RBA: 2 EURASIAN SKYLARK in Ucluelet - Oct 24-31st

At 4:35pm on Oct 24-2022, Ian Cruickshank found a (presumed due to location) Asian subspecies of Eurasian Skylark (in the pekinensis group) in Ucluelet. 

The bird was flushed at a distance of 30-40m from the grass field at the end of the spit. He recorded the bird calling and got some video of the bird in flight. He watched it circle a few times and then watched it drop down into the grass where he lost it but presumed it was still there.

Map to location HERE

On October 25th-2022, Sam and Craig Cameron saw 2 birds at the site.

On Oct 28th-2022, Ian Cruickshank also confirmed he viewed 2 birds at the same location. Adrian Dorst was able to photograph both birds as well.

**The birds were last seen in the same location on Oct 31st. They were not relocated on Nov 4-2022.**

2 Eurasian Skylarks in Ucluelet - Photos: Adrian Dorst

A recording taken by Ian Cruickshank of one of the birds can be heard below:

RBA: ACORN WOODPECKER in Ladner - October 8-11th

At 2pm on October 8-2022, Anne Murray and Iris Wong found a male Acorn Woodpecker at Ladner Harbour Park near the marina.

Map to location HERE

The bird was present as of 6:20 pm and was  viewed by multiple observers. 

It was last seen across the river HERE on a bare snag. The bird flies back and forth to both locations so best to check both spots.

The bird was last seen frequenting both of the same locations above on Oct 11th and was viewed by multiple observers.

**The bird was not relocated on Oct 12th, despite multiple observers looking.**

This is the 13th record for BC and 2nd record for Metro Vancouver.

Male Acorn Woodpecker in Delta - Photos: Iris Wong

RBA: EURASIAN SKYLARK in Haida Gwaii - Oct 2-3rd

At 10:30 am on Oct 2-2022 James Bradley found a Asian subspecies of Eurasian Skylark (in the pekinensis group) at Sandspit Airport. The bird was foraging in grass at the NW end of the airfield near a juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Nathan Hentze and Ian Cruickshank also got to view the bird shortly after. The bird was still present as of 4pm and was viewed by other birders.

At 11:30am on Oct 3-2022,  Paul Levesque relocated the bird in the same spot.  He believes he viewed 2 birds.

Map to location HERE

The bird was not relocated on Oct 4th, despite multiple observers looking.

Eurasian Skylark in Haida Gwaii - Photos: Ian Cruickshank

Eurasian Skylark in Haida Gwaii - Photo: Carey Bergman 

RBA: HAWAIIAN PETREL off Cape Scott, Vancouver Island - Sept 18th (Late Report)

At 9:05 am on Sept 18-2022, Mark Wynja and Mike Toochin spotted a Hawaiian Petrel 34 nautical miles WSW of Cape Scott, while aboard the MS. Eurodam Holland America cruise ship. The bird was travelling north parallel to the ship, allowing for good looks by scope, for several minutes, before flying off west. Other observers on board were able to get on the bird as well but it was too distant for photos. Mike Toochin has extensive experience with this species, having seen several in North America.

Map to location of bird HERE

This is the 6th record for BC.

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Harrison Hot Springs - Sept 22nd

At 9:50am on Sept 22, 2022 Gord Gadsden found and photographed an immature/female-type Chestnut-sided Warbler at East Sector Lands Park in Harrison Hot Springs.

The bird was along the gravel part of McPherson Rd at the east end of East Sector Park.

Map to location HERE

This is the 86th record for BC.

RBA: LARK BUNTING in Victoria - Sept 20th

At 6:25pm on Sept 20-2022, Marie O’Shaughnessy found a Lark Bunting feeding on the ground in the enclosed fenced plant restoration area with Savannah Sparrows at Cattle Point. After watching it for 20 mins she last saw it fly towards the boat launch.

*After reviewing photos Gordon Hart noticed he photographed the bird at 10:30am on the rocky area by the boat ramp HERE as did Martha Keller at 12:50pm*

This is the 40th record for BC.

Map to first location HERE

*The bird was not relocated on Sept 21st, despite multiple observers looking.*

Lark Bunting in Victoria - Photos: Marie O’Shaughnessy

RBA: CURLEW SANDPIPER in Delta - Sept 2-7th

At 1:30pm on Sept 2-2022, Melissa Hafting found a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Boundary Bay.

The bird was halfway between 104-112th St. feeding in the seaweed with Baird’s Sandpipers close to the dyke.

Map to location HERE

This is the 17th record for BC.

The bird was last seen at 5:45pm on Sept 2nd and was viewed by multiple observers before being flushed by a Peregrine Falcon. It was last seen flying towards 112th St. where it was not relocated.

The bird was not found on Sept 3.

At 2:35pm on Sept 4th, the bird was relocated by Melissa Hafting HERE and was also seen HERE between 104-112th St.

The bird was last seen in the same location at 5:45pm on Sept 4th and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was last seen on Sept 7th in the same general location as previous reports (between 104-112th St) and has been viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not seen on Sept 8th or 9th, despite multiple observers looking.

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: Dave Beeke

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: Melissa Hafting

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Ucluelet - Aug 27th

At 2:15pm on August 27-2022, Bruce Di Labio and Paul Lagasi found and photographed a Northern Parula foraging in mixed coniferous/deciduous trees on Helen Rd, near the gate by the Hyphocus Inn.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been relocated as of 2:30pm on Aug 27th, despite multiple observers looking on Aug 27th and 28th.

This is the 23rd record for BC.

Northern Parula in Ucluelet - Photos: Bruce Di Labio

RBA: EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL in Sechelt - Aug 15th

At 2:45pm on Aug 15-2022 John Hodges found and photographed an Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Wilson Creek Estuary in Sechelt.

The bird was observed for the next 3 hours by multiple observers. 

The bird moved all around the estuary but a map pin to the first location on the beach where it was foraging is HERE

This is the 5th record for BC.

The bird has not been relocated on August 16th, despite multiple observers looking.

A video of the bird foraging at low tide on the mudflats taken by Mari Petznek can be viewed below:

Eastern Yellow Wagtail in Sechelt - Photo: John Hodges

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Saanich - Aug 11-Sept 6th

At 8:15am on Aug 11-2022, Mike McGrenere found a Brown Thrasher foraging on the ground in the yard to the west of the intersection of Lohbrunner Rd E and Lochside Regional Trail. At 10 am it was observed by several observers further up along the driveway as the homeowner has allowed birders to enter.

Map to location HERE

*The bird was last seen on Sept 6th and has been viewed by multiple observers.*

Please be respectful of private property and do not block the driveway with cars. 

PLEASE DO NOT WALK UP THE DRIVEWAY TO VIEW THE BIRD. VIEW THE BIRD FROM THE PUBLIC ROAD WHERE THE DRIVEWAY MEETS.

This is the 44th record for BC.

Brown Thrasher in Saanich - Photo: Evan Larson

Brown Thrasher in Saanich - Photo: Les Peterson