RBA: HAWAIIAN PETREL off Cape Scott, Vancouver Island - Sept 18th (Late Report)

At 9:05 am on Sept 18-2022, Mark Wynja and Mike Toochin spotted a Hawaiian Petrel 34 nautical miles WSW of Cape Scott, while aboard the MS. Eurodam Holland America cruise ship. The bird was travelling north parallel to the ship, allowing for good looks by scope, for several minutes, before flying off west. Other observers on board were able to get on the bird as well but it was too distant for photos. Mike Toochin has extensive experience with this species, having seen several in North America.

Map to location of bird HERE

This is the 6th record for BC.

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Harrison Hot Springs - Sept 22nd

At 9:50am on Sept 22, 2022 Gord Gadsden found and photographed an immature/female-type Chestnut-sided Warbler at East Sector Lands Park in Harrison Hot Springs.

The bird was along the gravel part of McPherson Rd at the east end of East Sector Park.

Map to location HERE

This is the 86th record for BC.

RBA: LARK BUNTING in Victoria - Sept 20th

At 6:25pm on Sept 20-2022, Marie O’Shaughnessy found a Lark Bunting feeding on the ground in the enclosed fenced plant restoration area with Savannah Sparrows at Cattle Point. After watching it for 20 mins she last saw it fly towards the boat launch.

*After reviewing photos Gordon Hart noticed he photographed the bird at 10:30am on the rocky area by the boat ramp HERE as did Martha Keller at 12:50pm*

This is the 40th record for BC.

Map to first location HERE

*The bird was not relocated on Sept 21st, despite multiple observers looking.*

Lark Bunting in Victoria - Photos: Marie O’Shaughnessy

RBA: CURLEW SANDPIPER in Delta - Sept 2-7th

At 1:30pm on Sept 2-2022, Melissa Hafting found a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Boundary Bay.

The bird was halfway between 104-112th St. feeding in the seaweed with Baird’s Sandpipers close to the dyke.

Map to location HERE

This is the 17th record for BC.

The bird was last seen at 5:45pm on Sept 2nd and was viewed by multiple observers before being flushed by a Peregrine Falcon. It was last seen flying towards 112th St. where it was not relocated.

The bird was not found on Sept 3.

At 2:35pm on Sept 4th, the bird was relocated by Melissa Hafting HERE and was also seen HERE between 104-112th St.

The bird was last seen in the same location at 5:45pm on Sept 4th and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was last seen on Sept 7th in the same general location as previous reports (between 104-112th St) and has been viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not seen on Sept 8th or 9th, despite multiple observers looking.

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: Dave Beeke

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: Melissa Hafting

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Ucluelet - Aug 27th

At 2:15pm on August 27-2022, Bruce Di Labio and Paul Lagasi found and photographed a Northern Parula foraging in mixed coniferous/deciduous trees on Helen Rd, near the gate by the Hyphocus Inn.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been relocated as of 2:30pm on Aug 27th, despite multiple observers looking on Aug 27th and 28th.

This is the 23rd record for BC.

Northern Parula in Ucluelet - Photos: Bruce Di Labio

RBA: EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL in Sechelt - Aug 15th

At 2:45pm on Aug 15-2022 John Hodges found and photographed an Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Wilson Creek Estuary in Sechelt.

The bird was observed for the next 3 hours by multiple observers. 

The bird moved all around the estuary but a map pin to the first location on the beach where it was foraging is HERE

This is the 5th record for BC.

The bird has not been relocated on August 16th, despite multiple observers looking.

A video of the bird foraging at low tide on the mudflats taken by Mari Petznek can be viewed below:

Eastern Yellow Wagtail in Sechelt - Photo: John Hodges

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Saanich - Aug 11-Sept 6th

At 8:15am on Aug 11-2022, Mike McGrenere found a Brown Thrasher foraging on the ground in the yard to the west of the intersection of Lohbrunner Rd E and Lochside Regional Trail. At 10 am it was observed by several observers further up along the driveway as the homeowner has allowed birders to enter.

Map to location HERE

*The bird was last seen on Sept 6th and has been viewed by multiple observers.*

Please be respectful of private property and do not block the driveway with cars. 

PLEASE DO NOT WALK UP THE DRIVEWAY TO VIEW THE BIRD. VIEW THE BIRD FROM THE PUBLIC ROAD WHERE THE DRIVEWAY MEETS.

This is the 44th record for BC.

Brown Thrasher in Saanich - Photo: Evan Larson

Brown Thrasher in Saanich - Photo: Les Peterson

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Richmond - July 29th

At 10 am on July 29-2022, Craig Huish found a juvenile Black Phoebe sitting on the south jetty (on the north side) at marker 75 at Iona Regional Park in Richmond.

Map to approximate location HERE

The bird has not been relocated since.

This is the 36th record for BC as a Black Phoebe was photographed at Cheam Wetlands on July 24th-2022 in Rosedale.

Black Phoebe in Richmond - Photo: Craig Huish

RBA: NAZCA BOOBY in Victoria - July 23-24th

At 6:22pm on July 23-2022, Tasli Shaw found a Nazca Booby off Victoria while driving a whale watching vessel for Ocean Ecoadventures. The bird seems to be the same bird photographed in Seattle, WA on July 20th due to the distinctive plumage since it is a subadult. Tasli watched the Nazca Booby circling and sitting on the water at the south end of Trial Island for 8 minutes before she saw it fly SE at a rapid pace. She followed it as it flew SE for 5 mins until it was out of sight. She was able to obtain video documentation and photographs of the bird as well.

Map to location of where she saw the Nazca Booby HERE

At 4:12pm the Nazca Booby was relocated by Orion Giles and was photographed sitting on a log HERE off Race Rocks. It is not viewable from land and a boat is required to access this spot.

At 7:06pm the bird was photographed sitting on a log HERE by another whale watching captain Matt Stolmeier. This location is 4 nautical miles from the original observation. 

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

This is the 3rd confirmed record for BC.

Nazca Booby in Victoria - Photos: Matt Stolmeier

Video by Tasli Shaw:

RBA: LITTLE GULL in Newgate - July 18th

At 12:30 pm pm July 18-2022, Michael Bentley and Neal Hutchinson found a Little Gull in Newgate near the Montana border. The gull was resting on an island on Gold Bay on Lake Koocanusa. They viewed the bird until 1:40pm when they left.

The bird was not relocated on July 20th.

Map to location HERE

This is the 101st record for BC and therefore will no longer will be reported on the main page going forward. It is the 1st record for the East Kootenays.

Little Gull in Newgate - Photos: Neal Hutchinson