RBA: COMMON POCHARD in Victoria - Nov 8-27th

At 11 am on Nov 14-2020, Jody Wells found a male Common Pochard at Summit Park Reservoir in Victoria. The bird seemed to be loosely associating with Ring-necked Ducks. The bird was first photographed unknowingly on Nov 8th by Les Peterson.

Map to location HERE

Both legs of this bird are unbanded. This is the 2nd record for British Columbia.

The bird was last seen in the same location on Nov 27th and was viewed by multiple observers. 

*The bird was not seen on Nov 28th, despite multiple observers looking.*

A news story on the bird can be viewed 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*

***There is a public health order effective now until Feb 6, 2021 restricting non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. It also requires you to limit those you gather with to your core bubble. You can read it HERE***

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

Common Potchard Drake in Victoria - Photo: Keith Taylor

Common Pochard Drake in Victoria - Photos: Jody Wells

RBA: TUFTED DUCK in Duncan - Nov 8/20-March 22/21

At 10:40 am on November 8-2020 during a Coastal Waterbird Survery, Gerard Duncan found a male Tufted Duck at the sewage lagoons in Duncan. There is no public access inside the lagoons but birders can view the bird through the fence from the elevated trail off Wharncliffe Rd that gives a good view over most of the sewage lagoon.

Map to location HERE

On Jan 1, 2021 was seen at the Herd Rd Fields HERE. 

On March 22, 2021 the bird continued in the original location at the sewage lagoons and was viewed by multiple observers.

**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*

***There is a public health order effective now until Feb 6, 2021 restricting non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. It also requires you to limit those you gather with to your core bubble. You can read it HERE***

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

Tufted Duck in Duncan - Photo: Mark Wynja 

RBA: PRAIRIE WARBLER in Vernon - Oct 27-Nov 26th

On Oct 27-2020 Glen Goerzen saw a warbler in a mixed flock that he initially thought was a Cape May Warbler at Polson Park in Vernon. At 3:50pm on Oct 29-2020, Scott Thomson was able to relocate the bird and obtain some photographs and the bird was immediately identified as a immature male Prairie Warbler. The bird has been frequenting the south end of Polson Park in willows on both sides of the boardwalk along Polson Park Trail. It has also been seen in shrubs near to the boardwalk where the paved path becomes the boardwalk.

Map to location of where bird was first seen HERE

The bird was seen HERE on Oct 30th.

On Oct 31st the bird was last seen HERE and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on Nov 1, 2020 despite multiple observers looking.

The bird was relocated by Don Cecile on Nov 8, 2020

**The bird was last seen in the same location on Nov 26th and has been viewed by multiple observers. However it has not been relocated since despite multiple observers looking**

This is the 5th photographed 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**

Male Prairie Warbler in Vernon - Photos: Michael Force 

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