RBA: 15 LESSER GOLDFINCHES in Osoyoos - July 15/18-Sept 24/19

At 10:37 am on July 15-2018, a male Lesser Goldfinch was found by David M. Bell on Kruger Mtn Road. The bird was loosely associating with a flock of Pine Siskins near 19610 Kruger Mtn Road.

Map to location of first bird HERE

At 12:30pm he found 2 males and 1 female and was was able to photograph the birds. The 2 males were flying around the female. The female was frequenting a rosebush across from 19610 Kruger Mtn Rd.

A 4th bird was found and photographed by Daniel Bastaja and it was juvenile male. This does not prove local breeding as they are molt migrants. Both age groups leave breeding territories shortly after the young fledge and can travel thousands of kilometres.

Map to location of the four birds HERE

Directions: At the end of the pavement there's a turnaround where it turns to gravel. Park there and the birds are 20m back down the road. They are moving around the yards and roadside there.

On Dec 12-2018, Chris Charlesworth found 15 Lesser Goldfinches in the same area. There is a high probability as first suspected that these birds bred in BC which would be the first record of breeding in BC. Unfortunately this was never confirmed.

15 birds continue at the corner of Alkali Rd and Old Richter Pass Rd as of January 14th, 2019.

On Feb 6th-2019, 10 birds were seen at 15523 Old Richter Pass Rd in Osoyoos.

***On July 5th-2019 David Bell photographed an adult female feeding a barely fledged bird that cannot fly. This finally confirms breeding at this site and the first breeding record for the province.***

Lesser Goldfinch fledgling with adult in Osoyoos - Photos: David Bell

***The birds continue along Kruger Mtn Rd as of Sept 24th.***

This is the 24th record for the province of BC.

Male Lesser Goldfinch in Osoyoos - Photo: David M. Bell

Adult Female Lesser Goldfinch in Osoyoos - Photo: David M. Bell

Juvenile Male Lesser Goldfinch in Osoyoos - Photo: Daniel Bastaja

RBA: MANX SHEARWATER off Nigei Island - July 10th

At 2:38 pm on July 10-2018, Jared Towers found and photographed a Manx Shearwater while conducting a whale survey for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Gordon Channel off Nigei Island. The bird was viewed from the research vessel  "Merlin." The bird was present until 2:42 pm and was also observed by Mark Malleson. Jared was able to get photos of the bird in flight.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

This is the 58th record for the province of BC.

Manx Shearwater in Gordon Channel - Photos: Jared Towers

RBA: CURVE-BILLED THRASHER in Canal Flats - July 5th

At 3pm on July 5-2018, Gord Littlejohns found and photographed a Curve-billed Thrasher in a dead tree along the shoreline near the boat launch at the south west end of Columbia Lake. He watched the bird for 1 minute before it disappeared into the bushes. The bird never sang or called and he could not relocate it after looking for 30 minutes.

Gord returned to the site on July 6 and 7th but couldn't relocate the bird.

Directions to bird: Heading south on Highway 95 on the way to Canal Flats just as you come to the bottom of the hill there is a small gravel pull off and a gravel road to the left that runs along the west shoreline of the lake. The gravel road ends at a small boat launch approximately 250 yards from the turn off. The Thrasher was in a dead tree on the shoreline about 25 yards south of the boat launch. 

Map to location of bird HERE

This is the 2nd record for the province of BC.

Curve-billed Thrasher in Canal Flats - Photos: Gord Littlejohns

RBA: GUADALUPE MURRELET off the West Coast of Vancouver Island - July 9th

At 6:15 pm on July 9-2018, while on board the NOAA vessel "Reuben Lasker," Michael Force, Christopher Hoefer and Juan Carlos Salinas found a single Guadalupe Murrelet. The bird was photographed.

The exact location of the bird is HERE, which is 122 nautical miles SSW of Estevan Point.

This is the second record for BC; the first being a sight record from Michael Force on Aug 2, 1994 off Haida Gwaii. This is the first photographed record for the province of BC.

Guadalupe Murrelet off the west coast of Vancouver Island - Photo: Christopher Hoefer 

RBA: MOTTLED PETREL off the West Coast of Vancouver Island - July 2nd

At 12:42pm on July 2-2018, while on board the NOAA vessel "Reuben Lasker"; Christopher Hoefer found a Mottled Petrel about 28.5 nautical miles South of Clerke Point, Brooks Peninsula. No photos were obtained. Other birds seen so far on this research expedition have been a Horned Puffin, 7 Murphy's Petrel and a Laysan Albatross.

Map to location of bird HERE

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Golden - July 2-July 19th

At 8:30 am on July 2-2018, Glenn Harasym found a singing male Indigo Bunting at a residential property on Lapp Rd in Golden. He was able to get a digiscoped record shot. The bird is viewable from the public street. When viewing please be respectful of the owner's property and other residences in the area.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

The bird continues in the same location on July 19th.

Male Indigo Bunting in Golden - Photo: Jeremy Gatten

Male Indigo Bunting in Golden - Photo: Chris Charlesworth

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in North Vancouver - June 30-July 6th

At 11:45am on June 30-2018, Quentin Brown found a male Chestnut-sided Warbler at the base of the powerline trail on Grouse Mountain.

Map to exact location HERE

This is the 70th record for the province of BC.

The bird was last seen in the same location on July 6th. The bird was not seen on July 7th.

Male Chestnut-sided Warbler in North Vancouver - Photo: Zach Westfall

Male Chestnut-sided Warbler in North Vancouver - Photo: Rob Lyske

RBA: 7 MURPHY'S PETRELS off the West Coast of Vancouver Island - June 30th

At 6:53 am on June 30-2018, while on board the NOAA vessel "Reuben Lasker"; Michael Force et al. found a Murphy's Petrel, 125 nautical miles SW of Estevan Point Lighthouse. The bird was present for 30 seconds before departing. The second bird was seen at 10:52 am, 97 nautical miles SW off of Estevan Point at a distance of less than a 100 metres.

Map to exact location of first bird HERE

Map to exact location of second bird HERE

5 other birds were seen by them 90-125 nautical miles SW of Estevan Point during the day for a total of 7 birds. They were also able to photograph one of the birds.

1 of 7 Murphy's Petrels seen off Estevan Point - Photos: Christopher Hoefer

RBA: GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER in Quesnel - June 24th

At 730am on June 24-2018, Dwaine Laxdal found a male Golden-winged Warbler at his parents house. The bird was on the fence of their garden. It was present for a couple minutes but has not returned since.

He was able to capture video and a few photos.

The home is open to the public but please view the bird from the fence at the driveway entrance and do not come into the property.

The address is 807 Norn Rd. Please be respectful of private property, their dogs and other residences in the area.

This is the first confirmed record for the province of BC.

The bird has not been relocated since the original sighting.

Male Golden-winged Warbler in Quesnel - Photo: Dwaine Laxdal

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Vancouver - June 22nd

At 10am on June 22-2018, Cole Gaerber found an adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler at Jericho Park in Vancouver. The  bird was foraging and moving along the tall trees south of the tennis courts.

This is the third Chestnut-sided Warbler currently in the province the others being in Malcolm Island and Powell River.

This is the 69th record for the province of BC.

The bird was relocated at 12:30pm singing in willows between the duck pond and the south end of the rugby field and is still being viewed by multiple observers as of 4:45pm.

Map to exact location of where bird was last seen HERE

The bird was not seen from 5-9:30pm, despite multiple observers looking. It was also not relocated on June 23rd.

Adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler in Vancouver - Photo: Cole Gaerber

Adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler in Vancouver - Photo: Peter Candido

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER on Malcolm Island - June 19-July 1st

At 10:45am on June 19th-2018, Gordon Curry found a male Chestnut-sided Warbler at 235 Kaleva Rd on Malcolm Island. This location is 3.5 kilometers along Kaleva Road from the south end of the Cemetery and the bird was located between Hydro Poles 59 and 60.

The bird was still present as of 5:15pm at the same location but between Hydro Poles 58-59.

The bird continues in the same location by pole 60 on July 1st.

Map to exact location of bird HERE.

This is the second Chestnut-sided Warbler currently in the province as one was found in Powell River on the same date. You can read about that bird HERE.

This is the 68th record for the province of BC.

Adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler on Malcolm Island - Photos: Gordon Curry

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Powell River - June 19-July 1st

At 9:00am on June 19-2018, Neil Hughes found an adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler in Powell River. The bird was viewed by multiple observers at 12:30pm as it sang away in Alders for 90 minutes on the edge of a cutblock. The bird appeared to be singing vigorously on territory.

Directions to bird: Drive up to Haslam Street; follow directions to Haywire Bay/Inland lake. Pass the water treatment building on the right and keep left on Haslam Street, the road will turn into a gravel road (do not turn right on Haslam Lake Road). Follow Haslam street for approx a mile until you cross a small bridge. After the bridge you see a side road to the right, barricaded with big rocks. Park there and follow that road for 1.3 Km. After the second clear cut you will have to find an overgrown road to the left (a large arrow was left on the road to point it out). Follow the overgrown trail for 150 meters until you reach the clearcut. The bird is singing in the alder trees on your right at the border of the cut.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

This is the second Chestnut-sided Warbler in the province, as another one was found on Malcolm Island on the same date. You can read about that bird HERE.

This is the 67th record for the province of BC.

The bird continues in the same location on July 1st and the spot is marked by a large arrow.

Please be bear and cougar aware in this area.*

Male Chestnut-sided Warbler in Powell River - Photos: Iwan Van Veen

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Chilliwack - June 11- July 15th

At 11;:30am on June 11-2018, a Black Phoebe was found by Kevin Cherry at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in Chilliwack. The bird was hawking insects from a bush by the east side of the bridge over the pond near the nature house building. It would also hawk insects from the interpretive sign by the nature house. He was able to photograph the bird on June 13th and it was viewed by multiple observers. The bird appears to be carrying nesting material under the bridge.

Map to location of bird HERE

The Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is located at 5100 Sumas Prairie Rd in Chilliwack.

The bird continues in the same location on July 15th.

This is the 24th record for the province of BC.

Black Phoebe with nesting material in Chilliwack - Photos: Bill Thomas

RBA: HERMIT WARBLER in Courtenay - June 11-July 17th

At 12pm on June 11th-2018, Lori Smith found what appears to be a pure male Hermit Warbler on Mt. Washington. She returned to the same spot at 6pm and the bird was still present. A video she made of the bird can be viewed below:

Directions to the bird: Take the turn off to Mt. Washington from Hwy 19, zero your odometer and stay on the road for 15 km. Just right before the 15km mark is a small pond on the left side. Then from here turn right on the gravel road (across from the pond) that has power lines running along it, and travel down it for 100 feet and the bird is singing in the alders.

Map to location HERE

The bird continues in the same location as of July 17th.

Male Hermit Warbler near Courtenay - Photos: Lori Smith

RBA: COMMON CUCKOO in Tlell - June 10-15th

On June 10th, 2018 Michael Richardson found a Common Cuckoo at farm on Hwy 16 in Tlell on Graham Island in Haida Gwaii.The bird is feeding in his farm pasture with the cattle. A recording of the bird was obtained identifying it to species.

The bird continues in the same location on June 15th.

This is the first record for the province of BC and the second record for Canada and the 4th record south of Alaska.

The home will be open to the public on Saturday by appointment. Please contact the RBA for viewing access.

The bird was not seen on June 16th.

Common Cuckoo in Haida Gwaii - Photo: Mary Helmer

Common Cuckoo in Tlell - Photo: Michael Richardson

RBA: CRESTED CARACARA near Bella Coola - May 31-June 12th

On May 31-2018, Catherine Carter found a sub-adult Crested Caracara feeding in the pasture of a private farm on Hammer Rd at Canoe Crossing in Firvale, which is 35 km from the city of Bella Coola. The bird is viewable to the public but only from Hammer Rd.

Please DO NOT TRESPASS onto the farm property and STAY ON THE PUBLIC RD ONLY. Please be respectful of traffic and residents and do not block the road or driveways.

Map to exact location HERE

The bird was last present on June 12th.

The bird was not seen on June 13th.

This is the 5th record for BC.

Sub-adult Crested Caracara in Firvale - Photo: Melissa Hafting

Crested Caracara near Bella Coola - Photo: Michael Wigle

RBA: SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER in Nelson - May 28th

At 7:30 am on May 28-2018, Julia Cedar found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on the lake side of the airport fence in Nelson. The bird was relocated by Max Gotz and Craig Sandvig at 11:45 am on power lines near the Regional school district buildings and the U-Haul trailer storage building. It then flew over the airport terminal building and landed on the power lines behind the city works yard. They last saw it in a cottonwood there and Sarah York relocated it there at 2 pm.

A map to the last location the bird was seen is HERE

This is the 36th record for the province of BC.

The bird was not relocated on May 29th.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Nelson - Photo: Craig Sandvig/Macaulay Library

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Victoria - May 28th

At 8:30am on May 28-2018, David Fraser saw 13 White-faced Ibises flying southwest over the corner of Blanshard St and Tolmie Ave. in Victoria. He was unable to get a photo but did sketch the birds. 

This is the 46th record for the province of BC.

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Nakusp - May 27th

At 8:30am on May 27-2018, Gary Davidson et al. found a singing Northern Parula at the east end of the Nakusp and Slocan Railway Trail (accessed from Hwy 6) that leads to Summit Lake in Nakusp.

Map to exact location HERE.

They viewed the bird for 10 mins and left it singing there.

Directions: Hwy 6 crosses Bonanza Creek at the spot where Summit Rd meets the highway. There is a parking area on the south side of the highway here. Then walk along the marked Nakusp and Slocan Railway Trail. 

Note that the trail is flooded in places at the moment, wear boots. 

This is the 19th record for the province of BC.

Northern Parula in Nakusp - Photo: Gary Davidson

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Creston - May 26-27th

At 7:30am Paul Prappas et al. found a single breeding plumaged White-faced Ibis at the Speers Rd Pond in Creston. They were able to obtain a record shot in the harsh light. For anyone visiting please be aware this pond is shrinking in size and may be dry by the end of the week.

The bird continues in the same location as of May 27th.

Map to exact location HERE

This is the 45th record for the province of BC.

White-faced Ibis in Creston - Photo: Paul Prappas

RBA: COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD in Powell River - May 23-25th

On May 23-2018, Sara Brown found a male Costa's Hummingbird at her home on Skeena St. It came back each day including May 25th. The home may be open to the public if the bird returns at which time I will post the address.

From Sept 7, 2017-March 16, 2018 a male Costa's Hummingbird was visiting the home of Ken and Kathleen Pritchard just 20 mins away. You can read about that sighting HERE. In all probability this is the same bird but there is no way to tell for sure.

The bird has not returned since May 25th.

This is the 29th record for BC.

Male Costa's Hummingbird in Powell River - Photo: Sara Brown

RBA: WOOD THRUSH in Nanaimo - May 23rd

At 5:45am on May 23-2018, Nick Smith found a Wood Thrush foraging on the ground on the trail that runs west to east at Planta Park in Nanaimo. The bird sang for 15 mins and he made a recording of the bird, which you can listen to HERE. He was not carrying a camera and therefore was unable to get a photo.

To access the west side of Planta Park (off Planta Rd), park by the Planta Park sign. The bird was singing 100m east along the trail and before the boardwalk. The park trail can also be accessed from the east side of Planta Park, where there is a small parking lot on Stephenson Point Rd.

Multiple observers looked for the bird on May 24th but it has not been relocated as of posting.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

This is the second record for the province of BC.

RBA: HOODED ORIOLE in Vancouver - May 22nd

A male Hooded Oriole was photographed at Jericho Beach Park near the duck pond at 3pm on May 22nd. It was first misidentified as a Yellow-headed Blackbird. Several birders looked for it on the evening of May 23rd but it was not relocated. The observer chooses to remain anonymous.

This is the 23rd record for the province of BC.

Male Hooded Oriole in Vancouver - Photo: SS So/Macaulay Library

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Delta - May 21st

At 9:45am on May 21st-2018, Cole Gaerber found an adult male Snowy Plover, 200m west of the mansion at 96th St at Boundary Bay. It was loosely associating with 5 Western Sandpipers.

Map to location HERE

The bird was flushed by Bald Eagles at 10:25am and has not been relocated as of 7pm.

This is the 21st record for the province of BC.

Adult male Snowy Plover in Delta - Photos: Cole Gaerber

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Delta - May 20th

At 10:45am on May 20th-2018, Rob Lyske found a Loggerhead Shrike sitting on a telephone poll wire on 34th St near the intersection of 34th St and 33A Ave in Delta.

Map to location HERE

The bird is being viewed by multiple observers as of 11am.

At 11:45am the bird disappeared and has not been relocated. It was last seen along the cottonwoods perpendicular to the road. 

The bird was not relocated on May 21st. 

This is the 91st record for the province of BC.

Loggerhead Shrike in Delta - Photo: Rob Lyske

RBA: PROTHONOTORY WARBLER in Princeton - May 19th

At 11:30am on May 19-2018, Edward Lahaie found a male Prothonotary Warbler at his home at 460 Auburn Crescent in Princeton. The bird was foraging in the Hawthorne bushes in his yard but was not relocated after looking for it all day and a photo could not be taken. 

He gave a detailed description of the bird as he viewed it from 12 feet away: "Deep yellow coloured, gray blue wings, white under tail with larger dark bill."

The home is open to the public and the address is 460 Auburn Crescent, Princeton. Please do not knock on the front door before proceeding to the backyard. Please be respectful of the homeowner's property and residences in the area and do not block driveways.

This is the 9th record for the province of BC.

The bird was not relocated on May 20th.

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Victoria - May 19-21st

At 3:30 pm on May 19th-2018, Geoffrey Newell found and photographed a Red-throated Pipit on the central dyke at Panama Flats. This is the second Red-throated Pipit he has found at this location. The previous being in May 2016.

Panama Flats is located between Roy Rd and Carey Rd. The best access to view the bird is off Carey Rd and Baker St and to walk down the middle (central) dyke looking at both the NE and NW quadrants.

Map to Location HERE

As of 6:30pm the bird is being viewed by multiple observers at the north end of Panama Flats.

This is the 54th record for the province of BC.

The bird was not seen on May 20th.

The bird was relocated at the N end of Panama Flats at 2pm and continued until dark on Monday May 21st.

Red-throated Pipit in Victoria - Photos: Geoffrey Newell

RBA: LESSER GOLDFINCH in Princeton - May 12th

At 1:50pm on May 12-2018, Edward Lahaie found a male Lesser Goldfinch at the nyjer feeder at his home at 460 Auburn Crescent in Princeton. The bird stayed at the nyjer for ten mins but has not been relocated. This is the 4th time his family has had this species at his home.

The bird has not returned but if it does the home will be open to the public with pre-approved appointments. Please contact the RBA if you plan on visiting.

This is the 23rd record for the province of BC.

Male Lesser Goldfinch in Princeton - Photo: Edward Lahaie

RBA: GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE in Williams Lake - May 5th

At 8:30 am on May 5-2018, Lubna Khan and Sean and Betty Donahue found a singing male Great-tailed Grackle on a cottonwood tree on the Scout Island Causeway (Scout Island Rd) on Scout Island in Williams Lake. Lubna Khan was able to get some great shots of the bird. The bird was subsequently viewed by multiple observers until 8:15pm.

There is a second female Great-tailed Grackle currently in the province in Vancouver. You can read about that bird HERE.

This is the 6th record for the province of BC.

Map to location HERE

The bird was not relocated on May 6th, despite multiple observers looking.

Male Great-tailed Grackle in Williams Lake - Photos: Lubna Khan

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Kelowna and Cranbrook - May 5th

At 7:15am on May 5th-2018, Bobby Dailey found and photographed 7 White-faced Ibis at Elizabeth Lake in Cranbrook. The birds were from the shore trail as they foraged in the reeds in the lake.

The best spot to view them from is HERE

Park at Innes Ave S. and 11 St S.

The birds were still present an hour late when he left but were not relocated on May 6th despite multiple observers looking.

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At 9am on May 5th-2018, Rhonda Schurian found a single White-faced Ibis on the sandbar at the mouth of Mission Creek in Kelowna. Young birder Kalin Ocana paddled up to it in a canoe at 11:30am for excellent photos, sadly it was flushed by kayakers at 6pm and others could not relocate it.

The bird allowed for up close photos and was viewed by several observers that day but was not relocated on May 6th.

This is the 43rd and 44th record of this species in the province of BC.

A stunning portrait of a White-faced Ibis in Kelowna - Photo: Kalin Ocana

3 of 7 White-faced Ibis at Elizabeth Lake in Cranbrook - Photo: Bobby Dailey

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Prince George - May 2-3rd

On May 2nd-2018, Anne Hogan spotted an adult male Indigo Bunting feeding on millet at her home on Hoferkamp Rd. On May 3rd, the bird continued and Bob Steventon was able to photograph it at their feeder.

The home is not open to the public. 

The bird was not seen on May 4th.

Male Indigo Bunting in Prince George - Photos: Bob Steventon

RBA: Probable REDWING in Vancouver - April 29th

At 8:35am on April 28, 2018 Bridget Spencer found a probable Redwing. The bird was sitting in a white blossom cherry tree in Musqueam Golf Course along the Fraser River. It was singing for 30 mins and she made a recording and took record photos as it flew east towards Point Grey Golf course. The bird was relocated at Point Grey Golf Course at 9:05 am but was only heard and then not seen again when the birder had to leave. It has not been relocated since despite multiple observers looking.

Experienced European birders believe it to be a Redwing. You can listen to it HERE

Bridget made a comparison recording between her bird (Starts at 0:00 and ends at 0:04) and a confirmed Redwing by Michael Bome (starts at 0:05 and ends at 0:15) on Xeno-Cantho. You can listen to it HERE

Map to exact location bird was first seen HERE

Probable Redwing carrying Cherry Blossom in beak - Photo: Bridget Spencer