Iona Island

49.21699 , -123.19792

Canada

Iona Island Regional Park, along Sturgeon Bank, is located immediately north of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), in the city of Richmond, BC. The site is significant for birds and other wildlife, at the northwestern extent of the Fraser Estuary Important Bird and Key Biodiversity Area. Iona boasts the highest number of bird species recorded in the Metro Vancouver Area offering a mix of habitats including tidal mudflats, coastal and freshwater marshes, sewage lagoons, and woodland. 

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 changed by Yousif Attia : 49.2170/-123.1979 (2021-08-05 19:58:30 )

Site name was changed by Yousif Attia into "Iona Island" (2021-08-05 19:58:30 )

Coordinates were changed by Yousif Attia : 49.2170/-123.1979 (2021-08-05 19:35:53 )

Site name was changed by Yousif Attia into "Iona Island" (2021-08-05 19:35:53 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 49.2114/-123.2015 (2021-05-12 19:42:35 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Sea Island & Iona Island" (2021-05-12 19:42:35 )

Edited by Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 20:50:56
Iona Island Regional Park, along Sturgeon Bank, is located immediately north of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), in the city of Richmond, BC. The site is significant for birds and other wildlife, at the northwestern extent of the Fraser Estuary Important Bird and Key Biodiversity Area. Iona boasts the highest number of bird species recorded in the Metro Vancouver Area offering a mix of habitats including tidal mudflats, coastal and freshwater marshes, sewage lagoons, and woodland. 
Edited by Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 20:10:15
Iona Island Regional Park, along Sturgeon Bank, is located immediately north of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), in the city of Richmond, BC. The site is significant for birds and other wildlife, at the northwestern extent of the Fraser Estuary Important Bird and Key Biodiversity Area. Iona boasts the highest number of bird species recorded in the Metro Vancouver Area offering a mix of habitats including tidal mudflats, coastal and freshwater marshes, sewage lagoons, and woodland. 

  • 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)

Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor)
Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana)
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)

Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) was added by Yousif Attia (2021-08-05 21:24:40)

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) was added by Yousif Attia (2021-08-05 21:24:01)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) was added by Yousif Attia (2021-08-05 21:23:51)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was added by Yousif Attia (2021-08-05 21:23:42)

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) was added by Yousif Attia (2021-08-05 21:21:57)

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) was added by Yousif Attia (2021-08-05 21:21:45)

Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) was added by Yousif Attia (2021-08-05 21:21:29)

Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana) was added by Yousif Attia (2021-08-05 21:21:12)

  • Timing and strategy

Birding is productive year-round and can be especially rewarding during migration seasons (Apr-May, Aug to Nov). Early morning is by far the best time to bird the park in general, as it can become busy with people later in the day. The best time to bird the Inner Ponds is during high tide, although they can be productive at other times as well. The best time to attempt a seawatch from the end of the South Jetty is during high tide. Check tide forecast before your visit if you are targeting shorebirds and other waterbirds.

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 Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 21:17
Birding is productive year-round and can be especially rewarding during migration seasons (Apr-May, Aug to Nov). Early morning is by far the best time to bird the park in general, as it can become busy with people later in the day. The best time to bird the Inner Ponds is during high tide, although they can be productive at other times as well. The best time to attempt a seawatch from the end of the South Jetty is during high tide. Check tide forecast before your visit if you are targeting shorebirds and other waterbirds.
Edited by Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 21:16
Birding is productive year-round and can be especially rewarding during migration seasons (Apr-May, Aug to Nov). Early morning is by far the best time to bird the park in general, as it can become busy with people later in the day. The best time to bird the Inner Ponds is during high tide, although they can be productive at other times as well. The best time to attempt a seawatch from the end of the South Jetty is during high tide. Check tide forecast before your visit if you are targeting shorebirds and other waterbirds.
  • How to get there

For Iona Beach: Follow the signs for the airport, and from Grant McConachie Way, turn North on Templeton Street and follow it until it turns into Ferguson Way. Continue along Ferguson way and you'll come to the main parking area for the park.

The closest available public transport to Iona Beach is Templeton Canada Line station, which is 8km away.

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

Edited by Dale Floer on 2021-07-15 01:20
For Iona Beach: Follow the signs for the airport, and from Grant McConachie Way, turn North on Templeton Street and follow it until it turns into Ferguson Way. Continue along Ferguson way and you'll come to the main parking area for the park. The closest available public transport to Iona Beach is Templeton Canada Line station, which is 8km away.

Access to the park is free. The main yellow gate is open from 07:00 to 21:00 (Apr 6 to Jun 7) and from 07:00 to 22:00 (Jun 8 to Sep 6). 

The Inner Ponds can be accessed year-round (except for the month of July) through two code-protected gates: one on the south side near the main yellow gated entrance, and the other along the west side. Access is granted through an arrangement between the Sewage Plant Management and Nature Vancouver. Contact Nature Vancouver for more information.

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 Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 21:29
Access to the park is free. The main yellow gate is open from 07:00 to 21:00 (Apr 6 to Jun 7) and from 07:00 to 22:00 (Jun 8 to Sep 6).  The Inner Ponds can be accessed year-round (except for the month of July) through two code-protected gates: one on th the south side near the main yellow gated entrance, and the other along the west side. Access is granted through an arrangement between the Sewage Plant Management and Nature Vancouver. Contact Nature Vancouver for more information.
Edited by Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 21:28
Access to the park is free. The main yellow gate is open from 07:00 to 21:00 (Apr 6 to Jun 7) and from 07:00 to 22:00 (Jun 8 to Sep 6).   The Inner Ponds can be accessed through two code-protected gates: one on th south side near the main yellow gated entrance, and the other along the west side. Access is granted through an arrangement between the Sewage Plant Management and Nature Vancouver. Contact Nature Vancouver for more information.
Edited by Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 21:25
Access to the park is free. The main yellow gate is open from 07:00 to 21:00 (Apr 6 to Jun 7) and from 07:00 to 22:00 (Jun 8 to Sep 6).  There are wheelchair accessible washrooms and water fountain between the main parking and the main beach. The table beside South Marsh, the boardwalk and observation platform at the west side of South Marsh, and the cycle path on Iona Jetty are all wheelchair accessible. The gravel surfacing on the trail is fairly loose, however, and may be difficult with narrow tires. The trail is almost flat. 
Edited by Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 21:12
Access to the park is free. The main yellow gate is open from 07:00 to 21:00 (Apr 6 to Jun 7) and from 07:00 to 22:00 (Jun 8 to Sep 6).  There are wheelchair accessible washrooms and water fountain between the main parking and the main beach. The table beside South Marsh, the boardwalk and observation platform at the west side of South Marsh, and the cycle path on Iona Jetty are all wheelchair accessible. The gravel surfacing on the trail is fairly loose, however, and may be difficult with narrow tires. The trail is almost flat.
  • Other attractions

Iona Island Bird Observatory (IIBO) is located between the Inner and Outer ponds, just south of the Fraser River. IIBO was started in 2010 to monitor how birds use Iona Beach Regional Park, provide estimates of survival and population trends, and to create training and educational opportunities for members of the community.

The IIBO operates three programs throughout the year that monitor the birds that use Iona Beach Regional Park in Richmond BC; Migration Monitoring in spring and fall, and Winter Monitoring.

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 Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 21:19
Iona Island Bird Observatory (IIBO) is located between the Inner and Outer ponds, just south of the Fraser River. IIBO was started in 2010 to monitor how birds use Iona Beach Regional Park, provide estimates of survival and population trends, and to create training and educational opportunities for members of the community. The IIBO operates three programs throughout the year that monitor the birds that use Iona Beach Regional Park in Richmond BC; Migration Monitoring in spring and fall, and Winter Monitoring.

There are wheelchair accessible washrooms and water fountain between the main parking and the main beach. The table beside South Marsh, the boardwalk and observation platform at the west side of South Marsh, and the cycle path on Iona Jetty are all wheelchair accessible. The gravel surfacing on the trail is fairly loose, however, and may be difficult with narrow tires. The trail is almost flat.

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 Yousif Attia on 2021-08-05 21:25
There are wheelchair accessible washrooms and water fountain between the main parking and the main beach. The table beside South Marsh, the boardwalk and observation platform at the west side of South Marsh, and the cycle path on Iona Jetty are all wheelchair accessible. The gravel surfacing on the trail is fairly loose, however, and may be difficult with narrow tires. The trail is almost flat.

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

Not available yet
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