area of special coloured volcanic rocks. rocks. volcanic coloured special of area
of wildlife species as habitats change. habitats as species wildlife of waiting and could become aggressive. become could and waiting
caribou, wolf, moose and mule deer can be viewed in this this in viewed be can deer mule and moose wolf, caribou,
There are many opportunities to observe a wide variety variety wide a observe to opportunities many are There find them; it is illegal to move them. A parent may be be may parent A them. move to illegal is it them; find
Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mountain goat, woodland woodland goat, mountain bear, black bear, Grizzly Lake.
and seashore of the spectacular Bella Coola Valley. Valley. Coola Bella spectacular the of seashore and – Leave young where you you where young Leave – wildlife young disturb not Do
trailhead access on Hwy 20, 35 km west of Anahim Anahim of west km 35 20, Hwy on access trailhead mountain habitats as you drop into the rainforest, rivers rivers rainforest, the into drop you as habitats mountain
salmon spawning sites. spawning salmon
Range: Rainbow – F Tweedsmuir Provincial Park Provincial Tweedsmuir F and dry forest habitats of the plateau give way to steep steep to way give plateau the of habitats forest dry and
at each site and act accordingly; bears are attracted to to attracted are bears accordingly; act and site each at
– grassland, wetland wetland grassland, – Coola Bella to Lake Anahim 5
bighorn sheep may also be seen. be also may sheep bighorn
– Know what wildlife to expect expect to wildlife what Know – Be alert while observing while alert Be
bear, mule deer, moose, mountain goat and California California and goat mountain moose, deer, mule bear, coyotes and California bighorn sheep. bighorn California and coyotes
routine. Use binoculars or scope to get a closer view. closer a get to scope or binoculars Use routine.
in search of lichens. Wolves, cougars, black bear, grizzly grizzly bear, black cougars, Wolves, lichens. of search in world. Watch for raptors and other grassland birds, birds, grassland other and raptors for Watch world.
– Enjoy wildlife during their daily daily their during wildlife Enjoy – distance your Keep
caribou herd in southern B.C. moves through the area area the through moves B.C. southern in herd caribou square-spotted blue butterfly, found nowhere else in the the in else nowhere found butterfly, blue square-spotted
logging roads west of Nazko. The largest woodland woodland largest The Nazko. of west roads logging associated wildlife, including a unique subspecies of of subspecies unique a including wildlife, associated Safety Safety [ ]
or horseback from Anahim Lake on Hwy 20, or from from or 20, Hwy on Lake Anahim from horseback or opportunities to view grassland flowering plants and and plants flowering grassland view to opportunities
E Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park Provincial Ilgachuz Itcha E – access is by foot foot by is access – spectacular area of the Chilcotin grasslands has many many has grasslands Chilcotin the of area spectacular
• Take all of your garbage home garbage your of all Take •
4 From Riske Creek to Farwell Canyon – – Canyon Farwell to Creek Riske From 4 this this
• Respect private property and fences and property private Respect • beaver, bald eagle and amphibian species. amphibian and eagle bald beaver,
and leave gates as you find them find you as gates leave and mountain goat, California bighorn sheep, fisher, wolverine, fisher, sheep, bighorn California goat, mountain
Chinook salmon spawn in the Blackwater in August. in Blackwater the in spawn salmon Chinook
• Fences abound in the Cariboo Region; cross with care care with cross Region; Cariboo the in abound Fences • habits and wildlife. See black bear, mule deer, moose, moose, deer, mule bear, black See wildlife. and habits birds, mule deer, moose, black bear and butterflies. butterflies. and bear black moose, deer, mule birds,
• Keep pets under control at all times times all at control under pets Keep • required. Dry forests to alpine areas provide a range of of range a provide areas alpine to forests Dry required. forests to wetlands and meadows support a diversity of of diversity a support meadows and wetlands to forests
• Do not feed or unduly disturb wildlife disturb unduly or feed not Do • or from Tatla Lake. 4x4, high clearance vehicles are are vehicles clearance high 4x4, Lake. Tatla from or Blackwater River. Many different habitats from dry pine pine dry from habitats different Many River. Blackwater
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife, especially predators especially wildlife, from distance safe a Keep • Williams Lake on Hwy 20 with access through Nemaiah Nemaiah through access with 20 Hwy on Lake Williams north to Euchiniko River and back to Quesnel along the the along Quesnel to back and River Euchiniko to north
grasslands D Ts’yl-os Provincial Park Provincial Ts’yl-os D – about 160 km west of of west km 160 about – 3 The Nazko Road Circuit Road Nazko The 3 from Quesnel west to Nazko, Nazko, to west Quesnel from
• Stay on designated roads and trails especially in in especially trails and roads designated on Stay •
in August. in for American dippers and nesting black swifts. black nesting and dippers American for
our wildlife viewing opportunities: viewing wildlife our
ospreys. Chinook salmon spawn at Antler Creek bridge bridge Creek Antler at spawn salmon Chinook ospreys. occur. On the west side, hike up Narcosli Creek to the falls falls the to Creek Narcosli up hike side, west the On occur.
To make your experience more enjoyable and to protect protect to and enjoyable more experience your make To
head to Antler Creek. Look for waterfowl, moose and and moose waterfowl, for Look Creek. Antler to head Mule deer are plentiful year-round and white-tailed deer deer white-tailed and year-round plentiful are deer Mule
] Ethics Viewing [ Lake and the Matthew River. Cross the Cariboo River and and River Cariboo the Cross River. Matthew the and Lake mourning dove and clay-coloured sparrows can be seen. seen. be can sparrows clay-coloured and dove mourning
roads to Barkerville along Cariboo Lake, over to Ghost Ghost to over Lake, Cariboo along Barkerville to roads cranes, long-billed curlews, mountain bluebirds, bluebirds, mountain curlews, long-billed cranes,
– from Likely travel on gravel gravel on travel Likely from – River Cariboo Upper C nesting sites in one place. place. one in sites nesting at their northern limit. Migratory waterfowl, sandhill sandhill waterfowl, Migratory limit. northern their at
opportunities. Grassland patches have wildlife species species wildlife have patches Grassland opportunities. and cover food, provide to meet grassland and forest or
waters of Bowron Marsh and Cariboo River. River. Cariboo and Marsh Bowron of waters
Edge habitats are special places where water and upland upland and water where places special are habitats Edge Williams Lake and Quesnel provides many viewing viewing many provides Quesnel and Lake Williams
are found in area lakes. Trumpeter swans winter on open open on winter swans Trumpeter lakes. area in found are
Learn their habits to improve your viewing chances. viewing your improve to habits their Learn Rudy Johnson bridge. This alternate route between between route alternate This bridge. Johnson Rudy
trout, bull trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish and kokanee kokanee and whitefish Mountain Rocky trout, bull trout,
at at Road Fraser West to connects Road Creek Soda 2 feeding. and resting nesting, for landscape the in places
occasionally and moose year-round. Rainbow trout, lake lake trout, Rainbow year-round. moose and occasionally
– Many species use different different use species Many – habitats different Explore
otter and muskrat are common. Black bears are seen seen are bears Black common. are muskrat and otter waterfowl in sight of the highway. the of sight in waterfowl
plentiful while osprey and bald eagle nest. Beaver, river river Beaver, nest. eagle bald and osprey while plentiful has numerous ponds, lakes and wetlands with abundant abundant with wetlands and lakes ponds, numerous has vehicle. your in stay or presence, your hide to cover
September. Waterfowl, woodpeckers and songbirds are are songbirds and woodpeckers Waterfowl, September. from 70 Mile House to 150 Mile House House Mile 150 to House Mile 70 from 97 Highway 1 quiet and unobtrusive as possible. Take your time, use use time, your Take possible. as unobtrusive and quiet
147 km east of Quesnel along Hwy 26 — open May to to May open — 26 Hwy along Quesnel of east km 147 cautious, as be alert, ever are Wildlife – patience Have
well off the highway—and be aware of other vehicles. other of aware be highway—and the off well
B Bowron Lakes Provincial Park (Canoe Circuit) (Canoe Park Provincial Lakes Bowron B – –
length. At all times when viewing, please park safely— park please viewing, when times all At length. Quesnel for information. for Quesnel
that may be seen. Best viewing is from April to October. to April from is viewing Best seen. be may that other routes with productive viewing throughout their their throughout viewing productive with routes other in Centre Resource and Education Nature the and Lake,
snakes and racers are but a few of the many other species species other many the of few a but are racers and snakes viewing routes using major roads. The following are some some are following The roads. major using routes viewing Visitor Centre, Scout Island Nature Centre in Williams Williams in Centre Nature Island Scout Centre, Visitor
California bighorn sheep, sharp-tailed grouse, gopher gopher grouse, sharp-tailed sheep, bighorn California of the sites listed below the map can be linked to create create to linked be can map the below listed sites the of preferences and viewing season. Visit 100 Mile House House Mile 100 Visit season. viewing and preferences
sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow, and bobolink. Mule deer, deer, Mule bobolink. and sparrow, Brewer’s thrasher, sage Cariboo Region along paved and gravel roads. Several Several roads. gravel and paved along Region Cariboo habitat their site, each at expect to species list guides
Swainson’s hawk, peregrine falcon, Lewis’ woodpecker, woodpecker, Lewis’ falcon, peregrine hawk, Swainson’s There are many opportunities for wildlife viewing in the the in viewing wildlife for opportunities many are There field and books brochures, Local – looking before Learn
grassland park with many grassland birds including including birds grassland many with park grassland
] Routes Viewing Region Cariboo Interesting [ ] Viewing Successful [
River over the Gang Ranch bridge. An extensive extensive An bridge. Ranch Gang the over River
Lake and 80 km W of 100 Mile House. Cross the Fraser Fraser the Cross House. Mile 100 of W km 80 and Lake
– 100 km S of Williams Williams of S km 100 – Area Protected Creek Churn A
O. Steen A. Roberts A. Roberts
reach. The map shows only a few remote sites: remote few a only shows map The reach.
viewing in remote settings take planning and effort to to effort and planning take settings remote in viewing
Some sites in the Cariboo Region offering wildlife wildlife offering Region Cariboo the in sites Some
] Sites Viewing Wildlife Remote [ J. Steciw K. Andreews A. Kusbach A. Roberts A. Vyse A. Roberts
[ Wildlife Viewing in the Cariboo Region ] [ Look for these Wildlife Signs ]
Three of B.C.’s most distinctive landscapes meet in the • Tracks in soft ground or snow, nibbled branches Wildlife Viewing Cariboo Region. In the west lush temperate rainforests in • Woodpecker holes, claw or teeth marks on aspen bark the deep valleys and fiords of the coastal mountains give • Ant nests often surrounded by tiny ant trails in the rise to alpine peaks and tundra. In the east are ranges of • Spider webs and their occupants, dead or alive more rounded mountains clothed with dense coniferous • Distinctive scats and bird nests in all shapes and sizes Cariboo Region forests and separated by large, deep lakes. The plateau • Smells giving away the presence of a fox, or a skunk! between these two mountain areas is in the rainshadow • Moths, common nighthawks, owls and bats at dusk of the western mountains. Dry lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir forests occur, with extensive grasslands [ More Information ] hugging the Fraser and Chilcotin river valleys. These bunchgrass grasslands are at their northern limit in B.C. British Columbia Road and Recreational Atlas 5th Edition, The diversity of landscapes in the Cariboo Region 2001. Informap. provides a wide variety of habitats and a rich association The BC Roadside Naturalists. 2002. Richard Cannings and of wildlife species. Important populations of large Sydney Cannings. Greystone Books. ungulates include woodland caribou, California bighorn British Columbia Wildlife Viewing Guide. 1991. Lone Pine sheep, mule deer and moose. The many water bodies, Publishing. from grasslands to high mountains, are home to Trails of the Southern Cariboo. 1998. Colin Campbell. Rocky abundant numbers and variety of waterfowl, from loons Mountain Books. and grebes to dabbling ducks and shorebirds. Bats, Checklist of Cariboo Birds. 1992. Anna Roberts and Martin butterflies, reptiles and amphibians occur in their special Gebauer. Williams Lake Field Naturalists. habitats throughout the region. Bird Checklist for 100 Mile House and Area. 2004. Tom Godin. District of 100 Mile House. Many of the large rivers have populations of fish, including salmon, kokanee and steelhead. The Fraser, Chilcotin, Cariboo, Horsefly and Bella Coola Rivers all For more information contact: support large salmon runs that may be viewed from July Federation of B.C. Naturalists to September. The run on the Horsefly River has as many 307–1367 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 4A9 returning fish as the famous Adams River that flows into or visit the Wildlife Viewing Web site at: Shuswap Lake. Many lakes are stocked with rainbow wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/fw/wild/wildlife_viewing.htm trout, but others, especially the larger lakes to the east, have a more varied fish population. or visit the BC Parks web site at: wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/ Viewing of migrating bird species associated with lakes, ponds and wetlands is particularly rewarding during spring and fall. Migrants appear as soon as openings develop in the ice — as early as March in the south but April in the north, west and east. Southward migration of shorebirds may begin as early as July, while loons can still be seen in October.
Produced by Brimacombe Design Associates and Mariposa Trails Ministry of Water, Land All photos are copyrighted by the artists and may not be reproduced without permission. and Air Protection J. Hobbs
area of special coloured volcanic rocks. rocks. volcanic coloured special of area
of wildlife species as habitats change. habitats as species wildlife of waiting and could become aggressive. become could and waiting
caribou, wolf, moose and mule deer can be viewed in this this in viewed be can deer mule and moose wolf, caribou,
There are many opportunities to observe a wide variety variety wide a observe to opportunities many are There find them; it is illegal to move them. A parent may be be may parent A them. move to illegal is it them; find
Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mountain goat, woodland woodland goat, mountain bear, black bear, Grizzly Lake.
and seashore of the spectacular Bella Coola Valley. Valley. Coola Bella spectacular the of seashore and – Leave young where you you where young Leave – wildlife young disturb not Do
trailhead access on Hwy 20, 35 km west of Anahim Anahim of west km 35 20, Hwy on access trailhead mountain habitats as you drop into the rainforest, rivers rivers rainforest, the into drop you as habitats mountain
salmon spawning sites. spawning salmon
Range: Rainbow – F Tweedsmuir Provincial Park Provincial Tweedsmuir F and dry forest habitats of the plateau give way to steep steep to way give plateau the of habitats forest dry and
at each site and act accordingly; bears are attracted to to attracted are bears accordingly; act and site each at
5 Anahim Lake to Bella Coola Bella to Lake Anahim 5 – grassland, wetland wetland grassland, –
bighorn sheep may also be seen. be also may sheep bighorn
– Know what wildlife to expect expect to wildlife what Know – Be alert while observing while alert Be
bear, mule deer, moose, mountain goat and California California and goat mountain moose, deer, mule bear, coyotes and California bighorn sheep. bighorn California and coyotes
routine. Use binoculars or scope to get a closer view. closer a get to scope or binoculars Use routine.
in search of lichens. Wolves, cougars, black bear, grizzly grizzly bear, black cougars, Wolves, lichens. of search in world. Watch for raptors and other grassland birds, birds, grassland other and raptors for Watch world.
– Enjoy wildlife during their daily daily their during wildlife Enjoy – distance your Keep
caribou herd in southern B.C. moves through the area area the through moves B.C. southern in herd caribou square-spotted blue butterfly, found nowhere else in the the in else nowhere found butterfly, blue square-spotted
logging roads west of Nazko. The largest woodland woodland largest The Nazko. of west roads logging associated wildlife, including a unique subspecies of of subspecies unique a including wildlife, associated ] Safety [
or horseback from Anahim Lake on Hwy 20, or from from or 20, Hwy on Lake Anahim from horseback or opportunities to view grassland flowering plants and and plants flowering grassland view to opportunities
E Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park Provincial Ilgachuz Itcha E – access is by foot foot by is access – spectacular area of the Chilcotin grasslands has many many has grasslands Chilcotin the of area spectacular
• Take all of your garbage home garbage your of all Take •
4 From Riske Creek to Farwell Canyon – – Canyon Farwell to Creek Riske From 4 this this
• Respect private property and fences and property private Respect • beaver, bald eagle and amphibian species. amphibian and eagle bald beaver,
and leave gates as you find them find you as gates leave and wolverine, fisher, sheep, bighorn California goat, mountain Chinook salmon spawn in the Blackwater in August. in Blackwater the in spawn salmon Chinook
• Fences abound in the Cariboo Region; cross with care care with cross Region; Cariboo the in abound Fences • habits and wildlife. See black bear, mule deer, moose, moose, deer, mule bear, black See wildlife. and habits birds, mule deer, moose, black bear and butterflies. butterflies. and bear black moose, deer, mule birds,
• Keep pets under control at all times times all at control under pets Keep • required. Dry forests to alpine areas provide a range of of range a provide areas alpine to forests Dry required. forests to wetlands and meadows support a diversity of of diversity a support meadows and wetlands to forests
• Do not feed or unduly disturb wildlife disturb unduly or feed not Do • or from Tatla Lake. 4x4, high clearance vehicles are are vehicles clearance high 4x4, Lake. Tatla from or Blackwater River. Many different habitats from dry pine pine dry from habitats different Many River. Blackwater
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife, especially predators especially wildlife, from distance safe a Keep • Williams Lake on Hwy 20 with access through Nemaiah Nemaiah through access with 20 Hwy on Lake Williams north to Euchiniko River and back to Quesnel along the the along Quesnel to back and River Euchiniko to north
grasslands D Ts’yl-os Provincial Park Provincial Ts’yl-os D – about 160 km west of of west km 160 about – 3 The Nazko Road Circuit Road Nazko The 3 from Quesnel west to Nazko, Nazko, to west Quesnel from
• Stay on designated roads and trails especially in in especially trails and roads designated on Stay •
in August. in for American dippers and nesting black swifts. black nesting and dippers American for
our wildlife viewing opportunities: viewing wildlife our
ospreys. Chinook salmon spawn at Antler Creek bridge bridge Creek Antler at spawn salmon Chinook ospreys. occur. On the west side, hike up Narcosli Creek to the falls falls the to Creek Narcosli up hike side, west the On occur.
To make your experience more enjoyable and to protect protect to and enjoyable more experience your make To
head to Antler Creek. Look for waterfowl, moose and and moose waterfowl, for Look Creek. Antler to head Mule deer are plentiful year-round and white-tailed deer deer white-tailed and year-round plentiful are deer Mule
] Ethics Viewing [ Lake and the Matthew River. Cross the Cariboo River and and River Cariboo the Cross River. Matthew the and Lake mourning dove and clay-coloured sparrows can be seen. seen. be can sparrows clay-coloured and dove mourning
roads to Barkerville along Cariboo Lake, over to Ghost Ghost to over Lake, Cariboo along Barkerville to roads cranes, long-billed curlews, mountain bluebirds, bluebirds, mountain curlews, long-billed cranes,
– from Likely travel on gravel gravel on travel Likely from – River Cariboo Upper C nesting sites in one place. place. one in sites nesting at their northern limit. Migratory waterfowl, sandhill sandhill waterfowl, Migratory limit. northern their at
or forest and grassland meet to provide food, cover and and cover food, provide to meet grassland and forest or opportunities. Grassland patches have wildlife species species wildlife have patches Grassland opportunities.
waters of Bowron Marsh and Cariboo River. River. Cariboo and Marsh Bowron of waters
Edge habitats are special places where water and upland upland and water where places special are habitats Edge Williams Lake and Quesnel provides many viewing viewing many provides Quesnel and Lake Williams
are found in area lakes. Trumpeter swans winter on open open on winter swans Trumpeter lakes. area in found are
Learn their habits to improve your viewing chances. viewing your improve to habits their Learn Rudy Johnson bridge. This alternate route between between route alternate This bridge. Johnson Rudy
trout, bull trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish and kokanee kokanee and whitefish Mountain Rocky trout, bull trout,
places in the landscape for nesting, resting and feeding. feeding. and resting nesting, for landscape the in places at at Road Fraser West to connects Road Creek Soda 2
occasionally and moose year-round. Rainbow trout, lake lake trout, Rainbow year-round. moose and occasionally
– Many species use different different use species Many – habitats different Explore
otter and muskrat are common. Black bears are seen seen are bears Black common. are muskrat and otter waterfowl in sight of the highway. the of sight in waterfowl
plentiful while osprey and bald eagle nest. Beaver, river river Beaver, nest. eagle bald and osprey while plentiful cover to hide your presence, or stay in your vehicle. vehicle. your in stay or presence, your hide to cover has numerous ponds, lakes and wetlands with abundant abundant with wetlands and lakes ponds, numerous has
September. Waterfowl, woodpeckers and songbirds are are songbirds and woodpeckers Waterfowl, September. from 70 Mile House to 150 Mile House House Mile 150 to House Mile 70 from 97 Highway 1 quiet and unobtrusive as possible. Take your time, use use time, your Take possible. as unobtrusive and quiet
147 km east of Quesnel along Hwy 26 — open May to to May open — 26 Hwy along Quesnel of east km 147 – Wildlife are ever alert, be as cautious, cautious, as be alert, ever are Wildlife – patience Have
well off the highway—and be aware of other vehicles. other of aware be highway—and the off well
B Bowron Lakes Provincial Park (Canoe Circuit) (Canoe Park Provincial Lakes Bowron B – –
length. At all times when viewing, please park safely— park please viewing, when times all At length. Quesnel for information. for Quesnel
that may be seen. Best viewing is from April to October. to April from is viewing Best seen. be may that Lake, and the Nature Education and Resource Centre in in Centre Resource and Education Nature the and Lake, other routes with productive viewing throughout their their throughout viewing productive with routes other
snakes and racers are but a few of the many other species species other many the of few a but are racers and snakes viewing routes using major roads. The following are some some are following The roads. major using routes viewing Visitor Centre, Scout Island Nature Centre in Williams Williams in Centre Nature Island Scout Centre, Visitor
California bighorn sheep, sharp-tailed grouse, gopher gopher grouse, sharp-tailed sheep, bighorn California of the sites listed below the map can be linked to create create to linked be can map the below listed sites the of preferences and viewing season. Visit 100 Mile House House Mile 100 Visit season. viewing and preferences
sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow, and bobolink. Mule deer, deer, Mule bobolink. and sparrow, Brewer’s thrasher, sage guides list species to expect at each site, their habitat habitat their site, each at expect to species list guides Cariboo Region along paved and gravel roads. Several Several roads. gravel and paved along Region Cariboo
Swainson’s hawk, peregrine falcon, Lewis’ woodpecker, woodpecker, Lewis’ falcon, peregrine hawk, Swainson’s – Local brochures, books and field field and books brochures, Local – looking before Learn There are many opportunities for wildlife viewing in the the in viewing wildlife for opportunities many are There
grassland park with many grassland birds including including birds grassland many with park grassland
] Viewing Successful [ ] Routes Viewing Region Cariboo Interesting [
River over the Gang Ranch bridge. An extensive extensive An bridge. Ranch Gang the over River
Lake and 80 km W of 100 Mile House. Cross the Fraser Fraser the Cross House. Mile 100 of W km 80 and Lake
– 100 km S of Williams Williams of S km 100 – Area Protected Creek Churn A
O. Steen A. Roberts A. Roberts
reach. The map shows only a few remote sites: remote few a only shows map The reach.
viewing in remote settings take planning and effort to to effort and planning take settings remote in viewing
Some sites in the Cariboo Region offering wildlife wildlife offering Region Cariboo the in sites Some
] Sites Viewing Wildlife Remote [ J. Steciw K. Andreews A. Kusbach A. Roberts A. Vyse A. Roberts
[ Wildlife Viewing in the Cariboo Region ] [ Look for these Wildlife Signs ]
Three of B.C.’s most distinctive landscapes meet in the • Tracks in soft ground or snow, nibbled branches Wildlife Viewing Cariboo Region. In the west lush temperate rainforests in • Woodpecker holes, claw or teeth marks on aspen bark the deep valleys and fiords of the coastal mountains give • Ant nests often surrounded by tiny ant trails in the rise to alpine peaks and tundra. In the east are ranges of • Spider webs and their occupants, dead or alive more rounded mountains clothed with dense coniferous • Distinctive scats and bird nests in all shapes and sizes Cariboo Region forests and separated by large, deep lakes. The plateau • Smells giving away the presence of a fox, or a skunk! between these two mountain areas is in the rainshadow • Moths, common nighthawks, owls and bats at dusk of the western mountains. Dry lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir forests occur, with extensive grasslands [ More Information ] hugging the Fraser and Chilcotin river valleys. These bunchgrass grasslands are at their northern limit in B.C. British Columbia Road and Recreational Atlas 5th Edition, The diversity of landscapes in the Cariboo Region 2001. Informap. provides a wide variety of habitats and a rich association The BC Roadside Naturalists. 2002. Richard Cannings and of wildlife species. Important populations of large Sydney Cannings. Greystone Books. ungulates include woodland caribou, California bighorn British Columbia Wildlife Viewing Guide. 1991. Lone Pine sheep, mule deer and moose. The many water bodies, Publishing. from grasslands to high mountains, are home to Trails of the Southern Cariboo. 1998. Colin Campbell. Rocky abundant numbers and variety of waterfowl, from loons Mountain Books. and grebes to dabbling ducks and shorebirds. Bats, Checklist of Cariboo Birds. 1992. Anna Roberts and Martin butterflies, reptiles and amphibians occur in their special Gebauer. Williams Lake Field Naturalists. habitats throughout the region. Bird Checklist for 100 Mile House and Area. 2004. Tom Godin. District of 100 Mile House. Many of the large rivers have populations of fish, including salmon, kokanee and steelhead. The Fraser, Chilcotin, Cariboo, Horsefly and Bella Coola Rivers all For more information contact: support large salmon runs that may be viewed from July Federation of B.C. Naturalists to September. The run on the Horsefly River has as many 307–1367 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 4A9 returning fish as the famous Adams River that flows into or visit the Wildlife Viewing Web site at: Shuswap Lake. Many lakes are stocked with rainbow wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/fw/wild/wildlife_viewing.htm trout, but others, especially the larger lakes to the east, have a more varied fish population. or visit the BC Parks web site at: wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/ Viewing of migrating bird species associated with lakes, ponds and wetlands is particularly rewarding during spring and fall. Migrants appear as soon as openings develop in the ice — as early as March in the south but April in the north, west and east. Southward migration of shorebirds may begin as early as July, while loons can still be seen in October.
Produced by Brimacombe Design Associates and Mariposa Trails Ministry of Water, Land All photos are copyrighted by the artists and may not be reproduced without permission. and Air Protection J. Hobbs A. Roberts A. Roberts Euchi ni ko R B
O. Steen Bowron A. Vyse Wells Lake Park R Cottonwood R Road est 18 26
A. Kusbach W 19 Barkerville Cariboo 3 Q R 16 17 u Mtns Park n R e o ea iv Quesnel s o Fiordland D er N n b a e ri C Recreation z l a k C o R Area 2 i v Dean F E R er
Channel Tweedsmuir Itcha Ilgachuz Park Fr Quesnel a Likely s Lake Park South e 5 C r Anahim h 25 R Bella ilc ola R Lake o iver Co t 15 Coola ella in 97 y L 27B 26 Horsefl T Horsefly 14 Hagensborg a Charlotte 2 R l R. Ritcey c Hor efly Island h Lake 20 13 s a Puntzi k o Lake Alexis Williams Lake 12 Bella Bella King Burke R 22 Creek 11 Channel 23 21 Riske N Creek 10 Canim S Tatla a R e r 20 n Lake i Lake iv 4 JunctionSheep J in R o kl 24 R s W E a ko ive Range Park e 100 Mile Hakai n il r Rivers li h 20 9 R 6 Recreation Inlet K C Moose 7 House S Area R r ell r C r Valley 5 m T C 4 2 ch C ig og 3 a B Gang D Park Ma s y Tatlayoko 24 D e le 8 1 s k Ranch o Lake o Green
M R Churn A 1 Creek Lake Big Protected 97
r Area Chilko Creek C Lake Park Churn Taseko Ts’yl-os Lakes Park A. Hobler A. Roberts
[ 100 Mile House Area: April to September ] 1 Green Lake/Watch Lake – 35 km S of 100 Mile House. 10 Knife Creek UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest – 21 km S Good viewing at many lakes and ponds. Rainbow trout of Williams Lake on Hwy. 97, drive E to the end of Rodeo Dr. spawn in Watch Creek May to mid-June and kokanee late 1 km interpretive forest trail describes the importance of mule August to September. Red-throated loon and American white deer winter habitat. Mule deer also seen in spring.
pelican in migration at W end of Green Lake. American O. Steen 11 Scout Island Nature Centre – W end of Williams Lake, dippers and belted kingfishers at Rayfield Creek and canyon. open all year. Many trails and Nature House with roof-top 19 Highway 26 (Barkerville Hwy) – leaves Hwy 97, 8 km N 2 Horse Lake – 10 km SE of 100 Mile House. Waterfowl, viewing area. Important stopover for large variety of birds in of Quesnel, towards Cottonwood and Stanley. Watch grizzly great blue heron, osprey, bald eagle, American bittern, sora, migration, includes common loon, red-necked grebe, wood bears seasonally and moose, mule deer and black bears black terns, rufous hummingbird, belted kingfisher and duck, osprey, yellow warbler, yellow-headed blackbird. year-round. August chinook salmon runs at various places. warblers. West end: nesting osprey and black swifts. Long- Resident river otter, muskrat, beaver, and mink. Insects include billed curlew and long-billed dowitcher in spring migration. butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and thatching ants. East end, Doman Road – Belted kingfisher, warblers and 12 Williams Lake River Valley – access: Mackenzie Ave at [ Riske Creek - Bella Coola: May to early September ] nesting rough-winged swallows. Moose, mule deer, black bear Comer St. or Frizzi Rd., with parking and 12 km of trails. Over and badger may be seen. 200 species of birds recorded include great blue heron, northern 20 Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park – 15 km S of goshawk, pygmy owl, belted kingfisher, American dipper. Also Hwy 20 at Riske Creek, from the Fraser-Chilcotin Rivers 3 100 Mile Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary – behind Visitor’s black bear, bobcat, red fox, coyote and river otter. Rainbow junction to Farwell Canyon. Rough 4x4 roads into the park. Centre with trail and interpretation signs. Trumpeter swans trout in the river, and annual fall pink salmon run in the lower Day use area only. The grasslands are sensitive, all vehicles in spring/fall. Nesting waterfowl and shorebirds include river often includes sockeye, coho and chinook salmon. must remain on designated roads. California bighorn spotted sandpiper, sora and Virginia rail. Shrubby riparian sheep breeding, lambing and winter range. Look for bald areas: common yellowthroat and yellow-headed blackbirds. 13 Bull Mountain Ski Trails – about 20 km N of Williams eagle, golden eagle, prairie falcon, blue grouse, sharp-tailed Lake and 1 km W along a gravel road. 30 km of ski trails 4 Exeter Lake Wetland – road-side viewing 2.5 km W of grouse, long-billed curlew, upland sandpiper, Lewis’ through mature forest. Interpretive signs on two trails describe 100 Mile House. Waterfowl including trumpeter swans in woodpecker, and great horned owl. Rubber boa, cougar, forest management for wintering mule deer. Northern goshawk spring/fall. Snow geese, red-necked phalarope and large black bear, mule deer and coyote are resident. and red-tailed hawk nest in the area while moose and mule numbers of hawks join spring migration. Sora, sandhill deer can be seen year-round. 21 Bull Canyon Provincial Park – 8 km W of Alexis Creek crane, black tern, marsh wren and yellow-headed blackbird on Hwy 20 beside Chilcotin River. Hiking and interpretive seen and heard. 14 Horsefly River Spawning Channel – in Horsefly along trails along the river. Many raptor species. View bats using the Horsefly River with 3 km Salmon Habitat Trail. 2.1 million 5 Moose Valley Provincial Park – 40 km W of 100 Mile caves in canyon walls. Western extension of grassland sockeye salmon spawn in September on a four-year cycle. House. Wilderness lakes chain, use high clearance 4x4 butterflies such as acmon blues and blue coppers. Kokanee spawn yearly from September through mid-October. vehicles. Variety of waterfowl, nesting sandhill cranes, 22 Puntzi Marshes – 3 km NE of Chilanko Forks on Hwy 97 Bonaparte gulls and songbirds along the way. Beaver, 15 Horsefly Bay/Quesnel Lake – about 10 km N and E between Puntzi Lake and Chilanko Creek. Waterfowl, bald muskrat, river otter, black bear, mule deer and moose also of Horsefly between Horsefly and Quesnel Lakes. Variety of eagle, northern harrier, American kestrel, swallows, eastern found. Winter moose habitat. migrating and resident waterfowl in Horsefly Bay, including kingbird and yellow-headed blackbird. grebe, teal, shoveler, and scoter. Bald eagle, northern harrier, 6 Canim Lake – 35 km NE of 100 Mile House at public shorebirds and belted kingfisher also seen. Resident black 23 Chilanko Marsh Wildlife Management Area – 30 km access adjacent to Canim Lake Resort. Waterfowl, American bear, mule deer, beaver and mink. Moose may be viewed from W of Alexis Creek on Hwy 20, turn N to Puntzi Lake airstrip. bittern, swallows, marsh wren, warblers and bobolink may November to March. Marsh is south of road past airstrip. Trails and interpretive be seen and bald eagles resident year-round. signs. Variety of waterfowl nesting in ponds and marshes. 7 101-108 Mile Ranch – starting 2 km N of 100 Mile House Beaver and muskrat are active; in edge areas look for watch for waterfowl in grassland ponds along Hwy 97. [ Quesnel Area: May to September ] sharp-tailed grouse, common snipe, marsh wren and Look for raptors, sora, Virginia rail, black tern, killdeer, yellow-headed blackbird. Moose can be seen in winter. 16 Quesnel Hydraulic Road – 10 km S of Quesnel on Hwy mountain bluebird, blackbirds, mule deer, river otter, 24 Tatla Lake and Pollywog Marshes – about 18 km E of 97, turn east. Elk and long-billed curlews in spring in fields. muskrat and yellow-bellied marmot. 101 Mile Lake: 60 bird Tatla Lake community on Hwy 20; two viewing sites on the Dragon Lake has sandhill cranes in spring/fall migration and species including sora and Virginia rail. Walker Valley: N and one on the S side. View waterfowl, common snipe, rainbow trout fishing. Look for waterfowl, sandpipers, long- small eared grebe colony, nesting sandhill cranes and raptors, eastern kingbird and blackbirds. Look for tadpoles billed curlew, great blue herons, belted kingfisher, marsh wren, trumpeter swans in migration. Sucker & Soda Lakes Trails: at Pollywog Marshes and beaver at Tatla Lake sites. woodpeckers, warblers and yellow-headed blackbird. Resident Virginia rail, sora, sandhill cranes, spotted sandpiper, and Northern goshawk nests near Tatla Lake. Lincoln’s sparrow. Black bear, mule deer, coyote and red fox. muskrat and beaver. Many butterfly species, dragonflies and damselflies. Early spring Hallis Lake Ski Trails: warblers active 25 Anahim Lake – about 4 km NW of Anahim Lake. Eagle’s 8 Dog Creek Bluffs – 100 km SW of Williams Lake and W and long-toed salamanders crossing trails. Hallis Lake has Nest Marsh Trail: American white pelican feeding in spring/ of 100 Mile House on Dog Creek Rd. Many raptor species, nesting loons and waterfowl, tadpoles of all local amphibians, summer; many waterfowl species nest and osprey, bald white-throated swifts, rock wren, warblers and lazuli bunting butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. eagle, northern goshawk, ring-billed gull, black tern, seen and heard along the spectacular cliffs. Occasionally muskrat and river otter may be seen. Resident spruce 17 Quesnel Downtown (a) Riverfront Trail: at the Fraser California bighorn sheep. grouse, great horned and great grey owls; moose in winter. River footbridge. In spring ring-billed gulls nest on a Quesnel River island — only site in central BC. (b) Nature Education 26 Snootli Creek Hatchery – 4 km W of Hagensborg and [ Williams Lake Area: April to October ] & Resource Centre (West Fraser Timber Park): 3 km of trails 14.5 km from Bella Coola on Hwy 20. Open all year for through uplands/wetlands, with many birding opportunities. guided tours only. Juvenile releases of chum, coho, chinook, 9 Reidemann Wildlife Sanctuary (Alkali Lake) – about Sylvan hairstreak butterfly (very rare in the central interior) March to November. Eggtakes of sockeye and pink salmon, 40 km S of Williams Lake on Dog Creek Rd. American white active in June at the wetlands. August to September. pelicans feeding and in migration May to August. Trumpeter 18 Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park – 11 km N of Quesnel 27 Bella Coola Estuary – where the Bella Coola River and tundra swans may be seen in spring/fall migration, with on Hwy 97. 2 km trail to a large beaver pond, through forest enters Bentinck Arm. Estuary used by migrating waterfowl large numbers of tundras in spring before northern lakes are and on an abandoned rail grade. Waterfowl nesting boxes and and for wintering. Trumpeter swan, Canada goose and open. Look for waterfowl on the lake and bald eagle, golden platforms, beaver lodges and dams are easily seen. numerous waterfowl species. Seal rookery and river otters at eagle and long-billed curlew nearby. Beaver are active. 12 Clayton Falls Recreation site W of the estuary. species of bats in summer. A. Roberts A. Roberts Euchi ni ko R B
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Channel Tweedsmuir Itcha Ilgachuz Park Fr Quesnel a Likely s Lake Park South e 5 C r Anahim h 25 R Bella ilc ola R Lake o iver Co t 15 Coola ella in 97 y L 27B 26 Horsefl T Horsefly 14 Hagensborg a Charlotte 2 R l R. Ritcey c Hor efly Island h Lake 20 13 s a Puntzi k o Lake Alexis Williams Lake 12 Bella Bella King Burke R 22 Creek 11 Channel 23 21 Riske N Creek 10 Canim S Tatla a R e r 20 n Lake i Lake iv 4 JunctionSheep J in R o kl 24 R s W E a ko ive Range Park e 100 Mile Hakai n il r Rivers li h 20 9 R 6 Recreation Inlet K C Moose 7 House S Area R r ell r C r Valley 5 m T C 4 2 ch C ig og 3 a B Gang D Park Ma s y Tatlayoko 24 D e le 8 1 s k Ranch o Lake o Green
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[ 100 Mile House Area: April to September ] 1 Green Lake/Watch Lake – 35 km S of 100 Mile House. 10 Knife Creek UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest – 21 km S Good viewing at many lakes and ponds. Rainbow trout of Williams Lake on Hwy. 97, drive E to the end of Rodeo Dr. spawn in Watch Creek May to mid-June and kokanee late 1 km interpretive forest trail describes the importance of mule August to September. Red-throated loon and American white deer winter habitat. Mule deer also seen in spring.
pelican in migration at W end of Green Lake. American O. Steen 11 Scout Island Nature Centre – W end of Williams Lake, dippers and belted kingfishers at Rayfield Creek and canyon. open all year. Many trails and Nature House with roof-top 19 Highway 26 (Barkerville Hwy) – leaves Hwy 97, 8 km N 2 Horse Lake – 10 km SE of 100 Mile House. Waterfowl, viewing area. Important stopover for large variety of birds in of Quesnel, towards Cottonwood and Stanley. Watch grizzly great blue heron, osprey, bald eagle, American bittern, sora, migration, includes common loon, red-necked grebe, wood bears seasonally and moose, mule deer and black bears black terns, rufous hummingbird, belted kingfisher and duck, osprey, yellow warbler, yellow-headed blackbird. year-round. August chinook salmon runs at various places. warblers. West end: nesting osprey and black swifts. Long- Resident river otter, muskrat, beaver, and mink. Insects include billed curlew and long-billed dowitcher in spring migration. butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and thatching ants. East end, Doman Road – Belted kingfisher, warblers and 12 Williams Lake River Valley – access: Mackenzie Ave at [ Riske Creek - Bella Coola: May to early September ] nesting rough-winged swallows. Moose, mule deer, black bear Comer St. or Frizzi Rd., with parking and 12 km of trails. Over and badger may be seen. 200 species of birds recorded include great blue heron, northern 20 Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park – 15 km S of goshawk, pygmy owl, belted kingfisher, American dipper. Also Hwy 20 at Riske Creek, from the Fraser-Chilcotin Rivers 3 100 Mile Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary – behind Visitor’s black bear, bobcat, red fox, coyote and river otter. Rainbow junction to Farwell Canyon. Rough 4x4 roads into the park. Centre with trail and interpretation signs. Trumpeter swans trout in the river, and annual fall pink salmon run in the lower Day use area only. The grasslands are sensitive, all vehicles in spring/fall. Nesting waterfowl and shorebirds include river often includes sockeye, coho and chinook salmon. must remain on designated roads. California bighorn spotted sandpiper, sora and Virginia rail. Shrubby riparian sheep breeding, lambing and winter range. Look for bald areas: common yellowthroat and yellow-headed blackbirds. 13 Bull Mountain Ski Trails – about 20 km N of Williams eagle, golden eagle, prairie falcon, blue grouse, sharp-tailed Lake and 1 km W along a gravel road. 30 km of ski trails 4 Exeter Lake Wetland – road-side viewing 2.5 km W of grouse, long-billed curlew, upland sandpiper, Lewis’ through mature forest. Interpretive signs on two trails describe 100 Mile House. Waterfowl including trumpeter swans in woodpecker, and great horned owl. Rubber boa, cougar, forest management for wintering mule deer. Northern goshawk spring/fall. Snow geese, red-necked phalarope and large black bear, mule deer and coyote are resident. and red-tailed hawk nest in the area while moose and mule numbers of hawks join spring migration. Sora, sandhill deer can be seen year-round. 21 Bull Canyon Provincial Park – 8 km W of Alexis Creek crane, black tern, marsh wren and yellow-headed blackbird on Hwy 20 beside Chilcotin River. Hiking and interpretive seen and heard. 14 Horsefly River Spawning Channel – in Horsefly along trails along the river. Many raptor species. View bats using the Horsefly River with 3 km Salmon Habitat Trail. 2.1 million 5 Moose Valley Provincial Park – 40 km W of 100 Mile caves in canyon walls. Western extension of grassland sockeye salmon spawn in September on a four-year cycle. House. Wilderness lakes chain, use high clearance 4x4 butterflies such as acmon blues and blue coppers. Kokanee spawn yearly from September through mid-October. vehicles. Variety of waterfowl, nesting sandhill cranes, 22 Puntzi Marshes – 3 km NE of Chilanko Forks on Hwy 97 Bonaparte gulls and songbirds along the way. Beaver, 15 Horsefly Bay/Quesnel Lake – about 10 km N and E between Puntzi Lake and Chilanko Creek. Waterfowl, bald muskrat, river otter, black bear, mule deer and moose also of Horsefly between Horsefly and Quesnel Lakes. Variety of eagle, northern harrier, American kestrel, swallows, eastern found. Winter moose habitat. migrating and resident waterfowl in Horsefly Bay, including kingbird and yellow-headed blackbird. grebe, teal, shoveler, and scoter. Bald eagle, northern harrier, 6 Canim Lake – 35 km NE of 100 Mile House at public shorebirds and belted kingfisher also seen. Resident black 23 Chilanko Marsh Wildlife Management Area – 30 km access adjacent to Canim Lake Resort. Waterfowl, American bear, mule deer, beaver and mink. Moose may be viewed from W of Alexis Creek on Hwy 20, turn N to Puntzi Lake airstrip. bittern, swallows, marsh wren, warblers and bobolink may November to March. Marsh is south of road past airstrip. Trails and interpretive be seen and bald eagles resident year-round. signs. Variety of waterfowl nesting in ponds and marshes. 7 101-108 Mile Ranch – starting 2 km N of 100 Mile House Beaver and muskrat are active; in edge areas look for watch for waterfowl in grassland ponds along Hwy 97. [ Quesnel Area: May to September ] sharp-tailed grouse, common snipe, marsh wren and Look for raptors, sora, Virginia rail, black tern, killdeer, yellow-headed blackbird. Moose can be seen in winter. 16 Quesnel Hydraulic Road – 10 km S of Quesnel on Hwy mountain bluebird, blackbirds, mule deer, river otter, 24 Tatla Lake and Pollywog Marshes – about 18 km E of 97, turn east. Elk and long-billed curlews in spring in fields. muskrat and yellow-bellied marmot. 101 Mile Lake: 60 bird Tatla Lake community on Hwy 20; two viewing sites on the Dragon Lake has sandhill cranes in spring/fall migration and species including sora and Virginia rail. Walker Valley: N and one on the S side. View waterfowl, common snipe, rainbow trout fishing. Look for waterfowl, sandpipers, long- small eared grebe colony, nesting sandhill cranes and raptors, eastern kingbird and blackbirds. Look for tadpoles billed curlew, great blue herons, belted kingfisher, marsh wren, trumpeter swans in migration. Sucker & Soda Lakes Trails: at Pollywog Marshes and beaver at Tatla Lake sites. woodpeckers, warblers and yellow-headed blackbird. Resident Virginia rail, sora, sandhill cranes, spotted sandpiper, and Northern goshawk nests near Tatla Lake. Lincoln’s sparrow. Black bear, mule deer, coyote and red fox. muskrat and beaver. Many butterfly species, dragonflies and damselflies. Early spring Hallis Lake Ski Trails: warblers active 25 Anahim Lake – about 4 km NW of Anahim Lake. Eagle’s 8 Dog Creek Bluffs – 100 km SW of Williams Lake and W and long-toed salamanders crossing trails. Hallis Lake has Nest Marsh Trail: American white pelican feeding in spring/ of 100 Mile House on Dog Creek Rd. Many raptor species, nesting loons and waterfowl, tadpoles of all local amphibians, summer; many waterfowl species nest and osprey, bald white-throated swifts, rock wren, warblers and lazuli bunting butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. eagle, northern goshawk, ring-billed gull, black tern, seen and heard along the spectacular cliffs. Occasionally muskrat and river otter may be seen. Resident spruce 17 Quesnel Downtown (a) Riverfront Trail: at the Fraser California bighorn sheep. grouse, great horned and great grey owls; moose in winter. River footbridge. In spring ring-billed gulls nest on a Quesnel River island — only site in central BC. (b) Nature Education 26 Snootli Creek Hatchery – 4 km W of Hagensborg and [ Williams Lake Area: April to October ] & Resource Centre (West Fraser Timber Park): 3 km of trails 14.5 km from Bella Coola on Hwy 20. Open all year for through uplands/wetlands, with many birding opportunities. guided tours only. Juvenile releases of chum, coho, chinook, 9 Reidemann Wildlife Sanctuary (Alkali Lake) – about Sylvan hairstreak butterfly (very rare in the central interior) March to November. Eggtakes of sockeye and pink salmon, 40 km S of Williams Lake on Dog Creek Rd. American white active in June at the wetlands. August to September. pelicans feeding and in migration May to August. Trumpeter 18 Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park – 11 km N of Quesnel 27 Bella Coola Estuary – where the Bella Coola River and tundra swans may be seen in spring/fall migration, with on Hwy 97. 2 km trail to a large beaver pond, through forest enters Bentinck Arm. Estuary used by migrating waterfowl large numbers of tundras in spring before northern lakes are and on an abandoned rail grade. Waterfowl nesting boxes and and for wintering. Trumpeter swan, Canada goose and open. Look for waterfowl on the lake and bald eagle, golden platforms, beaver lodges and dams are easily seen. numerous waterfowl species. Seal rookery and river otters at eagle and long-billed curlew nearby. Beaver are active. 12 Clayton Falls Recreation site W of the estuary. species of bats in summer.