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© Dale Floer

Burnaby Lake Regional Park

49.24152 , -122.94286

Canada

Burnaby Lake Regional Park is among the best birdwatching locations in Metro Vancouver, and is particularly notable for the abundance of human-habituated ducks at Piper Spit. It is moderately easy to transit to and contains a diversity of forest, wetlands and fresh water habitat for birds. It is a popular park with birdwatchers, walkers, runners and anyone that wants to enjoy some time in nature.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 49.2415/-122.9429 (2021-05-12 18:58:51 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Burnaby Lake Regional Park" (2021-05-12 18:58:51 )

Edited by Holly Becker on 2021-07-14 05:59:28
Burnaby Lake Regional Park is among the best birdwatching locations in Metro Vancouver, and is particularly notable for the abundance of human-habituated ducks at Piper Spit. It is moderately easy to transit to and contains a diversity of forest, wetlands and fresh water habitat for birds. It is a popular park with birdwatchers, walkers, runners and anyone that wants to enjoy some time in nature.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) was added by Dale Floer (2022-05-24 21:28:58)

  • Timing and strategy

The park is good to bird all year round, but especially during spring and fall migration, and during the winter when many waterfowl spend their time on the lake.

The full loop of the lake is 11km and can take 2.5 hours at a leisurely pace. The best spots are the Piper Spit Boardwalk, the Rowing Pavillion and the area around Avalon entrance. The sports fields sometimes have more than just Canada Geese in them, and are worth checking out if possible.

The highlight is Piper Spit, and an hour is usually enough to see all of the birds there.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-01-05 16:02
The park is good to bird all year round, but especially during spring and fall migration, and during the winter when many waterfowl spend their time on the lake. The full loop of the lake is 11km and can take 2.5 hours at a leisurely pace. The best spots are the Piper Spit Boardwalk, the Rowing Pavillion and the area around Avalon entrance. The sports fields sometimes have more than just Canada Geese in them, and are worth checking out if possible. The highlight is Piper Spit, and an hour is usually enough to see all of the birds there.
  • How to get there

Burnaby Lake is moderately easy to access on transit.

The west end of the lake is easily accessed via Sperling/Burnaby Lake Skytrain Station on the Millenium line. The park is visible from the station, with easy pedestrian access via the bridge over Winston Street. During the spring, Common Ravens have been known to nest on the cable trays underneath the Skytrain line.

Piper Spit is a 15-20 min walk from Lake City Skytrain Station on the Millenium line.

Avalon entrance is a 10-15 min walk from Production Way Skytrain Station on both the Millenium and Expo lines.

For cyclists, the Central Valley Greenway passes next to the park on Winston Avenue, but there is no cycling on park paths. Bikes can be locked up in front of the Nature House and at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex on the west side.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-24 21:33
Burnaby Lake is moderately easy to access on transit. The west end of the lake is easily accessed via Sperling/Burnaby Lake Skytrain Station on the Millenenium Millenium line. The park is visible from the station, with easy pedestrian access via the bridge over Lougheed Highway. Winston Street. During the spring, Common Ravens have been known to nest on the cable trays underneath the Skytrain line. Piper Spit is a 15-20 min walk from Lake City Skytrain Station on the Millenium line. Avalon entrance is a 10-15 min walk from Production Way Skytrain Station on both the Millenium and Expo lines. For cyclists, the Central Valley Greenway passes next to the park on Winston Avenue, but there is no cycling on park paths. Bikes can be locked up in front of the Nature House and at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex on the west side.
Edited by Dale Floer on 2021-07-21 22:08
Burnaby Lake is moderately easy to access on transit. The west end of the lake is easily accessed via Sperling/Burnaby Lake Skytrain Station on the Millenenium line. The park is visible from the station, with easy pedestrian access via the bridge over Lougheed Highway. Piper Spit is a 15-20 min walk from Lake City Skytrain Station on the Millenium line. Avalon entrance is a 10-15 min walk from Production Way Skytrain Station on both the Millenium and Expo lines. For cyclists, the Cetnral Central Valley Greenway passes next to the park on Winston Avenue, but there is no cycling on park paths. Bikes can be locked up in front of the Nature House.House and at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex on the west side.
Edited by Dale Floer on 2021-07-14 17:26
Burnaby Lake is moderately easy to access on transit. The west end of the lake is easily accessed via Sperling/Burnaby Lake Skytrain Station on the Millenenium line. The park is visible from the station, with easy pedestrian access via the bridge over Lougheed Highway. Piper Spit is a 15-20 min walk from Lake City Skytrain Station on the Millenium line. Avalon entrance is a 10-15 min walk from Production Way Skytrain Station on both the Millenium and Expo lines. For cyclists, the Cenral Cetnral Valley Greenway passes next to the park.park on Winston Avenue, but there is no cycling on park paths. Bikes can be locked up in front of the Nature House.
Edited by Holly Becker on 2021-07-14 05:52
Burnaby Lake is moderately easy to access on transit. The west end of the lake is easily accessed via Sperling/Burnaby Lake Skytrain Station on the Millenenium line. The park is visible from the station, with easy pedestrian access via the bridge over Lougheed Highway. Piper Spit is a 15-20 min walk from Lake City Skytrain Station on the Millenium line. Avalon entrance is a 10-15 min walk from Production Way Skytrain Station on both the Millenium and Expo lines. For cyclists, the Cenral Valley Greenway passes next to the park.

Burnaby Lake Regional Park is a public regional park and is free to access year round. Officially, the park opens at 7 am and closes at 9 pm April-June and 10 pm the rest of the year. In practice, the park is open to pedestrians any time.

The park is quite large, and there are three good entry points.

  • Sperling (west) has large amounts of parking for the sports complex
  • Piper Spit (middle) has a moderate amount of parking
  • Avalon (east) has 20-30 parking spots

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Dale Floer on 2021-07-14 17:29
Burnaby Lake Regional Park is a public regional park and is free to access year round. Officially, the park opens at 7 am and closes at 9 pm April-June and 10 pm the rest of the year. In practice, the park is open to pedestrians any time. The park is quite large, and there are three good entry points. Sperling (west) has large amounts of parking for the sports complex Piper Spit (middle) has a moderate amount of parking Avalon (east) has 1-2 20-30 parking spots
Edited by Holly Becker on 2021-07-14 05:46
Burnaby Lake Regional Park is a public regional park and is free to access year round. Officially, the park opens at 7 am and closes at 9 pm April-June and 10 pm the rest of the year. In practice, the park is open to pedestrians any time. The park is quite large, and there are three good entry points. Sperling (west) has large amounts of parking for the sports complex Piper Spit (middle) has a moderate amount of parking Avalon (east) has 1-2 parking spots
  • Other attractions

The Burnaby Lake Nature House is a small interpretive center for the local area.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-01-05 16:12
The Burnaby Lake Nature House is a small interpretive center for the local area.

Piper Spit has 2 washrooms which are open dawn until dusk. The nature center is open 10-4 on weekends.

Avalon entrance often has a port-a-potty on the south side of Cariboo dam in the gravel parking lot.

The sports complex on the west end has bathrooms and parking.

There are potable water stations at Piper Spit and at Avalon, near the south side of the dam.

There is one watchtower in the park, overlooking Piper Spit.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Dale Floer on 2022-05-24 21:35
Piper Spit has 2 washrooms which are open dawn until dusk. The nature center is open 10-4 on weekends. Avalon entrance often has a port-a-potty on the south side of Cariboo dam in the gravel parking lot. The sports complex on the west end has bathrooms and parking.parking. There are potable water stations at Piper Spit and at Avalon, near the south side of the dam. There is one watchtower in the park, overlooking Piper Spit.
Edited by Dale Floer on 2021-07-14 17:26
Piper Spit has 2 washrooms which are open dawn until dusk. The nature center is open 10-4 on weekends. Avalon entrance often has a port-a-potty on the south side of Caribo Cariboo dam in the gravel parking lot. The sports complex on the west end has bathrooms and parking.
Edited by Holly Becker on 2021-07-14 05:54
Piper Spit has 2 washrooms which are open dawn until dusk. The nature center is open 10-4 on weekends. Avalon entrance often has a port-a-potty on the south side of Caribo dam in the gravel parking lot. The sports complex on the west end has bathrooms and parking.

There can be mosquitoes in the park during the summer, especially in the wooded areas.

There are sometimes black bears in the park, which can cause trail closures.

Highway 1 borders the southern edge of the park, and can be very noisy, especially for recordists.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Dale Floer on 2021-07-21 22:07
There can be mosquitoes in the park during the summer, especially in the wooded areas. There are sometimes black bears in the park, which can cause trail closures.closures. Highway 1 borders the southern edge of the park, and can be very noisy, especially for recordists.
Edited by Dale Floer on 2021-07-21 22:06
There can be mosquitoes in the park during the summer, especially in the wooded areas. There are sometimes black bears in the park, which can cause trail closures.
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Burnaby Lake Regional Park - Orniverse