Visit Westham Island -- Reifel Bird Sanctuary and Strawberry U-Pick

Westham Island is located about a 30-45 minute drive from Vancouver. Spend the first hour (9-10 a.m.) exploring the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Entrance fee to the sanctuary is $5, plus extra if you want to purchase some birdseed onsite. Bring your camera, walking shoes, and binoculars (plus hat and water bottle).

These are the directions on how to get there:

The Sanctuary is 13 km west of Ladner in the Municipality of Delta west of the intersection of Highways 10 and 17. From Ladner, follow Ladner Trunk Road (Highway 10) west to 47A Avenue and on to River Road. Follow River Road westward for 3 km and cross the bridge to Westham Island. Follow the main road to where it ends in front of large black gates. The driveway to the left leads to the Sanctuary's parking lot.

For a map and to learn more about what you might see and experience at this time of year, check out their website at: http://www.reifelbirdsanctuary.com/index.html

Our group will gather at the front entrance (before we pay) at about 850-9 am, to go through the entrance together. If you want to be part of the group, please be on time as we will be going in as soon as it opens. Stay as long as you like (with your own carpool group), however, the group will be meeting at the front, to proceed to our next destination around 10:05 to 10:15 a.m.

Emma Lea Farms is located close by, at 2727 Westham Island Road, Ladner, BC and you are invited to join us for a strawberry u-pick -- $1.60/pound. The strawberries are grown in the fields so be prepared to do some bending down, reaching in between the bushes for the berries, and walking through possibly muddy fields. Having a spare set of shoes might be useful, in case you want to keep the car interior dirt free. Containers for the u-pick and to take home will be handy too.

Here is the website for more info: http://www.emmaleafarms.com/

There is no food component, so bring your own lunch / midday snack and beverage if you like.

Carpooling ? If you have a vehicle and want to share, indicate in the comments -- how many seats you have OR if you need a ride, plus where you are coming from. Participants will need to figure this out on your own.