June 29 - McCown's Longspur on Becher's Prairie, Chilcotin

Found in the area where Sprague's Pipit have nested previously, a male McCown's Longspur has been seen well and photographed by Phil Ranson and Sandy Proulx on private land on Becher's Prairie, west of Williams Lake. This is a species which historically may have bred in the lower mainland but it's occurrence in BC is represented by fewer than half a dozen records. If the bird is found again and is more accessible, details will be posted here.

McCown's Longspur at Becher's Prairie, Chilcotin, 29 June 2014 (photo: Sandy Proulx)

June 18--Ferruginous Hawk near Kamloops

On June 18, a group of birders taking part in an extension fieldtrip from the BCFO conference in Pemberton, spotted a Ferruginous Hawk on a private ranch in Knutsford, BC (SE of Kamloops). If the bird is seen again, look for updates here. (Fide Rick Howie et al.)

Western Scrub-Jays nesting in Maple Ridge, BC

John Gordon recently captured this image of an adult Western Scrub-Jay feeding recently fledged young along 119th Ave in Maple Ridge. There has been a 1-2 adults in this area for around 5 years but this is perhaps the first confirmed successful nesting-attempt in British Columbia/Canada (apparently this pair's nest failed last year). There are 2 fledglings according to John Gordon. 

June 14-15: Ash-throated Flycatcher in Jordan River

Victoria's weekly Saturday birding group turned up a great bird on June 14--Ash-throated Flycatcher! It was in the alders along Jordan River in the village of Jordan River--this is west of Sooke on Vancouver Island. It was still in the area on Sunday, June 15.

Photo--Aziza Cooper

Calvert Island -NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD

Last year around this time a Brown Thrasher was found at the Hakai Beach Institute on Calvert Island (BC Mid-Coast--in between Bella Bella and Port Hardy), and now Brian Starzomski reports that a Northern Mockingbird was present at the exact same compost heap (June 14), and a Gray Catbird was also around for several days before that in the same area (photos shown). Northern Mockingbirds are rare but annual in BC, while Gray Catbird is common within its interior breeding range however it is very rare on the outer coast!

June 12--Chestnut-sided Warbler in Gibsons

John Hodges found this Chestnut-sided Warbler at Gospel Rock near Gibsons, BC. This is the 3rd record for the Sunshine Coast. This bird was singing regularly--similar to most of the early summer records for SW BC--males that overshoot then set up territory so this bird might stick around! (Photo: Marcia Mason)
This is the 59th record for the province of BC.

June 2-3: SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER near Cape Scott, Vancouver Island

From Tom Maxie:

"I spotted a Scissor-Tailed flycatcher at Lowrie Bay near Sea Otter Cove on the west coast of Vancouver Island near San Joseph Bay June 2nd and again on the 3rd at the following coordinates 50 degrees 41.60' N X 128 degrees 22.09' W. The bird, apparently on its own, was quite contentedly perched and hunting both days I was there and I am confident it is likely still there."

*This area is accessible by logging roads in NW Vancouver Island--a backroads map and pre-trip research would be strongly advised.

June 3-6--SNOWY EGRET in Kelowna

Matthias Deter found this SNOWY EGRET at Robert Lake around 740pm on June 3rd. Apparently it came in from the east, moved around the lake a bit, then was last seen flying north toward Alki Lake/Glenmore Landfill.

Harvey Chapple managed this image (cropped obviously) before it flew north.

*June 6 UPDATE: Still present as of 9am June 6 (Stu Weir)---Robert Lake

June 2-3--Lesser Goldfinch in Princeton

Amanda Lahaie photographed this male Lesser Goldfinch at her house in Princeton. This is roughly the 14th BC record and the 3rd record for the little town of Princeton!

Visitors are welcome: Contact: "Amanda" <amlahaie@gmail.com>

HAWAIIAN PETREL NEAR TOFINO

Some great seabirding yet again from Paul Lehman, scanning the Pacific waters off the west coast from the comfort of cruise ship(s)....

May 25:

WASHINGTON/BRITISH COLUMBIA
Laysan Albatross:  263 km WSW of La Push  (47.168-169, 127.950-948)
Murphy's Petrel (photo'd):  261 km WSW of La Push or 260 km SW of 
Tofino  (47.226-228, 127.970-971)

BRITISH COLUMBIA
Hawaiian Petrel:  242 km SW of Tofino  (47.503, 128.099)

On 26 May, we had:

BRITISH COLUMBIA2 Horned Puffins:  96 km SW of w. end Vancouver Is.  (50.033, 129.302)