RBA: FIELDFARE in Salmon Arm - Dec 16/18-Feb 6/19

At 11:30 am on Dec 16-2018 during a Christmas Bird Count, Roger and Nan Beardmore with Peter and Sharon Lawless found a Fieldfare (ABA Code 4), 10 km south of Salmon Arm. The bird was eating Mountain Ash berries in a flock of American Robins along the road at the corner of Krick Rd and Kernaghan Rd. Roger was able to obtain stunning photos of the bird. They watched the bird for 10 mins and left it there.

Map to location HERE

Berries have disappeared from the original location at corner of Krick and Kernaghan as of Jan 27. The Fieldfare has been seen recently in a slightly different location. Next to house #80 on Kernaghan Road is a small snowy track up a hill. Go about 50 meters up this hill and look into the backyard of house #80 to see a mountain ash that still has some berries. 

There have been a few days when the Fieldfare has been absent from the location (despite multiple observers looking) and they include Dec 24, 25, Jan 5, 9, 10, 25, and 26th.

**The bird was last seen in the same location on Feb 6th but was not relocated on Feb 7th.**

*Please be considerate of private property in the area, do not trespass and when parking do not block driveways.*

This is the second record for the province of BC.

A news article on the Fieldfare can be found HERE

Stunning photos of a Fieldfare (ABA Code 4) in Salmon Arm - Photos: Roger Beardmore

RBA: ARCTIC LOON in Sooke - Nov 25-28th

At 7:58 am on Nov 25-2018, David Bell found an Arctic Loon at Beechey Head off East Sooke Park in Sooke. The bird was due west of Beechey Head about halfway to Secretary Island. Daniele Donnecke soon after got on the bird and viewed it as well. At the time, due to a distance of greater than 1.5 km and poor viewing conditions and brevity of the sighting (3 minutes), they were not able to conclusively tell if the bird was an Arctic Loon. Digiscoped photos they took were not conclusive.

On Nov 28-2018 at 9:45 am David Bell relocated the same bird and was convinced this time that the bird was indeed an Arctic Loon. He obtained digiscoped photos but due to distance they are not conclusive but highly suggestive. His description is consistent with an Arctic Loon ie: flat, blocky head, consistent white flanks at all angles and larger size than a Pacific. He was able to view the bird well for ten minutes during this sighting in good viewing conditions as well. The bird was last seen flying far out of sight towards Neah Bay, WA.

Map to location HERE

Map to parking lot HERE

This is the second confirmed photographed record for the province of BC and the 1st photographed record submitted to the BC BRC.

RBA: BLACK-HEADED GULL in Victoria - Nov 20th

At 8:45 am on November 20-2018 Geoffrey Newell found and photographed a winter plumaged adult Black-headed Gull. The bird was flying alone and was heading NE about 400 metres offshore past McMicking Point in Oak Bay. He had excellent scope views of the bird as it flew past.

McMicking Point is located at the end of Radcliff Lane HERE

The bird has not been relocated since the initial sighting.

This is the 27th record for the province of BC.

Adult Black-headed Gull in Victoria - Photo: Geoffrey Newell

RBA: LITTLE GULL in Victoria - Oct 31-Nov 9th

At 7:15am on November 7-2018, Geoffrey Newell found an adult Little Gull at Cattle Point. The bird was flying around with Bonaparte's and Mew Gulls, less than 200 metres offshore. It was last seen heading NE towards Ten Mile Point. A photograph was obtained but the bird has not been relocated since 7:15am. Map to Cattle Point HERE

Upon this news Gordon Hart reviewed his photographs and found he had actually photographed the Little Gull at 2pm on Oct 31-2018 at the same location.

On Nov 8th-2018, the Little Gull was relocated by Cathy Reader at 10:40 am flying around Cadboro Bay. She viewed it off the end of Tudor Ave. It was flying around with Bonaparte's Gulls. It continued throughout the day.

The bird continues at Cadboro Bay as of Nov 9th but was not relocated on Nov 10th despite multiple observers looking.

You can view the Little Gull from these locations: HERE (the end of Cadboro Bay View Rd) and HERE (the end of Tudor Ave).

This is the 99th record for the province of BC.

Adult Little Gull in Victoria - Photos: Gordon Hart

RBA: "PIED" WHITE WAGTAIL in Kimberley - July 20-27th (late report)

Carol Olson found a White Wagtail in her yard on Warren Avenue in Kimberley on July 20th-2018. The bird appears to be a Pied Wagtail of the Motacilla alba yarrellii subspecies. 

Adult male leucopsis is ruled out because it would have a pure white wing panel, whereas the yarrellii subspecies have thin dark centres to the greater coverts. Also yarrellii have grey flanks as the bird photographed, while leucopsis do not. Lugens is ruled out due to the lack of the black eyeline.

The bird stayed in her yard for 7 days before it departed. 

This is the first record of this subspecies for BC.

This is the 14th record of White Wagtail for the province of BC.

White Wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) in Kimberley - Photo: Carol Olson

RBA: BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER in Kelowna - Nov 5-27th

At 1:15 pm on Nov 5-2018, Chris Charlesworth found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher along the Okanagan Rail Trail, 400m north of Scandia Golf and Games. The bird is travelling with a flock of Black-capped Chickadees.

Map to exact location HERE

The bird was last seen in the same location near pole 79 on Nov 27th.

This is the 2nd record for the Okanagan and 22nd record for the province of BC.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Kelowna - Photo: Chris Charlesworth

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Saanich - October 28th

At 9 am on  Oct 28th-2018, Randy Dzenkiw found a Red-throated Pipit in an American Pipit flock in the tilled fields at McHugh Rd and McIntyre Rd. The bird was viewed by multiple observers. Randy had great views with Mike Bentley from 11:30 am until he left the bird in the same field at 12pm.

Map HERE

This is the 58th record for the province of BC.

The bird was not relocated on October 29th.

Red-throated Pipit in Saanich - Photos: Randy Dzenkiw

RBA: VERMILION FLYCATCHER in White Rock - October 20th

At 3:30 pm on October 20th-2018, Kaichi Huang found an immature female Vermilion Flycatcher perched in a tree in the parking lot west of White Rock Pier. He viewed the bird for 15 mins before it flew and he lost track of it.

This is the first record for the province of BC.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

Despite multiple observers looking the bird was not relocated on Oct 20th or 21st.

 

BC's first Vermilion Flycatcher (Imm. Female) in White Rock - Photos: Kaichi Huang

RBA: PINE BUNTING in Victoria - October 15th

At 1:30 pm on October 15-2018, a 1st year female Pine Bunting was photographed by Maury Swoveland. The bird was initially identified as a Lapland Longspur and therefore word did not get out until Oct 16th when it was identified. The bird was first found on the grass by the the park signs at the south end of Uplands Park along Beach Drive (where Beach Drive bisects Uplands Park). He last saw it perched in a nearby Garry Oak.

Map to location HERE

If accepted by the BC Bird Records Committee this would be the first record for the province of BC and the first record for the ABA outside of Alaska.

The bird has not been relocated on October 17th or 18th, despite multiple observers looking.

A news story can be found HERE at CBC news

Female Pine Bunting in Victoria - Photos: Maury Swoveland

RBA: LESSER GOLDFINCH in Cranbrook - Oct 6th

At 3 pm on October 6-2018, Dianne Cooper and Joe Rothermund found a male Lesser Goldfinch. It was in a small flock of American Goldfinches and House Finches, which flushed from a feeder beside the road at a private residence which is located in the 2200 block of Mission Wycliffe Rd. The bird flushed to a small bush off the west corner of the property.  Dianne watched the bird in the bush for 15 minutes, then the flock was flushed by a Red-tailed Hawk. The bird returned to the feeder area 15 minutes later where she viewed it foraging. She was able to get some digiscoped shots.

The feeder is just inside the property's fence adjacent to the road.and is viewable from a wide parking spot. Please do not block any driveways when viewing this bird and be respectful of all private property and residents in the area.

This is the 25th record for the province of BC.

The bird was not relocated on Oct 7th.

Male Lesser Goldfinch in Cranbrook - Photos: Dianne Cooper

RBA: COMMON RINGED PLOVER in Campbell River - Sept 5-6th (Late Report)

Guy Monty and Mark Wynja photographed a Common Ringed Plover at Oyster Bay on Sept 5-2018. They were there to view a reported Buff-breasted Sandpiper and did not notice what they had photographed. On Sept 27-2018, Nathan Hentze alerted them to a bird that looked like a Common Ringed Plover that was misidentified as a Semipalmated Plover and was photographed by Vibeke Pedersen at the same location on Sept 6th. Vibeke Pedersen photographed the plover just after 8am on Sept 6-2018 as it walked on the mudflats along the shore close to the main parking lot at the southern part of Oyster Bay. This caused Guy Monty to review his photos from Oyster Bay that day and he found that he in fact did photograph a Common Ringed Plover.

Map to Oyster Bay HERE

BC's first Common Ringed Plover in Campbell River. Sept 6, 2018. Photo: Vibeke Pedersen

This is the 1st record for the province of BC.

RBA: 2 RED-THROATED PIPITS in Victoria - Sept 28th

At 7:10 am on Sept 28-2018, Geoffrey Newell found a Red-throated Pipit calling its distinctive call in an American Pipit flock at Gonzales Point located off Beach Drive on the Victoria Golf Course. The bird was heard by Neil Hughes as well ten minutes later. Geoffrey Newell was able to get a visual in flight but the bird was not relocated after this and no photographs were obtained.

Map to location HERE

At 6pm on Sept 28-2018, Geoffrey Newell found a second Red-throated Pipit half way up the east beach at Saanichton Spit. He was able to get photographs of the bird as well. The bird was still present at 7:20pm when he left and was sitting on driftwood on the beach in an American Pipit flock.

Map to location of bird HERE

Red-throated Pipit at Saanichton Spit - Photos: Geoffrey Newell

This is the 56th and 57th record for the province of BC.

RBA: RED-FOOTED BOOBY off Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island - Sept 27-28th

An adult dark morph Red-footed Booby came into BC waters at 2pm on Sept 27-2018. He was first discovered on Sept 22-2018 by Kyle Brynjolfson, as it flew onto his commercial fishing vessel "La Porsche." He was fishing for Albacore Tuna in international waters at the time HERE. The bird never left the vessel for long periods, other than for flying around and fishing, and is still sitting on the ship. It is currently 120 miles off of Cape Saint James in Haida Gwaii. They are travelling within 30 miles of Cape Scott on Vancouver Island where they will continue to fish for the next 1-2 days before returning to port. If the booby continues to stick to the ship, a pelagic or boat out of Port Hardy would have a good chance of seeing him.

Map to the exact location of the Red-footed Booby on Sept 27-2018 HERE

As of 7 pm on Sept 28-2018 the Red-footed Booby continued with the vessel off Cape Scott on Vancouver Island.

Map to the exact last known location of the Red-footed Booby on Sept 28-2018 HERE

The bird flew off the vessel on the evening of Sept 28th and has not returned on Sept 29th.

First Red-footed Booby in BC - Photos: Kyle Brynjolfson

This is the 1st record for the province of BC!

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Saanich - Sept 23-Oct 6th

At 5:15pm on Sept 23-2018, Jeremy Gatten found a Red-throated Pipit in a fallow field at the Vanreight Bulb Fields (Longview Farms) in Saanich. He was able to get a recording of the bird which you can listen to HERE. He had the pipit on an off for 30 mins as it got flushed by a Cooper's Hawk. 

The address is 8277 Central Saanich Rd and a Map to where he saw the bird is HERE

The bird was photographed by David Bell on Sept 24th.

This is the 55th record for the province of BC.

The bird continues in the same location as of Oct 6th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

Red-throated Pipit in flight in Saanich - Photo: David Bell

RBA: BLACK-TAILED GULL in Lund - Sept 13-Oct 3rd

At 12pm on Sept 13-2018, while kayaking; Ken Wright found a 3rd cycle Black-tailed Gull near Lund. The bird was resting on Major Islet which is an island that is only accessible by boat. Ken observed the gull for an hour and left it there, before paddling
The bird was not seen on the morning of Sept 17th, but Pierre Geoffray relocated it resting on Major Islet on the evening of Sept 17th-2018.

The bird continues in the same location on Sept 18th and was viewed by multiple observers all day.

Map to location HERE

At 9:30 am on Sept 19-2018, the bird was sitting on the government dock in Lund and viewed by many observers. No boat is required to access this location.

Map to location HERE

The Black-tailed Gull was not relocated on the dock nor on Major Islet between Sept 20-22nd.

The bird was relocated in Powell River on Sept 24th, as it flew by the old golf course between the log dump and the breakwater HERE . The gull wasn't flying in the direction of Lund.

The Black-tailed Gull was relocated sitting on Major Islet on Sept 26th at 12pm.

To make reservations to get to Major Islet with Terracentric Coastal Adventures click HERE. The cost to rent the boat is 150$ per hour and it holds a maximum of 6 people.

The Black-tailed Gull was not relocated on Major Islet on Sept 27th.

The Black-tailed Gull was seen on Major Islet on Oct 3rd. Multiple observers have searched since this date but it has not been relocated.

This is the 3rd photo-documented record of Black-tailed Gull in the province of BC.

Black-tailed Gull on Sept 26, 2018 at Major Islet in Lund - Photos: Jeff Duerr

3rd cycle Black-tailed Gull in Lund - Photo: Kurt Hennige/Macaulay Library

RBA: SLATY-BACKED GULL in Delta - Sept 16th

At 2pm on Sept 16-2018, Peter Lypkie and Mike Toochin found a 3rd cycle Slaty-backed Gull sitting on the mudflats in front of the mansion at 96th St at Boundary Bay.

Map to location HERE

The bird was viewed by multiple observers on Sept 16th.

The bird was not relocated on Sept 17-22nd, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 82nd record for the province of BC.

3rd cycle Slaty-backed Gull in Delta - Digiscoped Photo: Sharon Toochin

3rd cycle Slaty-backed Gull in Delta - Photos: Rob Lyske

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Manning Park - Sept 11th

At 11 am on Sept 11-2018 Kurt Hennige and Rob Worona found an immature/female type Chestnut-sided Warbler by the bridge in trees and shrubs on the Canyon Nature Trail in E.C. Manning Provincial Park; which is located between Hope and Princeton. They watched the bird for 1 minute before it flew off in a mixed warbler flock.

Map to exact location of bird HERE.

This is the 71st record for the province of BC. 

Chestnut-sided Warbler at Manning Park - Photo: Kurt Hennige/Macaulay Library

RBA: ORCHARD ORIOLE in Kelowna - Sept 9th

At 4:30pm on Sept 9-2018, 15 year old Kalin Ocana found a female Orchard Oriole at Munson Pond. The bird was sitting in the grass at this location HERE.

The bird has not been relocated as of posting time, despite multiple observers looking. Nor was it relocated on Sept 10th.

This is the 9th record for the province of BC.

Female Orchard Oriole in Kelowna - Photo: Kalin Ocana

RBA: LARK BUNTING in Sechelt - Sept 7th

At 8:20 am on Sept 7-2018, John Hodges found a juvenile Lark Bunting at Wilson Creek Estuary in Sechelt. The bird was foraging on the ground between an abandoned building and a derelict boat on the water. The bird was viewed by multiple observers throughout the afternoon and was very tame.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

This is the 38th record for the province of BC.

There was one brief single observer sighting on Sept 8 but no one present could see or relocate the bird at this time or up to six hours later.

Lark Bunting in Sechelt - Photo: Arnold Skei/Macaulay Library

RBA: WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Port Renfrew - Aug 22nd (Late Report)

A White-winged Dove was photographed at the Port Renfrew Marina at 11:57 am on August 22-2018 but was misidentified as a Band-tailed Pigeon. She saw the bird in a scrubby area beside the boat trailer parking area but has not returned to the place since.

Map to exact location of where the bird last seen HERE

Port Renfrew Marina and RV Park is located at 7505 Gordon River Rd, Port Renfrew.

Thanks to Blair Dudeck for catching this rarity and notifying the RBA.

This is the 20th record for the province of BC.

White-winged Dove in Port Renfrew - Photo: Ruth Vanderbor/Macaulay Library

White-winged Dove in Port Renfrew - Photo: Ruth Vanderbor/Macaulay Library

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Delta - Sept 1st

At 12:30 pm on Sept 1-2018 Randy Dzenkiw spotted an adult Snowy Plover (that was not associating with any flock of birds) on the mudflats off 96th St at Boundary Bay. Photos were obtained and good looks were had by all present. A scope is required.

Map to location HERE

The bird flew off after 3 minutes and has not been relocated as of posting.

This is the 23rd record for the province of BC and the second Snowy Plover currently in the province right now. You can read about the other bird HERE. 

Please park in legal parking spaces only as not to disturb residents. The most accessible parking is at the foot of 104th St at the Delta Air Park at Boundary Bay.

Snowy Plover in Delta - Photo: Sharon Toochin

RBA: LITTLE STINT in Delta - Aug 31-Sept 3rd

At 1 pm on August 31-2018, Kevin Louth found 1 juvenile Little Stint with Western Sandpipers between the mansion and 96th St at Boundary Bay. Earlier in the day he found 13 Buff-breasted Sandpipers in the dirt field west of 88th St.

Map to initial location HERE

At 11:40 am on Sept 1-2018, Kevin Louth, Mike and Sharon Toochin and Melissa Hafting relocated the Little Stint between the pilings and 104th St at Boundary Bay.

The bird continues on the mudflats off 104th St on Sept 3-2018 and photos were obtained on Sept 2nd and 3rd.

Map to last location of Little Stint HERE

The bird was not seen on Sept 4th, despite multiple observers looking.

Please park in legal parking spaces only as not to disturb residents. The most accessible parking is at the foot of 104th St at the Delta Air Park at Boundary Bay.

This is the 12th record for the province of BC.

Juvenile Little Stint in Delta - Photos: Dave Beeke

Little Stint on left beside Western Sandpiper - Photo: Dave Beeke

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Revelstoke - Aug 23-Sept 4th

At 10:00 am on August 23-2018, Don Manson found a moulting adult Snowy Plover foraging along the shore of Upper Arrow Lake at the end of "Nine Mile Point" which is accessed off Airport Way. He was able to get many good photographs.

The bird was discovered to be injured on August 25th. It is still able to fly and eat but is limping, it was seen falling over once.

The map to the location of the bird is HERE

This is the 22nd record for the province of BC and the 3rd Snowy Plover in this province this year.

The bird has not been seen since Sept 4th.

Injured Snowy Plover in Revelstoke - Photo: Chris Charlesworth

Snowy Plover in Revelstoke - Photos: Don Manson

RBA: BROWN BOOBY near Malcolm Island - August 22nd

At 2pm on August 22, 2018 - Gord Curry and Ted Down found an adult Brown Booby sitting on a log in Queen Charlotte Strait, NW of Pultney Point Lighthouse on Malcolm Island, while they were fishing. This made it easy for them to get beautiful pictures of the bird. The bird was viewed for 16 minutes before it was seen flying away in a northerly direction.

The map to the exact location is HERE

This is the 16th record for the province of BC.

Adult Brown Booby in Queen Charlotte Strait - Photos: Gord Curry

RBA: BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER in Victoria - July 24th

At 10 am on July 24-2018, Ann Nightingale found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Victoria. The bird was not banded but was viewed foraging near the shoreline and vocalizing for 5 mins before it flew off.

This location is not open to the public.

This is the 21st record for the province of BC.

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher in Victoria - Photo: Ann Nightingale

RBA: MANX SHEARWATER in Tofino - July 23rd

At 8:20am on July 23-2018, Arthur Ahier found a Manx Shearwater. He viewed the bird at the SE corner of Cleland Island off Tofino from a boston whaler from The Whale Centre. He was not able to get photos but noted the white undertail coverts to differentiate it from a Black-vented. He has experience with this species on the East Coast. Multiple observers saw the bird.

This is the 59th record for the province of BC.

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Victoria - July 22-Aug 22nd

At 5:45 am on July 22-2018, an adult female Northern Parula was banded by Siobhan Darlington at Rocky Point Bird Observatory.

The bird was captured and banded on Aug 6th and again seen on Aug 22nd.

This location is not open to the public.

Female Northern Parula in Victoria - Photo: Donna Talluto

This is the 20th record for the province of BC.

RBA: 15 LESSER GOLDFINCHES in Osoyoos - July 15/18-Sept 24/19

At 10:37 am on July 15-2018, a male Lesser Goldfinch was found by David M. Bell on Kruger Mtn Road. The bird was loosely associating with a flock of Pine Siskins near 19610 Kruger Mtn Road.

Map to location of first bird HERE

At 12:30pm he found 2 males and 1 female and was was able to photograph the birds. The 2 males were flying around the female. The female was frequenting a rosebush across from 19610 Kruger Mtn Rd.

A 4th bird was found and photographed by Daniel Bastaja and it was juvenile male. This does not prove local breeding as they are molt migrants. Both age groups leave breeding territories shortly after the young fledge and can travel thousands of kilometres.

Map to location of the four birds HERE

Directions: At the end of the pavement there's a turnaround where it turns to gravel. Park there and the birds are 20m back down the road. They are moving around the yards and roadside there.

On Dec 12-2018, Chris Charlesworth found 15 Lesser Goldfinches in the same area. There is a high probability as first suspected that these birds bred in BC which would be the first record of breeding in BC. Unfortunately this was never confirmed.

15 birds continue at the corner of Alkali Rd and Old Richter Pass Rd as of January 14th, 2019.

On Feb 6th-2019, 10 birds were seen at 15523 Old Richter Pass Rd in Osoyoos.

***On July 5th-2019 David Bell photographed an adult female feeding a barely fledged bird that cannot fly. This finally confirms breeding at this site and the first breeding record for the province.***

Lesser Goldfinch fledgling with adult in Osoyoos - Photos: David Bell

***The birds continue along Kruger Mtn Rd as of Sept 24th.***

This is the 24th record for the province of BC.

Male Lesser Goldfinch in Osoyoos - Photo: David M. Bell

Adult Female Lesser Goldfinch in Osoyoos - Photo: David M. Bell

Juvenile Male Lesser Goldfinch in Osoyoos - Photo: Daniel Bastaja