Wednesday, October 2, 2024

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Abbotsford - Oct 2-6th

At 3 pm on Oct 2-2024, Jean Bergen found and photographed a Black Phoebe on the dyke off Lamson Rd and Wells Line Rd in Abbotsford.

Map to location HERE

On Oct 3-2024, the bird continued on the dyke HERE and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird continues in the same general location on Oct 6th.

This is the 49th record for BC.

Black Phoebe in Abbotsford - Photo: Gabrielle Cuff

Black Phoebe in Abbotsford - Photo: Jean Bergen

Friday, September 27, 2024

RBA: PRAIRIE WARBLER in TSAWWASSEN - Sept 27th

At 6:30pm on Sept 27-2024 Sabine Decamp found and photographed a Prairie Warbler in bushes on the east side of the school field at Beach Grove Park.

Map to location HERE

This is the 9th record for BC.

The bird has not been relocated on Sept 28th, despite multiple observers looking.

Prairie Warbler in Delta - Photos: Sabine Decamp

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

RBA: CITRINE WAGTAIL in Jordan River - Sept 11

At 9:30am on September 11-2024, Carl Hughes found a Citrine Wagtail in Jordan River at Jordan River Regional Park and Campground.

Map to location HERE

The bird was seen HERE at 10am

The bird was last seen HERE as of 5:50pm on Set 11th and was viewed by multiple observers.

This is the second record for BC.

The bird was not relocated on Sept 12th, despite multiple observers looking.

Citrine Wagtail in Jordan River - Photos: Carl Hughes

Saturday, September 7, 2024

RBA: COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD in Jordan River - Sept 7-12th

At 10:20 am on Sept 7-2024, Carl Hughes found a Costa’s Hunmingbird on West Coast Rd in Jordan River.

Map to location HERE

On Sept 12th, the bird continues visiting red Hardy Fuschia flowers and has been viewed by multiple observers.

There is a small public parking lot behind the bushes for birders to park in.

This is the 34th record for BC

Costa’s Hummingbird in Jordan River - Photos: Carl Hughes


Friday, September 6, 2024

RBA: MISSISSIPPI KITE in Metchosin - Sept 6th

At 11:55 am on Sept 6-2024, David Bell and Katelyn Fryer found and photographed a Mississippi Kite that flew over Rocky Point Banding Station in Metchosin. The bird first circled around the front meadow, then headed south and then turned around after a few mins and flew north towards Pedder Bay.

There is no public access to Rocky Point.

This is the first record for BC.

Mississippi Kite in Metchosin - Photos: David Bell

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Vancouver - Sept 2nd

At 5pm on Sept 2-2024 Kevin Lam found an Ash-throated Flycatcher in his private yard in Vancouver.

The home is not open to the public.

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Vancouver - Photos: Kevin Lam

RBA: LARK BUNTING in Tofino - Sept 1st

At 4pm on Sept 1-2024, Elliot Steed found a Lark Bunting in Tofino. The bird was foraging on the lawn of the Pacific Sands Beach Resort. He viewed the bird for 15 mins.

Map to exact location HERE

*Please note that these grounds are only open to those staying at the resort.* 

Elliot was not able to relocate the bird the following day.

This is the 42nd record for BC.

Lark Bunting in Tofino - Photos: Elliot Steed

Sunday, September 1, 2024

RBA: PRAIRIE WARBLER in Penticton - Sept 1st

At 7:30 am on Sept 1-2024, Eric Newton found a Prairie Warbler in his yard. He saw the bird again at 9:30 am and it was last seen flying southeast and has not returned to the property.

The home is not open to the public.

This is the 7th record for BC.

RBA: NAZCA BOOBY off NW Vancouver Island - July 29th (late report)

At 6:20pm on July 29, 2024, Juan Sanchez found a Nazca Booby while aboard the John P. Tully (Canadian Coast Guard) with Ali Loewen. They viewed the bird for 10 mins at a close range, as they were travelling south. The vessel was 13 nautical miles from Quatsino Sound when the booby was first spotted.

Map to approximate location HERE

This is the 5th record for BC.

Nazca Booby off NW Coast of Vancouver Island - Photo: Juan Sanchez

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

RBA: ORCHARD ORIOLE in Castlegar - Aug 28th

At 7:50 am on August 28-2024, Craig Sandvig found a female Orchard Oriole moving along a hedgerow near Welsh Rd in Castlegar.

Map to location HERE

The bird continued as of 11 am on Aug 28, 2024 and was been viewed by multiple observers. It was not relocated the following day.

This the 13th record for BC.

Orchard Oriole in Castlegar - Photo: Jakob Dulisse

Orchard Oriole in Castlegar - Photo: Craig Sandvig

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Castlegar - Aug 20th

At 10am on Aug 20-2024, Ed and Hazel Beynon found an Ash-throated Flycatcher near the Brilliant Cemetery in Castlegar.

Map to location HERE

The bird was still present at 5:30 pm and was viewed by multiple observers.

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Castlegar - Photo: Barbara Maytom 

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Castlegar - Photo: Ed Beynon

Monday, August 19, 2024

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Sechelt - Aug 19-20th

At 10 am on Aug 19th-2024, John Hodges found a Black Phoebe off the causeway on Field Rd at Wilson Creek Estuary.

Map to location HERE

This is the 48th record for BC and 1st record for the Sunshine Coast.

The bird continues in the same location on Aug 20th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

Black Phoebe in Sechelt - Photo: Rand Rudland

Black Phoebe in Sechelt - Photo: John Hodges

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Port Coquitlam - Aug 19th

At 9:30 am on Aug 19-2024,  Larry Cowan found a Chestnut-sided Warbler in a mixed warbler flock at Blakeburn Lagoons in Port Coquitlam.

Map to location HERE

This is the 91st record for BC.

The bird has not been relocated since the initial sighting, despite multiple observers looking. 

Saturday, August 10, 2024

RBA: WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Metchosin - Aug 10th

At 7:45 am on Aug 10-2024, Cathy Reader and Evan Lewis found a White-winged Dove at Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Metchosin. 

There is no public access to this site.

This is the 24th record for BC.

White-winged Dove in Metchosin - Photo: Cathy Reader

Sunday, August 4, 2024

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS off Tofino - August 3rd

On August 3-2024, Mark Sawyer photographed a juvenile Short-tailed Albatross from his boat offshore from Tofino.

Map to approximate location HERE

Saturday, July 27, 2024

RBA: COMMON RINGED PLOVER in Parksville - July 26-28th

At 6pm on July 26th-2024, Mark Wynja found a different Common Ringed Plover at Englishman River Estuary off Mariner Way in Parksville. 

Map to location HERE

The bird continued on July 28th and was  viewed by multiple observers. 

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

This is the 4th record for BC and 1st for Nanaimo County.

Common Ringed Plover in Parksville - Photos: Cos van Wermeskerken

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

RBA: 2 LEAST TERNS in Lumby - July 24th

At 7:30 am on July 24th, Scott Thomson found and photographed 2 adult Least Terns at Rawlings Lake. He viewed both birds until 9:30am.

At 1:30pm Chris Siddle relocated one bird on the lake, while viewing it from Rawlings Lake Rd, on the west side of the lake.

Map to location of where to view the bird from HERE

When viewing the bird please do not trespass or attempt to get close to the lake. You must view the bird from the road by scope or binoculars. The land around the lake is all private property. Please be respectful of the private landowners. 

This is the 4th record for BC.

***The bird was not relocated on July 25th, despite multiple observers looking.***

Least Terns in Lumby - Photos: Scott Thomson

Least Tern in Lumby - Photo: Chris Siddle

Monday, July 22, 2024

RBA: COMMON RINGED PLOVER in Parksville - July 22-25th

At 6pm on July 22-2024, Kyle Fitzpatrick found a Common Ringed Plover at Oyster Bay in Campbell River. Kyle was able to photograph and obtain audio recordings of the bird calling. He viewed the bird until 7pm and a few other observers got to see the bird after this as well.

You can listen to the audio below:

Map to location HERE

This is the 3rd record for BC and the second time a Common Ringed Plover has been found at this location.

The bird was not relocated on July 23, despite multiple observes looking.

***The bird was relocated HERE  at Oyster Bay in Campbell River on July 25th by Cathy Carlson ***

Common Ringed Plover in Campbell River - Photos: Kyle Fitzpatrick

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

RBA: RED-HEADED WOODPECKER on Galiano Island - July 17th

At 7:45 am on July 17-2024, a Red-headed Woodpecker was found by Brian Banno at Bluffs Park on Galiano Island. The bird flew away to the east at 8:06 am shortly after viewing.

Directions: 

If you park at the lot HERE near the top of Bluffs Park and then walk along the trail heading North, Brian spotted the bird about 200yards up the trail, on a large dead Douglas Fie tree that was on the ocean side. It then flew east and stopped on a few trees before it flew away to the east high over the trees.

Map to location HERE

The bird was relocated at 2pm at the same spot and has been viewed by multiple observers. It flew east at 2:45pm and hasn’t been relocated since.

**The bird was not relocated on July 18 or 19th, despite multiple observers looking.**

This is the 7th record for BC.

Red-headed Woodpecker on Galiano Island - Photos: Brad Vissia

Red-headed Woodpecker on Galiano Island - Photo: Brian Banno

Friday, July 12, 2024

RBA: LEAST TERN in Delta - July 12th

At 10am on July 12-2024, Brian Self,  Kevin Louth, Roger Foxall and Philip Wright found an adult Least Tern in the channel off the mansion near 96th St at Boundary Bay in Delta.

Map to location HERE

This is the third record for BC.

The bird was viewed by a few birders before flying high towards White Rock at 10:50am. It was not relocated, thus far, despite multiple observers looking.

Least Tern in Delta - Photo: Philip Wright

A video of the bird below by Kevin Louth:

Monday, July 1, 2024

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS near Cape Scott

At 4pm on July 1st-2024, Sebastian Pardo found an immature Short-tailed Albatross south of the Scott Islands while aboard the CCGS Sir John Franklin research vessel.

Map to location HERE

Short-tailed Albatross near Cape Scott off Vancouver Island - Photo: Sebastian Pardo

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Vancouver - June 24th

At 1:45pm on June 24-2024, Gord Smith found and photographed a Black Phoebe at Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park.

Map to location HERE

This is the 47th record for BC

The bird was not relocated, despite multiple observers looking.

Black Phoebe in Vancouver - Photo: Gord Smith

Friday, June 21, 2024

RBA: ACORN WOODPECKER in Chilliwack - June 19-20th

On June 19-2024, Angela Moore found and photographed a female Acorn Woodpecker on her farm in the Ryder Lake area of Chilliwack. She also viewed the bird on June 20th.

This is the 16th record for BC.

The home is currently not open to the public.

Acorn Woodpecker in Chilliwack - Photos: Angela Moore

Sunday, June 16, 2024

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Coquitlam - June 15-18th

At 6pm on June 15-2024, Stephan Dryagin found an Ash-throated Flycatcher west of the bridge at Colony Farm in Coquitlam. He viewed it for a minute before it flew off to the west.

Map to location HERE

On the evening of June 18-2024, Kerri Zhao relocated the bird briefly at the community gardens at Colony Farm, before it flew towards the forensic hospital. 

Map to last location HERE

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Coquitlam - Photo: Stephan Dryagin
 
Ash-throated Flycatcher in Coquitlam -
Photo: Kerri Zhao

Friday, June 7, 2024

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Surrey - June 7th

At 7 am on June 7-2024, Ilya Povalyaev found a male Northern Parula singing in bushes near the dog park at Blackie Spit Park.

Map to location HERE

The bird was last seen at 11 am in an Oak tree by Dunsmuir St and Gilley St HERE and was viewed and heard by multiple observers.

The bird has not been relocated since 11 am, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 27th record for BC.

Northern Parula in Surrey - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev


Saturday, May 18, 2024

COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD on Quadra Island - May 4-June 3rd

On May 4-2024, Meredith McGill found a male Costa’s Hummingbird coming to her hummingbird feeder at her private home on Quadra Island.

The homeowner is generously allowing birders to come see the bird by appt only.

Please contact the RBA at bcbirdergirl@gmail.com to arrange visitation.

The bird continues on June 3rd and has been viewed by multiple observers. 

This is the 33rd record for BC.

Costa’s Hummingbird on Quadra Island - Photo: Danielle Lacasse

Costa’s Hummingbird on Quadra Island - Photos: Tristan Chapman
Costa’s Hummingbird on Quadra Island - Photo: James MacKenzie

Thursday, May 16, 2024

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING near Bella Coola - May 12-18th

On May 12-2024, Sunder Green found a male Indigo Bunting at her private home on Hwy 20 near Snootli Creek Regional Park in Hagensborg in the Bella Coola Valley.

The bird continued on May 18th and was viewed by multiple local observers.

Indigo Bunting in Bella Coola - Photo: Harvey Thomassen

Saturday, May 11, 2024

RBA: TEMMINCK’S STINT in Victoria - May 10-13th

At 6:45 pm on May 11-2024, Joachim Bertrands and Sean McElaney found a Temminck’s Stint at the SE corner of Panama Flats in Victoria.

Map to location HERE

The bird was viewed for over 40 mins foraging with Least Sandpipers, before it flew off with them towards the Central Dyke and was not relocated as it was dark.

This is the second record for BC.

The bird was photographed on May 10-2024 by Gordon Hart who initially thought it was a Spotted Sandpiper. You can view that image HERE

The bird continued HERE at Panama Flats on the Centre Dyke and HERE in the SE corner on May 12th and 13th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

***The bird was not relocated on May 14th and 15th, despite multiple observers looking.***

Temminck’s Stint in Victoria (Photos: Joachim Bertrands)

*Parking is on Baker Street HERE off Carey Rd or on Barrington Rd off Baker St HERE Please do not block driveways or park too close to street corners.

The entrance to Panama Flats is on Carey Rd near Baker Rd - walk around the gray metal gates with the No Parking signs to access Panama Flats and the trail to the bird.*

Videos of the bird filmed by Joachim Bertrands on May 11th, can be viewed below: