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Did you know that Metro Vancouver is home to three important bird areas? The Fraser River estuary, English Bay and Burrard Inlet, and the Greater Vancouver watershed have each earned the internationally recognized designation.

Indeed, there's an incredible diversity of birds in the Lower Mainland. Here's 15 amazing examples of these winged creatures, all spotted in southwestern British Columbia.

1. American coot

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta. Stephen Hui

2. Clark's nutcracker

Lightning Lake campground, E.C. Manning Provincial Park. Stephen Hui

3. Cooper's hawk

Vanier Park, Vancouver. Stephen Hui

4. Dark-eyed junco

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, Squamish. Stephen Hui

5. Great blue heron

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta. Stephen Hui

6. Grouse

Black Tusk Meadows, Garibaldi Provincial Park. Stephen Hui

7. Lesser snow geese

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta. Stephen Hui

8. Northern pintail

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta. Stephen Hui

9. Red-shafted northern flicker

Kitsilano, Vancouver. Stephen Hui

10. Red-winged blackbird

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta. Stephen Hui

11. Song sparrow

Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats, North Vancouver. Stephen Hui

12. Spotted towhee

Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats, North Vancouver. Stephen Hui

13. Whiskey jack

Taylor Meadows campground, Garibaldi Provincial Park. Stephen Hui

14. Wood duck

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta. Stephen Hui

15. Yellow warbler

Spruce Bay Beach, E.C. Manning Provincial Park. Stephen Hui

If you're interested in getting into birdwatching, I recommend finding a copy of the book Birds of Southwestern British Columbia (Heritage House) by Richard Cannings, Tom Aversa, and Hal Opperman. The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta and the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver are two of the best local spots for viewing birds.