Pierless Blog - 2026-06-08 - Bag Harbour

 June 8th - Monday - 0 Nm Traveled 

We woke up to unusual bird calls that seemed a combination of Great Blue Heron and pterodactyl...  After using Cornell's great app Merlin Bird ID, we determined we were hearing Sandhill Cranes.  I did not know Haida Gwaii was in their range.  They are quite large with an unusual vocalization.  With binoculars, we could see six cranes together on the shoreline.  They were wandering around a bit and seemed to be a mix of adults and one or two young birds.  

For more information:
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/sandhill-crane

Photo:  Mary Lundeberg/Audubon Photography Awards

Being weather-bound for yet another day (rain and high winds), we decided a dinghy excursion was in order.  When the dinghy is pumped up, we keep it on the foredeck and launch it using a spinnaker halyard.  This works fairly well and makes the dinghy convenient for use.  For major crossings, we deflate it and store it below deck.

After launching and putting our little 2 hp outboard on, we set off toward a narrow channel at the entrance to Bag Harbour.  The narrows - K'iid Xyangs K'iidaay (officially restored to its Haida name, formerly known as Burnaby or Dolomite Narrows) is a shallow, 50-meter-wide marine channel located in Gwaii Haanas National Park.  Often called the "Galapagos of the North," it is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of intertidal biomass in the world.  Since we were nearby, we determined it would be a great place to explore.

K'iid Xyangs K'iidaay (Burnaby Narrows)

The weather was grey with occasional rain.  We followed the shoreline toward the narrows, pausing to observe a black bear on shore looking for lunch.  At the end of the harbour, we turned north into the narrows.  There was current, but we timed our trip to coincide with slack tide so it was manageable.  The narrow channel is marked with ranges.  These are markers that boaters can line up to follow a safe path through the narrows.  After passing the main channel, we went to shore to stretch our legs and have a look around.  It had been 3 days since we were off the boat, so this was a much welcomed change in our routine!

Heading out in the dinghy

We explored the shoreline and the forest along the narrows.  There were remains on an old cabin and other signs of human activity.  The beach was nicely scalloped by the tides and currents (did not come out well in the photos).

Later we headed back to the boat and had a restful afternoon.  The forecast looked good for the next day, so we made plans to leave in the morning, visit the hot springs, and anchor in Hutton Bay.

Ranges in Burnaby Narrows

Fallen tree

Scalloped beach at the narrows

Dead tree by the beach

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