Manning’s diverse mix of coastal, mountain, and interior climates supports a huge variety of birds — over 200 species.
June is a great time to visit the park, when forests are alive with a riot of birds noisily advertising for mates and defending territory. This, combined with the park’s extensive network of scenic trails, makes Manning a paradise for birders!
Established in 1983, the Manning Park Bird Blitz is one of BC’s longest-running bird counts. The event provides a vital service to Manning Park–birders are helping to build a database that now spans 30 years, giving biologists a better picture of the park’s changing species diversity over time.
PRE-REGISTRATION & PAYMENT
Full Weekend Birder – $50
Fee covers Friday & Saturday camping, barbecue (bring own protein), guest speaker, learning and field data materials and company of friendly, like-minded birders!
Day Birder + Saturday BBQ & Guest Speaker – $40
Fee covers Saturday camping, barbecue (bring own protein), guest speaker, learning and field data materials and company of friendly, like-minded birders!
Day Birder – $25
Fee covers Saturday OR Sunday birding with field data materials and company of friendly, like-minded birders!
Young Birder – $0
FREE for youth aged 18 and under, accompanied by an adult.
Fee applies to all birders–those camping at Lone Duck Campground and those staying at other fixed roof accommodation.
We ask that participants register and pay in advance on-line through our website – www.hopemountain.org. If on-line payment is not possible for you, please arrange payment by cheque with us well before the event. This will help us plan for the weekend, purchase food and arrange supplies for support/educational materials! Please contact us at 604-869-1274 or send us an e-mail if you have any questions.
The birding fee includes the following:
- Two nights camping at Lone Duck Campground on Lightning Lake noon
- Friday to Sunday.
- Guest speaker and barbecue, with salads, buns, and drinks provided
- (bring your own protein!).
- Birding Kit–including park map, bird checklist, tally sheet, nesting record,
- and pencil.
- Educational displays and materials.
SCHEDULE
Friday — Birders arrive and set up camp at Loneduck Campground beside Lightning Lake, starting at 2 PM. Avoid the crunch and check in early, 2 – 6 PM! Some birders choose to stay at nearby fixed roof accommodation.
Orientation begins at 7:00 PM at Loneduck Campground. Birders will get an introduction to the park, form birding groups, choose a trail, and receive their birding kits. At 8:00 PM a guest speaker will provide an entertaining presentation. Late arrivals can register at Loneduck until 10:00 PM Friday, or anytime Saturday morning. See map for directions to Lone Duck Campground and area.
Townsend’s WarblerSaturday — Birding groups will hike different trails in the park to record species and quantities of birds (by sight or call). We will be leading an introductory birding outing for novices beginning at 9:00 AM at Lone Duck Camp and exploring the shores of Lightning Lake.
After a full day of birding, birders will return to an evening barbecue with buns, salads, and drinks (bring your own protein!). After dinner, birders will meet around the campfire for a quick run-through of the day’s sightings, followed by a guest speaker.
Sunday — More birding will occur in those areas not covered on Saturday, with people leaving Sunday afternoon.
ACCOMMODATION
Camping at Lone Duck Campground, a BC Parks “Group Campsite,” with
plenty of room for at least 100 people. Come prepared for tenting or RV camping. No electrical or sewage hookups. Facilities include pit toilets, drinking water, two covered cook shelters with wood stoves for warmth and two group campfire rings. Bring your own table and chairs if possible, as picnic tables and seating are limited.
Manning Park Lodge
Call 250-840-8822 or 800-330-3321 for hotel rooms, cabins and chalets. Special group rates will be available–just mention the Bird Blitz. Manning Park Lodge has a restaurant, pub, spa with with hot tubs, sauna, gym and swimming pool.
Lodging outside Manning Park
East Gate Cabins (15 min. drive from Lightning Lake)
Contact: Kristina Davis
Phone: 250-840-8781
E-mail: riverrockgetaways@gmail.com
Sunshine Valley Cabins (35 min. from Lightning Lake)
Contact: Joanne Taylor, Holiday Trails Sunshine Valley Resort
Phone: 604-869-0066
Reasonably-priced 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom cabins
Let Joanne know you’re with the Bird Blitz to receive special pricing
WHAT TO BRING
Be prepared to camp and provide your own food — an exception is the Saturday night barbecue, when you can just arrive with protein for the grill. Come prepared to hike in a variety of weather conditions, with temperatures ranging between +20 celsius during the day and -3 at night. Snow will be found at higher elevations. Gaiters can help to keep snow out of your boots.
Recommended items:
- Sturdy boots and gaters
- First aid kit
- Water container (at least 1 litre)
- High-energy lunches and snack food
- Warm clothes and rain gear
- Sunglasses, hat, camera, binoculars, bird ID guide books
CANCELLATIONS
If a registration is cancelled 14 days or more before a program starts, HMCOL will refund the program fee and equipment rental fees (as applicable) minus an administrative cost of $20 per person. Program and equipment rental fees will not be refunded if a cancellation is received less than 14 days before the start of a program. A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled, participants will receive a full refund of program and equipment fees.
A NOTE ABOUT LIABILITY
Hope Mountain Centre carries liability insurance and maintains excellent safety records. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk. Hope Mountain Centre assumes no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form before participating in this program.
Please be aware that activities typical of this program involve many risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from events; slips and falls; loss of balance; impact, cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia, frostbite, sunburn; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, blizzards, whiteouts and high wind; steepness of terrain, tree wells, crevasses; avalanches, cornices, landslides and falling ice, snow and objects; encounters with domestic or wild animals; negligence on the part of releasees and other participants.
While we love animals of all kinds, we ask that you please leave Fido at home.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Co-Sponsorship of the Bird Blitz
The Bird Blitz is supported and delivered by two non-profit organizations – BC Nature and Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning. Both organizations are devoted to nature appreciation and stewardship, and together, they bring long-term stability and increased promotion to this great Manning Park tradition.
Register now online or reserve your spot by calling 604-869-1274, or by email at lklassen@hopemountain.org for more information.
The Manning Park Bird Blitz is a fun event for expert and novice birders alike.
Program: Manning Park Bird BlitzWhen: June 20-22, 2014
Where: Thacker Marsh Regional Park
Cost: Full Weekend Birder – $50, Day Birder + Saturday BBQ & Guest Speaker – $40, Day Birder – $25, Young Birder – $0 (18 yrs and under, accompanied by an adult). See detailed cost descriptions lower down the page.
PROGRAM REGISTRATION
You may also reserve your spot by calling 604-869-1274 or by email at lklassen@hopemountain.org for more information.
TRIP LEADERS
Richard Cannings
Guest Speaker
Dick has authored and co-authored several award-winning books, including “British Columbia: A Natural History,” “The Birds of the Okanagan Valley,” “The BC Roadside Naturalist,” “The Rockies: a Natural History,” “Birds of Southwestern British Columbia,” and “An Enchantment of Birds.” Dick is an accomplished biologist, instructor, eco-tour guide, and conservation advocate, and he is a regular contributor to CBC Radio’s “BC Almanac” program.
Kelly Pearce
HMC Program Director
Kelly is a naturalist and outdoor educator, based in Hope, BC. Kelly worked for 14 years as a park naturalist at Manning Provincial Park, and has a detailed knowledge of the natural and human history of the Fraser River and North Cascade Mountains.
Scott Denkers
HMC Administrative Director
Scott is Administrative Director with Hope Mountain Centre. He is a passionate birder and life-long student of nature and earth sciences in general. Scott is also a board director at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society and an executive committee member with the Chilliwack Field Naturalists.
