Sunday, May 30, 2021

RBA: HOODED ORIOLE near Cache Creek - May 27-28th

On May 27-2021, Gail Frith found a female Hooded Oriole at her hummingbird feeder at her private home in Loon Lake near Cache Creek. The bird was present on May 28th but she did not observe the bird on the 29th or 30th.

The home is not open to the public and therefore the address won’t be disclosed.

This is the 25th record for BC.

Female Hooded Oriole in Loon Lake - Photos: Gail Frith


Thursday, May 27, 2021

RBA: BLACK-THROATED SPARROW in Coquitlam - May 27-28th

At 7:30 pm on May 27-2021, David Schutz found an adult Black-throated Sparrow in one of the farthest east garden plots at the community gardens at Colony Farm. The bird was present for a minute and then flew west into the bushes and he couldn't relocate it as of 8:30pm.

Map to first location HERE

The bird was last seen HERE and HERE as of 9:30pm on May 28th and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on May 29th despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 51st record for the province of BC.

***There is a public health order now in effect until at least June 15th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Black-throated Sparrow in Coquitlam - Photo: Mike Farnworth

Black-throated Sparrow in Coquitlam - Photo: David Schutz

Sunday, May 23, 2021

RBA: CURLEW SANDPIPER in Delta - May 23rd

At 4:05pm on May 23-2021, Ilya Povalyaev found a Curlew Sandpiper in front of the second benches in a Dunlin and Western Sandpiper flock at Brunswick Point. A Scope is needed to view the bird. 

Map to location HERE

The bird was last seen in the same location at 6pm on May 23rd and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on May 24th, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 16th record for BC. 

***There is a public health order now in effect until at least June 15th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photos: Ilya Povalyaev

RBA: DICKCISSEL near Nelson - May 23-26th

At 11:45 am on May 23-2021, Eliza Hicks found a male Dickcissel at her bird feeder at her private home in Blewett near Nelson.

The bird was last seen in the same location on May 26th but not on May 27th.

*The home is not open to the public*

This is the 29th record for BC.

***There is a public health order now in effect until at least June 15th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Male Dickcissel in Nelson - Photo: Paul Prappas 

Thursday, May 20, 2021

RBA: 7 BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEWS in Haida Gwaii - May 4-19th (Late Report)

Between May 4-19 2021, Margo Hearne and Peter Hamel found 7 Bristle-thighed Curlews at Sandspit Airport. They photographed 2 together and saw 7 all at once on May 13th. Birds were present in various numbers between May 4th and 19th. 

Haida Gwaii was not open to visitors at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photos can be viewed at E-Fauna HERE.

This is the 3rd record for BC

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Wardner - May 18th

At 12:30pm on May 18-2021, Alan Barnard and Mike Bentley found a single White-faced Ibis in a slough near Ha Ha Creek in Wardner.

Map to location HERE

This is the 63rd record for BC.

This will be the last White-faced Ibis sighting posted on the main page. They will be posted on regional pages from now on due to the increased number of annual sightings.

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

White-faced Ibis in Wardner - Photo: Alan Barnard


RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Castlegar - May 18th

 At 11 am on May 18th Craig Sandvig found a single White-faced Ibis foraging in the oxbow of Selkirk College Trails in Castlegar.

Map to exact location HERE

This is the 62nd record for BC.

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

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

White-faced Ibis in Castlegar - Photo: Craig Sandvig

Monday, May 17, 2021

RBA: 3 WHITE-FACED IBIS in Invermere - May 17th

At 11 am on May 17th-2021, Greg Scott found 3 White-faced Ibis at Athalmer Sloughs in Invermere. The birds were foraging in the slough for only a matter of minutes before they flew east. No photos were obtained but the birds described well.

Map to location HERE

This is the 61st record for BC.

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Thursday, May 13, 2021

RBA: COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD in Maple Ridge - May 13-30th

On May 13th-2021, Freda du Plessis found a male Costa’s Hummingbird at her friend's private home in Maple Ridge. The homeowners believe the bird may have been present for a week.

The home was open to the public on FRIDAY May 14th and SATURDAY May 15th ONLY by appointment. Please contact me at the RBA by email to set up an appointment time. 

All people visiting present must wear masks, must social distance and not linger in the yard after viewing the bird.  There will only be a small number of people in the yard at a time.

*As of May 16th the home is now closed to the public. Please do not contact the RBA for entry. *

*The bird was last seen in the same location on May 30th but has not been relocated since. *

This is the 31st record for BC.

**Please wear a mask when viewing this bird it is required by the request of the homeowner**

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Costa’s Hummingbird in Maple Ridge - Photo: Jo-Anne MacDougall
Costa’s Hummingbird in Maple Ridge - Photo: Sabine Decamp


Wednesday, May 12, 2021

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS near Prince Rupert - May 12-14th

At 5pm on May 12-2021, Teresa Weismiller found a single White-faced Ibis in the pond beside the Pembina Propane Terminal on Watson Island (the site of the old pulp mill) in Port Edward. 

Map to location HERE

This is the 60th record for BC.

The bird was last seen in the same location on May 14th. It was not seen on May 16th.

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

White-faced Ibis in Port Edward - Photo: Teresa Weismiller

RBA: 22 WHITE-FACED IBIS in Creston - May 12-19th

At 5:10 am on May 12-2021, Chris Drysdale found 3 White-faced Ibis off Channel Rd at Duck Lake in Creston. He watched them standing on the mud for 10 min before watching them take flight towards Leach Lake at 5:20pm.

Map to location HERE

This is the 59th record for BC.

22 of the birds continue in the same location on May 19th and were viewed by multiple observers.

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

White-faced Ibis in Creston - Photo: Chris Drysdale

Monday, May 10, 2021

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Tofino - May 10th

At 8 am on May 10-2021, Ian Cruickshank found a Snowy Plover on the upper part of Comber's Beach. The bird was 100 m east of the Sandhill Creek mouth. A Snowy Plover was also reported but not photographed from the same location on May 7th by Yuri Zharikov which may or may not be the same bird.

Map to location HERE

This is the 32nd record for BC.

The bird was not relocated on May 11th.

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Snowy Plover in Tofino - Photo: Ian Cruickshank 

Saturday, May 8, 2021

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Wasa - May 7-15th

On May 7-2021, Penny Ohanjanian and Virginia Rasch found 14 White-faced Ibis on private property in the area of Cherry Creek Prairie (public are not allowed to visit this site). At 2 pm on May 8-2021, Dianne Cooper and Ruth Goodwin relocated 2 of the White-faced Ibis at Wasa Sloughs. The birds were foraging along the line of driftwood on the east bank of the point. These 2 birds are publicly accessible and are being viewed from the east side of the sloughs that are accessed from Prairie Rd off Hwy 93.

Map to location HERE

This is the 58th record for BC.

On May 9th- 3 birds were found in the location by Bobby Dailey. The birds were last seen in the same location and have been viewed by multiple observers and photos obtained.

*10 birds continue in the same location on May 15th.*

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

White-faced Ibis in Wasa - Photo: Ian Adams

White-faced Ibis in Wasa - Photo: Jo Ellen Floer


Friday, May 7, 2021

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Campbell River - May 4-5th

At 8:30 am on May 4-2021, a single White-faced Ibis was found and photographed by Anne Mckinnell at the estuary near the Thunderbird RV Park. She viewed the bird for only a few minutes before it flew off.

Map to exact location HERE

On May 5-2021, Ralf Spodzieja photographed the single White-faced Ibis at Salmon Point (Woodhus Slough) south of the Campbell River Estuary.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been relocated since despite multiple observers looking at both locations.

This is the 57th record for BC.

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

White-faced Ibis in Campbell River - Photo: Anne McKinnell

Saturday, May 1, 2021

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Richmond - May 1st

At 8:10 am on May 1-2021, Simon Valdez-Juarez found an adult Snowy Plover at Iona Regional Park. The bird was walking along the beach sitting on logs, north of the washrooms. The bird was present for at least 10 mins. 

*The bird was not relocated, despite multiple observers looking*

Map to location HERE

This is the 31st record for BC

***There is a public health order now in effect until May 25th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Snowy Plover in Richmond - Photos: Simon Valdez-Juarez