Birding on the Mudflats: in-the-field interpretation
Monday April 28 – Friday May 2, 2025
Bonus Bird Talk: Tuesday, April 29th
Bonus Bird Walk: Saturday, May 3rd
Details below.
Birding on the Mudflats
In partnership with BC Nature and Hotel Zed, the RES will be hosting a ‘Birder in Residence’.
Join our expert birder, Liam Ragan of B.C. Nature, on the mudflats behind Hotel Zed to experience the spring shorebird migration at its peak! Whether you are a keen birder or a casual nature-lover, don’t miss the chance to observe and learn more about the incredible diversity of shorebirds (and other species) passing through on their way north. The mudflats in Jensen’s Bay directly behind Hotel Zed offer some of the best viewing opportunities anywhere in BC. This public event is open to one and all at no cost!
Monday through Friday, April 28 – May 2
On the birding platform at Hotel Zed
FREE Drop-by Event
Monday, April 28th— 11am – 2pm | Tuesday, April 29th — Noon- 3pm | Wednesday, April 30th — 1pm – 4pm | Thursday, May 1st — 2pm -5pm | Friday, May 2nd — 2pm – 5pm
Find fellow birders, spotting scopes and bird guide Liam Ragan from BC Nature!
This is the best opportunity to spend some time down on the Tofino mudflats to view flocks of shorebirds foraging and resting during their annual migration north. The mudflats at this location offer some of the best and most accessible high-quality shorebird habitat in Tofino. Bird viewing on the mudflats is tide relevant – the rising tide when birds are pushed up towards the upper mudflats for a better view. This is a great event for both new and experienced birders, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area.
Bring your binoculars or spotting scope, or else we will have a couple to share. No dogs please.
Tuesday, April 29th: an evening presentation on birds with birding expert, Liam Ragan from BC Nature
Where: Rec Room @ Hotel Zed Tofino
Time: 7 – 8:30pm
For four years, BC Nature has worked with the local community in Hesquiat Harbour to monitor birds and in this world renowned biodiversity site, including nesting Marbled Murrelet and tens of thousands of seabirds during the Herring spawn. Come hear about the results of those surveys, the birds they found, the migrations they documented, and the other threatened species they found along the way.
Saturday, May 3rd: a birding walk with birder expert, Ian Cruickshank from PRNPR.
Where: Hotel Zed Tofino
Time: 4pm
Meet in the parking lot for a stroll to the water, bring your scopes and binocs. This will be an informal but informative exploration on forest birds and shorebirds. See Ian’s bio below.
In partnership with BC Nature and Hotel Zed, the RES will be hosting a ‘Birder in Residence’.
Ian & Liam’s bios are below.
Thank you to Liam & Ian for there time & expertise.
Liam Ragan is an enthusiastic lover of, and authority on, all things BIRDS and he will share his infectious enthusiasm and immense knowledge with us over the week. Liam is the Provincial Coordinator for Important Bird Areas in B.C. and an avid conservation photographer with a passion for everything from owls to arthropods.
Check out Liam’s photography here with the Big Year
Instagram @laimragan,
Ian has been a birder from an early age, growing up in Victoria, BC, where he has guided birding walks for Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary and the Victoria Natural History Society for the past 10 years. He has done bird and biology fieldwork across Western Canada, including with Bird Studies Canada, the Rocky Point Bird Observatory, and Parks Canada, and currently works at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. His knowledge of bird vocalizations is widely appreciated, and with his keen interest in all of the natural world, you’ll be able to learn about plants and butterflies and amphibians and seaweeds, too, while you’re birding! If you ask him what his favourite bird is, he just might answer with Bushtit, Raven, or Nelson’s Sparrow. Ian has led some of our private tours on Vancouver Island and he has also guided for us in Newfoundland.
Thank you to Hotel Zed for providing the accommodation for Liam to be the Birder in Residence, for the viewing platform on the beautiful mudflats, and for all the support you have shown to the Raincoast Education Society! So very appreciated.
Our Raincoast Institute Birds course will return in 2026, but please check out Seaweeds and Marine Invertebrates in June and July. Our Shorebird Soiree auction fundraiser will also be postponed, but please stay tuned.
Whimbrels, Sandpipers, Dunlin and more!
Every year from late April through May, flocks of sandpipers, plovers, whimbrels, and many other shorebirds pass through the Tofino area. Thousands stop here to feed and rest as they make their impressive journey from South and Central America northward to their Arctic breeding grounds.
The protected forests, expansive mudflats, long sandy beaches, and rocky shorelines of the region create the right combination of habitats to draw over 40 species of shorebirds to the area, including the largest migratory concentrations of whimbrels anywhere in British Columbia, and impressive flocks of western sandpipers, dunlin and more.
Thank You to our Festival Partners
A huge thank you to our 2024 festival partners, in alphabetical order:
Roar Tofino • Hotel Zed • Ucluelet Brewing Co. • Cap N’ Hook • Gaia Grocery • Jamie’s Whaling Station • Pacific Sands Resort • Nova Harvest • Pioneer Boat Works • Reservas Tequila • • Sacred Stone . • Tofino Distillery • Tofino Time • Tofitian • Co0p Tofino • Coop Ucluelet • Jeremy Koreski • Mint Cleaning • Sea Wench • Tofino Sea Kayaking • Tofino Fishing & Trading • Coastal Bliss • Jeju • Mermaid Tales • OverZealous Ink • Paddle West Kayaking • Middle Beach Lodge • Ucluelet Aquarium • Tofino Breath and Meditation • Ucluelet Aquarium • Atleo Air • Bonzai Sea Adventures • Saltspring Centre for Yoga • The Den • Pluvio • The Pointe Restaurant • TRM
Tofino Shorebird Festival Photo Gallery
Some photos from previous years!
Need help?
If you have any questions about our courses, our events, or just us in general – we’re here to help!