Whooping Crane(s) summering in BC?

On June 14 two Whooping Cranes were seen flying north near Fintry (west side of Okanagan Lake) (P. Blokker). A second late-report of a single Whooping Crane just came in, this time from Scout Island at Williams Lake. On the evening of July 23rd a single Whooping Crane was observed flying out of the marsh and heading southeast, potentially to some roost site (J. Heal). 

These two sight-records and the time of year allude to possible summering of Whooping Cranes in the province. Such an event is not unprecedented, with two Whooping Cranes having spent June 30th to August 28th, 2003 being seen sporadically between Prince George and McBride. 

CRESTED CARACARA in Nanaimo

Just before 8am on July 20th, Graham Ford photographed a Crested Caracara preening along the North Nanaimo Shore (Just west of Entwhistle Drive, off Hammond Bay Rd).  The bird was last seen flying off to the south.  The same bird may have been seen flying past Neck Point (Just west of Piper's Lagoon) on July 16th. Updates and any further sightings would be appreciated.

Update: The report of the bird being seen around noon at Piper's Lagoon on the 20th was apparently in error. The first and last verified sighting was around 8 am on July 20th.

Photo: Graham Ford

MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD Relocated in Lillooet - July 10-11th

There have been no sightings of the hummingbird since July 11th.

On July 10th and 11th the Magnificent Hummingbird frequented a private residence in the Lillooet area. Currently no public viewing opportunities exist.

In this series of photos the huge size of the Magnificent Hummingbird is clearly visible compared to the regulars below. Photos copyright: Annessa Terry

DICKCISSEL near Revelstoke, July 11th.

A female/immature-type Dickcissel was found at Montana Slough, south of Revelstoke, on July 11 by Devon Anderson. The bird was seen and heard, and a recording of the call was obtained.

This is the 25th record for the province of BC.

RBA: July 7 - Lesser Black-backed Gull in Salmon Arm!

On July 7th, Allan and Reba Dupilka found a 3rd year Lesser Black-backed Gull in Salmon Arm, representing what is likely the first July record for BC.

The bird was located at Shuswap Lake near the pillings which are west of the wharf at Salmon Arm Bay. The gull was flocking with Ring-billed Gulls.

Lesser Black-backed Gull in Salmon Arm - Photo: Allan Dupilka

MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD north of Kamloops - July 4th

July 4--This apparent adult male Magnificent Hummingbird was photographed at a private residence in the Bridge Lake area north of Kamloops, BC. If accepted, this would constitute the first record for British Columbia, a first for Canada(as far as I can tell), and the most northerly record of the species in the World (Mags regularly only occur as far north as Arizona and New Mexico).
Apparently it has not been seen since the first day. For the time being, the homeowners have requested to keep the exact location private.
If the status changes, I will update this post.

RBA: May 28 - FERRUGINOUS HAWKS in Kelowna and Knutsford!

On May 28th, Ten Birders on a BCFO field trip found a Light morph adult Ferruginous Hawk at 8:30 am on Beaver Lake Road in Kelowna.

The bird was flying North at Kilometer 2 just before the log yard on the East side of the road.

The bird was reported by Logan Lalonde, one of the co-leaders with Don Wilson of the BCFO - Kelowna field trip.

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*Late report RBA:  An adult Light morph Ferruginous Hawk was also seen on May 16th by Rick Toochin. The bird was flying North over Separation Lake in Knutsford,  alongside a Light morph Rough-legged Hawk and a Swainson's Hawk.

A Roughie and a Ferruginous in this area, at this time of year, are both fantastic birds!

It is great to hear about both these BC Ferruginous Hawk sightings, in the month of May!

Loggerhead Shrike May 26th Hope Airport

Another Loggerhead Shrike was found by Gord Gadsden at Hope Airport. For more details click here

RBA: May 24 - LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Revelstoke

Catherine Craig found a single Loggerhead Shrike at 6:15 am on the grassy flats south of Machete Island in Revelstoke near the Airport on May 24th!!

This is the third Loggerhead Shrike for that exact location in 6 years!

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Kootenay National Park, May 21

A Brown Thrasher was observed and photographed in the Kootenay River Day Use Area at Kootenay National Park north of Radium at 8 AM on May 21 (Frank Chappell, et al) and was not seen since.

This is the 37th record for the province of BC.

Brown Thrasher. Kootenay National Park. May 21 (Frank Chappell).