Chasing Birds & Records: A 24-Hr Dash to See As Many of BC’s Birds as Possible

As the only province that touches the Pacific Coast and spans both sides of the Rocky Mountains, British Columbia is arguably Canada’s premier birding destination. From temperate coastal rainforests to dry interior grasslands, alpine meadows, and vast wetlands, BC’s landscapes are remarkably diverse — and so is its birdlife. Move across the province, and the species change dramatically.

This diversity leads to a tantalizing question that has long intrigued birders: How many of BC’s birds could a determined team find in just one day?

That challenge — known as a “Big Day” — has been taken up by some of BC’s most accomplished naturalists. In 2011, former Member of Parliament and conservation biologist Richard Cannings set the official provincial record by seeing 202 species in 24 hours, alongside his son Russell and two teammates on May 18, 2011. Big Days are not casual bird outings: they are intense, high-stakes marathons involving meticulous planning, rapid travel between far-flung sites, quick decision-making, and usually very little sleep.

Inspired by this legendary attempt — and eager to push the limits — our team of five birders began plotting a route that might one day challenge the record. After months of scouting, mapping, and weather-watching, we launched our own BC-wide Big Day on May 24, 2025. We knew where we were starting, but we had no idea what the day — or night — would ultimately hold.

Join us to hear what happened next.