HomeFinding the Spotted Owl in British Columbia (MAP)
The Spotted Owl reaches the northern end
of it's range along the Lilloet - Coast Ranges and Skagit River Drainage in
southern British Columbia As with many species at their range extremities, this
species is scarce and local with approximately 100 pairs. The Owl is known to
occur in remaining patches of heavy timber accessed from logging, recreation
and even paved highways, as well as hiking trails. The northern limit of it's
range in British Columbia is Anderson Lake near the town of D'Arcy (50'
33" 120' 32"); the eastern limits of it's range are found at
Mowhawkam Creek (50' 02" 121' 32") as well as Allison Pass in Manning
Park; and the western limits of it's range at Vancouver and Capilano River (40'
19" 123' 08"). Sites in order of reliability and effortless
accessibility include:
(1) Lilloet Lake and Mt. Currie to
D'Arcy Roads; (2) Skagit Valley Recreation Area; (3) Western edges of Manning
Park; (4) Harrison Lake; and (5) Boston Bar area
(1) Lilloet Lake Road connects with
rough (occasionally four-wheel only) logging roads that join with others
through to Harrison Mills. Owls occur at Km 36.
From Vancouver, proceed on Highway 99
north along Howe Sound towards Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. When you reach
Pemberton (143.0 km), follow the signs right for Mt. Currie, an additional (6.0
km) (149.0 km). In Mt. Currie watch for the Duffy Lake Road sign and continue
right on this secondary paved road towards Lilloet Lake, Duffy Lake, and
distant Lilloet Soon after crossing the Joffre Creek bridge, an additional (11.5
km) (160.5 km), there is a fork. The left paved section continues on to
Duffy Lake and Lilloet, the right well-maintained gravel section is the Lilloet
Lake Road (or In'shuck'ch Forest Service Road). Take the right fork towards
Lilloet Lake, watching for the km markers alongside the road.
When you reach Kin 9, continue an
additional (0.6 km) and watch for a large snag on the right side of the road.
Directly across the road is a very large tree standing on a hill. This has been
the most reliable site for Spotted Owl in British Columbia, check along the
left side of the road from here back to Km 8 up to Km 13, especially at Km 11
(opposite the Twin Creek Cabins where they have nested). If the forested-slope
terminates, you have passed the site. During the first hours after sunset and
again before dawn, especially in mid-April and again in October the owls will
respond to taped calls.
Reliable Spotted Owls can also be found
near the village of Spetch at Kms 8 - 9 (especially km 8) along the paved road
leading straight north from Mt. Currie towards Birken and D'Arcy. The owl
responds from the right-hand side of the road, sometimes at a distance. After
driving an additional 8 kilometers, the road to Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park
branches off on the left. Owls are reliable along Birkenhead Road; try
anywhere. A trail runs along the northern edge of Birkenhead Lake where Sockeye
Creek will be found about halfway. Owls have been recorded along Sockeye Creek.
Blackwater Road branches left of the main road to D'Arcy after driving an
additional 15 kms, just before the town of Devine. Eight kilometers north along
this road brings you to Blackwater Lake Recreation site, a hippy colony within
a clearcut, and a pair of reliable owls.
(2) The Skagit River Drainage can be (a)
hiked to along the Skagit River Trail (see 3 below) or (b) driven to along the
Silver Lake -Skagit Road. Leave the Trans-Canada (Highway 1) via the Hope
Business Road about 3 kms west of Hope. Drive a short distance to the
well-signed Silver Skagit Road at the settlement of Silver Creek. A sign for
Silver Lake is seen at the beginning of the paved road. Pavement soon ends and
becomes wide smooth gravel. Silver Lake Provincial Park is reached after 6 kms.
The road skirts both sides of the lake. Look for owls in heavy timber at Km 10.
The road continues to Ross Lake and the USA border (50 kms). Check also at Km
24, the ecological site at Km 36 [the owls have been found at McNaught Creek, Klesilkwa
River and Greendrop Lake (see British Columbia Recreational Atlas)], and
Silvertip Provincial Park at 40 plus kilometers (the owls have been found along
Nepopekum Creek). Hope has 20 motels to choose from.
(3) A pair of Spotted Owls nest (or have
nested) along Highway 3 at signed 19 Mile Creek which is 5.9 kms east of
Manning Park's West Gate. A further 4.5 kms east along Highway 3 (10.4 kms from
West Gate or 34.5 kms from Hope) will bring you to Sumalio Grove. Owls have
rarely been heard in the grove, but a 2-kilometer hike along the Skagit River
Trail, which begins here, will bring you to an area where they have been heard
frequently (albeit not reliably). To reach the site you will pass by the
Silverdaisy Trailhead and cross over Silverdaisy Creek. The next creek crossing
is the site. You can hike approximately 16 kms through to the Silver Lake
-Skagit Road. Those owling this area can stay in Hope or at the Sunshine Valley
Bed & Breakfast (604) 869-2143 nine kms away.
(4) Drive north on the logging road from
Hwy 7 on the eastern outskirts of Harrison Mills, 18 kms to Chehalis Lake. The
road skirts the Chehalis River en route. At the "T" junction (approx.
10 km), keep right. Three Spotted Owls have been recorded along the lakeshore.
A logging road also skirts the western edge of Harrison Lake, which joins with
Lilloet Lake Road. Check patches of forest along this road (see map).
(5) Turn east (right) off Highway I onto
the gravel road approximately 8.2 kilometers north of Boston Bar and follow the
road along Ainslie Creek checking heavy timber. Turn east (right) off Highway 1
onto the secondary road (which soon becomes gravel) approximately 11 kms north
of Boston Bar. Drive to heavy timber along Mowhawkam Creek. From Lytton, cross
the Fraser River via free ferry and drive south on West Side Road 15 kms to
Kwoiek Creek Valley Road, turning right. Proceed west on this two-wheel drive
gravel road to the fork, about 10.7 kms. The right-hand road is accessible
without 4WD; the left is a 4WD road. The Eagle Ridge Trailhead begins at the
fork. The Kwoiek Lake Trailhead is approximately 8.8 kms on the left along the
4WD fork. A hike into the heavy timber along these trails will produce several
owls and those willing to hike 8 plus kilometers will definitely be rewarded.
THE SPOTTED OWL'S RANGE IN
BRITISH COLUMBIA
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