March 17--Linda Van Damme was out birding today in the Creston area and managed to pull out an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL feeding in a field with a "huge flock" of Ring-billed Gulls. This is the first record for the Creston Valley!
It was seen along Reclamation Road at one of the dairy farms (where the pavement ends). Migration is really kicking off in the valley, with hundreds of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE already moving through along with 1000+ TUNDRA SWANS and good numbers of TRUMPETER SWANS passing through, not to mention the hundreds of CANADA GEESE, MALLARDS, GADWALL, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and AMERICAN WIGEON in the area. Linda also saw a EURASIAN WIGEON along Kootenay River Road.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
RBA: LESSER GOLDFINCH (Vancouver-Point Grey)
March 11th--This male Lesser Goldfinch was photographed by Stephen Forgacs at his feeder near 8th Ave and Blanca Street (Point Grey)--in the area known as "Little Australia."
He will be updating us on whether or not the bird is sticking around. If you want to arrange a visit, his email is: stephen.forgacs@gmail.com
UPDATE-- The bird has not been re-sighted as of Sunday, March 13th
SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS photographed in BC waters
A good sighting anywhere in North American waters, this juvenile was photographed 20km off Vancouver Island near Ucluelet, BC (March 8). The large pink bill distinguishes it from the more common Black-footed Albatross. As they get older, STAL will gradually molt into their distinct white and black plumage.[Report and photo provided by Barie Hotchkiss]