RBA: TUFTED DUCK in Victoria - Jan 19-March 24th

On January 19th, 2019, Jacques Sirois found a male Tufted Duck at Portage Inlet in Saanich. The bird was with a flock of about 250 scaup at the Craigflower Creek Estuary. It was only identified on January 28th.

The bird was found on February 1st and is still among the scaup flock in Portage Inlet. The crest of this bird is not very distinct and using features like the black back and more prominent pale, subterminal band on the bill should be used to facilitate identification. Viewing is perhaps best accomplished from the St. Giles Greenspace park at the end of Chancellor Ave. Parking is limited, so please remember to be respectful to residents and do not block roadways.

Map to one viewing location HERE

The bird was last seen on March 24th in Portage Inlet.

Male Tufted Duck in Saanich - Photo: Jacques Sirois

RBA: DUSKY THRUSH in Nanaimo - Jan 19-Feb 15th

At approximately 4:00pm on January 19th, 2019, David Baird and Bryan Vroom found a Dusky Thrush near the Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo. The bird was photographed along Gordon Road near the Holden Creek entrance to the estuary.

On January 20th the bird was relocated in the same area, feeding in the grassy fields on the north side of Gordon Road. It was seen on Jan 23rd at this location but was not seen on January 24th or 25th despite many observers looking.

***On Feb 10th-2019 the Dusky Thrush was relocated HERE near the holly tree near 1266 Gordon Rd in Nanaimo by Iwan llewellyn. Multiple observers were able to view the bird**

The bird continued in the same location on Feb 11th. The food source seems to be depleted at this location as of Feb 13th.

****On Feb 12th, the Dusky Thrush was located at a new close by spot HERE on Maughan Rd. It’s with American Robins and perching in hawthorn trees that are visible if you stand at the gate (at the map pin) and look east.****

The bird was last seen at the same location on Maughan Rd on Feb 15th. Despite multiple observers looking he has not been relocated on Feb 16th or 17th.

Please be respectful of private property and do not block traffic when parking and viewing it from the road.

This is the third record for the province of BC.

Dusky Thrush in Nanaimo - Photo: Jeremy Gatten

Dusky Thrush in Nanaimo - Photo: David Baird