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.

Event details:
This presentation will be delivered via Zoom Video Conferencing. On the Monday preceding the event, Nature Vancouver members will receive the Zoom link in the weekly e-News. The talk will begin at 7:30 pm. Non-members are welcome and should email zoom-request@naturevancouver.ca a few days ahead of time to register for the link.

Speaker profile:

Peter Thompson is a research biologist whose professional work and personal passion are both rooted in biodiversity and conservation. He first fell in love with birds growing up in a small, forested town in Connecticut, where backyard feeders and surrounding woodlands sparked a lifelong fascination with the natural world.

Since then, birding has taken Peter to remarkable places across North America and beyond, deepening his appreciation for ecosystems and the importance of protecting them. He is especially drawn to the challenge and excitement of Birding Big Days, which combine careful planning, teamwork, and fieldcraft with a sense of adventure.

In 2025, Peter undertook his first province-wide BC Big Day as part of a team with friends Ben Lambert, Kalin Ocaña, Mark Swanson, and Yousif Attia — an experience that tested both endurance and observational skill.