Tuesday, October 1, 2019

RBA: BROWN SHRIKE in Metchosin - Oct 1-3rd

At 7:45am on Oct 1-2019, a hatch year Brown Shrike (ABA Code 4) was banded by David Bell at Rocky Point Bird Observatory.

The bird was last seen in the same location on October 3rd.

There is no public access at this site.

***The Rocky Point site is located in a secure area on Department of National Defence Lands. Only registered volunteers who have been cleared by the Department of Defense are permitted to access the site. ***

This is the 1st record for BC and 2nd for Canada.


Brown Shrike in Metchosin - Photos: David BellP
The Brown Shrike has been hanging around since its release - Photo: Joachim Bertrands 

Sunday, September 29, 2019

RBA: BROWN BOOBY in Richmond - Sept 21-Oct 5th

At 8:30 am on Sept 29-2019 an adult female Brown Booby was photographed by Rick Zapf off the tip of the south jetty at Iona in Richmond.

The bird was first reported by Dan Pontalti and Grant Edwards on Sept 21-2019 but was never photographed. This is most likely the same bird.

Map to location HERE

This is the 18th record for the province of BC.

***The bird was last seen off the tip of the south jetty on Oct 5th. ***

*A scope or boat is required for this location. The best time to look for this bird is before 11am*

Brown Booby in Richmond (Oct 1, 2019) - Photos: Melissa Hafting
Brown Booby in Richmond (Oct 2, 2019)  - Photo: Kathryn Taylor

Friday, September 27, 2019

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Metchosin - Sept 27th

At 9am on Sept 27-2019, a hatch year Chestnut-sided Warbler was banded at Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Metchosin.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Metchosin - Photo: David Bell

This location is not open to the public.

This is the 76th record for BC.

RBA: 2 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS in Tofino - Sept 26th

At 1:30pm on Sept 26th-2019, Ian Maton and his wife found 2 Ash-throated Flycatchers between access points 2 and 4 on Long Beach. At least one bird was photographed.

Map to location HERE

1 of 2 Ash-throated Flycatchers in Tofino - Photos: Ian Maton


Wednesday, September 25, 2019

RBA: SUMMER TANAGER in Fraser Lake - Sept 25-Oct 1st

At 10 am on Sept 25-2019, Tom Davies found a male Summer Tanager eating berries in his yard.

The home is open to the public and the address is 2835 Francois Lake Rd, Fraser Lake

*Please be respectful of private property and other residences in the area.*

The bird continued in the same location as of Oct 1-2019 and has been viewed by multiple observers.

***The bird was not seen on October 2nd.***

This is the 7th record for the province of BC.

Male Summer Tanager in Fraser Lake - Photos: Ray Ostrander
Summer Tanager in Fraser Lake - Photo: Nancy Krueger


Monday, September 23, 2019

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER on the NW coast of Vancouver Island - Sept 23rd

On Sept 23, 2019, Benjamin Ivany et al. found a juvenile Snowy Plover feeding on bugs on the beach at Raft Cove Provincial Park. This location is 65 km SW of Port Hardy and access is by a gravel logging road out of Holberg.

Map to location HERE

This is the 27th record for BC.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

RBA: BROWN BOOBY off Haida Gwaii - Sept 21st

At 5pm on Sept 21-2019, Roger Stone found an adult Brown Booby off Haida Gwaii. The bird was flying beside his boat for 5 mins and was photographed 80 miles SE of Moresby Island.

This is the 17th record for the province of BC.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

RBA: GARGANEY in Kelowna - Sept 18-19th

At 1pm on Sept 18-2019, Chris Charlesworth and Ryan Tomlinson found a female Garganey (ABA Code 4) in the SE corner of Alki Lake at the Kelowna (Glenmore) Landfill. It is located at 2710 John Hindle Dr.

Visitors must sign in at the office upon arrival and visiting hours for birders are from 7:30am to 4:00pm - 7 days a week.

Map to location of bird HERE

The bird was last seen at 9 am on Sept 19th and was viewed by multiple observers. The bird was not relocated later in the day.

The bird was not relocated on Sept 20th.

This is the second record for the Okanagan and 14th record for BC.

Garganey in Kelowna - Photo: Don Cecile
Garganey in Kelowna - Photo: Chris Charlesworth 

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Metchosin - Sept 18th

At 8:25 am on Sept 18-2019, Daniel Donnecke found a hatch year Chestnut-sided Warbler at Rocky Point Bird Observatory during census. The bird was relocated later by David Bell at 9:50 am.

This area is not open to the public.

This is the 75th record for the province of BC.

Friday, September 13, 2019

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Victoria - Sept 13-15th

On the morning of Sept 13-2019, Chris Saunders found a first year/female type Chestnut-sided Warbler at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. The bird was in a mixed flock and first located in the cottonwoods south of the bridge and then flew towards the parking lot. Multiple observers were able to see the bird in cottonwoods by the Saanich Fire Station and it was photographed.

Map to location HERE

The bird continued in the same location as last described on Sept 15th.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Victoria - Photo: Daniele Donnecke


This is the 74th record for BC.