The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is situated on Westham Island, just west of the community of Ladner in the Municipality of Delta, British Columbia, Canada. (more information on admissions and location). It consists of nearly 300 hectares (850 acres) of managed wetlands, natural marshes and low dikes in the heart of the Fraser River Estuary.

For the millions of birds seeking feeding and resting areas during their annual migrations along the Pacific Coast, the Sanctuary is ideally located. It is a place where wildlife and their habitats are protected from harm, and it lies next to miles of flat marshland and the farmland of Westham Island.

Washrooms and picnic facilities are all located next to the parking lot. The dikes serve as walkways and are wheelchair accessible. A two-storey (10 m high) observation tower is located in the northwestern corner and provides an excellent view of the shallow ponds, the intertidal marshes of the Fraser River estuary outside the dikes, the ocean (Strait of Georgia) and landmarks in the Vancouver area. Another viewing area with wheelchair access is only 15 minutes walk from the entrance gate, and overlooks the marshy islands and ponds of the south half of the Sanctuary.

There are several small buildings along the trails. These are "bird blinds" or "hides" and are designed with small slat-like windows so that visitors can view the birds outside without disturbing them.

Viewing the snow geese from the tower.	The bird observation tower overlooking the estuary.
Viewing platform overlooking the Southwest Marsh.	Bird blind for viewing birds but not disturbing them.

The fall migration period (October to early December) is the best time to view noticeable large flocks of waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans) feeding and resting in the estuary and the ponds of the Sanctuary. Different species have different food requirements, so food to them can include grasses, remnant farm crops, weed seeds, parts of intertidal marsh plants, underwater pondweeds and algae, plankton, other small aquatic organisms or fish.

The fall viewing is made most spectacular by the arrival of the "Fraser-Skagit" flock of Lesser Snow Geese. This particular sub-population of snow geese numbers between 30,000 and 80,000 depending upon nest success in arctic breeding grounds on Wrangel Island (Russia). These birds start to arrive in early October and spend the winter at the Sanctuary, in surrounding parts of the Fraser River Estuary (Delta and Richmond) and in the nearby Skagit River Estuary in Washington,USA. They depart for northern nesting grounds in April.

Snow geese are easily viewed by visitors when they are feeding near the observation tower and in fields around the entrance to the Sanctuary. (For more on their biology and management, see the Research Section or download the "Migration Studies" booklet designed for the school program.

Highlights for winter visitors are the tame Mallards and Black-Capped Chickadees which will feed from the hands of visitors. The trees in the Sanctuary also provide winter shelter for many small forest birds and roost sites for birds of prey such as owls, eagles and a variety of hawks.Winter visitors often encounter the very small Saw-Whet Owl roosting in the darker areas of branches overhanging the trails.

In spring, millions of Western Sandpipers pass through the Fraser River estuary, and often feed and roost in the managed shallow ponds of the Sanctuary. The spring is a particularly good time to see hawks, eagles, seals, cormorants, ospreys and other fish-eating wildlife which follow schools of migratory salmon and eulachon (a small oily fish species) to the mouth of the river.

Many bird species are resident year-round or visit here during the summer months to nest and rear their young. Mallard Ducks, Canada Geese, and Sandhill Cranes nest in quiet grassy areas of the Sanctuary but are often seen walking the trails with their young families as these become more mobile. American Robin, Barn Swallow, Bushtit, Marsh Wren, Red-Winged Blackbird, Gadwall, and many sparrows also nest throughout the Sanctuary. In some years, Great Horned Owls, Barn Owls and Bald Eagles have nested in prominent locations near the trails.

In addition, numerous small artificial nest boxes are used annually by Black-Capped Chickadees, Tree Swallows, Bewick’s Wren, House Sparrows, Wood Ducks, squirrels and assorted other wildlife. Rufous Hummingbirds feeding from the flowers and feeders are often a highlight for visitors.

In late summer and early fall, a wide variety of migrant shorebirds visit the waters, islets and mudflats of the Sanctuary. This is a good time to view Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers, and Western Sandpipers, and to search flocks for more uncommon species.

Over 268 species of birds have now been recorded at the Sanctuary (see Checklist), from the plentiful Mallard, Canada Goose and (in winter) Snow geese, to the more uncommon species such as Black-Crowned Night Heron and Gyrfalcon.