Like the sun setting over marsh waters, the end of December brings warm reflections. This month’s Photo of the Month by Flickr photographer TOTORORO.RORO presents a vivid sunset along the West Dyke Trail in Richmond, BC. The trail runs adjacent to the Sturgeon Banks – a 21,525 acre estuary that is located on the banks of the Fraser River and the Strait of Georgia and provides panoramic views of a classic BC landscape. 

Although it may not be evident in the photo, the Sturgeon Banks is a significant part of the Pacific Flyway, which is a north-south migration corridor  that extends from Alaska to Patagonia. As such, the Sturgeon Banks is home to over 1.4 million migrating birds and many other wetlands species. This photo shows the Terra Nova Natural Area, a popular winter location for birds like owls and hawks (and a great spot for a winter nature walk!).

If you plan on birding this holiday season, here are a few tips:

• Colder weather brings species down from the mountains into low-lying areas in search of food and warm weather. Avoid upper forests at this time of year.
• Berry bushes and trees are great spots to check. Search Aspens, Arbutus, Blackberry, and other fruiting plants.
• Listen for owl calls near or in forested areas at dusk.
• On a stormy day, check grass fields for gulls (Terra Nova may be a great place to go!)

Thank you to TOTORORO.RORO for all of your stunning contributions, we look forward to seeing more of your captivating photography in the new year! To see more of their photography, click here. While you’re outside enjoying nature and wetlands, make sure to submit your photos to our Wetlands of British Columbia Flick group (found here) for the chance to be a 2014 Photo of the Month! We’re also on Twitter (@BCWFWetlands) and Facebook so send us your winter wetlands photos. Happy new year!