BC FIRST: BLUE GROSBEAK, Metchosin - Aug. 25

A Blue Grosbeak was found the morning of August 25th at Rocky Point, Metchosin, by Ann Nightingale. The bird was seen for several minutes where it perched in the cattails at the edge of a pond after flying in from a grassy field. The bird was calling repeatedly during the several minute observation.

Important note: Rocky Point is on Department of National Defense land. There is no public visitation of this site.

This is the first confirmed photographed record for the province of British Columbia.

Words defy me. Blue Grosbeak, Metchosin. Photo: Ann Nightingale

Additional photos and an audio/visual clip can be seen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/28936564@N08/with/20859677126/

Little Stint in Ladner!

Kevin Louth found a Juvenile Little Stint between 104th and 112th at Boundary Bay at 3:30pm on August 8th. The bird flew in on its own calling and was last seen flying East.

More details will be posted here as they come in.

Apparent LITTLE STINT at Pantage Lake near Quesnel

August 2 - Rod Sargent photographed this small shorebird at Pantage Lake that most agree looks like an adult Little Stint in fading alternate plumage. Pantage Lake (NW of Quesnel in central BC) is continuing to turn up some fantastic birds thanks to regular coverage by Rod and fellow Quesnel birder Adrian Leather. Past highlights from this site include recording 20+ Sharp-tailed Sandpipers at one time, 2 Ruffs, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and presumed nesting Arctic Tern. *Unfortunately, access to the site is very difficult as it is mostly surrounded by private land and the lake is fringed with expansive marshy vegetation so requires several hours of tough kayaking/canoeing even if you know where to go. As far as I know, the bird has not been re-sighted.

Features suggestive of Little Stint include bight orange tones to the face, colour, wing-coverts, and especially the tertials (Red-necked Stints tent to have dull tertials), pale throat, and overall structure. Peep identification, particularly in molt can be a tricky task so please comment if you have reason to believe this is NOT a Little Stint (Photo: Rod Sargent).

White-tailed Kite in Lower Mainland, August 4 and 14

Peter Candido spotted a White-tailed Kite at 9:30 am on August 4th at the Iona Island sewage ponds. The bird was originally located over the SW corner of the SW inner pond, where it was interacting and calling with a juvenile Peregrine Falcon. The bird was last seen flying off as it flew towards the Fraser River. Another observer reportedly heard a bird that sounded like a White-tailed Kite early in the morning of August 5th, but further searches throughout the day could not locate the bird.

On Aug 14th at 12pm, Joshua Brown and his father relocated what they believe to be a White-tailed Kite at Hoskins and Westover Rds (near Lynn Canyon) in North Vancouver (as it flew over them). Josh described what they say: "It had a very noticeabley long, thin tail, and broad, tapered wings. I would say its wingspan was about a metre. The head didn't project far beyond the wings. It looked quite greyish from below. It flew with a couple flaps, then a long glide. It continued that flight pattern the whole time I saw it."

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.