RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Nanaimo - Oct 10-11th

On Oct 10-2026, Curtis Rispin had a Red-throated Pipit fly over him calling at the Nanaimo River Estuary.

On Oct 11-2026, Guy Monty and others relocated the bird HERE

This is the 75th record for BC.

RBA: SIBERIAN PIPIT in Saanich - Oct 2-5th

At 11:30 am on October 2-2026, Melissa Hafting found a Siberian Pipit at Panama Flats. The bird was present in the same field as a continuing Red-throated Pipit and was travelling with 25 American Pipits. Melissa was able to call over 2 other birders (Geoffrey Newell and Jessica Sandhu) who were searching for the Red-throated Pipit in different areas of the flats and they were also able to get on the bird. There was a delay in posting to seek confirmation on the species that she believed it was from experts, such as Sulli Gibson and Cameron Eckert and others.

Map to location HERE

This is the 8th record for BC.

On Oct 5-2026, Val George reported viewing the bird at the same location.

Siberian Pipit in Saanich - Photo: Melissa Hafting

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Wynndel - Oct 3rd

At 11:30 am on Oct 3-2026, Marc-Andre Beaucher found a Brown Thrasher in a private backyard in Wynndel. The home is not open to the public and the bird is not viewable from the public road.

This is the 47th record for BC.

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Kelowna - Oct 2-8th

On October 2-2026, Roberta Snow found a Chestnut-sided Warbler in Kelowna at the community garden at 464 Sutton Crescent at Sutton Glen Brandt’s Creek Linear Park. The bird was travelling in a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Map to location HERE

This is the 96th record for BC.

The bird continues in the same location on Oct 8th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Kelowna - Photo: Brad Vissia

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Rosedale - Sept 30-Oct 2nd

On Sept 30-2026, Chris McDonald found a Black Phoebe near the viewing platform at Cheam Lake Wetlands.

Map to location HERE

This is the 78th record for BC and will be the last one reported on the main page since they are ever increasing in the province.

On Oct 1 and 2nd, the bird continued in the lake east of the Loop Trail.

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Saanich - Sept 30th-Oct 2nd

On September 30-2026, Trevor Henry, Isaac Esselink and Andrew Jacobs found and photographed a Red-throated Pipit at Panama Flats.

Map to location HERE

This is the 74th record for BC.

The bird continued HERE on Oct 1st and has been viewed by multiple observers. 

On Oct 2nd, the bird continues in cut field HERE 

Red-throated Pipit in Saanich - Photos: Trevor Henry 

RBA: MOTTLED PETREL off Triangle Island - Sept 28

At 12:30pm on Sept 28-2026, Ilya Povalyaev found a Mottled Petrel from a cruise ship to Alaska. He did not obtain photos. The bird was 23km NW of Triangle Island.

Map to location HERE

RBA: CASSIN’S SPARROW in Delta - Sept 27-29th

At 5:45pm on Sept 27-2026, Katherine Scrimshaw found a Cassin’s Sparrow near the mansion by 96th St at Boundary Bay.

Map pin HERE

This is the first record for BC.

The bird was relocated on Sept 28th HERE near to 96th at Boundary Bay and was viewed and heard singing a full song by multiple birders at 6:10pm.

At 6:40 pm on Sept 29th, the bird was heard singing its full song again at the same spot.

The bird did not sing on the evening of Sept 30th, despite multiple observers looking.

Cassin’s Sparrow in Delta - Photos: Katherine Scrimshaw

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in North Cowichan - Sept 28th

At 11am on September 27-2026, Curtis Rispin found a Red-throated Pipit in a flock of 18 American Pipits in a private farm field. 

The bird was recorded as it called in flight. The fields are not open to the public and you must stand on the public street to scan and listen for the bird as the dyke is now closed to the public.

Map to location of where to stand HERE

This is the 73rd record for BC.

RBA: JUAN FERNANDEZ PETREL off Haida Gwaii - Sept 24th

At 6:30pm on Sept 24-2026, Ilya Povalyaev found a Juan Fernandez Petrel while scoping off Shingle Bay from Sandspit in Haida Gwaii.

Map to location of where he stood to view HERE

Map to location of bird HERE

This is a first record for BC and Canada.

Juan Fernandez Petrel off Haida Gwaii - Photos: Ilya Povalyaev

RBA: COCOS BOOBY in Campbell River - Sept 24th

At 1:25 pm on September 24-2026, Jeremy Gatten found a Cocos Booby off the end of Heard Rd. The bird was last seen south of the Ken Forde Boat Launch.

Map to initial location HERE and south of the Ken Forde Boat Launch HERE

This is the 31st record for BC

Cocos Booby off Campbell River (Photo: Jeremy Gatten)

RBA: EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL in Haida Gwaii - Sept 23rd

At 4:50pm on September 25-2026, Ilya Povalyaev found an Eastern Yellow Wagtail on the beach and grassy trail around the perimeter of the Sandspit Airport in Haida Gwaii.

The bird was seen HERE and HERE as of 7:20pm 

This is the 9th record for BC.

The bird was not relocated on Sept 24th.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail in Haida Gwaii - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

RBA: COCOS BOOBY near Telegraph Cove - Sept 22nd

At 12:45pm on Sept 22, 2026, Kennedy Hayes and Conor Melanson found a Cocos Booby at the south end of Weynton Passage near Telegraph Cove, while aboard a whale watching vessel.

Map to location HERE

This is the 30th record for BC.

Cocos Booby near Telegraph Cove - Photo: Kennedy Hayes

RBA: GARGANEY in Port McNeill - Sept 20th

On September 20-2026, Blair Dudeck found an immature male Garganey at Cluxewe Resort in Port McNeill, 20 mins south of Port Hardy. The bird was walking along the shoreline and was later seen on the water, 100m offshore with 100 Harlequin Ducks.

Map to location HERE

This is the 15th record for BC.

The bird has not been relocated on Sept 21st, despite multiple observers looking. 

Garganey near Port Hardy - Photo: Blair Dudeck

RBA: Sub-adult SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS off Tofino - Sept 18th

At 6pm on Sept 18-2026, Kalin Ocana et al. found a sub-adult Short-tailed Albatross on a private boat off Tofino.

This is only the second photographed record of a bird older than 2 years old, that has been found south of Alaska. 

Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Kalin Ocana

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Saanich - Sept 14-16th

At 6pm on September 14-2026, Trevor Henry found a Red-throated Pipit at the SE end on Panama Flats in Saanich.

He viewed and recorded the bird. It was travelling in a flock of American Pipits.

Map to location HERE

This is the 72nd record for BC.

The bird continued HERE on Sept 16th.

Red-throated Pipit in Saanich - Photo: Trevor Henry

RBA: SAGEBRUSH SPARROW in Castlegar - Sept 14th

At 9 am on September 14-2026, Craig Sandvig found a Sagebrush Sparrow at Selkirk College Trails in Castlegar. The bird was first seen in shrubs close to the Welsh Rd trail gate and then moved around the orchard and came back to the shrubs/hedgerow.

Map to location HERE

The bird was viewed by multiple observers and continued as of 6:15pm.

The bird was not relocated on Sept 15th, despite observers looking.

Sagebrush Sparrow in Castlegar - Photos: Craig Sandvig 

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Victoria - Sept 13th

At 11:05 am on Sept 13-2026, Katy Flint and Evan Larson found a Chestnut-sided Warbler in a mixed warbler flock at Uplands Park in Victoria.

Map to location HERE

This is the 95th record for BC.

The bird was viewed by multiple observers as of 12:25 pm.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Victoria - Photos : Evan Larson

RBA: 2 COCOS BOOBIES in Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley waters, Active Pass and Metro Van waters - Sept 10-Oct 6th

At 5:45 pm on September 10-2026, Jordy Houkes found a Cocos Booby near the Duke Point Ferry terminal. He viewed the bird from a BC Ferries vessel.

Map to location HERE

The bird was relocated by Guy Monty on Sept 11th HERE in Cowichan Valley waters from a BC Ferries vessel travelling from Duke Point to Tsawwassen.

On Sept 12th, the bird continues HERE off the BC Ferries vessel viewed by Rob Worona and Kurt Henninge. 

On Sept 14th, the bird was viewed from the Swartz Bay ferry near Active Pass HERE and from a whale watching vessel HERE near the Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay ferry route.

On Sept 15th, the bird was seen off the Departure Bay ferry near Gabriola Island.

On Sept 18th and 19th, the bird was viewed off Stearman Beach and Acadia Beach HERE and off Spanish Banks.

On Sept 20th, the bird was viewed off Jericho Pier and was sitting on the Ken Citrus Tanker off Locarno Beach/Jericho Beach.

On Sept 21st the bird was viewed by boat while on the Star Africa tanker ship anchor. The bird is currently not viewable from any land point.

On Sept 22-23rd, the bird was seen by scope from Acadia Beach as it sat on the anchor of the Jiyu Rose tanker.

On Sept 22 and 23rd two birds were photographed by Stephen Feng and Luke Crosby off Acadia Beach an adult and a juvenile.

On Sept 24th, the birds were seen by scope from Acadia Beach as it sat on the anchor of the Jiyu Rose tanker.

On Sept 26, the juv was seen flying around English Bay from a boat.

On Sept 27, the juv was viewed from Tower Beach and the adult was sitting on the anchor of the tanker ship Thalia and viewed from Locarno Beach.

On Sept 29, the adult was sitting on the anchor of the tanker ship "Thalia" and viewed from Locarno Beach.

On Sept 30th the adult was viewed on light beacon between Acadia Beach  and Pt. Atkinson.

*On Oct 6th, a Cocos Booby was found HERE in Nanaimo waters off the Duke Point Ferry by Guy Monty.*

This is the 29th and 30th record for BC.

Immature Cocos Booby in Vancouver - Photo: Stephen Fang

Cocos Booby in Vancouver - Photo: Tobin Sparling 

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Victoria - Sept 7th

On Sept 7-2026, Michael McGrenere found a Chestnut-sided Warbler at his private home in Cordova Bay in a mixed warbler flock. He only viewed the bird for 6 seconds and was unable to get a photo but saw it well.

This is the 94th record for BC.

RBA: RED-FOOTED BOOBY in Victoria - Sept 6-Oct 10th

At 2:15pm on September 6-2026, Nathan Hentze found a second cycle dark morph Red-footed Booby sitting on Race Rocks in Victoria. The bird was viewed during a RPBO Tour with Eagle Wings and all observers on board saw the bird.

Race Rocks is only accessible by boat.

Map to location HERE

This is the 2nd record for BC.

The bird continued HERE on Race Rocks on Oct 10th and has been viewed by multiple observers. 

Red-footed Booby in Victoria - Photo: Nathan Hentze

Red-footed Booby in Victoria - Photo: Trenton Schulz-Franco

Red-footed Booby in Victoria - Photo: Trevor Henry

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Sointula - Sept 6th

At 7:45 am on September 6-2026, Gord Curry found a Northern Parula in a birch tree directly across from his house. The bird is located across from #50 1st Street in Sointula, Malcolm Island. The bird is travelling in a mixed warbler flock and viewable from the public road. 

Please do not trespass onto private property and be respectful of private residences.

Map to location HERE

This is the 31st record for BC.

Northern Parula in Sointula on Malcolm Island - Photos: Gord Curry

RBA: COCOS BOOBY in Victoria - Sept 4th

At 8:45 am on September 4-2026, Geoffrey Newell and Trevor Henry found a Cocos Booby on a log off McMicking Point. A scope is required.

Map to location HERE

This is the 28th record for BC.

The bird flew east at 9:35 am and was viewed by multiple observers before departing.

Cocos Booby in Victoria - Photo: Trevor Henry 

Cocos Booby in Victoria (Photo: Geoffrey Newell)

RBA: ELEGANT TERN in Victoria - Sept 2nd

At 8:45 am on September 2-2026, Geoffrey Newell viewed a single Elegant Tern plunge diving and flying east past McMicking Point heading towards Discovery Island. He viewed the bird by scope for 5 mins before it disappeared. 

Map to location HERE

RBA: SCRIPPS’S MURRELETS off Tofino - Aug 31st

On August 31-2026, Blair Dudeck and Jared Clarke et al. found and photographed 2 Scripps’s Murrelets on a pelagic for Eagle Eye Tours offshore from Tofino.

Map to location HERE

This is the 37th record for BC.

RBA: COCOS BOOBY off Delta - August 30th

At 5:05 pm on August 30-2026, Ilya Povalyaev found a Cocos Booby while aboard a BC Ferries vessel on the Duke Point to Tsawwassen route. The bird was seen sitting on the water and then flying west straight off Deltaport. The bird was too distant to be viewed from land and was not seen again when scoping from the terminal.

Map to location HERE

This is the 27th record for BC.

Cocos Booby off Delta - Photos: Ilya Povalyaev

RBA: COCOS BOOBY off Ucluelet - Aug 29th

At 4 pm on Aug 29-2026, A Cocos Booby was viewed and photographed well offshore from Ucluelet by Judy Meredith and Mark Morris aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship.

Map to location HERE

This is the 26th record for BC.

Cocos Booby off Ucluelet - Photos: Mark Morris

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS off Ucluelet - Aug 29th

At 3:20 pm on Aug 29-2026, Simon Thompson found a juvenile Short-tailed Albatross well offshore from Ucluelet while aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship. 

Map to location HERE

Photo to come.

RBA: HAWAIIAN PETRELS Off Vancouver Island - Aug 29th

At 8:50 am on Aug 29, 2026 Simon Thompson had a Hawaiian Petrel off of Winter Harbour on Vancouver Island while riding the Ruby Princess cruise ship. He was not able to get any photos of this bird.

Map to location HERE

At 3:20 pm on Aug 29-2026, Simon Thompson had a second Hawaiian Petrel well offshore from Ucluelet while aboard the same cruise ship. He was able to obtain photos of this bird.

Map to location HERE

Photo to come.

This is the 9th and 10th record for BC.

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS off Tofino - Aug 26

On August 26-2026, Blair Dudeck and Jared Clarke et al. had 2 juvenile Short-tailed Albatross on a pelagic for Eagle Eye Tours offshore from Tofino.

Map to location HERE

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Comox - Aug 25th

At 2:25pm on August 25-2026, Will LaVigne found a Black Phoebe at the Little River Ferry Terminal landing in Comox.

Map to location HERE

This is the 77th record for BC.

Black Phoebe in Comox - Photo: Will LaVigne

RBA: ORCHARD ORIOLE in Port Hardy - Aug 24th

At 9 am on Aug 24-2026, Émile Brisson-Curadeau found an Orchard Oriole at the Port Hardy Airport in Port Hardy.

Map to location HERE

The bird quickly disappeared after viewing and he could not relocate it.

This is the 15th record for BC.

Orchard Oriole in Port Hardy - Photos: Émile Brisson-Curadeau

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Burnaby - Aug 24th

At 9:40 am on Aug 24-2026, Ed Kingma found a Black Phoebe at Piper Spit in Burnaby Lake.

Map to location HERE

The bird did not stick and has not been refound, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 76th record for BC.

Black Phoebe in Burnaby - Photo: Ed Kingma 

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS off Tofino - Aug 21

At 11:40 am on Aug 21-2026, John Forde et al. found and photographed a juvenile Short-tailed Albatross on a pelagic with The Whale Centre off Tofino . 

Map to location HERE

Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Ben Rosnau

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Port Hardy - Aug 19th

At 8:49 am on August 19-2026, Émile Brisson-Curadeau found an immature male Northern Parula in a mixed warbler flock in Port Hardy.

Map to location HERE

This is the 30th record for BC.

The bird continues HERE on August 25th.

Male Northern Parula in Port Hardy - Photos:  Émile Brisson-Curadeau

RBA: 13 ELEGANT TERNS in Sooke - Aug 15

At 9:45 am August 15-2026, Greg Foxman found 13 Elegant Terns on the rocks at Whiffin Spit in Sooke.

Map to location HERE

The birds flew south at 11:30 am and did not return.

Elegant Terns at Whiffin Spit in Sooke - Photo: Greg Foxman

RBA: ELEGANT TERN in Metchosin - Aug 15th

At 10:24 am on August 15-2026, Kiah Jaspaer viewed an Elegant Tern flying east and then west past Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Metchosin. This location is not open to the public and restricted access only.

RBA: ACORN WOODPECKER in Comox - Aug 13th

On August 13, 2026, Freddie Lohnes photographed an Acorn Woodpecker that flew over Point Holmes in Comox.

Map to location HERE

This is the 18th record for BC.

RBA: NAZCA BOOBY carcass on Hope Island - Aug 11th

At 5pm on Aug 11-2026, Andrew Jones found and viewed a Nazca Booby carcass while aboard his boat. The carcass was being consumed by a Bald Eagle on a beach on Hope Island. Hope Island is not open to the public and trespassing is prohibited without permission. Hope Island is 45 km NW of Port Hardy.

Map to location HERE

This is the 6th record for BC.

Nazca Booby carcass with Bald Eagle on Hope Island - Photo: Andrew Jones

RBA: ELEGANT TERN in Ucluelet - Aug 11th

At 7:45 am on Aug 11-2026, Ian Cruickshank and Jan Wijmenga viewed an Elegant Tern flying SW past Amphitrite Point in Ucluelet. They viewed it by scope and were unable to get a photo.

Map to location HERE.

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Saanich - Aug 10th

At 10:30 am on Aug 10-2026, Geoffrey Newell found an Ash-throated Flycatcher at Island View Beach. The bird was north of the washrooms that are north of the parking lot.

Map to location HERE

The bird disappeared and has not been relocated since.

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Saanich (Photos: Geoffrey Newell)

RBA: 16 ELEGANT TERNS in Port Renfrew - Aug 9-15th

At 11:45 am on August 9-2026, Jody Wells found 10 Elegant Terns in Port Renfrew. The birds were on the sandbar at the first bridge river mouth.

Map to location of birds on sandbar HERE

Map to location of where to stand to view birds is HERE

The birds continue as of 6 pm and have been viewed by multiple observers. 

3 birds continue on August 10th and were viewed by multiple observers. 

**On Aug 15-2026, Kevin Slagboom relocated 16 birds at the same spot HERE in Port Renfrew. The birds continue as of 5 pm and have been viewed by multiple observers***

Elegant Terns in Port Renfrew - Photos: Cathy Carlson

RBA: 10 ELEGANT TERNS in Richmond - Aug 8th

At 10 am on Aug 8-2026, Lise Owens found 10 Elegant Terns with Caspian Terns at Iona Regional Park. The birds were on the mudflats off the South Jetty. 

Map pin HERE

The bird flew towards the north jetty at 11: 30 am

The birds were last seen HERE on the north jetty as of 1pm and have been viewed by multiple observers.

The group split up and 5 birds were also seen HERE off the N Jetty viewed by scope from the Old Marine Drive Lookout HERE

2 birds were last seen on Iona Beach in front of the washrooms at 1:40 pm but then flew out towards the south jetty and none have been relocated since. 

The birds have not been relocated on August 9th, thus far, despite multiple observers looking.

Elegant Terns in Richmond - Photos: Ian Burgess

Elegant Terns in Richmond - Photos: Lise Owens