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Abbotsford

- Fishtrap Creek
- Mill Lake
- Sumas Mountain
- Willband Creek Park


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- Chehalis Estuary
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- East Sector Park
- Great Blue Heron ssNature Reserve
- Harrison Lake
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Hillkeep Regional Park
- Island 22 Regional Park
- Sardis Pond
- Sumas Central Road
- Tuyttens Road Wetland

Hope
- Hope Airport
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Boston Bar
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Site Guide - Willband Creek Park
 

Location: Abbotsford, B.C.

Google Map Link: https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.074601,-122.2827842,17z

Directions: From Highway # 1 take Exit 92 (Sumas Exit) and go North on Highway # 11 (Abbotsford-Mission) Highway to Bateman Road. Turn East on Bateman Road and Willband Creek Park is on your right. The main access is from a small (15 car) parking lot on Bateman Road approximately 250 meters east of Highway 11. If walking, one could also access it from the Highway near the farthest south detention pond. Long term plans suggest a trail to be built to access the area from Hazelwood Avenue south of the park.

Habitat(s): Willband Creek Park is an urban wetland located on the Sumas Flats in the City of Abbotsford. The park is a mixture of marsh, grassy fields, treed areas and contains a creek and two large water detention ponds. It is surrounded on the north and east by agricultural fields (mainly blueberries).

Access: There are about 2.5 kilometres of trails begin from the parking lot. The trails are flat and wide offering easy walking conditions and access to this site.

Bird Species List: Click here to open a list of the 139 bird species seen at this site.

Target Bird Species: Great Blue Heron, Northern Shoveler, Belted Kingfisher

Rare Species Recorded: Great Egret, Black-necked Stilt, Wilson's Phalarope, Franklin's Gull, American Redstart, Green Heron

Best Time(s): Year round

Recent Reports: September 11, 2015

Nearby birding sites: Mill Lake, Fishtrap Creek Park, Matsqui Trail Regional Trail, Matsqui Flats, Sumas Mountain



This area of the Sumas Flats was constructed as part of the storm water detention system for the city of Abbotsford. It had been closed to the public for an extended period until reopened in 2012. There is a 2.6 kilometer outer trail and several other interconnecting trails within the park. The trails are mainly gravel and well maintained by the city. The area is popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists although seldom very busy. The park features two large ponds and several small islands. The islands are popular spots for nesting ducks and geese.

Birds

Spring and fall are the most productive times for birding, however there are many species in the park year round. A great variety of migratory birds stop in the ponds, most commonly: Mallards; Canada Geese; American Wigeon; Northern Shoveler; and Green-winged Teal. Birds of prey, including American Bald Eagle, Osprey and several types of hawks are often seen in the park. Many varieties of songbirds can be found and several species of swallows can be seen during the late spring and summer.

~Text and photographs by Neal Doan - October 9, 2015

 

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