RBA: REED/PALLAS’S BUNTING in Squamish - Sept 23rd

At 10:35 am on Sept 23-2023, Paul Jacques found a Reed/Pallas’s Bunting in Squamish near the Coho Park Trail. The bird was perched on a tree near a marshy area and was not associating with any other birds.

Unfortunately, the photos obtained do not show the diagnostic lesser coverts to differentiate a Reed Bunting which has rufous lesser coverts from a Pallas’s Bunting, which has grey ones.

The bird has not been relocated thus far on Sept 24th, despite multiple observers looking.

Map to last known location HERE

Either species would be a first record for BC and Canada.

Note the area has lots of black bears and birders should be bear aware. 

Reed/Pallas’s Bunting in Squamish - Photos: Paul Jacques

RBA: CHESTNUT- SIDED WARBLER in Metchosin - Sept 22nd

On Sept 22-2023, a hatch-year male Chestnut-sided Warbler was banded by Emma Radziul at Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Metchosin. 

This site is not open to the public.

This is the 90th record for BC.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Metchosin - Photo: David Bell

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Cedar - Sept 18th

At 6:45pm on Sept 18-2023, Tom Pawloski found an Ash-throated Flycatcher on private property in Cedar.

The location is not open to the public.

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Cedar - Photos: Tom Pawloski

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Delta - Sept 15-Dec 7

At 9:40am on Sept 15-2023, Alison Evely found an immature Black Phoebe flycatching at the north end of the centre dyke at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. 

On Sept 17th, the bird was last seen from the inner grassy trail, in the slough between the porta potty and the viewing platform on the north dyke. It has been viewed by multiple observers.

Map to location HERE

On Sept 20th the bird was located in Fuller’s Slough as viewed from the blind at the end of the E Dyke HERE

The bird continued HERE on Sept 24th. 

On Oct 15th-21st, 2023; the bird was last seen on the inner grassy trail in the slough near to the east dyke.

Map to location HERE

On Oct 22nd the bird was relocated on the east dyke HERE

On Nov 12 to 23-2023, the bird continued by the warming hut near the entrance/gift shop HERE.

On Dec 7, 2023, the bird continued near the Reifel washrooms/entrance.

There is an 8$ admission for adults and they are closed on Mondays. Reifel is open 9am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance is by reservation booking only, which can be made at their website HERE.

Reifel Bird Sanctuary is located at 5191 Robertson Rd in Ladner.

This is the 45th record for BC. 

Black Phoebe in Delta - Photo: Jim Martin

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Kelowna - Sept 13th

At 9:45am on September 13-2023, Kalin Ocana found a Chestnut-sided Warbler at Tsinstikeptum Woods in Kelowna. The bird was associating with a Tennessee Warbler.

Map to location HERE

This is the 89th record for BC.

This bird is on private Westbank First Nations Land and permission should be obtained before entering.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Kelowna - Photo: Kalin Ocana

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Kelowna - Sept 11th

At 11:30am on Sept 11-2023, Kalin Ocana found a Northern Parula at Tsinstikeptum Woods in Kelowna.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been relocated thus far, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 25th record for BC.

This bird is on private Westbank First Nations Land and permission should be obtained before entering.

Northern Parula in Kelowna - Photos: Kalin Ocana

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Tofino - Sept 11th

At 8:50am on Sept 11-2023, Michelle Hamilton found a banded juvenile Snowy Plover on Comber's Beach in Tofino. The bird is on the beach near the trailhead entrance. The bird has been viewed by multiple observers.

**The bird was first photographed by Peter McAllister on September 10th at Chesterman’s Beach but it was misidentified as a Sanderling.**

Map to location HERE

This is the 43rd record for BC.

This bird was banded and the band number sent in and the researcher Micah Ashford revealed this bird was banded as a chick in Coos County Oregon on June 20, 2023.

Snowy Plover in Tofino - Photos: Lev Frid

Snowy Plover in Tofino (Photo: Michelle Hamilton)

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS in Tofino - Sept 9th

At 12:20pm on September 9-2023, Lev Frid spotted a juvenile Short-tailed Albatross on a pelagic trip with the Whale Centre out of Tofino.

The bird was banded on the left leg with a metal tag 83C and it’s been sent to a researcher in Japan.

Map to location HERE

Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Bruce Di Labio

Banded Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: John Forde

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Ucluelet - Sept 7th

At 3:55 pm on September 7-2023, Sam Heinrich found a Chestnut-sided Warbler in a small mixed flock of chickadees and kinglets. The bird was foraging in trees on the Wild Pacific Trail directly across from a wildlife sign that mentioned bears, cougars and wolves in Ucluelet.

Map to exact location HERE

This is the 88th record for BC.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Ucluelet - Photos: Sam Heinrich

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Agassiz - Aug 31-Sept 29th

On Aug 31-2023, Gord Gadsden found a Black Phoebe at Tuyttens Wetland in Agassiz. The bird was at the west end of Cutler Rd before it turns private.

Map to location HERE

The bird continued at HERE on Sept 29th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 44th record for BC.

Black Phoebe in Agassiz - Photos: John Procee