A Stork visits Kelowna - June 9th

Well it may not be a rare bird but it is a special celebration tonight for one of our regional coordinators from The Okanagan. On June 9th, 2016 Chris Charlesworth welcomed his first child into the world in Kelowna. He had a baby boy named Carsen James Charlesworth.

Little Carsen James Charlesworth

Congratulations Chris from all of us at the BC Rare Bird Alert. Thank you to you and all the regional coordinators for all the volunteer work you do here to share sightings to so many in the province.

All the best to you, Cindy and your beautiful new addition to your family.
Melissa

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Richmond - June 9th

On June 9th - 2016, Stuart Mackenzie found a Loggerhead Shrike at 2pm in Richmond.  The bird was found on the airport fence on the North side of Ferguson Rd  across from Shannon Rd en route to Iona Regional Park. It flew North and has not been relocated since 3pm.

Record Cell Photo by Stuart Mackenzie

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Victoria - June 6-7th

At 7:20am on June 6th, 2016 - Patrick Fair found a male Chestnut-sided Warbler in breeding plumage at Swan Lake. The bird was in the tall poplar trees at the south end of the trestle that is on Lochside Trail. Lochside regional trail is located between Saanich Road and Quadra Street. The bird was located about 100m from Saanich Road on the Lochside Regional Trail. The bird was moving too fast for any photos. However, he returned one hour later and the bird was still singing from this location and he got a recording, confirming its identity. The bird was relocated and photographed by multiple observers, at the same location up until 8:00pm.

The bird was relocated on June 7th at 12 noon by David Fraser in the same location in the tall poplars.

The bird has not been relocated since June 7th.

You can listen to the recording Here

This is the 61st record for the province of BC.

Photo: Gordon Hart

RBA: Lark Bunting in Hope - May 30th

On May 30th at 9am Gord Gadsden found a male Lark Bunting at Hope Aiport in Hope. The bird was on the fence by the weather station East of the airport terminal on the right side.

Hope Airport is located at 62720 Airport Rd in Hope.

The bird was not relocated since the initial sighting.

For more info and photos click Here

This is the 36th record for the province of BC.

RBA: FERRUGINOUS HAWK - May 21st

At 1pm on May 21st - 2016, Doug Brown had a Ferruginous Hawk flying over the Kailay Orchards in Osoyoos which is located at 10712 on Hwy 3. No photo was obtained but field marks were viewed with binoculars.

The bird has not been relocated since.

RBA: MURPHY'S PETREL off Vancouver Island - May 13th

On May 13th - 2016, Paul Lehman had a Murphy's Petrel 215 km SW of the Brooks Peninsula. The bird was viewed from the Grand Princess Cruise ship and all field marks were clearly seen. This is Paul's 4th Murphy's Petrel in BC waters and he has extensive experience with the species.

WHITE-FACED IBIS in Victoria - May 20th

At 9am on May 20th - 2016, Geoffrey Newell saw a flock of 7 White-faced Ibis fly SouthWest over Lohbrunner Rd and Lochside Trail in Blenkinsop Valley in Victoria.

The birds have not been relocated since the initial sighting.

TUFTED DUCK in Richmond - May 19th

At 9am on May 19th - 2016, Keith Taylor found a male Tufted Duck in the NW inner pond at Iona Regional Park. To gain access to the inner ponds a gate code is needed. Please contact Jude Grass at judegrass@shaw.ca to obtain the code. The park is located at 945 Ferguson Rd in Richmond and is open from 7am until 9pm.

The bird was last seen at 5pm on May 20th.

Male Tufted Duck - Photo: Keith Taylor

RBA: White-faced Ibis in Cranbrook, May 14th

On May 14th 2016 at 10:30am Dean Nicholson et al. found 2 White-faced Ibis at Reade Lake which is near Cranbrook. The two ibis were seen by two different groups during the local Naturalist Club’s Little Big Day.  Dean's team had 3 people, the second team had 4.
The second group saw the birds later that afternoon. In both cases the birds were across the lake, too far for photos. As the second group watched the birds they took off and flew away from the lake.  The UTM coordinates for Reade Lake and the spot the birds were seen is 583142.39 E  5497184.26 N.

Directions to the lake:

Go up Hwy 95A from Cranbrook to Kimberley, turning right onto Pighin Road.  Go another 3km and then take a right on the Lone Pine Ranch Road.  Go slowly along the road for 1 km and park. The lake is on the right. The ranch is private property and viewing is only from the road. 

These birds have not been relocated since the initial sighting..

RBA: Lesser Goldfinch in Surrey - May 5th

At 5pm on May 5th, 2016 Andrew Foxall found a Male Lesser Goldfinch at his home in Bell Park Estates in South Surrey.

The bird was present at the feeder for 30 mins and has not returned since.

Photo: Andrew Foxall