RBA: SNOWY PLOVERS near Tofino - April 23rd and May 23rd

At 3:25pm on April 23-2019, Sarah Tyne found a Snowy Plover in Pacific Rim National Park near Tofino. The bird is on Wickaninnish Beach about 800m NW of the parking lot "E" access.

The bird was last present as of 4pm and was not associating with any other shorebirds. The bird was viewed by multiple observers.

On May 23rd-2019 Lorraine Hall found a different Snowy Plover (that was banded in OR) on the same beach. A photo of that bird can be found HERE.

This is the 24th and 25th record for the province of BC.

Snowy Plover on Wickaninnish Beach - Photo: Toby Theriault

Snowy Plover in Pacific Rim National Park - Photo: Ian Cruickshank

RBA (Late Report): RUSTIC BUNTING in Bull River - Dec 16/18 to Mar 12/19

A Rustic Bunting was coming to Glen Todd’s feeder in Bull River (located in the Kootenays) from December 16/18 to March 12/19. It was initially identified by the observer as a Lapland Longspur and reported to Bird Studies Canada’s Project FeederWatch  on April 14th, 2019. Thanks to those at Bird Studies Canada (Ron Ridout and Kerrie Wilcox) the bird was identified to its correct species and reported to the BC RBA. When the bird was present it was with a large flock of Dark-eyed Juncos.

It has not returned since March 12, 2019.

This is the 6th confirmed photographed record of Rustic Bunting in BC and there are 10 reports.

Rustic Bunting at a private home in Bull River, BC - Photos: Glen Todd

RBA: TUFTED DUCK near Kamloops - April 7-9th

At 7am on April 7-2019, a male Tufted Duck was found and photographed by Tom Beeke at Separation Lake in Knutsford (near Kamloops).

The bird was last present as of 5pm and has been viewed by multiple observers. It is in a large flock of a hundred Lesser Scaup. Best views are had by scope

The bird was last seen in the same location as of April 9th. It was not relocated on April 11-13th.

Map to location HERE

Tufted Duck near Kamloops - Photos: Tom Beeke

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Vernon - March 31-April 1st

At 11 am on March 31-2019, Christopher Siddle found and photographed a Loggerhead Shrike at the Historic O’Keefe Ranch. He viewed the bird for 12 mins as it hunted bugs on the ground from a series of posts between the bridge and the corn maze.  He then saw it fly towards the corn maze where he left it. He returned to the site and relocated the bird at 4:40pm in the same general location. It is extremely active and quickly changing perches every few mins as it hunts from the fence line that crosses the creek to St. Anne Rd.

Directions to location: Park at the O’Keefe Ranch parking lot near the sign that says “RV Parking” then cross the small bridge over Deep Creek. Look for a standing dead corn maze just to the NW. Scan the fence line north of the corn maze. This fence line runs from St. Anne’s Rd to the creek.The  shrike was hunting bugs on the ground from a series of posts between the bridge and the corn maze.

Map to ranch parking lot HERE

The bird was last seen in the same general location in a Hawthorne bush HERE on April 1st.

The bird was not relocated on April 2nd.

This is the 92nd record for the province of BC.

Loggerhead Shrike in Vernon - Photo: Michael Force

Loggerhead Shrike in Vernon - Photos: Christopher Siddle

RBA: 7 PARAKEET AUKLETS off Tofino - March 24th

On March 24-2019 during a pelagic out of Tofino on the "Miss B Haven" with Ocean Outfitters; Joachim Bertrands photographed some distant alcids that he and one other briefly observed but didn't id at the time. After the pelagic, during photo review, Joachim saw that he had indeed photographed 7 Parakeet Auklets.

 This is the 44th record for the province of BC.

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS off Tofino - March 17th

At 11 am on March 17-2019, Douglas Martin spotted an immature Short-tailed Albatross during a pelagic with Ocean Outfitters on the “Miss B. Haven”, out of Tofino. All 12 on board were able to see and photograph the bird well, before it flew off after 15 minutes. The bird was banded on its right leg. 15 Laysan Albatrosses were also seen during this pelagic. This is the second year in a row that a Short-tailed Albatross was seen off a pelagic in BC; as 3 were seen on a similar trip on March 24th-2018.

Map to exact location bird was seen HERE.

Immature Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Cathy Reader

RBA: FERRUGINOUS HAWK in Kelowna - March 8 (Late Report)

At 2pm on March 8-2019, Ryan Tomlinson saw an adult light morph Ferruginous Hawk flying over Maquinna Rd near Hall Rd in Kelowna. Ryan does not own a camera but has seen many Ferruginous Hawks and described a hawk that was larger than a Red-tailed Hawk with a distinctive hefty build and long tapered wings that were held in a slight dihedral. He said the under-wings were very pale with no patagial bar.  He noted the wing linings mottled with dark and rufous and dark 'commas' on each wing out towards the base of the primaries. He said the flight feathers were white with tiny dark tips to the primaries. He noted that the body was very white except for the presence of dark leggings. Below the tail was pale and from above he noticed a golden hue. He also said the bird had a pale head with a dark line extending back from behind the eye. He watched the bird for 4 mins before it flew off to the NW.

Map to where he saw the bird HERE

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Nelson - Jan 6-Feb 8th

A Brown Thrasher was seen briefly by Stuart McDonald on January 6-2019 but he was unsure what it was. On Feb 6-2019 the bird was photographed at his home on Johnstone Rd and it was able to be identified to species.

The bird continued in the same location on Feb 8th.

The home is not open to the public.

Brown Thrasher in Nelson - Photo: Stuart McDonald

This is the 41st record for the province of BC.

RBA: TUFTED DUCK in Victoria - Jan 19-March 24th

On January 19th, 2019, Jacques Sirois found a male Tufted Duck at Portage Inlet in Saanich. The bird was with a flock of about 250 scaup at the Craigflower Creek Estuary. It was only identified on January 28th.

The bird was found on February 1st and is still among the scaup flock in Portage Inlet. The crest of this bird is not very distinct and using features like the black back and more prominent pale, subterminal band on the bill should be used to facilitate identification. Viewing is perhaps best accomplished from the St. Giles Greenspace park at the end of Chancellor Ave. Parking is limited, so please remember to be respectful to residents and do not block roadways.

Map to one viewing location HERE

The bird was last seen on March 24th in Portage Inlet.

Male Tufted Duck in Saanich - Photo: Jacques Sirois

RBA: DUSKY THRUSH in Nanaimo - Jan 19-Feb 15th

At approximately 4:00pm on January 19th, 2019, David Baird and Bryan Vroom found a Dusky Thrush near the Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo. The bird was photographed along Gordon Road near the Holden Creek entrance to the estuary.

On January 20th the bird was relocated in the same area, feeding in the grassy fields on the north side of Gordon Road. It was seen on Jan 23rd at this location but was not seen on January 24th or 25th despite many observers looking.

***On Feb 10th-2019 the Dusky Thrush was relocated HERE near the holly tree near 1266 Gordon Rd in Nanaimo by Iwan llewellyn. Multiple observers were able to view the bird**

The bird continued in the same location on Feb 11th. The food source seems to be depleted at this location as of Feb 13th.

****On Feb 12th, the Dusky Thrush was located at a new close by spot HERE on Maughan Rd. It’s with American Robins and perching in hawthorn trees that are visible if you stand at the gate (at the map pin) and look east.****

The bird was last seen at the same location on Maughan Rd on Feb 15th. Despite multiple observers looking he has not been relocated on Feb 16th or 17th.

Please be respectful of private property and do not block traffic when parking and viewing it from the road.

This is the third record for the province of BC.

Dusky Thrush in Nanaimo - Photo: Jeremy Gatten

Dusky Thrush in Nanaimo - Photo: David Baird

RBA: FIELDFARE in Salmon Arm - Dec 16/18-Feb 6/19

At 11:30 am on Dec 16-2018 during a Christmas Bird Count, Roger and Nan Beardmore with Peter and Sharon Lawless found a Fieldfare (ABA Code 4), 10 km south of Salmon Arm. The bird was eating Mountain Ash berries in a flock of American Robins along the road at the corner of Krick Rd and Kernaghan Rd. Roger was able to obtain stunning photos of the bird. They watched the bird for 10 mins and left it there.

Map to location HERE

Berries have disappeared from the original location at corner of Krick and Kernaghan as of Jan 27. The Fieldfare has been seen recently in a slightly different location. Next to house #80 on Kernaghan Road is a small snowy track up a hill. Go about 50 meters up this hill and look into the backyard of house #80 to see a mountain ash that still has some berries. 

There have been a few days when the Fieldfare has been absent from the location (despite multiple observers looking) and they include Dec 24, 25, Jan 5, 9, 10, 25, and 26th.

**The bird was last seen in the same location on Feb 6th but was not relocated on Feb 7th.**

*Please be considerate of private property in the area, do not trespass and when parking do not block driveways.*

This is the second record for the province of BC.

A news article on the Fieldfare can be found HERE

Stunning photos of a Fieldfare (ABA Code 4) in Salmon Arm - Photos: Roger Beardmore

RBA: ARCTIC LOON in Sooke - Nov 25-28th

At 7:58 am on Nov 25-2018, David Bell found an Arctic Loon at Beechey Head off East Sooke Park in Sooke. The bird was due west of Beechey Head about halfway to Secretary Island. Daniele Donnecke soon after got on the bird and viewed it as well. At the time, due to a distance of greater than 1.5 km and poor viewing conditions and brevity of the sighting (3 minutes), they were not able to conclusively tell if the bird was an Arctic Loon. Digiscoped photos they took were not conclusive.

On Nov 28-2018 at 9:45 am David Bell relocated the same bird and was convinced this time that the bird was indeed an Arctic Loon. He obtained digiscoped photos but due to distance they are not conclusive but highly suggestive. His description is consistent with an Arctic Loon ie: flat, blocky head, consistent white flanks at all angles and larger size than a Pacific. He was able to view the bird well for ten minutes during this sighting in good viewing conditions as well. The bird was last seen flying far out of sight towards Neah Bay, WA.

Map to location HERE

Map to parking lot HERE

This is the second confirmed photographed record for the province of BC and the 1st photographed record submitted to the BC BRC.

RBA: BLACK-HEADED GULL in Victoria - Nov 20th

At 8:45 am on November 20-2018 Geoffrey Newell found and photographed a winter plumaged adult Black-headed Gull. The bird was flying alone and was heading NE about 400 metres offshore past McMicking Point in Oak Bay. He had excellent scope views of the bird as it flew past.

McMicking Point is located at the end of Radcliff Lane HERE

The bird has not been relocated since the initial sighting.

This is the 27th record for the province of BC.

Adult Black-headed Gull in Victoria - Photo: Geoffrey Newell

RBA: LITTLE GULL in Victoria - Oct 31-Nov 9th

At 7:15am on November 7-2018, Geoffrey Newell found an adult Little Gull at Cattle Point. The bird was flying around with Bonaparte's and Mew Gulls, less than 200 metres offshore. It was last seen heading NE towards Ten Mile Point. A photograph was obtained but the bird has not been relocated since 7:15am. Map to Cattle Point HERE

Upon this news Gordon Hart reviewed his photographs and found he had actually photographed the Little Gull at 2pm on Oct 31-2018 at the same location.

On Nov 8th-2018, the Little Gull was relocated by Cathy Reader at 10:40 am flying around Cadboro Bay. She viewed it off the end of Tudor Ave. It was flying around with Bonaparte's Gulls. It continued throughout the day.

The bird continues at Cadboro Bay as of Nov 9th but was not relocated on Nov 10th despite multiple observers looking.

You can view the Little Gull from these locations: HERE (the end of Cadboro Bay View Rd) and HERE (the end of Tudor Ave).

This is the 99th record for the province of BC.

Adult Little Gull in Victoria - Photos: Gordon Hart

RBA: "PIED" WHITE WAGTAIL in Kimberley - July 20-27th (late report)

Carol Olson found a White Wagtail in her yard on Warren Avenue in Kimberley on July 20th-2018. The bird appears to be a Pied Wagtail of the Motacilla alba yarrellii subspecies. 

Adult male leucopsis is ruled out because it would have a pure white wing panel, whereas the yarrellii subspecies have thin dark centres to the greater coverts. Also yarrellii have grey flanks as the bird photographed, while leucopsis do not. Lugens is ruled out due to the lack of the black eyeline.

The bird stayed in her yard for 7 days before it departed. 

This is the first record of this subspecies for BC.

This is the 14th record of White Wagtail for the province of BC.

White Wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) in Kimberley - Photo: Carol Olson

RBA: BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER in Kelowna - Nov 5-27th

At 1:15 pm on Nov 5-2018, Chris Charlesworth found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher along the Okanagan Rail Trail, 400m north of Scandia Golf and Games. The bird is travelling with a flock of Black-capped Chickadees.

Map to exact location HERE

The bird was last seen in the same location near pole 79 on Nov 27th.

This is the 2nd record for the Okanagan and 22nd record for the province of BC.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Kelowna - Photo: Chris Charlesworth

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Saanich - October 28th

At 9 am on  Oct 28th-2018, Randy Dzenkiw found a Red-throated Pipit in an American Pipit flock in the tilled fields at McHugh Rd and McIntyre Rd. The bird was viewed by multiple observers. Randy had great views with Mike Bentley from 11:30 am until he left the bird in the same field at 12pm.

Map HERE

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

The bird was not relocated on October 29th.

Red-throated Pipit in Saanich - Photos: Randy Dzenkiw

RBA: VERMILION FLYCATCHER in White Rock - October 20th

At 3:30 pm on October 20th-2018, Kaichi Huang found an immature female Vermilion Flycatcher perched in a tree in the parking lot west of White Rock Pier. He viewed the bird for 15 mins before it flew and he lost track of it.

This is the first record for the province of BC.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

Despite multiple observers looking the bird was not relocated on Oct 20th or 21st.

 

BC's first Vermilion Flycatcher (Imm. Female) in White Rock - Photos: Kaichi Huang

RBA: PINE BUNTING in Victoria - October 15th

At 1:30 pm on October 15-2018, a 1st year female Pine Bunting was photographed by Maury Swoveland. The bird was initially identified as a Lapland Longspur and therefore word did not get out until Oct 16th when it was identified. The bird was first found on the grass by the the park signs at the south end of Uplands Park along Beach Drive (where Beach Drive bisects Uplands Park). He last saw it perched in a nearby Garry Oak.

Map to location HERE

If accepted by the BC Bird Records Committee this would be the first record for the province of BC and the first record for the ABA outside of Alaska.

The bird has not been relocated on October 17th or 18th, despite multiple observers looking.

A news story can be found HERE at CBC news

Female Pine Bunting in Victoria - Photos: Maury Swoveland

RBA: LESSER GOLDFINCH in Cranbrook - Oct 6th

At 3 pm on October 6-2018, Dianne Cooper and Joe Rothermund found a male Lesser Goldfinch. It was in a small flock of American Goldfinches and House Finches, which flushed from a feeder beside the road at a private residence which is located in the 2200 block of Mission Wycliffe Rd. The bird flushed to a small bush off the west corner of the property.  Dianne watched the bird in the bush for 15 minutes, then the flock was flushed by a Red-tailed Hawk. The bird returned to the feeder area 15 minutes later where she viewed it foraging. She was able to get some digiscoped shots.

The feeder is just inside the property's fence adjacent to the road.and is viewable from a wide parking spot. Please do not block any driveways when viewing this bird and be respectful of all private property and residents in the area.

This is the 25th record for the province of BC.

The bird was not relocated on Oct 7th.

Male Lesser Goldfinch in Cranbrook - Photos: Dianne Cooper

RBA: COMMON RINGED PLOVER in Campbell River - Sept 5-6th (Late Report)

Guy Monty and Mark Wynja photographed a Common Ringed Plover at Oyster Bay on Sept 5-2018. They were there to view a reported Buff-breasted Sandpiper and did not notice what they had photographed. On Sept 27-2018, Nathan Hentze alerted them to a bird that looked like a Common Ringed Plover that was misidentified as a Semipalmated Plover and was photographed by Vibeke Pedersen at the same location on Sept 6th. Vibeke Pedersen photographed the plover just after 8am on Sept 6-2018 as it walked on the mudflats along the shore close to the main parking lot at the southern part of Oyster Bay. This caused Guy Monty to review his photos from Oyster Bay that day and he found that he in fact did photograph a Common Ringed Plover.

Map to Oyster Bay HERE

BC's first Common Ringed Plover in Campbell River. Sept 6, 2018. Photo: Vibeke Pedersen

This is the 1st record for the province of BC.

RBA: 2 RED-THROATED PIPITS in Victoria - Sept 28th

At 7:10 am on Sept 28-2018, Geoffrey Newell found a Red-throated Pipit calling its distinctive call in an American Pipit flock at Gonzales Point located off Beach Drive on the Victoria Golf Course. The bird was heard by Neil Hughes as well ten minutes later. Geoffrey Newell was able to get a visual in flight but the bird was not relocated after this and no photographs were obtained.

Map to location HERE

At 6pm on Sept 28-2018, Geoffrey Newell found a second Red-throated Pipit half way up the east beach at Saanichton Spit. He was able to get photographs of the bird as well. The bird was still present at 7:20pm when he left and was sitting on driftwood on the beach in an American Pipit flock.

Map to location of bird HERE

Red-throated Pipit at Saanichton Spit - Photos: Geoffrey Newell

This is the 56th and 57th record for the province of BC.

RBA: RED-FOOTED BOOBY off Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island - Sept 27-28th

An adult dark morph Red-footed Booby came into BC waters at 2pm on Sept 27-2018. He was first discovered on Sept 22-2018 by Kyle Brynjolfson, as it flew onto his commercial fishing vessel "La Porsche." He was fishing for Albacore Tuna in international waters at the time HERE. The bird never left the vessel for long periods, other than for flying around and fishing, and is still sitting on the ship. It is currently 120 miles off of Cape Saint James in Haida Gwaii. They are travelling within 30 miles of Cape Scott on Vancouver Island where they will continue to fish for the next 1-2 days before returning to port. If the booby continues to stick to the ship, a pelagic or boat out of Port Hardy would have a good chance of seeing him.

Map to the exact location of the Red-footed Booby on Sept 27-2018 HERE

As of 7 pm on Sept 28-2018 the Red-footed Booby continued with the vessel off Cape Scott on Vancouver Island.

Map to the exact last known location of the Red-footed Booby on Sept 28-2018 HERE

The bird flew off the vessel on the evening of Sept 28th and has not returned on Sept 29th.

First Red-footed Booby in BC - Photos: Kyle Brynjolfson

This is the 1st record for the province of BC!

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Saanich - Sept 23-Oct 6th

At 5:15pm on Sept 23-2018, Jeremy Gatten found a Red-throated Pipit in a fallow field at the Vanreight Bulb Fields (Longview Farms) in Saanich. He was able to get a recording of the bird which you can listen to HERE. He had the pipit on an off for 30 mins as it got flushed by a Cooper's Hawk. 

The address is 8277 Central Saanich Rd and a Map to where he saw the bird is HERE

The bird was photographed by David Bell on Sept 24th.

This is the 55th record for the province of BC.

The bird continues in the same location as of Oct 6th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

Red-throated Pipit in flight in Saanich - Photo: David Bell

RBA: BLACK-TAILED GULL in Lund - Sept 13-Oct 3rd

At 12pm on Sept 13-2018, while kayaking; Ken Wright found a 3rd cycle Black-tailed Gull near Lund. The bird was resting on Major Islet which is an island that is only accessible by boat. Ken observed the gull for an hour and left it there, before paddling
The bird was not seen on the morning of Sept 17th, but Pierre Geoffray relocated it resting on Major Islet on the evening of Sept 17th-2018.

The bird continues in the same location on Sept 18th and was viewed by multiple observers all day.

Map to location HERE

At 9:30 am on Sept 19-2018, the bird was sitting on the government dock in Lund and viewed by many observers. No boat is required to access this location.

Map to location HERE

The Black-tailed Gull was not relocated on the dock nor on Major Islet between Sept 20-22nd.

The bird was relocated in Powell River on Sept 24th, as it flew by the old golf course between the log dump and the breakwater HERE . The gull wasn't flying in the direction of Lund.

The Black-tailed Gull was relocated sitting on Major Islet on Sept 26th at 12pm.

To make reservations to get to Major Islet with Terracentric Coastal Adventures click HERE. The cost to rent the boat is 150$ per hour and it holds a maximum of 6 people.

The Black-tailed Gull was not relocated on Major Islet on Sept 27th.

The Black-tailed Gull was seen on Major Islet on Oct 3rd. Multiple observers have searched since this date but it has not been relocated.

This is the 3rd photo-documented record of Black-tailed Gull in the province of BC.

Black-tailed Gull on Sept 26, 2018 at Major Islet in Lund - Photos: Jeff Duerr

3rd cycle Black-tailed Gull in Lund - Photo: Kurt Hennige/Macaulay Library

RBA: SLATY-BACKED GULL in Delta - Sept 16th

At 2pm on Sept 16-2018, Peter Lypkie and Mike Toochin found a 3rd cycle Slaty-backed Gull sitting on the mudflats in front of the mansion at 96th St at Boundary Bay.

Map to location HERE

The bird was viewed by multiple observers on Sept 16th.

The bird was not relocated on Sept 17-22nd, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 82nd record for the province of BC.

3rd cycle Slaty-backed Gull in Delta - Digiscoped Photo: Sharon Toochin

3rd cycle Slaty-backed Gull in Delta - Photos: Rob Lyske

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Manning Park - Sept 11th

At 11 am on Sept 11-2018 Kurt Hennige and Rob Worona found an immature/female type Chestnut-sided Warbler by the bridge in trees and shrubs on the Canyon Nature Trail in E.C. Manning Provincial Park; which is located between Hope and Princeton. They watched the bird for 1 minute before it flew off in a mixed warbler flock.

Map to exact location of bird HERE.

This is the 71st record for the province of BC. 

Chestnut-sided Warbler at Manning Park - Photo: Kurt Hennige/Macaulay Library

RBA: ORCHARD ORIOLE in Kelowna - Sept 9th

At 4:30pm on Sept 9-2018, 15 year old Kalin Ocana found a female Orchard Oriole at Munson Pond. The bird was sitting in the grass at this location HERE.

The bird has not been relocated as of posting time, despite multiple observers looking. Nor was it relocated on Sept 10th.

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

Female Orchard Oriole in Kelowna - Photo: Kalin Ocana

RBA: LARK BUNTING in Sechelt - Sept 7th

At 8:20 am on Sept 7-2018, John Hodges found a juvenile Lark Bunting at Wilson Creek Estuary in Sechelt. The bird was foraging on the ground between an abandoned building and a derelict boat on the water. The bird was viewed by multiple observers throughout the afternoon and was very tame.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

This is the 38th record for the province of BC.

There was one brief single observer sighting on Sept 8 but no one present could see or relocate the bird at this time or up to six hours later.

Lark Bunting in Sechelt - Photo: Arnold Skei/Macaulay Library