Pitt Addington Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Wildlife Viewing Highlights
Bittern and Rails - American Bittern, Virginia Rail and
PAMWMA is an excellent area to observe a wide range
Sora are easily heard throughout the marshes,
of wildlife species throughout the year. The following are
especially in the spring and summer months.
some of the viewing highlights:
Sandhill Crane - PAMWMA is one of only three known
nesting sites in the Lower Mainland. A few Sandhill
Great Blue Heron - Herons are visible throughout the
Cranes may be visible from April through September,
year. Several heron rookeries are located near
including in the farming areas south of PAMWMA.
PAMWMA.
The southwest portion of the Pitt Unit is closed to
Trumpeter Swan - PAMWMA and other local areas,
public access during the nesting season.
including Widgeon Slough, are used by wintering
Songbirds - Passerine species may be observed
swans, primarily Trumpeter but also a few Tundra
throughout the year, but the greatest diversity of
Swans.
songbirds occurs in late spring and through the
Waterfowl - PAMWMA provides year-round habitat for
summer.
General and Wildlife
many waterfowl species, including Canada Goose,
Frog Choruses - April through June is the best time to
Wood Duck, Mallard and Ring-necked Duck. While
hear frog choruses in the wetlands.
Viewing Information
some species nest in the area, the best viewing
Beaver and Muskrats - PAMWMA is home, to large pop-
History
periods are during the spring and fail migrations and
ulations of these mammals. The activities of these
Pitt-Addington
The Pitt Unit, which is part of a larger area located north
during the winter months.
species are easily observed throughout the area.
of Pitt Meadows known as the Pitt Polder, was originally
Osprey - This species may be viewed from May though
Beaver activity is especially visible along the Nature
August. It is particularly visible along the Pitt River
Dyke and from the Nature Dyke viewing tower.
Marsh Wildlife
undyked floodplain. When the area was sold in 1909,
farming and wild hay cutting were attempted on a limited
where many active nests are located. on the top of
Many of the remaining trees on the interior dykes
scale. However, this was eventually abandoned due to
pilings.
have been protected with wire mesh to prevent
Management Area
flooding. Following the establishment of an extensive
Bald Eagle - During the winter months the area is uti-
beaver damage.
network of drainage ditches, further unsuccessful farm-
lized by a few wintering eagles.
Black Bear - At certain times of the year black bears
ing attempts were made. During the 1940’s and early
Hawks - This area is used by many hawk species,
may be encountered along the mountainside trail,
north of Pitt Meadows/northeast Coquitlam
1950’s, after an ownership change, the area was used
including Northern Harrier and Red-tailed Hawk.
particularly during the fall months.
primarily for private waterfowl hunting. In 1951, the area
was sold and then dyked. Farming .activities took place
south of Koerner Road, the southern boundary of the
wildlife management area.
The Pitt-Addington Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Addington Marsh was originally part of the Pitt River
(PAMWMA) is of special importance to wildlife and its
floodplain. Until it was dyked in 1897, this area was sub-
2882 hectares are managed to protect wildlife and habi-
jected to daily tidal fluctuations. While attempts were
tats. The area consists of three parcels which include
made to farm this area, the wetland conditions persisted
primarily marsh, wetlands and tidal. freshwater mudflats,
due to poor drainage and the lack of dyke maintenance.
plus some upland forested areas. The 1459 hectare Pitt
Between the 1930’s and 1977 the marsh was used for
Unit is primarily dyked marsh and wetland. Addington
private waterfowl shooting. In 1977 The Nature Trust of
Marsh is 283 hectares of marsh and wetland with some
British Columbia purchased the marsh to preserve its
upland forest. The Pitt Lake Unit, located in the lower
wildlife and habitats.
end of Pitt Lake, is 1140 hectares of tidal freshwater
mudflat.
The Pitt Lake Unit contains 1140 hectares of tidal fresh-
water mudflats which were formed by the deposition of
PAMWMA is identified and signed as a wildlife viewing
Fraser River silts. These mudflats form the largest nega-
site of British Columbia Wildlife Watch, the provincial
tively accreting delta in the world, and Pitt Lake is the
wildlife viewing program. There is good wildlife viewing
second largest fresh water tidal lake in the world.
throughout the year, as well as opportunities to find and
to identify a wide range of wetland and forest flowers,
The 2882 hectares of the Pitt-Addington Marsh Wildlife
shrubs, trees, mosses, mushrooms and other plants.
Management Area (PAMWMA) were assembled over a
period of years. PAMWMA is administered by the
A bird checklist is available for PAMWMA listing the bird
Wildlife Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of
species have been observed and their seasonal fre-
Environment, Lands and Parks. Addington Marsh is
quencies. As of March 1994, 229 bird species have
leased to the Ministry for management purposes by The
been recorded in PAMWMA.
Nature Trust of British Columbia for a period of 99
years.
British Columbia Wildlife Watch is the
Access and Facilities
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks’
To access the Pitt Unit, turn north onto Harris Road from
program designed to promote viewing oppor-
Lougheed Highway in Pitt Meadows and follow the
tunities within British Columbia. The protec-
Wildlife Watch binocular logo signs for 17 km to the
tion of wildlife and their habitat, and a positive, safe
parking area at the south end of Pitt Lake. There are
experience for the viewer are the primary objectives of
many looping dyke trails which provide access to three
this program. Many local communities, other agencies
covered viewing towers. A trail along the forested moun-
and public conservation groups are involved. For more
tainside provides access to three covered viewing pavil-
information on this or other wildlife viewing sites, contact
ions with panoramic views of the marshes below. The
the Regional BC Environment office in Surrey [(604)
mountainside trail contains several steep inclines and
582-5200 or 1-800-665-7027; #300-10334-152A Street,
sturdy footwear is required.
Surrey, B.C. V3R 7P8].
The main access to Addington Marsh is through the
Viewing Ethics for Conservation
trails of the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s
Wildlife viewing demands courtesy and common sense.
Minnekhada Regional Park, also a wildlife viewing site.
For the well being of the wildlife and habitats please fol-
From Lougheed Highway in Port Coquitlam turn north
low these guidelines:
onto Coast Meridian Road and follow the binocular logo
Be Considerate of Wildlife - Use binoculars to view
and regional park signs to the Quarry Road parking lot:
wildlife from a distance rather than approaching
Addington Marsh is also accessible from the east end of
them too closely.
Oliver Road and from the Pitt River dyke. The trail around
Be Considerate of Habitat - Plants and the landscape
Addington Marsh provides access to one covered view-
are important parts of wildlife habitat. Please do not
ing pavilion and to two covered viewing towers. The pavil-
damage or remove them, and stay on designated
ion is about a 20 to 25 minute walk from the parking lot.
trails or roads.
Sturdy footwear is required for the Addington dyke trail,
Be Considerate of Other People - Respect private
and care must be taken as the dyke may be in poor con-
property and the wildlife viewing activities of others.
dition due to uneven ground, and to heavy brush growth.
Control Pets - Pets can harm wildlife and hinder view-
Some areas are posted as closed to public assess dur-
ing opportunities.
ing sensitive nesting periods. Please respect these clo-
Do Not Approach Young Wildlife - Young wildlife are
sures. Do not leave valuables or personal items in
rarely ‘abandoned’ or lost. The mother is usually at
your vehicle.
a safe distance waiting for you to leave.
Recreation
Tips for Wildlife Viewers
A number of recreational activities are permitted within
These tips will improve your chances of seeing wildlife in
PAMWMA, including walking, wildlife viewing, nature
their natural habitats. Remember, wildlife are ‘wild’ and
study, hiking and jogging. Cyclists are asked to keep to
they may choose not to be seen.
the Pitt River dykes. Pets must be kept on a leash at all
Choose the Right Season and Time of Day - Many
times. There is boat and canoe access at Grant Narrows
species are most active during the cooler morning
to Widgeon Marsh, to Pitt Lake and to the Pitt River.
and evening hours. A hot, dry, sunny afternoon is
Waterfowl hunting is permitted within some areas of
usually not the best time to look for wildlife.
PAMWMA on certain days during the hunting season.
Be Patient and Be Quiet - Wildlife may be difficult to
Look for details posted on-site, or consult the provincial
observe even though you have heard the species or
hunting and trapping regulations.
detected their signs. If you remain still and quiet,
wildlife will determine that you are no threat, and
This brochure has been produced by British Columbia
may become active and more visible.
Wildlife Watch with theassistance of the Alouette Field
Use Binoculars or a Spotting Scope - Visual aids can
Naturalists (AFN). Financial support was obtained by
let you scan wide areas and will increase your
AFN from the Tri-City Chapter of Canada Trust’s
chances to observe wildlife without disturbing them.
Friends of the Environment Foundation and from the
Move Slowly and Reduce Visibility - Wildlife will usu-
Federation of British Columbia Naturalists. The
ally sense your presence long before you have
Federation of British Columbia Naturalists Foundation
sensed theirs. Most animals have a keen sense of
supports the goals, objectives and activities of British
hearing and smell, and most birds and large mam-
Columbia Wildlife Watch.
mals have keen sight.
Printed on 100% post-consumerwaste, non-de-inked
paper.
02/95 - 5000 ALM
