace E R R IV only accessible by boat. From Houston to Terrace you wind your way through the Stewart 22 21

Coastal Ranges along the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers. The 13 Mouth of Work Channel - Boats may be launched in CANAL

climate gets progressively wetter as you travel west and the Prince Rupert or in the more protected waters at the head S S Nass A New

forest mirrors that change as the interior spruce and pine are Camp of the channel. The mouth of the channel provides good N Hazelton B Kitwanga U 7 gradually replaced by western hemlock, western red cedar L fishing and an excellent place to observe feeding PORTLAND ER K

IV L and Sitka spruce. R E Humpback Whales from June to August.

6 Y K its um ka BABINE l Smithers u R m R LAKE 4Tyhee Lake Provincial Park - You will find this 8 IV 5 R E 14 Big Bay - This wide bay is found northwest of Prince 15 R 4 2 scenic provincial campground just north of Z y 13 11 m o etz Rupert on the Tsimpsean Peninsula, between Metlakatla A Terrace 12 EN Highway 16 near Telkwa. A walking trail 14 KE Houston PRINCE RUPERT S R and Port Simpson. It has extensive tidal mudflats with 20 a t M R E 19 o r ice nda Fraser through the aspen forest and along the 9 im Burns ko Masset it 3 R Lake K Lake eelgrass and is an internationally significant resting area Kitimat

lakeshore offers excellent opportunities H

GRAHAM Morice Francois Lake E for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Peak use is in

L 1 C

to see forest songbirds, Osprey, Belted A

T DOUGLAS OOTSA April and May and again in the fall. E CHANNEL Kingfishers, Common Loons, 18 10 LAKE QUEEN Red-necked Grebes and other waterfowl. ISLAND Queen 15 Melville and Dundas Island Group - Five large islands Charlotte City

K and hundreds of smaller islets form this island group The best viewing opportunities are found 17 Sandspit it S lop CHARLOTTE T e R 16 northwest of Prince Rupert. Northern Sea Lions may be April through June during spring A Princess I T Royal R

migration and nesting. Island seen over the summer months hauled out on rocky islets. ISLANDS MORESBY Elusive Grey Wolves on these islands have learned to

5Woodmere Road and Telkwa Hi-Road - These two subsist on a diet high in salmon, clams and sand fleas. ISLAND o W a Co la ells C ove Bell R scenic roads leave Highway 16 near Telkwa and wind through farming country east of the highway. Drive these Bella Coola Charlotte L roads at dawn during the last two weeks of April to view thousands of migrating Sandhill Cranes. 6Toboggan Lake - This small, marshy lake is found 11 9 Lakelse Lake Provincial Park - The park is nestled in km northwest of Smithers in full view of Highway 16. the rain forest on the shores of Lakelese Lake, 17 km During spring and fall migrations, large flocks of south of Terrace on Highway 37. Hiking trails and good waterfowl rest here. From May through July you will see access to the lakeshore provide very good bird watching nesting Canada Geese and Red-necked Grebes as well as opportunities. The peak migration and nesting period is other waterfowl. Care is required as no parking is April through June. Look for ten or more species of available on Highway16. waterfowl, at least six species of hawks and numerous forest songbirds. Great Blue Herons are often seen spring through fall and Trumpeter Swans over-winter November to March.

The Queen Charlotte Islands This island archipelago, also known as Haida Gwaii, features some of the most spectacular rainforests in BC, amazing beaches and likely the best variety of wildlife viewing opportunities in the region. 7 Ross Lake Provincial Park - You will find this scenic Over 100 smaller islands support seabird colonies. These are park southeast of Hazelton, at the end of a short, well susceptible to human disturbance; many are ecological maintained, gravel road just off Highway 16. A five km reserves and require a permit to visit. trail around the lake provides excellent bird watching The Queen Charlotte Islands have some of the best bird opportunities. The spring migration starts in April and watching sites in Canada with over 250 species recorded. peaks in May. During this time you may see large numbers of Tree and Violet-green Swallows, Red-necked 10 Coste Rocks - These barren rocky islets are about 29 km 16 Sandspit shoreline - Local beaches host large flocks of Grebes, Lesser Scaups and Long-tailed Ducks. In May southwest of Kitimat near the north end of Devastation over-wintering Pacific Loons and Brant from November and June common nesting birds include Red-winged Channel. Harbour Seals use them as a pull out and are to May. Many species of shorebirds are found along Blackbirds, Ring-necked Ducks, Common Loons, often seen here from April through September. Boat these same shorelines during spring migration, which Redstarts and numerous warbler species. access only. peaks in May and June.