Visit

Vancouver Avian Research Centre operates with a wide open door policy and encourages the public to visit the banding stations and learn about bird migration and our research.

During operating hours, however, visitors are not permitted to walk the net lanes, unless invited and attended by the VARC Bander-in-charge. Visitors often are invited to walk the net lanes during net checks, but only on a case by case basis, depending on the volume of birds, people, and weather conditions. At the banding table, all visitors are invited to observe the banding procedures, view the birds close at hand, take photographs, and ask questions. Large group visits are typically scheduled in advance.

Please keep in mind that the stations are only operational at weekends but banding is conducted year round - from mid-April to early-June during spring migration, and from late-August to mid-October during fall migration – from June to August for breeding bird banding and during the winter months when a feeder is operated adjacent to the Nature House at Burnaby Lake.