RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Squamish - May 22-23rd

At 8 am on May 22-2020, Jimmy Abbott found a single White-faced Ibis HERE at the Squamish River Estuary; off 3rd Ave where the railway tracks meet the Squamish Terminals Port entrance.

The bird is still present as of May 23rd and has been viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 53rd record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

White-faced Ibis in Squamish - Photo: Jimmy Abbott

White-faced Ibis in Squamish - Photo: Christopher Di Corrado

A beautiful video of the bird by Chris Dale can be viewed below:

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Fernie - May 19-21st

At 6:10 pm on May 19-2020, Ryan Schultz photographed a single White-faced Ibis as it flew north over him while he was at Maiden Lake in Fernie. The bird circled over the lake for awhile and he last saw it flying north over Maiden Lake at 7:18 pm.

Map to first location HERE

***At 3pm on May 20-2020, the Ibis was relocated in a grassy field HERE and was viewed by multiple observers. The bird was last seen in the same location at 1pm on May 21st.

This is the 52nd record for BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

White-faced Ibis in Fernie - Photos: Ryan Schultz

RBA: PROTHONOTARY WARBLER in Osoyoos - May 17th

At 11:30am on May 17-2020, Nathan Earley found and photographed a male Prothonotary Warbler in Osoyoos near Road 22. The bird was foraging and singing in the bushes near the water where the oxbows meet the dyke.

Map to location HERE.

The bird was last seen in the same location and was singing at 4pm and was been viewed by multiple observers on May 17th.

It was not relocated on May 18th, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 10th record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Male Prothonotary Warbler in Osoyoos - Photo: Kathryn Milligan

Male Prothonotary Warbler in Osoyoos - Photo: Nathan Earley

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Kelowna - May 14-15th

At 4:30 pm on May 14-2020, Michael Force found a Black Phoebe at the north side of Carney Pond in Kelowna. 

The bird was last seen May 15th and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on May 16th, despite multiple observers looking.

Map to location HERE

This is the 29th record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Black Phoebe in Kelowna - Photo: David Bell

Black Phoebe in Kelowna - Photo: Michael Force

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Agassiz - May 14th

On May 14-2020, A White-faced Ibis were photographed in a farm field on Tranmer Rd near McDonald Rd S near in Agassiz. The finder wishes to remain anonymous but the farm is owned by Kevin Mammel.

Map to location HERE

This is the 51st record for the province of BC

RBA: DICKCISSEL in Agassiz - May 12-13th

At 5pm on May 12-2020, Joan Moore photographed a male Dickcissel at her home in Agassiz. The bird was with a flock of House Sparrows.

The bird returned briefly for ten mins at 6pm on May 13th. So far it has not returned on May 14th.

This home is not open to the public.

This is the 27th record for BC.

Dickcissel in Agassiz - Photos: Joan Moore

RBA: 20 WHITE-FACED IBIS in Richmond - May 12-23rd

At 4pm on May 12-2020, Wayne Diakow and Paul Clarke watched 18 White-faced Ibis fly over their heads while they stood near the Iona inner ponds.The birds flew south towards the YVR airport control tower. The birds were seen at 5pm by Michael Kawerninski flying north over the Fraser River towards Musqueam Lands/Vancouver.

At 9 am on May 13-2020, Ben Christie relocated now 20 White-faced Ibis briefly sitting HERE on the Fraser River off River Rd at Terra Nova. The birds then picked up and flew south towards Garry Point Park. They are likely still wandering in the area of Richmond and birders should be on the lookout.

At 2pm Wayne Diakow relocated the Ibis as they flew low over Garry Point Park and then turned and headed north back towards Terra Nova.

*At 6 am on May 18-2020, Alex and Jana Chlupova photographed 4 White-faces Ibis as they flew N over Terra Nova. The birds briefly landed HERE before continuing north.*

*From 6 am to 10:30 am on May 19th-2020, 3 White-faced Ibis were relocated by Mike and Sharon Toochin and seen HERE on Sea Island across from 2860 River Rd and were viewed by multiple observers.

The 3 Ibis were last seen on the mudflats on May 22nd HERE and were viewed by multiple observers.The birds can hide well when in tall grasses and a scope is needed but sometimes they walk out in mudflats in the open and are very viewable with binoculars.

**At 10 am on May 23rd-2020, Devin de Zwaan saw 1 Ibis at Iona HERE. It was still present as of 2:45pm, sitting on the mudflats on the south side of the south jetty. The bird was 100m out, approximately halfway between the base of the south jetty and the first shelter**

This is the 50th record for the province of BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for these birds. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

White-faced Ibis in Richmond - Photo: Devin de Zwaan

White-faced Ibis in Richmond - Photo: Paul Clarke

RBA: 6 WHITE-FACED IBIS in Wardner - May 11-14th

At 11:45 am on May 11-2020, Alan Barnard found two White-faced Ibis in Wardner. At 5pm Rob Woods and others went to look for them and found 3 White-faced Ibis at the same location.

On May 12th, 6 birds continued in the same location and have been viewed by multiple observers.

**The birds continue in the same location as of May 14th and have been viewed by multiple observers.**

Map to location HERE.

Directions: At the Wardner turnoff, just after you turn off, park on the north side of Wardner Road there is a wide spot at the corner. Walk up the old highway/rail trail (towards Cranbrook) until you see an opening in the fence on the left. Go through the fence and walk over two small hills and then out west across the field to the marsh.  The 3 birds are in the field with cattle or in the marsh. 

This is the 49th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

White-faced Ibis in Wardner - Photos: Bobby Dailey

RBA: 16 WHITE FACED IBIS in Creston - May 11th

At 8:40 am on May 11, 2020 - Paul Foth found 16 White-faced Ibis on the southeast corner of Duck Lake.The birds were still present as of 5:10pm and viewed by multiple observers before they flew off.

The birds were not relocated on May 12th.

Map to location HERE

This is the 48th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing these birds. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

White-faced Ibis in Creston - Photos: Gaelen Schnare

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Hope - May 9th

At 9am on May 9-2020, Larry Hooge, Ed Klassen, John Vooys and Joel Schmidt found and photographed a Loggerhead Shrike at the east end of the Hope Airport. The bird was perched on a stanchion and was actively hunting.

Map to location of bird HERE.

The bird has not been relocated.

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

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Loggerhead Shrike in Hope - Photo: Joel Schmidt

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Edgewood - May 9th

At 10 am on May 9-2020, Julia and Warren Flesaker found a Loggerhead Shrike on Ferret Rd north of Hopp Rd in Edgewood. The bird was actively hunting from trees in the field.

Map to location HERE

**Please do not enter the fields which are private property.**

*The bird continued in the same location as of 7pm and was viewed by multiple observers.*

This is the 98th record for the province of BC

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Loggerhead Shrike in Edgewood - Photo: Warren Flesaker

RBA: SUMMER TANAGER in Invermere - May 8th

At 7:30 pm on May 8-2020, Cam Gillies found a male Summer Tanager at his friend's house. The bird is coming to feeders in the front and back yard.

The public are allowed to come and view the bird as per the homeowners. It is located at 717 14th St in Invermere.

The bird has not been relocated on May 9th, despite others looking.

**Please be respectful of private property, social distance 2m apart, wear a face mask and do not block driveways.**


This is the 8th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Summer Tanager in Invermere - Photo: Cam Gillies

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Nanaimo - May 6th

At 12:45pm on May 6-2020, Bryan Vroom found a male Indigo Bunting at the Jack Point trail parking lot at Duke Point.

Map to location HERE 

The bird was last seen int the same location as of 6pm and was viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated on May 7th.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Indigo Bunting in Nanaimo - Photos: Braden Judson

RBA: GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE in Nakusp - May 5-6th

At 8:15 am on May 5-2020, Julia Flesaker found a Green-tailed Towhee in a private yard at 425 9th Ave NW. The bird was viewed from the alley near the soccer field at Nakusp Secondary School. The homeowner is ok with birders looking from the alley but please be respectful of private property and do not enter the yard.

Map to location of where to look for the bird HERE

Directions: Turn west off Hwy 23 onto 4th St NW. Continue past the school and to the end of the playing field. Walk up the gravel lane. Th bird has been frequenting the third and fourth back yard along the lane. 

The bird was last seen in the same location on May 6th and was viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated thus far on May 7th.

This is the 13th record for BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Green-tailed Towhee in Nakusp - Photos: Julia Flesaker

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Castlegar - May 3rd

At 8:30am on May 3-2020, Craig Sandvig found a Loggerhead Shrike at Selkirk College Trails. The bird was located in the east field. This is the field directly east of the oxbow with all the hawthorn shrubs.

Map to location of bird HERE

The bird continued as of 12:30pm and was viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 97th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*


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

Loggerhead Shrike in Castlegar - Photo: Craig Sandvig

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Nelson - April 26-28th

At 10:30am on April 26-2020, Barbara and Neville Maytom found a Black Phoebe at Cottonwood Creek near the transfer station in Nelson. The bird is flycatching from the bank of the creek on the airport side before you get to the last wooden bridge and is vocalizing often.

Map to exact location of bird HERE

The bird was last seen on April 28th and was viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated on April 29th.

This is the 28th record for the province of BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Black Phoebe in Nelson - Photo: Craig Sandvig

Black Phoebe in Nelson - Photo: Paul Prappas

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Kamloops - April 12th

At 11 am on April 12-2020, Lyn Macdonald photographed a Loggerhead Shrike perched on a bush at Separation Lake.

Map to exact location of bird HERE.
  
The bird has not been relocated since.

This is the 96th record for the province of BC.

  *As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Loggerhead Shrike in Kamloops - Photo: Lyn Macdonald

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Coquitlam - April 4th

At 2:40 pm on April 4-2020, Andrew Boycott photographed a Loggerhead Shrike along the entrance road at Colony Farm in Coquitlam. There is also a Northern Shrike in the same area.

Map to exact location HERE

This is the 95th record for the province of BC.

The bird was not relocated on April 6th.


*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing or looking for this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Loggerhead Shrike in Coquitlam - Photos: Andrew Boycott

RBA: TUFTED DUCK in Burnaby - March 23-April 15th

At 10 am on March 23-2020, Teresa Gagné found an adult male Tufted Duck at Piper Spit at Burnaby Lake

The bird was last seen on April 15th near the boardwalk and has been viewed by multiple observers. It has not been seen since, despite multiple observers looking.

Map to location HERE

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 metres apart when viewing this bird. Please follow all public health directives (including not birding in groups) during this pandemic. The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Male Tufted Duck in Burnaby - Photo: Melissa Hafting

Male Tufted Duck in Burnaby - Photo: Denis Laplante

RBA: SLATY-BACKED GULL in Royston - March 7th

At 11:15am on March 7-2019, Liam Singh found and photographed an adult Slaty-backed Gull at the end of Amber Way near Spindrift Rd in Royston (near Courtenay). The bird was viewed by a few other observers and Liam lost sight of it around 12:20pm. The bird was not relocated despite multiple observers looking.

Map to location HERE

This is the 83rd record for the province of BC.

Adult Slaty-backed Gull in Royston - Photos: Liam Singh

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Nanaimo - Jan 15-18th

An Indigo Bunting was photographed on Jan 15th by Curtis Rispin at his private home in Nanaimo. The bird was seen again on Jan 17th by several observers on Milton St between Campbell St and Wentworth St.

The bird was last seen at the same location on Jan 18th but was not relocated on Jan 19th despite multiple observers looking.

Map to general location to look for bird HERE

**Please be respectful of private property and other residents and do not block driveways.**

Indigo Bunting in Nanaimo - Photo: David Baird

RBA: MCKAY'S BUNTING in Delta - Dec 7-12th (Late Report)

At 2:15 pm on Dec 7, 2019 Mike Klotz found a pale bunting which he thought was a Snow Bunting at the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty.  At 4:15 pm on Dec 8, 2019 Liron Gerstman found the Bunting during a Coastal Waterbird Survey and noticed it was unusually pale.  He sent me photos for a second opinion but I was away from a computer and phone access on vacation. Unfortunately this did prevent me from studying this properly and for getting the word out as widely as possible. Liron did let locals know about a pale Snow Bunting and eight people went to see it.  He also reported it as a Snow Bunting to the RBA and it was placed on the Vancouver page as a Snow Bunting. The bird remained in the same location until Dec 12, 2019. It has unfortunately not been relocated since. 

Map to location of where bird was seen on the south side of the ferry jetty HERE

With photographer permission I was able to send a series of photos to several experts including Jack Withrow - Collections Manager at the University of Alaska and to Jason Rogers (who wrote the ABA article on how to identify them). Both of them came back with several reasons as to why it was a female McKay's Bunting. Although we did not have a spread tail shot, we had a spread wing shot which proved diagnostic. Both Jack and Jason saw no reason to consider a hybrid and felt it was a pure female Mckay's Bunting. 

Some points they made (shared with permission):

From: Jack Withrow (UA Museum, Collections Manager, Birds)

"This bird matches my conception of a female McKay's best, I have no reservations calling it that. In fresh plumage like this it's sometimes hard to assess what the mantle/back would look like once the fringes wear off, but this bird is just too pale to be a male Snow Bunting (even of townsendi) in that regard and almost certainly too well marked to be a "pure" hyperboreus if it's a male (which I don't think it is). The black on the flight feathers is just about gone by the 6th (from outermost) primary (this does not happen on female Snow Buntings), and the outer webs (and tips) of the primaries are extensively white (I think beyond what you would find on a male Snow Bunting), and it's just sorta on the pale end of the Plectrophenax spectrum (e.g., almost no rust on head/neck)."

When I asked Jack if photos were needed of the third retrix to be sure of the ID he said:

"I don't think it's necessary in this case, everything else points towards a female hyperboreus, possibly an adult based on the mostly white pp coverts, seemingly dark primary color saturation, and tail feathers that appear somewhat rounded and not very pointed."

Jack also provided more info on why the bird's wing pattern is diagnostic.

"My sense is that almost no one appreciates how much variation there is in Plectrophenax buntings (there is nearly a complete cline of phenotypes). 

...your bird appears to have a wing that matches female hyperboreus best: it has a very jagged/stripped thing going on in the primaries where the black transitions to white (caused by the black extending further towards the bases on the outer vane with a concomitant extensive white edge to the outer vane) unlike all the male nivalis which are far more abrupt in this transition. The primary coverts are duskier at their bases than their tips, a pattern not seen in any male hyperboreus (at least in this series which includes many SY birds), but that matches many of the female hyperboreus quite well... I still think this is more hyperboreus than anything else."

From Jason Rogers:

"The spread-wing photo proved especially helpful here. The sharply-pointed scapular centres, brownish "black" areas, dirty white primary bases, mottled primary coverts, and fairly pristine flight feathers in combination safely identify this as a female Plectrophenax. With that established, no female Snow Bunting should appear this white. The outer primaries are extensively light, the secondaries appear immaculate, the outer greater coverts seem to have (at most) a touch of dark at the bases, and there's a strong contrast between the mantle and "back"- this is all consistent with female McKay's. Age is trickier, but I'm leaning toward adult based on feather wear and how white the primary and greater coverts appear to be. I see no reason to consider a hybrid at this point."

This is the 4th record for BC.

Female Mckay's Bunting in Delta - Photos: Kathryn Milligan

 

 

Female McKay's Bunting in Delta - Photos: Liron Gertsman

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Victoria - Dec 6-29th

At 1:00 PM on December 6th, Geoffrey Newell found a Red-throated Pipit at Martindale Flats in Victoria. The bird was off the South side of Island View Rd east of Lamont Rd.

He notes "I found the bird at 1:00 PM in the grassy and weedy fields on the south side of Island View Rd east of Puckle Rd. It was last seen closer to McHugh Rd (a little further east). The bird was alone, not with American Pipits, and produced its diagnostic high clear "psssssss" flight call whenever it took flight. This is my 6th Red-throated Pipit in 4 years around Victoria!"

The bird continues as of Dec. 29th in the plowed field on the south side of Island View Rd between McHugh and Puckle Rds. 

This is the 60th record for BC.

Red-throated Pipit in Victoria - Photo: Jeremy Gatten

Red-throated Pipit in Victoria - Photo: Liam Singh

RBA: WHITE WAGTAILS near Prince Rupert - Nov 10-13th and Dec 9-11th

Erik Milton found a White Wagtail of the Black-backed subspecies (lugens) on Triple Islands Lighthouse, that he mans. The bird was present from Nov 10-13th. The bird was not seen on Nov 14th.

This location is not open to the public.

Map to location HERE

On Dec 9-11th Jim Redden found another or the same White Wagtail 32km away from Triple Islands Lighthouse at Green Island Lighthouse. A photo of the bird can be seen HERE.

The BRC has accepted this as a separate record, noting it could be the same individual that Erik Milton first found.

This is the 15th and 16th record for the province of BC.

White Wagtail in Prince Rupert - Photo: Erik Milton

RBA: BLACK-THROATED SPARROW in Revelstoke - Nov 11-Dec 9th

At 8:30 am on November 11-2019, Darlene Cancelliere found an adult Black-throated Sparrow in her yard. This is not the first rarity to visit her yard. She has also had such rarities as a Black-throated Blue Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Brambling, Sage Thrasher, Dickcissel and Blackburnian Warbler just to name a few.

The home is open to the public at 407 Edward St. Please view the bird from the front yard only and do not enter the backyard. Please be respectful of all residences in the area.

**The bird was rediscovered on Nov 23 and Dec 9 at the same location, both following snow storms**

The bird has not been seen since Dec 9th.

This is the 50th record for the province of BC.

Black-throated Sparrow in Revelstoke - Photos: Darlene Cancelliere

RBA: IVORY GULL in Wardner - Nov 10th

At 12:15 pm on November 10-2019, Alan Barnard and Mike Bentley found an Ivory Gull on Lake Koocanusa. The bird was viewed from 50 feet away with binoculars as it flew by them. They were not able to get photos (didn't have cameras) but had clear views. Their description of an adult all white bird with black legs and greenish yellow tipped bill does not fit anything else but an Ivory Gull. A leucistic gull would be ruled out due to the black legs. The bird kept flying south after their observation and they tried to relocate it for 8 km down the lake in vain but increasing snowfall made them stop.

However, there is an area further down the river that birders should check at Koocanusa Crossing that has open water (not iced over) with plenty of spawned out Kokanee Salmon that could attract the gull.

Map to location of where bird was last seen HERE.

This is the 8th record for the province of BC.

*The gull was not relocated on Nov 11th, despite multiple observers looking over a 20km stretch for several hours.*