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 

RBA: CURLEW SANDPIPER in Delta - Aug 28th

At 3pm on Aug 28-2020, John Reynolds photographed a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at the foot of 96th St at Boundary Bay in Delta. The bird was travelling in a flock of 1500 Western Sandpipers.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been relocated.

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.**

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: John Reynolds 

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Delta - Aug 29-Oct 19th

At 7:45pm on August 29, 2020, Liz and Alan Stewart found and photographed a juvenile Black Phoebe hawking insects off a pipe at the pond at the mansion east of 64th St at Boundary Bay in Delta.

Map to location HERE

The bird was last seen in the same location on Oct 19th and has been viewed by multiple observers. 

This is the 30th 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.**

Black Phoebe in Delta - Photos: Sabine Decamp

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Jordan River - August 29th

At 10:30am on August 29-2020, Michael Bentley found a Northern Parula travelling in a loose warbler flock in Jordan River. Although he was not able to get a photo, he saw the bird at close range and it was well described. He said “...clear and close range view of a warbler with blue on the wings and upperparts and two white wingbars. The throat and breast were a clear yellow. The belly was white.” The observer also has experience with this species from living in Ontario.

Directions to the bird: It was seen 70 m along the gravel road beyond the metal gate just before the bridge near a fire ring and garbage heap.

Map to location HERE

*The bird was not relocated despite observers looking.*

This is the 22nd 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.**

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Coquitlam - Aug 25th

At 8am on August 25-2020, Colin Clasen found and photographed an Ash-throated Flycatcher in Coquitlam. The bird was located in elderberry bushes halfway between the west end of Pumphouse Trail and the green pumphouse on Wilson Farm Dyke Trail.

Map to location HERE

The bird was seen by one person in the same location at 7:30pm on August 25th but hasn’t been relocated since 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.**

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Coquitlam - August 11th

At 3pm on August 11-2020, Bob Moore and Moose Stoffregen found an immature male Chestnut-sided Warbler at Colony Farm. The bird is in bushes on the Sheep Paddocks Loop Trail right before the new large landscaped pond.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been relocated thus far, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 78th 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 Coquitlam - Photo: Bob Moore

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Coquitlam - Photo: Moose Stoffregen

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Revelstoke - July 30-Aug 7th

At 10:55 am on July 30th-2020, Darlene Cancelliere found and photographed a male Indigo Bunting at 9 Mile Point in Revelstoke. The bird was sitting on a fence post at the big field at the entrance to 9 Mile Point. The water level is very high so vehicles cannot drive in far.

Map to location HERE

The bird continues in the same location on August 7th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

*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 Revelstoke - Photos: Darlene Cancelliere

RBA: WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Tofino - July 26-28th

On July 26-2020, Eileen Floody found a White-winged Dove coming to a feeder in her backyard at her home on First Street between Neill St. and Arnett Rd.

The homeowner is allowing local Tofino birders to come visit but not outsiders due to COVID-19. If you live locally please contact the RBA and I will put you and the homeowner in touch. Outside travel to Tofino to attempt to view this dove is discouraged.

The bird was last seen in the same location on July 28th. It was not relocated on July 29th.

This is the 22nd record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when attempting to view 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-winged Dove in Tofino - Photos: Eileen Floody

RBA: FERRUGINOUS HAWK in Kelowna - July 25th

At 11:30am on July 25-2020, Nick Swan found and photographed a juvenile Ferruginous Hawk soaring over the entrance road to Johns Family Regional Park in Kelowna. The bird also perched on a tree for many observers and has been present in the area for over 45 mins as it actively hunts.

Map to location of perched bird HERE

The bird was still present in this location as of 12:45pm. The bird flew south at 1 pm and has not been relocated.

*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.**

Ferruginous Hawk in Kelowna - Photos: Nick Swan

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Darfield - July 21-23rd

At 7:30 am on July 21-2020, Jacob Bailey and Valentina Sorrento found a male Indigo Bunting singing from a grassy area off Hwy 5 in Darfield.

The bird was last present on July 23-2020 and viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated since despite multiple observers looking.

Map to location HERE

**Please be mindful of pipeline construction in the area and do not approach work areas. Please bird well off the road and be mindful of large trucks and vehicles.**

*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 Darfield - Photo: Jacob Bailey