The Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver, managed by the Wild Bird Trust of B.C., is located two kilometres east of the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing and is an extremely popular location for birders, both locally and from out of town.
The North Shore’s first wildlife sanctuary encompasses a 96-hectare intertidal zone on Burrard Inlet and a 30-hectare upland area and is ringed and criss-crossed with trails leading to many viewing points inland and along the shoreline. Featuring a mix of grassland, mixed forest, freshwater habitat and mudflats and saltmarsh, lovers of nature and birding can expect to spot some of the more than 250 identified species of birds that can inhabit the area, either nesting or passing through on their migratory paths.
Led by well-known Lower Mainland WBT naturalist and longtime North Shore News columnist Al Grass, birders both experienced and neophyte can join guided nature walks on the second Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. rain or shine. Grass leads nature enthusiasts along the pathways giving tips on spotting birds and sharing his knowledge of the many species in the area and their habitat. The next walk will take place Saturday, March 12.
All through the year there are many different themed birding and nature walks. For more information and schedules, go to wildbirdtrust.org.
