RBA: Apparent NAZCA BOOBY off Vancouver Island - Feb 26-27th

At 9:08 pm on Feb 26-2022, Rebecca LaForge and Captain Hans Jessen found an apparent subadult Nazca Booby while aboard the fishing vessel The FV Raw Spirit. The photos available are not that clear but appear to show a rosy/orange cast to the basal half of the bill blending to a yellowish tip. The concavity on the culmen also points to Nazca. Nazca Booby would also be more likely in our waters.

The bird stayed put on the bow until 3 am on Feb 27th when it flew off. It did not return for the remainder of their time at sea. Rebecca and the crew were able to obtain photos and video of the bird.

The bird was viewed off the Brooks Peninsula, 170 nautical miles from land as they were heading WNW.

Map to location HERE

If this were to be accepted as a Nazca Booby by the records committee it would be the 3rd record for BC. There was also a Nazca/Masked Booby in 2020 off Galiano Island that could not be confirmed to species.

Apparent Nazca Booby off Vancouver Island - Photos: Rebecca LaForge

RBA: BLUE GROSBEAK in Tofino - Dec 16/21-April 28/22

On Dec 16-2021, Tom and Kristine Greig found a first year male Blue Grosbeak at the feeder at their home in Tofino.

The bird continued in their yard up to April 28th, 2022.

The home is not open to the public.

This is the second confirmed record for BC.

Blue Grosbeak in Tofino - Photo: Tom Greig

Blue Grosbeak in Tofino - Photos: Adrian Dorst

RBA: BRAMBLING near Quesnel - Dec 23rd

At 3pm on Dec 23-2021, Suzy Wright found a Brambling in her yard in a flock of American Goldfinches.

The bird was briefly present before a Northern Shrike scared it away and has not returned since.

The home is currently not open to the general public but this may change if the bird returns. 

Brambling near Quesnel - Photo: Suzy Wright 

RBA: TUFTED DUCK in Duncan - Dec 23/21-March 30/22

At 2 pm on December 23-2021, Jeremy Gatten 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

The bird continues in the same location as of March 30, 2022.

Tufted Duck in Duncan - Photo: Jeremy Gatten

RBA: KING EIDER in Victoria - Dec 17-18th

At 4:15pm on Dec 17-2021, David Caudwell found a female King Eider swimming off Steve Fonyo Beach on Dallas Rd near the foot of Menzies St.

Map to location HERE

The bird was relocated on Dec 18th and was last seen flying west past McMicking Point at 9am. It has not been relocated since.

This is the 38th record for BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

King Eider in Victoria - Photo: David Caudwell

RBA: RED-SHOULDERED HAWK in Agassiz - Dec 12/21-Feb 11/22

At 12:50pm on Dec 12-2021, Susan Fennellow found an adult Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a tree on Tuyttens Rd in Agassiz.

Map to location HERE

PLEASE DO NOT TRESPASS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WHILE VIEWING THIS BIRD. PARK WELL OFF THE ROAD AND DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS OR ROADWAYS.

*This is the first photo-documented record for BC.*

It was not relocated on Dec 16th, despite multiple observers looking.

On Dec 19th, the bird was last seen in the same location and was viewed by multiple observers. 

The bird was not relocated on Dec 20-21st, despite multiple observers looking.

At 10:30 am on Dec 22nd the bird was relocated HERE along Whelpton Rd in a tall willow in a yard just west of the junction with Agassiz-Rosedale Hwy and East of the Junction with Tuyttens Rd. 

On Dec 28th the bird was seen at the west end of Cutler Rd.

It was relocated on Jan 14th and 15th on nearby Whorley Rd.

On Jan 18th the hawk was seen on Whelpton Rd.

**On Jan 23rd the hawk continued in the original location and HERE on Caignou Rd. It has also been seen on Bridge Rd just north of Whelpton Rd**

**On Feb 11th the hawk continued at the original location and on Whorley Rd. It has not been seen since.**

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). 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-shouldered Hawk in Agassiz - Photos: Marc Sole

Red-shouldered Hawk in Agassiz - Photo: Susan Fennellow

RBA: WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Osoyoos - Dec 8th

On Dec 8-2021, Dwayne Flexhaug found a White-winged Dove at a feeder at his private home. 

This home is not open to the public. 

This is the 23rd record for BC.

White-winged Dove in Osoyoos - Photo: Jayme Flexhaug

RBA: EMPEROR GOOSE in Haida Gwaii - Dec 6th

At 2pm on Dec 6-2021, Carey Bergman found an adult Emperor Goose within the Skidegate Inlet IBA. The bird was still present 2 hours later when she returned.

The exact location is being kept as private by request.

Emperor Goose in Haida Gwaii - Photos: Carey Bergman

RBA: BRAMBLING in Revelstoke - Nov 19/21-Jan 11/22

At 1:30pm on Nov 19-2021 Darlene Cancelliere found a female Brambling at the feeders in the front yard of her home at 407 Edward St. This is the second she has had in her yard over the years. 

Map to location HERE

Birders are welcome to come view the bird but please view the bird from the public street and do not enter the yard. Please do not block driveways and be respectful of neighbours.

*The bird was relocated at a neighboring home at the corner of 5th St E and Downie St on Nov 28th.

Darlene relocated the bird at her place in her front yard on Nov 29th. It was travelling with house finches and eating Mountain Ash Berries.

On Dec 4th and 8th, the bird continued at the feeders HERE at 5th St E and Downie St.

**On Jan 11/22 the bird continued in the original location in Darlene’s front yard.**

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Brambling in Revelstoke - Photos: Melissa Hafting

RBA: EURASIAN SKYLARK in Haida Gwaii - Nov 18th

At 10am on Nov 18-2021, Margo Hearne et al. photographed an Asian subspecies of Eurasian Skylark in the pekinensis group at Mather’s Bight in Sandspit. 

Map to general location HERE

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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