George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Nature reserve in Delta, British Columbia, Canada

The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a 300-hectare protected area in Delta, British Columbia, within the Fraser River estuary. It consists of managed wetlands, marshes and dikes, with walking trails, bird blinds and lookouts. The site is part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, designated for its hemispheric importance to shorebirds.

George C. Reifel bought the land in 1927 and used it as a working farm and family retreat. In the 1960s his son, George H. Reifel, leased it to the British Columbia Waterfowl Society for use as a sanctuary. In 1972 the family agreed to a land sale and donation to the federal government on condition that it be managed for waterfowl and keep the Reifel name.

Every autumn, the sanctuary fills with snow geese arriving in large flocks, and watching them land or take off together is a regular part of a visit here. The observation towers along the dikes give a clear view over the water and reed beds, making birdwatching accessible even for first-time visitors.

The reserve charges a small entry fee and is open year-round, with fall and winter being the most active seasons for bird activity. Wear sturdy shoes, as the dike paths can get muddy after rain, and bring binoculars to get the most out of the observation points.

The sanctuary lies within the Fraser River estuary, which the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network has designated a site of Hemispheric Importance. Its 300 hectares of managed wetlands, marshes and dikes hold nesting sandhill cranes, bald eagles, mallards and spotted towhees, and more than 250 species have been recorded here.