Iona Jetty

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Overview

Iona Park is part of the Greater Vancouver Recreational Area (GVRA). It is located between the Fraser River and the airport. At the end of the road is a sewage treatment plant. Its various ponds are a favorite haunt of many shorebirds. At the end of the access road is parking lot and comfort station. Be sure to lock your car and not leave anything of value visible!

Birds

Opposite the parking area is a marsh that is home to a breeding population of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. The Pier that extends well out into the bay is actually the disharge pipe for the sewage treatment plant. Bald Eagles are often found there as well as Great Blue Herons. The herons are best seen at low tide when there may be more than a dozen working the tidal pools.

Notable Species

Winter Migration Birds: Snow Bunting Horned Lark Lapland Longspur These 3 birds usually show up in small groups, and stay for a few days to a week. Snowy Owl

Sea birds: Surf Scoters White-wing Scoters Common Loons Pacific Loons Horned Grebes Double Crested Comorants and occasional Pelagic Comorants Red-breasted mergansers Buffleheads Goldeneyes (Both Barlow's and Common). Canvasbacks Scaup Pintails Dunlins Sanderlings Western and Least Sandpipers Surfbirds Wandering Tatler has also been sighted. Most of them are migratory too.

Raptors: Bald Eagles Peregrine Falcon Merlin Northern Harrier Short-eared Owl

Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

"to do"

Site Information

History and Use

A sewage treatment plant has been built there. There are 3 treatment Ponds inside. The treated product will be sent 4 km out to the sea via the duct which formed the bases of the jetty. Since the place is at the Pacific Rim, it is on the migratory route of birds.