RBA: RED-BACKED SHRIKE in Powell River - Oct 22-30th

At 1:15 pm on Oct 22-2020, Iwan Van Veen found an ABA CODE 5 Red-backed Shrike on Fernwood Ave in Powell River. The bird was hunting from the powerlines and nearby Blackberry bushes. It would also dive into the Blackberry bushes. He initially dismissed it as a Northern Shrike but something bugged him about it.

He returned at 12pm on Oct 23rd and found it again in the same location and was able to take a photo. The bird was initially thought to be most likely a Brown Shrike but Red-tailed, Isabelline and Red-backed were difficult to rule out with the one single lower quality photo provided.

Multiple observers have seen the bird as of 5:15pm and better photos obtained. 

Several features on new photographs were suggestive of Red-backed Shrike. Photos were sent to experts. Experts weighed in and the consensus is 1st year male Red-backed Shrike. Hybridism is a concern but nothing has been shown to be inconsistent in that regard.

Map to location HERE

On Oct 24th, the bird was seen hunting in the vacant lot HERE on Fernwood Ave and was viewed by multiple observers.

On Oct 25-30th - The bird was last seen in a yard HERE on Fernwood Ave and has been viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not seen on Oct 31st or Nov 1st, despite multiple observers looking.

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

A news article about the Red-backed Shrike can be found HERE

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE**

Red-backed Shrike in Powell River - Photos: John Gordon

Red-backed Shrike in Powell River - Photos: Iwan Van Veen

RBA: LITTLE BLUE HERON in Popkum - Oct 24th

On Oct 24th-2020, Andrea Chapman photographed an immature Little Blue Heron on private property in Popkum. 

A photo of the bird can be viewed HERE

The property is NOT open to the public.

This is the 4th record for BC.

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Cawston - Oct 13-17th

On October 13-17th-2020, Doe Gregoire had an immature female type Chestnut-sided Warbler visiting her yard in Cawston.

The home is not open to the public and the bird has not been seen since Oct 17th.

This is the 81st record for BC.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Cawston - Photos: Doe Gregoire 

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Kelowna - Oct 15th

At 12pm on Oct 15-2020, Michael Force found an immature Chestnut-sided Warbler in his yard on Nassau Crescent in the Glenmore area. Michelle Hamilton was also able to view the bird.

The bird took off by 1pm and has not been relocated since. If the bird returns visitation can be arranged with the homeowner. Email the RBA for contact details.

This is the 80th record for BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Kelowna - Photo: Michael Force

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Delta - Oct 14th

At 1pm on October 14-2020, Tom Plath found a Black Phoebe at Brunswick Point. The bird was foraging in the ditch between the woodlot and the first bench at Brunswick Point. The bird was photographed and viewed by other birders present. This may very well be the same bird first seen near 64th St in Delta. To read about that bird click HERE.

Please do not trespass on the farmer's field when searching for this bird.

Map to location HERE

This is the 32nd record for BC.

The bird was not relocated on Oct 15th, despite multiple observers looking.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Black Phoebe in Delta - Photo: Ken Arnold

RBA: LITTLE GULL in Parksville - Oct 2nd

At 5:15pm on October 2-2020, Guy Monty found a first winter Little Gull at Columbia Beach in Parksville. The bird was flying west 50 m off shore in a small flock of Bonaparte's Gulls and was viewed by at least 2 other observers.

Map to location HERE

The bird was not relocated on Oct 3rd.

This is the 100th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.*

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Ucluelet - Oct 1-2nd

At 9:30am on Oct 1-2020, Janel Saydam and Selby Wilkinson found a Chestnut-sided Warbler in the bushes at the playing fields at the end of Forbes Rd in Ucluelet.

The bird continues in the same location on Oct 2nd and has been viewed by several observers.

Map to location HERE

This is the 79th record for BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Ucluelet - Photo: Ian Cruickshank

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE near Brentwood Bay - Sept 28-Dec 11th

At 10:55am on September 28, 2020, Donna Ross found a Black Phoebe sitting on a fence on the Willow Way Trail at Maber Flats.  She viewed the bird close up through her binoculars and although was not able to get a photo described the bird well. She last saw the bird moving south down a hedgerow.

Map to location HERE

On Sept 29th, Veronica Goidanich relocated the bird and photographed it HERE on the Willow Way Trail.

The bird continues on Dec 11th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 31st record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

RBA: RED-LEGGED KITTIWAKE in Deep Bay - Sept 27th

At 12:15pm on Sept 27-2020, Mark Wynja found an adult Red-legged Kittiwake sitting on the shore at Deep Bay.  The bird was viewed for 45 mins by a few observers. At 1 pm the bird flew west and high over the mountains and they watched it fly for ten mins out of sight.

The bird was not relocated despite multiple observers looking.

Map to location HERE

This is the second confirmed record for BC.

As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**eBird's statement on how to bird mindfully during the pandemic can be viewed HERE.**

Red-legged Kittiwake in Deep Bay - Photos: Mark Wynja

RBA: NAZCA/MASKED BOOBY near Galiano Island - Sept 27th

At 10 am on Sept 27-2020, while working aboard a boat; Jada Cavanaugh spotted an adult Masked/Nazca Booby just NE of Galiano Island. She was able to take photos with her iPhone and did note an orange hue to the bill. If the bill was indeed orange it would make it a Nazca Booby. Current photos unfortunately do not confirm this. The bird flew around the boat once and then flew SE.

Map to exact location of where bird was seen HERE 

Probable Nazca Booby near Galiano Island - Photo: Jada Cavanaugh