Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DELTA
Pass under the South Arm of the Fraser River via Highway 99 and the George Massey
Tunnel,andyou'llemergeinthesprawlingindustrialandresidentialdistrictofDelta(pop.
115,000).ThefirsttownshipintheDeltaareawasLadner'sLanding,whichwasdeveloped
asaportfacilityforlocalfarmers.TakeHighway17(Exit28)southfromHighway99and
turn right on Ladner Trunk Road to access the modern-day Ladner Village. In the heart
of this riverside commercial center is Delta Museum and Archives (4858 Delta St., 403/
946-9322, 10am-4:30pm Tues.-Fri., adult $5, child $2.50). This museum tells the story of
the area's first inhabitants, the Salish, and the farming and fishing history of more recent
times.
Entering Delta from the north, the George Massey Tunnel passes under 70-hectare
(170-acre) Deas Island, wheremarshes,dunes,andahighdensityofbirdlifeareprotected
within the boundaries of a regional park. Deas is linked to the mainland by a causeway;
take the same exit from Highway 99 as you do to Ladner Village, but cross over the high-
way and head north beyond the Delta Town and Country Inn to McNeeleys Way, which
crosses onto the island. East of the Deas Island access is Burns Bog, a natural wasteland
notsuitablefordevelopment.Infact,itremainsinitsnaturalstate,NorthAmerica'slargest
urban wilderness and one of Canada's largest peat bogs.
In the opposite direction, River Road West provides access to Westham Island and Ge-
orgeC.ReifelBirdSanctuary.Itpassesthroughatypicalsuburbansceneofmodernhouses
andwell-tendedgardensbutthenentersatimewarpofintriguingfishingshacks,maritime-
related businesses, and floating houses.
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
From Ladner Village, drive 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) along River Road West, and turn on
Westham Island Road to cross Canoe Passage on the old wooden bridge to access the Ge-
orge C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary (604/946-6980,9am-4pmdaily,adult$5,seni-
or and child $3), far enough from the city to be missed by most visitors. The 350-hectare
(800-acre) sanctuary protects the northern corner of low-lying Westham Island, a stopover
for thousands of migratory birds in spring and fall. In the middle of a wide delta at the
mouth of the Fraser River, the island is a world away from surrounding urban life.
The best time for a visit is during the spectacular snow goose migration, which runs
fromearlyNovembertomid-December.Otherwise,you'llseeabundantmigratorybirdlife
anytimebetweenOctoberandApril.Theislandalsoservesasapermanenthomeformany
bird species, including bald eagles, peregrine falcons, herons, swans, owls, and ducks.
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