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Goldstream Park, Vancouver Island, Wildlife, Scenery, Black Bears
Goldstream Park, Vancouver Island, Wildlife, Scenery, Bird Watching
Goldstream Park, Vancouver Island, Wildlife, Scenery, Grizzly Watching
Goldstream Park, Vancouver Island, Wildlife, Scenery, Bird Watching
Goldstream Park, Vancouver Island, Wildlife, Scenery, Black Bears

Goldstream Provincial Park Wildlife Watching

Massive trees, breathtaking waterfalls, a meandering river that meets the sea, flowers, birds, a variety of wildlife, and intriguing fish are just a few of the features that lure visitors to Goldstream Provincial Park in southern Vancouver Island, which is only 16 km from downtown Victoria. Wildlife viewing enthusiasts must know that other than the Capital itself, this park is where they can fulfill their wildlife watching desires on southern Vancouver Island. Whether a wildlife viewer is seeking inspiration from this stunning specimen of the wild outdoors or a naturalist hoping to add to their notebook, it's a world that appears far apart from the metropolitan exploits of British Columbia's capital city. Goldstream Park offers something new, distinct, and exciting bear viewingbird watching, and other wildlife viewing opportunities are available for every month of the year. Every year, thousands of fish – and people – flock to the park for the annual chum salmon spawning season. This natural event draws bald eagles, who swoop down to consume the corpses of the hatched-out salmon, and black bear to come and feast on newly arrived fish. The riverside pathways and wildlife viewing platforms give an exceptional opportunity to witness bears and bald eagles. Black bears, cougars, and deer live in Goldstream Park, as do raccoons, minks, beavers, otters, and Gray and Douglas squirrels. The park's streams are home to salmon, trout, steelhead, and migratory and resident species, including hummingbirds, Bald eagles, turkey vultures, ducks, and gulls. The Goldstream River is the site of one of nature's most spectacular displays from late October to December each year, when chum, coho, and Chinook salmon enter the river via Finlayson Arm from the Pacific Ocean. These identical salmon hatched here three to four years ago before migrating to the sea to develop and mature. They're back to start a family. It's incredible to see them return to their native spawning beds to spawn and die. The estuary of the Goldstream River is restricted to the public (including all boaters). Because of the closure, wildlife has returned to the estuary throughout the year. Because of the closure, Bald eagles, formerly infrequently seen, are now abundant during the salmon run and nest during the summer.

Goldstream Provincial Park Wildlife Watching Opportunities

In Goldstream Provincial Park, there are several wildlife watching opportunities, especially because a viewing platform is placed in the park's Visitor Center along the estuary. While you're standing on these platforms, wildlife you may encounter include cougars, deer, black bears, raccoons, beavers, minks, Douglas squirrels, and otters, all living in the park. Throughout the park, bald eagles, turkey vultures, ducks, and gulls may be seen. However, you may encounter various migratory feathers as well. Stay with us to discuss our wildlife viewing opportunities one by one and in detail.

Bear Watching in Goldstream Provincial Park

Salmon is counted as a luxurious meal for bears, and guess what?! Goldstream Park's estuary is exactly the hall bears would want to start their glorious salmon feast. However, every fall is not stable; salmon runs happen right there in the estuary and wildlife who feed on fish flood there. Bears are one of the species. For the sake of folks' safety, visiting the Park and the convenience of the creatures eating at the estuary, entering it is prohibited for people. However, there are some wildlife viewing platforms from which you can be a witness to their hunt and feast right in the water.

Bird Watching in Goldstream Provincial Park

Bird viewing is something that can happen in every area on Vancouver Island. Since the island is right at the migration path of the birds many bird species spend time on Vancouver Island preparing the right opportunity for an unforgettable bird viewing. The dominant bird in Goldstream Park is the majestic bald eagle of which you cannot get enough. Observing them swooping down to grab a salmon is one off-the-grid experience for sure. When the tide is low, the most salmon are exposed, making it the perfect time to watch bald eagles. Eagles are opportunistic eaters, meaning they will consume whatever fits their nutritional demands and is readily accessible. A sharp, hooked beak for shredding meat and keen talons for grasping onto food aren't the only "tools of the trade" for bald eagles, which also have a poor sense of smell. They also have exceptional vision, which allows them to identify prey from lofty vantage points. Other bird species you may gaze upon while wandering around Goldstream Park are Red Breasted Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Stellar’s Jay, Golden Crown Kinglet, Winter Wren, Hummingbirds, American Robin, Violet Green Swallows, House Sparrow, turkey vultures, ducks, and gulls.

Wildlife Watching Species on Vancouver Island

Sea Lion Watching on Vancouver Island

Sea Lion Watching on Vancouver Island

Sea lions gather in sizable colonies on the islands' rocky and sandy coasts. Stay with us to learn more about these species on Vancouver Island.

Seal Watching on Vancouver Island

Seal Watching on Vancouver Island

It shouldn't take long to locate the harbour seal, Canada's Pacific coast's most common marine animal. Stay with us to gain more insight.

Greater White-fronted Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

Greater White-fronted Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

The Greater White-fronted Geese is a stocky brown goose found across the Northern Hemisphere, including Vancouver Island.

Canada Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

Canada Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

Canadian Geese abound on Vancouver Island throughout the winter months. When migratory birds return north in the spring, this rises. Their unique coloration makes them easy to spot.

Brant Watching on Vancouver Island

Brant Watching on Vancouver Island

Brant is a type of migratory game bird on Vancouver Island. These waterfowls can be categorized as geese which come to the Island every spring.

Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

Many people think that porpoises are a type of dolphin. It's wrong. They are a completely different family of cetaceans inhabiting the waters of Vancouver Island. Also, they aren't "baby orcas". Stay with us to tell you more.

Eagle Watching on Vancouver Island

Eagle Watching on Vancouver Island

Come to Vancouver Island to see how the apex feathered predator come down from the sky for a grab. Let Vanisle Wildlife be your company!

Humpback Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

Humpback Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

Remember the nostalgic Hunchback of Notre Dame? Well, the waters of Vancouver Island is not deprived of such creature. Humpback whales are another migratory marine species that count Vancouver Island shore as one of their favorites.

Gray Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

Gray Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

Looking for an opportunity for spotting the longest-route migrating mammals on earth? Vancouver Island is the land in which this opportunity grows on the tree. Stay with us to tell you more about this wonderful journey.

Orca Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

Orca Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

Whale watching on Vancouver island is full of wonders to explore! Come here to be a witness to the breaching of the most giant dolphin, Orca, in the world. They are the assassins of the marine mammals; even whales themselves.

Grizzly Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

Grizzly Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

If, in any case, you have grizzly bear watching on your Canada bucket list, put it in your bags and bring it to Vancouver Island. Let's get to the lost paradises of grizzly bear where they live in abundance. Stay with us!

Black Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

Black Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

Have you ever watch black bears play hid and seek? Vancouver Island black bear watching tours are what you're looking for. In order to know where is best to go black bear watching on Vancouver Island and where is the best place to go, stay with us!

Goldstream Provincial Park Wildlife Watching FAQs

Gates to Goldstream Provincial Park opens at 7 in the morning and they will be closed at 11 pm.
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