RBA: BELL’S VIREO in Saanich - Sept 6-21st

At 11:30am on Sept 6-2020, Aziza Cooper found a Bell’s Vireo at Island View Beach. The bird was found along the main trail north of the parking lot about half-way to the pit toilets. She had a brief view of the bird and heard it singing for 20 mins. She was able to obtain a recording of the bird singing. You can listen to it HERE

The bird appears to be of the Eastern Subspecies. 

This is the first record for British Columbia.

Map to location of where bird was first heard HERE and it was also seen by multiple observers HERE in crabapple trees.

The bird was last seen on Sept 21st by the washrooms HERE and also HERE in the field on Sept and has been viewed by many observers. 

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

**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.**

Bell’s Vireo in Saanich - Photo: Roger Beardmore