RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Powell River - June 19-July 1st

At 9:00am on June 19-2018, Neil Hughes found an adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler in Powell River. The bird was viewed by multiple observers at 12:30pm as it sang away in Alders for 90 minutes on the edge of a cutblock. The bird appeared to be singing vigorously on territory.

Directions to bird: Drive up to Haslam Street; follow directions to Haywire Bay/Inland lake. Pass the water treatment building on the right and keep left on Haslam Street, the road will turn into a gravel road (do not turn right on Haslam Lake Road). Follow Haslam street for approx a mile until you cross a small bridge. After the bridge you see a side road to the right, barricaded with big rocks. Park there and follow that road for 1.3 Km. After the second clear cut you will have to find an overgrown road to the left (a large arrow was left on the road to point it out). Follow the overgrown trail for 150 meters until you reach the clearcut. The bird is singing in the alder trees on your right at the border of the cut.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

This is the second Chestnut-sided Warbler in the province, as another one was found on Malcolm Island on the same date. You can read about that bird HERE.

This is the 67th record for the province of BC.

The bird continues in the same location on July 1st and the spot is marked by a large arrow.

Please be bear and cougar aware in this area.*

Male Chestnut-sided Warbler in Powell River - Photos: Iwan Van Veen

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Chilliwack - June 11- July 15th

At 11;:30am on June 11-2018, a Black Phoebe was found by Kevin Cherry at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in Chilliwack. The bird was hawking insects from a bush by the east side of the bridge over the pond near the nature house building. It would also hawk insects from the interpretive sign by the nature house. He was able to photograph the bird on June 13th and it was viewed by multiple observers. The bird appears to be carrying nesting material under the bridge.

Map to location of bird HERE

The Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is located at 5100 Sumas Prairie Rd in Chilliwack.

The bird continues in the same location on July 15th.

This is the 24th record for the province of BC.

Black Phoebe with nesting material in Chilliwack - Photos: Bill Thomas

RBA: HERMIT WARBLER in Courtenay - June 11-July 17th

At 12pm on June 11th-2018, Lori Smith found what appears to be a pure male Hermit Warbler on Mt. Washington. She returned to the same spot at 6pm and the bird was still present. A video she made of the bird can be viewed below:

Directions to the bird: Take the turn off to Mt. Washington from Hwy 19, zero your odometer and stay on the road for 15 km. Just right before the 15km mark is a small pond on the left side. Then from here turn right on the gravel road (across from the pond) that has power lines running along it, and travel down it for 100 feet and the bird is singing in the alders.

Map to location HERE

The bird continues in the same location as of July 17th.

Male Hermit Warbler near Courtenay - Photos: Lori Smith

RBA: COMMON CUCKOO in Tlell - June 10-15th

On June 10th, 2018 Michael Richardson found a Common Cuckoo at farm on Hwy 16 in Tlell on Graham Island in Haida Gwaii.The bird is feeding in his farm pasture with the cattle. A recording of the bird was obtained identifying it to species.

The bird continues in the same location on June 15th.

This is the first record for the province of BC and the second record for Canada and the 4th record south of Alaska.

The home will be open to the public on Saturday by appointment. Please contact the RBA for viewing access.

The bird was not seen on June 16th.

Common Cuckoo in Haida Gwaii - Photo: Mary Helmer

Common Cuckoo in Tlell - Photo: Michael Richardson

RBA: CRESTED CARACARA near Bella Coola - May 31-June 12th

On May 31-2018, Catherine Carter found a sub-adult Crested Caracara feeding in the pasture of a private farm on Hammer Rd at Canoe Crossing in Firvale, which is 35 km from the city of Bella Coola. The bird is viewable to the public but only from Hammer Rd.

Please DO NOT TRESPASS onto the farm property and STAY ON THE PUBLIC RD ONLY. Please be respectful of traffic and residents and do not block the road or driveways.

Map to exact location HERE

The bird was last present on June 12th.

The bird was not seen on June 13th.

This is the 5th record for BC.

Sub-adult Crested Caracara in Firvale - Photo: Melissa Hafting

Crested Caracara near Bella Coola - Photo: Michael Wigle

RBA: SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER in Nelson - May 28th

At 7:30 am on May 28-2018, Julia Cedar found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on the lake side of the airport fence in Nelson. The bird was relocated by Max Gotz and Craig Sandvig at 11:45 am on power lines near the Regional school district buildings and the U-Haul trailer storage building. It then flew over the airport terminal building and landed on the power lines behind the city works yard. They last saw it in a cottonwood there and Sarah York relocated it there at 2 pm.

A map to the last location the bird was seen is HERE

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

The bird was not relocated on May 29th.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Nelson - Photo: Craig Sandvig/Macaulay Library

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Victoria - May 28th

At 8:30am on May 28-2018, David Fraser saw 13 White-faced Ibises flying southwest over the corner of Blanshard St and Tolmie Ave. in Victoria. He was unable to get a photo but did sketch the birds. 

This is the 46th record for the province of BC.

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Nakusp - May 27th

At 8:30am on May 27-2018, Gary Davidson et al. found a singing Northern Parula at the east end of the Nakusp and Slocan Railway Trail (accessed from Hwy 6) that leads to Summit Lake in Nakusp.

Map to exact location HERE.

They viewed the bird for 10 mins and left it singing there.

Directions: Hwy 6 crosses Bonanza Creek at the spot where Summit Rd meets the highway. There is a parking area on the south side of the highway here. Then walk along the marked Nakusp and Slocan Railway Trail. 

Note that the trail is flooded in places at the moment, wear boots. 

This is the 19th record for the province of BC.

Northern Parula in Nakusp - Photo: Gary Davidson

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Creston - May 26-27th

At 7:30am Paul Prappas et al. found a single breeding plumaged White-faced Ibis at the Speers Rd Pond in Creston. They were able to obtain a record shot in the harsh light. For anyone visiting please be aware this pond is shrinking in size and may be dry by the end of the week.

The bird continues in the same location as of May 27th.

Map to exact location HERE

This is the 45th record for the province of BC.

White-faced Ibis in Creston - Photo: Paul Prappas

RBA: COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD in Powell River - May 23-25th

On May 23-2018, Sara Brown found a male Costa's Hummingbird at her home on Skeena St. It came back each day including May 25th. The home may be open to the public if the bird returns at which time I will post the address.

From Sept 7, 2017-March 16, 2018 a male Costa's Hummingbird was visiting the home of Ken and Kathleen Pritchard just 20 mins away. You can read about that sighting HERE. In all probability this is the same bird but there is no way to tell for sure.

The bird has not returned since May 25th.

This is the 29th record for BC.

Male Costa's Hummingbird in Powell River - Photo: Sara Brown