Sunday, May 31, 2020

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Saanich - May 31st

At 8:45am on May 31-2020, Carl Hughes found a male Chestnut-sided Warbler halfway down Lohbrunner Rd. here where the Easteen Phoebe had been sighted.

The warbler eventually moved to some oak trees at 4368 Lochside Drive where it was singing until 10:45am.

Map to last location HERE

Multiple observers got to see the bird.

The bird was not relocated thus far on June 1st.

This is the 77th record for BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.*


Chestnut-sided Warbler in Saanich - Photo: Carl Hughes

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Tofino - May 26th

On May 26-2020, Adrian Dorst and Ian Cruickshank both found the same Snowy Plover independently on Comber's Beach in Tofino.

This is the 28th record for BC.

Snowy Plover in Tofino - Photo: Adrian Dorst

Sunday, May 24, 2020

RBA: 3 WHITE-FACED IBIS in Surrey - May 18-26th

At 3:30 pm on May 18-2020, young birder Katya Kondratyuk found 3 White-faced Ibis feeding in the ponds at Serpentine Fen. She went back at 6:30pm on May 24th with her camera and found them feeding in the same location across from the second viewing tower. The birds are best viewed from the viewing tower.

The birds continued in the same location as of May 26th.

Map to exact location HERE

This is the 56th record for BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.*

White-faced Ibis in Surrey - Photos: Katya Kondratyuk

Saturday, May 23, 2020

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Osoyoos - May 23-24th

At 5:20 pm on May 23-2020, Lucie Parker found an Ash-throated Flycatcher in Osoyoos. The bird was flycatching from saskatoon and sagebrush bushes. She watched it for 5 mins before it flew off in a westerly direction and she could not relocate it. It likely could still be in the area since they can be skulky.

*The bird was relocated by Nathan Earley in the same location (see map link) at 7am on May 24th but has not been seen since, despite multiple observers looking.*

Map to location HERE

Directions: Look for the "Important Habitat" enclosure and there are cliffs just south of that enclosure where the bird was.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.*

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Osoyoos - Photos: Lucie Parker

Friday, May 22, 2020

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Chilliwack - May 22

At 4:30pm on May 22-2020, Dave Beeke found a single White-faced Ibis in a field near the railway tracks near Prest Rd in Chilliwack.

Map to location HERE

Please do not trespass on any private farm land.

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

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

White-faced Ibis in Chilliwack - Photo: Dave Beeke

RBA: 7 WHITE-FACED IBIS in Creston - May 22nd

At 10:15 am on May 22-2020 Steve Ogle saw 7 White-faced Ibis flying south over him HERE on Swan Rd near the Kootenay River in Creston. He did not see them land.

The birds may land near the area or across the border in the US but as of yet have not been relocated.

This is the 54th record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for these birds. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**




RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Squamish - May 22-23rd

At 8 am on May 22-2020, Jimmy Abbott found a single White-faced Ibis HERE at the Squamish River Estuary; off 3rd Ave where the railway tracks meet the Squamish Terminals Port entrance.

The bird is still present as of May 23rd and has been viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 53rd record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

White-faced Ibis in Squamish - Photo: Jimmy Abbott
White-faced Ibis in Squamish - Photo: Christopher Di Corrado

A beautiful video of the bird by Chris Dale can be viewed below:



Wednesday, May 20, 2020

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Fernie - May 19-21st

At 6:10 pm on May 19-2020, Ryan Schultz photographed a single White-faced Ibis as it flew north over him while he was at Maiden Lake in Fernie. The bird circled over the lake for awhile and he last saw it flying north over Maiden Lake at 7:18 pm.

Map to first location HERE

***At 3pm on May 20-2020, the Ibis was relocated in a grassy field HERE and was viewed by multiple observers. The bird was last seen in the same location at 1pm on May 21st.

This is the 52nd record for BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

White-faced Ibis in Fernie - Photos: Ryan Schultz



Sunday, May 17, 2020

RBA: PROTHONOTARY WARBLER in Osoyoos - May 17th

At 11:30am on May 17-2020, Nathan Earley found and photographed a male Prothonotary Warbler in Osoyoos near Road 22. The bird was foraging and singing in the bushes near the water where the oxbows meet the dyke.

Map to location HERE.

The bird was last seen in the same location and was singing at 4pm and was been viewed by multiple observers on May 17th.

It was not relocated on May 18th, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 10th record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Male Prothonotary Warbler in Osoyoos - Photo: Kathryn Milligan
Male Prothonotary Warbler in Osoyoos - Photo: Nathan Earley





Thursday, May 14, 2020

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Kelowna - May 14-15th

At 4:30 pm on May 14-2020, Michael Force found a Black Phoebe at the north side of Carney Pond in Kelowna. 

The bird was last seen May 15th and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on May 16th, despite multiple observers looking.

Map to location HERE

This is the 29th record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Black Phoebe in Kelowna - Photo: David Bell
Black Phoebe in Kelowna - Photo: Michael Force

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Agassiz - May 14th

On May 14-2020, A White-faced Ibis were photographed in a farm field on Tranmer Rd near McDonald Rd S near in Agassiz. The finder wishes to remain anonymous but the farm is owned by Kevin Mammel.

Map to location HERE

This is the 51st record for the province of BC

RBA: DICKCISSEL in Agassiz - May 12-13th

At 5pm on May 12-2020, Joan Moore photographed a male Dickcissel at her home in Agassiz. The bird was with a flock of House Sparrows.

The bird returned briefly for ten mins at 6pm on May 13th. So far it has not returned on May 14th.

This home is not open to the public.

This is the 27th record for BC.

Dickcissel in Agassiz - Photos: Joan Moore

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

RBA: 20 WHITE-FACED IBIS in Richmond - May 12-23rd

At 4pm on May 12-2020, Wayne Diakow and Paul Clarke watched 18 White-faced Ibis fly over their heads while they stood near the Iona inner ponds.The birds flew south towards the YVR airport control tower. The birds were seen at 5pm by Michael Kawerninski flying north over the Fraser River towards Musqueam Lands/Vancouver.

At 9 am on May 13-2020, Ben Christie relocated now 20 White-faced Ibis briefly sitting HERE on the Fraser River off River Rd at Terra Nova. The birds then picked up and flew south towards Garry Point Park. They are likely still wandering in the area of Richmond and birders should be on the lookout.

At 2pm Wayne Diakow relocated the Ibis as they flew low over Garry Point Park and then turned and headed north back towards Terra Nova.

*At 6 am on May 18-2020, Alex and Jana Chlupova photographed 4 White-faces Ibis as they flew N over Terra Nova. The birds briefly landed HERE before continuing north.*

*From 6 am to 10:30 am on May 19th-2020, 3 White-faced Ibis were relocated by Mike and Sharon Toochin and seen HERE on Sea Island across from 2860 River Rd and were viewed by multiple observers.

The 3 Ibis were last seen on the mudflats on May 22nd HERE and were viewed by multiple observers.The birds can hide well when in tall grasses and a scope is needed but sometimes they walk out in mudflats in the open and are very viewable with binoculars.


**At 10 am on May 23rd-2020, Devin de Zwaan saw 1 Ibis at Iona HERE. It was still present as of 2:45pm, sitting on the mudflats on the south side of the south jetty. The bird was 100m out, approximately halfway between the base of the south jetty and the first shelter**

This is the 50th record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for these birds. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

White-faced Ibis in Richmond - Photo: Devin de Zwaan
White-faced Ibis in Richmond - Photo: Paul Clarke

Monday, May 11, 2020

RBA: 6 WHITE-FACED IBIS in Wardner - May 11-14th

At 11:45 am on May 11-2020, Alan Barnard found two White-faced Ibis in Wardner. At 5pm Rob Woods and others went to look for them and found 3 White-faced Ibis at the same location.

On May 12th, 6 birds continued in the same location and have been viewed by multiple observers.

**The birds continue in the same location as of May 14th and have been viewed by multiple observers.**

Map to location HERE.

Directions: At the Wardner turnoff, just after you turn off, park on the north side of Wardner Road there is a wide spot at the corner. Walk up the old highway/rail trail (towards Cranbrook) until you see an opening in the fence on the left. Go through the fence and walk over two small hills and then out west across the field to the marsh.  The 3 birds are in the field with cattle or in the marsh. 

This is the 49th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

White-faced Ibis in Wardner - Photos: Bobby Dailey

RBA: 16 WHITE FACED IBIS in Creston - May 11th

At 8:40 am on May 11, 2020 - Paul Foth found 16 White-faced Ibis on the southeast corner of Duck Lake.The birds were still present as of 5:10pm and viewed by multiple observers before they flew off.

The birds were not relocated on May 12th.

Map to location HERE

This is the 48th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing these birds. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

White-faced Ibis in Creston - Photos: Gaelen Schnare


Sunday, May 10, 2020

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Hope - May 9th

At 9am on May 9-2020, Larry Hooge, Ed Klassen, John Vooys and Joel Schmidt found and photographed a Loggerhead Shrike at the east end of the Hope Airport. The bird was perched on a stanchion and was actively hunting.

Map to location of bird HERE.

The bird has not been relocated.

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

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Loggerhead Shrike in Hope - Photo: Joel Schmidt

Saturday, May 9, 2020

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Edgewood - May 9th

At 10 am on May 9-2020, Julia and Warren Flesaker found a Loggerhead Shrike on Ferret Rd north of Hopp Rd in Edgewood. The bird was actively hunting from trees in the field.

Map to location HERE

**Please do not enter the fields which are private property.**

*The bird continued in the same location as of 7pm and was viewed by multiple observers.*

This is the 98th record for the province of BC

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Loggerhead Shrike in Edgewood - Photo: Warren Flesaker


Friday, May 8, 2020

RBA: SUMMER TANAGER in Invermere - May 8th

At 7:30 pm on May 8-2020, Cam Gillies found a male Summer Tanager at his friend's house. The bird is coming to feeders in the front and back yard.

The public are allowed to come and view the bird as per the homeowners. It is located at 717 14th St in Invermere.

The bird has not been relocated on May 9th, despite others looking.

**Please be respectful of private property, social distance 2m apart, wear a face mask and do not block driveways.**


This is the 8th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Summer Tanager in Invermere - Photo: Cam Gillies

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Nanaimo - May 6th

At 12:45pm on May 6-2020, Bryan Vroom found a male Indigo Bunting at the Jack Point trail parking lot at Duke Point.

Map to location HERE 

The bird was last seen int the same location as of 6pm and was viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated on May 7th.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Indigo Bunting in Nanaimo - Photos: Braden Judson

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

RBA: GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE in Nakusp - May 5-6th

At 8:15 am on May 5-2020, Julia Flesaker found a Green-tailed Towhee in a private yard at 425 9th Ave NW. The bird was viewed from the alley near the soccer field at Nakusp Secondary School. The homeowner is ok with birders looking from the alley but please be respectful of private property and do not enter the yard.

Map to location of where to look for the bird HERE

Directions: Turn west off Hwy 23 onto 4th St NW. Continue past the school and to the end of the playing field. Walk up the gravel lane. Th bird has been frequenting the third and fourth back yard along the lane. 

The bird was last seen in the same location on May 6th and was viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated thus far on May 7th.

This is the 13th record for BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Green-tailed Towhee in Nakusp - Photos: Julia Flesaker


Sunday, May 3, 2020

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Castlegar - May 3rd

At 8:30am on May 3-2020, Craig Sandvig found a Loggerhead Shrike at Selkirk College Trails. The bird was located in the east field. This is the field directly east of the oxbow with all the hawthorn shrubs.

Map to location of bird HERE

The bird continued as of 12:30pm and was viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 97th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*


**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Loggerhead Shrike in Castlegar - Photo: Craig Sandvig