RBA: SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER in Tofino - June 11th

At 8 am on June 11th, 2016, Mike Wesbrook found a Male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on driftwood and hawking insects at Chesterman Beach in Tofino. The bird was observed for 15 minutes as it repeatedly got mobbed by crows as it moved north down the beach.  

The bird has not been relocated since.


Chesterman Beach is located at 1377 Chesterman Beach Rd in Tofino.

RBA: Ash-throated Flycatcher in Victoria, June 10th

On June 10th at 8am Mike McGrenere found an Ash-throated Flycatcher. He took photos and a recording. The bird was in the low Garry Oaks below the concrete viewing platform by the upper parking lot at Mount Douglas Park in Victoria.

The bird has not been relocated since this initial sighting.

You can listen to a recording of the bird HERE.

Mount Douglas Park is located at 4500 Cedar Hill Rd in Victoria.

Photo: Mike McGrenere

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