RBA: COMMON POCHARD in Parksville -March 23-Feb 16th

*On March 23-2020, Warren Cronan photographed a Female Common Pochard at Morningstar Golf Course in Parksville, this was not discovered until Dec 4, 2023.*

At 11 am on December 23-2020, Mike Yip found a female Common Pochard at Morningstar Golf Course in Parksville. The bird was in the main pond off Morningstar Drive. 

Map to exact location HERE

The bird was viewed until 4:30pm by multiple observers.

This is the first record for BC and first accepted record for Canada. The legs on this bird were unbanded.

This follows a recent record of a male in November, 2020 in Victoria.

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

On Feb 11-2021, John Purves relocated the female Common Pochard at the same location and multiple observers saw the bird.

**The bird was last seen in the same location on Feb 16th, but was not relocated on Feb 17th**

*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*

***There is a public health order effective now until Feb 6, 2021 restricting non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. It also requires you to limit those you gather with to your core bubble. You can read it HERE***

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

Common Pochard in Parksville - Photos: Mike Yip

RBA: Probable ARCTIC LOON in Sechelt - Dec 24-25th

At 10:45 am on Dec 24-2020, Rand Rudland found a probable Arctic Loon off Wakefield Beach in Sechelt. The bird was loosely associating with 40 Pacific Loons. The bird was two thirds the way out between the beach and the north end of Trail Islands. He viewed the bird by bins and then by scope and noticed it did not have a chin strap. He also noticed the white flank patch. The bird never preened or dove for 15 mins straight, as it rested calmly on the water.

On Dec 25th, he returned and refound the bird in the same location but viewed it this time from the nearby beach access off Lewarne Lane. The white flanks were apparent as he watched the bird for 20 mins (it was not preening or diving) and he still did could not see a chin strap.

Photos obtained are suggestive of Arctic Loon but do not show conclusively that there is no chin strap.

Map to location of where to scope the bird from is HERE and the bird was swimming HERE

If confirmed this is the 4th photographed 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*

***There is a public health order effective now until Feb 6, 2021 restricting non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. It also requires you to limit those you gather with to your core bubble. You can read it HERE***

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

Probable Arctic Loon in Sechelt - Photos: Rand Rudland

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Saanich - Dec 1/20-Feb 28/21

At 10am on Dec 1-2020, Mike McGrenere found a Black Phoebe perched in the branches over the small pond on Welch Rd south of Livesay Rd in Saanich. He was able to obtain record shots of the bird.

Map to location of bird HERE

This is the 32nd record for BC.

The bird was still present as of Feb 28/2021 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*

***There is a public health order now in effect restricting non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. It also requires you to limit those you gather with to your core bubble. You can read it HERE***

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

Black Phoebe in Saanich - Photo: Liam Singh

RBA: ARCTIC LOON in Qualicum Beach - Nov 25-28th

At 9 am on Nov 25-2020, Guy Monty found an immature Arctic Loon off Little Qualicum Estuary. The bird was seen in good light via spotting scope 250 m off shore in a flock of Pacific Loons. The flock was unfortunately flushed by Bald Eagles and the bird was last seen flying further into the straight, 4km off shore with Pacific Loons. Guy was able to obtain photos but due to distance they are not conclusive but suggestive. His worded description is consistent with Arctic Loon and the observer is careful and proficient. 

Map to exact location where bird was seen HERE

This is the 3rd photographed record for BC.

The bird was relocated in the same location on Nov 28th but still was too distant for conclusive photos. Mark Wynja and other birders present noted that the bird showed prominent white sides to its flanks at all times, while viewing it, as it swam leisurely.

**The bird was not relocated on Nov 29th, 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*

***There is a public health order effective now until Feb 6, 2021 restricting non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. It also requires you to limit those you gather with to your core bubble. You can read it HERE***

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

RBA: DICKCISSEL in Saanich - Nov 25th

At 8 am on Nov 25-2020, Chris Saunders heard a Dickcissel call 8 times. He was able to record it as the bird flew over him as it headed towards Nelthorpe Rd. He was standing on the Aspen Loop Trail near Tuesday Pond when he heard the bird.

Map to location of where bird was last heard is HERE 

Birders should look all around Swan Lake for this bird in sparrow flocks and also watch the feeders at the nature house.

A recording of the bird can be heard HERE

This is the 28th record for BC.

The bird has not been relocated on Nov 26th, 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*

***There is a public health order effective now until Feb 6, 2021 restricting non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. It also requires you to limit those you gather with to your core bubble. You can read it HERE***

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

RBA: COMMON POCHARD in Victoria - Nov 8-27th

At 11 am on Nov 14-2020, Jody Wells found a male Common Pochard at Summit Park Reservoir in Victoria. The bird seemed to be loosely associating with Ring-necked Ducks. The bird was first photographed unknowingly on Nov 8th by Les Peterson.

Map to location HERE

Both legs of this bird are unbanded. This is the 2nd record for British Columbia.

The bird was last seen in the same location on Nov 27th and was viewed by multiple observers. 

*The bird was not seen on Nov 28th, despite multiple observers looking.*

A news story on the bird can be viewed HERE

*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*

***There is a public health order effective now until Feb 6, 2021 restricting non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. It also requires you to limit those you gather with to your core bubble. You can read it HERE***

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

Common Potchard Drake in Victoria - Photo: Keith Taylor

Common Pochard Drake in Victoria - Photos: Jody Wells

RBA: TUFTED DUCK in Duncan - Nov 8/20-March 22/21

At 10:40 am on November 8-2020 during a Coastal Waterbird Survery, Gerard Duncan found a male Tufted Duck at the sewage lagoons in Duncan. There is no public access inside the lagoons but birders can view the bird through the fence from the elevated trail off Wharncliffe Rd that gives a good view over most of the sewage lagoon.

Map to location HERE

On Jan 1, 2021 was seen at the Herd Rd Fields HERE. 

On March 22, 2021 the bird continued in the original location at the sewage lagoons and was 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*

***There is a public health order effective now until Feb 6, 2021 restricting non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. It also requires you to limit those you gather with to your core bubble. You can read it HERE***

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

Tufted Duck in Duncan - Photo: Mark Wynja 

RBA: PRAIRIE WARBLER in Vernon - Oct 27-Nov 26th

On Oct 27-2020 Glen Goerzen saw a warbler in a mixed flock that he initially thought was a Cape May Warbler at Polson Park in Vernon. At 3:50pm on Oct 29-2020, Scott Thomson was able to relocate the bird and obtain some photographs and the bird was immediately identified as a immature male Prairie Warbler. The bird has been frequenting the south end of Polson Park in willows on both sides of the boardwalk along Polson Park Trail. It has also been seen in shrubs near to the boardwalk where the paved path becomes the boardwalk.

Map to location of where bird was first seen HERE

The bird was seen HERE on Oct 30th.

On Oct 31st the bird was last seen HERE and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on Nov 1, 2020 despite multiple observers looking.

The bird was relocated by Don Cecile on Nov 8, 2020

**The bird was last seen in the same location on Nov 26th and has been viewed by multiple observers. However it has not been relocated since despite multiple observers looking**

This is the 5th photographed 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**

Male Prairie Warbler in Vernon - Photos: Michael Force 

RBA: RED-BACKED SHRIKE in Powell River - Oct 22-30th

At 1:15 pm on Oct 22-2020, Iwan Van Veen found an ABA CODE 5 Red-backed Shrike on Fernwood Ave in Powell River. The bird was hunting from the powerlines and nearby Blackberry bushes. It would also dive into the Blackberry bushes. He initially dismissed it as a Northern Shrike but something bugged him about it.

He returned at 12pm on Oct 23rd and found it again in the same location and was able to take a photo. The bird was initially thought to be most likely a Brown Shrike but Red-tailed, Isabelline and Red-backed were difficult to rule out with the one single lower quality photo provided.

Multiple observers have seen the bird as of 5:15pm and better photos obtained. 

Several features on new photographs were suggestive of Red-backed Shrike. Photos were sent to experts. Experts weighed in and the consensus is 1st year male Red-backed Shrike. Hybridism is a concern but nothing has been shown to be inconsistent in that regard.

Map to location HERE

On Oct 24th, the bird was seen hunting in the vacant lot HERE on Fernwood Ave and was viewed by multiple observers.

On Oct 25-30th - The bird was last seen in a yard HERE on Fernwood Ave and has been viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not seen on Oct 31st or Nov 1st, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 1st record for BC and Canada and 2nd record for the ABA.

A news article about the Red-backed Shrike can be found HERE

**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**

Red-backed Shrike in Powell River - Photos: John Gordon

Red-backed Shrike in Powell River - Photos: Iwan Van Veen

RBA: LITTLE BLUE HERON in Popkum - Oct 24th

On Oct 24th-2020, Andrea Chapman photographed an immature Little Blue Heron on private property in Popkum. 

A photo of the bird can be viewed HERE

The property is NOT open to the public.

This is the 4th record for BC.