RBA: TUFTED DUCK in Duncan - Dec 1-3rd

On Dec 1-2023, Jeremy Gatten found the returning male Tufted Duck at the Duncan Sewage Lagoons. This is likely the same bird that he first found at the site in 2020.

There is no public access inside the lagoons but birders can view the bird through the fence from the elevated trail off Wharncliffe Rd that gives a good view over most of the sewage lagoon.

Map to location HERE

The bird continues on Dec 3rd and has been viewed by multiple observers. 

Tufted Duck in Duncan - Photo: Heather Tocher

Tufted Duck in Duncan - Photo: Jeremy Gatten

RBA: Probable BAIKAL TEAL in Sarita - Nov 28th

At 3pm on Nov 28-2023, Andrew Westerhof found a probable immature male Baikal Teal at the mouth of Carnation Creek. The bird was with 7 Green-winged Teals. The bird is in eclipse plumage moulting into alternate. 

Distinguishing a hybrid in this plumage would be very hard until the bird acquired its proper adult plumage. However, the general shape, face pattern including dark behind, below and in front of the eye, leg colour and apparent colouration are seemingly to be coming in correctly. The under-tail coverts look good for Baikal Teal and the white on the trailing edge of the wing is broad and conspicuous, as it should be in this species and the speculum is also consistent with Baikal Teal.

Map to location HERE

This bird is located on private gated land at a Coho Research station that is not accessible to the public. The locked gate is several kms from where the bird was seen so birders cannot even view it through the gate.

The only way to get near to the area is by boat but please note the estuary is very shallow so even a boat would likely not get close enough in order to see the bird. Note also no boat rentals are available near to the area at this time of year.

Birders may want to check Sarita Estuary HERE (about 10 kms away) in case the bird moves there but they must seek permission from the Huu-hay-aht First Nations to walk on the land. 

If confirmed and accepted by the BRC, this would be the 3rd accepted record for BC.

The bird has not been relocated on Nov 29th or Nov 30th.

Probable Baikal Teal in Bamfield - Photos: Andrew Westerhof 

RBA: DICKCISSEL in Prince Rupert - Nov 27-Dec 3rd

At 1:30pm on November 27-2023, Teresa Weismiller found a male Dickcissel in a flock of House Sparrows coming to a feeder on a lawn at 516th 5th Ave E. in Prince Rupert.

Map to location HERE

Please be respectful of private residences and view from the public road.

This is the 33rd record for BC.

The bird continues in the same location on Dec 3rd and has been viewed by multiple observers.

Dickcissel in Prince Rupert - Photos: Teresa Weismiller 

RBA: GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE in Jordan River - Nov 18-22nd

At 10:25 am on Nov 18-2023, Carl Hughes found a Green-tailed Towhee in an empty lot in Jordan River. 

Map to location HERE

This is the 15th record for BC.

On Nov 22nd, the bird continued in the same location and has been viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on Nov 23rd, despite multiple observers looking.

Green-tailed Towhee in Jordan River - Photos: Randy Dzenkiw

RBA: GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE on Denman Island - Nov 15-19th

At 9:50 am on Nov 15th-2023, Teresa Bouchard found a Green-tailed Towhee on Gladstone Beach on Denman Island. The bird is spending time on the grasses above the shoreline.

Map to location HERE

Birders should park at the end of Gladstone Way Rd and walk the small trail down to the beach.

*Note birders with mobility issues may find it hard to access the beach as it’s a muddy downhill trail that has a rope only to help you descend to the beach.*

This is the 14th record for BC.

The bird continued on Nov 19th and was viewed by multiple observers. It was not relocated today.

Green-tailed Towhee on Denman Island - Photo: Melissa Hafting

Green-tailed Towhee on Denman Island - Photo: James MacKenzie

RBA: SUMMER TANAGER in North Saanich - Nov 11-Dec 1st

At 1 pm on Nov 11-2023, Max and Gib Maxwell found a male Summer Tanager at their suet feeder in their front yard.  It also has been seen in the Arbutus trees along the driveway.

The home is open to the public at 2449 Tyron Road in North Saanich. 

Please be respectful of private residences and do not block driveways. If construction is occurring in the area birders will need to park further afield and walk to the site. The homeowners are fine with birders standing on the driveway to view the bird. 

Map to location HERE

This is the 9th record for BC.

The bird continues on Dec 1st and has been viewed by multiple observers.

Summer Tanager in North Saanich - Photo: Ann Nightingale

Summer Tanager in North Saanich - Photo: Liam Singh

Summer Tanager in North Saanich - Photo: Gib Maxwell

RBA: BROWN BOOBY in Victoria - Nov 8th

At 3pm on Nov 8-2023, a Brown Booby was photographed by Walter Thorne while riding the M.V. COHO Ferry. The bird was seen in Canadian Waters on the return trip from Port Angeles.

Map to approximate location HERE

This is the 22nd record for BC.

Brown Booby in Victoria - Photos: Walter Thorne

RBA: ORCHARD ORIOLE in Victoria - Nov 5-28th

At 8:30am on Nov 5-2023, Geoffrey Newell found a female Orchard Oriole in Victoria.  The bird is frequenting Blackberry and Ivy bushes along Radcliffe Lane near McMicking Park. It was also seen on Radcliffe Lane near Hood Lane.

Map to locations the bird has been seen at HERE and HERE

Birders should opt to park on Beach Drive near Hood Lane as there are only 3 parking spots on Radcliffe Lane. Please do not block driveways and be respectful of private residences. 

The bird is being viewed by multiple observers HERE and at the original location near the park and small parking lot on Radcliffe Lane on Nov 6th.

On Nov 7-28, the bird continued at the original location HERE.

The bird has not been relocated since Nov 28th.

This is the 12th record for BC.

Orchard Oriole in Victoria - Photos: Les Peterson

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS in Haida Gwaii - Nov 3rd

At 12:34pm on Nov 3-2023, while working on the FV Ocean Pearl, Lindsay Dealy found and photographed an immature Short-tailed albatross.

Map to location HERE

Short-tailed Albatross in Haida Gwaii - Photos: Lindsay Dealy

RBA: BROWN BOOBY in Haida Gwaii - Oct 26th and BC’s 1st record of MASKED BOOBY!

At 5pm on Oct 26-2023, William Woodbury photographed a Brown Booby that landed on and rode his fishing vessel “The Hannio Lio.”The Booby was trying to escape gulls that had been harassing it at sea. The bird was first seen 4 miles west of Tian Head and took off from the vessel shortly after.

Map to location HERE

Brown Booby in Haida Gwaii - Photo: William Woodbury

This is the 21st record of Brown Booby for BC.

Additionally, an astounding record of an adult Masked Booby from Sept 21, 2021, from the same observer on the same vessel, also came to light. This historical record took place 5-10 nautical miles offshore between Frederick and Langara Islands.

Approximate location of bird HERE

This late report constitutes the 1st confirmed record of Masked Booby in BC.

Adult Masked Booby in waters off Haida Gwaii - Photo: William Woodbury