Bird Guides

Bird Guides of the World: Michael Klotz, Canada

November 11, 2025 by Editor No Comments

What is your favorite bird species?

I have many that I really enjoy, but some of my favorites are corvids for their intelligence, playful nature, and social skills. My favorite is the Common Raven.

What is your name, and where do you live?

My name is Michael W Klotz, and I live half of my time in Langley and half in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?

I personally will guide anywhere in Southern British Columbia. The new 10000BirdTours.com site covers North and Central America soon to expand to South America and beyond.

How long have you been a bird guide?

I have guided since 2015.

How did you get into bird guiding?

I was told by a very smart person once that if I make a living with the thing I am most passionate about, my “job” will be a breeze and the money will come, all while having a blast.

What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most?

I love to share the experiences that I have in the field with others. I am a teacher at heart and love the wonder on people’s faces when showing them a lifer or just something spectacular that has feathers.
I am not the best at dealing with negativity, so sometimes it is hard to hold my tongue if there is a client who may not be positive in the moment.

What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that are the most interesting for visiting birders?

Here in Vancouver, Canada, we have several species worth mentioning:

  • Sooty Grouse – are found on the Western side of the Rockies and have a very deep booming in breeding season, like no other bird.
  • Barn Owls – These birds are always a favorite of most birders who don’t see them regularly. They are at their most northern range here, so they are good for a Canada tick
  • Harlequin Ducks – Some of the prettiest ducks around. Can be found on the coast in the winter, but will also show up in summer if nesting season is not successful.
  • Anna’s Hummingbird – Because hummingbirds only exist in the Western Hemisphere, these little ones are popular as they are only found on the West Coast, in North America.
  • Marbled Murrelet – One of the Alcids that is declining because of old-growth logging. We have several of the birds here in the summer months. They also winter here.
  • White-tailed Ptarmigan – One of our high alpine grouse species that is not easily reached. This usually takes a bit of time to get to, plus a serious hike. Commonly known as Snow Chickens.
  • Sandhill Crane – We have a very reliable group of nesting Sandhill Cranes in the metropolitan area. Some of the best-known are the birds at Reifel Bird Sanctuary
  • Chestnut-backed Chickadee – A very diminutive bird that lives on the West Coast of North America. Sometimes tough to see in the early summer as they stop calling, but in the winter will readily scold you for not feeding them black oil sunflower seeds.
  • Northern Pygmy-owls – These are residents of the sub-alpine and can be hard to find. More common than our snow chickens, however. The ski hills here sometimes have breeding pairs.

Can you outline at least one typical birdwatching trip in your area? Please briefly describe the locations, the key birds, and the approximate duration of such a trip.

At the 10000BirdTours.com site, we concentrate on day-long tours with the client in mind for customizing a tour. It is easy to have a full day in the Lower Mainland, and usually two days can produce 80+ species. It would depend on what the client wants, but if the client’s target is to maximize the species number, this is what a day may look like:

  • First, a drive to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal for shorebirds and saltwater ducks, and fish-catching birds.
  • Next would be a reservation for 9 am at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. This is one of the premier bird-watching locations in the Vancouver area. Freshwater ducks, raptors of all sorts, including owls. Hummingbirds and warblers, swallows and finches. Resident Wild Sandhill cranes, Black-crowned Night-Herons, and fall waders of all sorts, including a rarity or two.
  • Usually a stop at Burnaby Lake and then to Stanley Park for Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake. Lots of great evergreens for birds like Stellar’s Jay and Spotted Towhee. Around the seawall are all sorts of cormorants and grebes. The gulls in the deeper water are also more numerous, like Short-billed and Bonaparte’s gulls.
  • If you are in search of mountain birds, three ski hills can be reached by bus as well, but the species are quite a bit less than at sea level.

What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area?

We are on the Pacific Flyway, so spring and fall are always good for a nice rarity. Brambling or Curlew Sandpiper have been known to stop, but don’t count on them being here. The area is somewhat spread out, so a rental car is recommended if you are not planning on a guide. Most of our guides offer transportation either included in the cost of the tour or at an additional price.

If any readers of 10,000 Birds are interested in birding with you, how can they best contact you?

Our site is up as of April 2025 at 10000BirdTours where you can find a guide on the map, or you can read more about our guides and pick a location based on your guide. Drop by and take a look at what is out there for you, and then drop us a line to see if we can help in any way.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?

We are very picky about our guides worldwide and have a process that they go through to be verified. We are always looking for great guides, and if you have spent some time with one of those spectacular people, or you are one of those spectacular people, please reach out to us at the contact us page. Looking forward to seeing you at your next lifer.