RBA: BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER in Kelowna - Nov 4-22nd

At 9 am on Nov 4-2021, Huw Williams found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in a Black-capped Chickadee flock at Munson Pond. The bird was seen off the viewing platform near the parking area.

Map to first location HERE

The bird was still present in the SE corner of Munson Pond HERE and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird continues HERE behind the nearby school on Nov 22nd and has been viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 24th record for BC.

 *As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Kelowna - Photo: Chris Charlesworth

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Kelowna - Photo: Ian Walker

RBA: WHITE WAGTAIL in Haida Gwaii - Oct 18-29th

At 10:35 am on Oct 18-2021, Paul Levesque and Christine Rock found a White Wagtail in Queen Charlotte City. The bird was flycatching from the roof of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans building at 137 Bay St. It was also seen foraging along the beach near the same building. The bird has an injury to its right foot but doesn’t seem too affected by it.

The bird was last seen by them at 11:35am in the same area that day.

The bird was not relocated on Oct 19th.

At 3pm on Oct 22nd Paul Levesque relocated the bird at the same location. The bird was foraging for insects on the roof of the DFO building and on the ground at the adjacent baseball diamond.

Map to location HERE

The bird was last seen in the same location on Oct 29th and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on Oct 30th or 31st.

This is the 17th record for BC.

 *As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). 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 Wagtail in Haida Gwaii - Photo: Carey Bergman

White Wagtail in Haida Gwaii - Photo: Paul Levesque 

RBA: SLATY-BACKED GULL in Campbell River - Sept 28-30th

At 10 am on Sept 28-2021, Keith Matthieu found and photographed an adult Slaty-backed Gull as it sat on the beach near the Ken Forde Boat Launch at Willow Point Estuary.

The bird was present in the area as of 12:56pm and was viewed by multiple observers before it flew south. 

Map to location HERE

On Sept 30-2021, the bird was relocated by Jack Bindernagel at Oyster Bay and was viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated since.

Map to location HERE

This is the 85th record for BC.

 *As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Slaty-backed Gull in Campbell River - Photos: Keith Matthieu

RBA: ORCHARD ORIOLE in Metchosin - Sept 28th

At 7:35am on Sept 28-2021, David Bell banded a female Orchard Oriole at Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Metchosin. The bird was still present near the banding station as of 12:15pm before flying east.

This location is not open to the public.

This is the 10th record for BC.

Female Orchard Oriole in Metchosin - Photo: David Bell

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Tofino - Sept 27th

At 1pm on Sept 27-2021, Ian Cruickshank found a Snowy Plover on the upper part of Comber's Beach. The bird was located 300m SE of the Sandhill Creek Mouth in Pacific Rim National Park near Tofino.

**Note it is impossible and dangerous to wade across this creek at high tide. At high tide it is best to access this location from the Wick Beach parking lot rather than the Comber's Beach parking lot.**

Map to location HERE

This is the 34th record for BC.

 *As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Snowy Plover in Tofino - Photos: Ian Cruickshank

RBA: MANX SHEARWATER near Port McNeill - Sept 24th

At 6:30pm on Sept 24-2021, Jared Towers found a Manx Shearwater at Bold Head in Blackfish Sound near Swanson Island.

Map to location HERE.

This is the 68th record for BC.

Manx Shearwater near Port McNeill - Photos: Jared Towers

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Abbotsford - Sept 10-24th

At 9:45am on Sept 10-2021, Susan Fennellow found a Black Phoebe at McDonald Park in Abbotsford. 

Map to location HERE

The bird was last seen in the same location on Sept 24th and was viewed by multiple observers. It was not seen on Sept 25th. 

This is the 34th record for BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). 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 Abbotsford - Photo: Neal Doan

Black Phoebe in Abbotsford - Photo: Mark McAnally

RBA: FERRUGINOUS HAWK in Edgewood - Aug 30th

At 7:30am on Aug 30-2021, Gary Davidson and Cat McLean found an immature Ferruginous Hawk in Edgewood. The bird was sitting on a irrigation pipe in a hay field in the NW corner of the Ferret Rd Loop.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been relocated since.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Ferruginous Hawk in Edgewood - Photo: Gary Davidson

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS off Tofino - Aug 29th

At 10:45 am on Aug 29- 2021 during a pelagic with Ocean Outfitters, Mike Toochin spotted an immature Short-tailed Albatross at Clayoquot Canyon off the “Miss B Haven” boat. The bird was banded and all observers got on the bird. The band info from Japan follows:

The researcher Mr. Fumio Sato said the bird was banded on 7th March 2021 at Hatsunezaki colony of Torishima, Japan.  When this bird was banded, it was a chick in the nest.

Colour ring No. X10, and the small ring of the Ministry of the Environment No. 13E9019. Sex was unknown.

Map to location of bird HERE

Banded Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photos: Melissa Hafting

4 MANX SHEARWATERS near Port McNeill - Aug 17-Sept 2nd

On August 17-2021, John Cooper et al. found a single Manx Shearwater in Cormorant Channel HERE. On August 18-2021, Jared Towers found 3 Manx Shearwaters and photographed 2 at Bold Head in Blackfish Sound. At 2:40pm on August 20-2021, Gord Curry refound 2 Manx Shearwaters at Bold Head in Blackfish Sound and at 3:45pm Susan Knoerr had 3 Manx Shearwaters in the same area in nearby Cormorant Channel (5km to the SW).  On Aug 21st Jared Towers saw 2 birds in the same area at Bold Head near Swanson Island. These are likely the same birds first found by Jared Towers at Bold Head on August 18th.

Gord Curry was able to photograph one of the birds. They were travelling in a flock of approximately 2000 Short-tailed Shearwaters an unheard of number on our BC coast in August.

Map to location of Gord Curry’s August 20th sighting HERE

At 1pm on August 23-2021, Gord Curry found 4 Manx Shearwaters in Blackfish Sound NW of Bold Head HERE

On Aug 26-2021 Jared Towers saw 1 bird also at Bold Head.

On Aug 28-2021, Gord Curry relocated one bird in the same area.

All of these sightings will be treated as 1 record as they are most certainly the same birds hanging around the area.

On Sept 2-2021, Guy Monty et al. saw 2 Manx Shearwaters HERE near Nigei Island.

This the 66th and 67th record for BC.

Manx Shearwaters near Alert Bay - Photos: Jared Towers

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Rosedale - August 7-10th

At 2:10pm on August 7-2021, Marc Sole and Catherine Denny found and photographed a Black Phoebe at Cheam Lake Wetlands. The bird was actively flycatching from the nearby vegetation and logs. They viewed the bird for 15 mins from the floating bridge as they looked west over the lake.

Map to location HERE

This is the 33rd record for BC.

On August 10th, the bird was seen west of the viewing platform near the picnic area. The bird has also been seen north of here near the creek outflow.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). 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 Rosedale - Photo: Marc Sole

RBA: MANX SHEARWATER near Port Hardy - July 28th

At 9am on July 28-2021, Evan Larson found and photographed a Manx Shearwater as it flew by the fishing charter he was on. He viewed the bird for twenty seconds as it quickly disappeared west.

Map to location of where he saw the bird HERE

Proper photos to come.

This is the 65th record for BC.

Manx Shearwater near Port Hardy - Photo: Evan Larson

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Coquitlam - July 21-30th

At 10:30 am on July 21-2021, Graham Sunderland found a male Indigo Bunting by the yellow gate and works yard at Colony Farm.

Map to location HERE

The bird was last seen in the same location on July 30th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). 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 Coquitlam - Photos: Melissa Hafting

RBA: COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD in Delta - June 12th (late report)

At 1pm on June 12-2021, Mark Rubensohn photographed a female Costa’s Hummingbird that stopped briefly at the feeder near the house pond at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. The bird was initially misidentified as an Anna’s. The bird was confirmed as well by hummingbird expert Sheri Williamson.  

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been photographed or reported at the location since June 12th.

This is the 32nd record for BC.

Female Costa’s Hummingbird in Delta - Photos: Mark Rubensohn

RBA: TRICOLORED HERON in Cowichan Bay - July 12th

At 7am on July 12-2021, Ken Thorne and Len Van Driel found and photographed a Tricolored Heron at the Cowichan Bay Estuary. 

Ken asked me not to post the exact location as he does not want the bird inundated with people and the rural area inundated with traffic. The bird was found on public property and birders should search the three trails into Cowichan Bay Estuary. If the bird is refound by others a location will be posted.

This is a 1st record for BC.

The bird has not been refound, despite multiple observers looking all around the area.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Tricolored Heron in Cowichan Bay - Photos: Ken Thorne

RBA: WOOD SANDPIPER in Victoria - July 5-9th

At 9:30 am on July 5-2021, Geoffrey Newell found an adult Wood Sandpiper in the SW quadrant of Panama Flats in Victoria. The bird can disappear for length periods of time in the vegetation.

Map to location HERE

The bird was last seen in the same spot in the SW quadrant but has also seen in the NE quadrant on July 9th and was viewed by multiple observers.

*The last photographed confirmed sighting was on July 9th.*

This is the 3rd record for BC.

A news story on the bird can be found HERE

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Wood Sandpiper in Victoria - Photo: Liam Singh

Wood Sandpiper in Victoria - Photo: Mike Tabak

Wood Sandpiper in Victoria - Photo: Emma Reader-Lee

Wood Sandpiper in Victoria - Photo: Geoffrey Newell

RBA: GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE in Colwood - July 4-19th

At 1:30pm on July 4-2021, Denis Shumeyko found and photographed a female Great-tailed Grackle at Esquimalt Lagoon. The bird was foraging along the water on the ocean side and also on the freshwater lagoon side but flies back and forth to both sides.

Map to location HERE

The bird was seen in the same location across from the food trucks as of 5pm.

The bird was last seen on July 19th by the bridge HERE on the lagoon side and and was viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 7th record for BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

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

Great-tailed Grackle in Colwood - Photo: Warren Lee

Great-tailed Grackle in Colwood - Photo: Geoffrey Newell

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Wardner - July 4-30th

At 9 am on July 4-2021, Alan Barnard found a male Indigo Bunting in bushes around an old barn at the corner of Ha Ha Creek Rd and Howell Rd.

The bird was last seen on July 30th and was viewed by several observers.

Map to location HERE

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). 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 Indigo Bunting in Wardner - Photo: Bobby Dailey

Male Indigo Bunting in Wardner - Photo: Alan Barnard

Video of Indigo Bunting in Wardner by Bobby Dailey

RBA: 2 DICKCISSELS in Nakusp - June 26-30th

At 6:10am on June 26th-2021, Julia Flesaker found 2 different Dickcissels sitting on a wire on Brouse Loup Rd near the road entrance to Brouse Creek B &B in Brouse (near Nakusp).

Map to location HERE

This is the 31st record for BC.

*One of the birds continue HERE near the previous location on June 30th.*

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

2 different Dickcissels in Nakusp - Photos: Julia Flesaker

RBA: DICKCISSEL in Edgewood - June 21st

At 7:30 am on June 21-2021, Gary Davidson and Catherine McLean found a male Dickcissel on Ferret Rd in Edgewood.

Map to location HERE

The bird continues in the same location as of 4pm and has been viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 30th record for BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Dickcissel in Edgewood - Photo: Gary Davidson

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Vancouver - June 17th

At 6:05 am on June 17-2021, Evan Larson found a male Chestnut-sided Warbler singing at Jericho Park.

Map to location HERE

*The bird was last seen at 7:15am before it disappeared. It has not been relocated since, despite multiple observers looking.*

This is the 82nd record for BC.

**As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Vancouver - Photos: Evan Larson

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Kelowna - June 15-17th

At 9:30 am on June 15-2021, Ryan Tomlinson found a Snowy Plover at the mouth of Mission Creek in Kelowna.

Map to location HERE

Directions: Go to the end of Capozzi Road. There is limited parking. Water levels on the creek are high so be extremely careful walking along the edge of the creek. You then have to cross over a small dock and you will see the sandbars where the plover is through the willow trees. This is not for anyone with mobility issues.

This is the 33rd record for BC and 1st record for the Okanagan.

The bird was last seen on June 17th and was viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated since.

 *As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Snowy Plover in Kelowna - Photo: Kalin Ocaña

Snowy Plover in Kelowna - Photo: Wayne Diakow

RBA: ACORN WOODPECKER in Bralorne - June 10-16th

At 12pm on June 10-2021, Daryl Thompson found a female Acorn Woodpecker at the bird feeder at his home in Bralorne. The bird was present for 1.5 hours before flying off. Bralorne is located 118 km west of Lillooet and 75 km north of Pemberton via a rough 4X4 dirt road.

**The home is OPEN to the public.**

***The bird was last seen at the same location on June 16th and was viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated since.***

Please contact the RBA as there are specific directions to follow for visitors and accessing the location is a bit complicated.

This is the 12th record for BC.

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Female Acorn Woodpecker in Bralorne - Photo: Ken Willis

Female Acorn Woodpecker in Bralorne - Photo: Daryl Thompson

RBA: HOODED ORIOLE in West Vancouver - June 8th

At 11:30 am on June 8-2021, Judith McBride photographed an adult male Hooded Oriole at her friend Sylvia’s house (who first found the bird) on Bowen Island. The homeowner's last name won't be shared, as per request, to prevent birders attempting to visit her home.

The home is NOT open to the public and the bird was not relocated on June 9th or 10th.

This is the 26th record for BC.

Hooded Oriole on Bowen Island - Photos: Judith McBride

RBA: HOODED ORIOLE near Cache Creek - May 27-28th

On May 27-2021, Gail Frith found a female Hooded Oriole at her hummingbird feeder at her private home in Loon Lake near Cache Creek. The bird was present on May 28th but she did not observe the bird on the 29th or 30th.

The home is not open to the public and therefore the address won’t be disclosed.

This is the 25th record for BC.

Female Hooded Oriole in Loon Lake - Photos: Gail Frith

RBA: BLACK-THROATED SPARROW in Coquitlam - May 27-28th

At 7:30 pm on May 27-2021, David Schutz found an adult Black-throated Sparrow in one of the farthest east garden plots at the community gardens at Colony Farm. The bird was present for a minute and then flew west into the bushes and he couldn't relocate it as of 8:30pm.

Map to first location HERE

The bird was last seen HERE and HERE as of 9:30pm on May 28th and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on May 29th despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 51st record for the province of BC.

***There is a public health order now in effect until at least June 15th banning non-essential travel from your local health region to anywhere in the province or elsewhere in Canada. The fine for breaking this order is 575$. You can read it HERE***

*As per current Public Health directives due to COVID-19 - Please remain 2 meters apart when viewing any birds on this list during this time. Please follow all public health directives during this pandemic (including not birding in groups, please wear a mask if you are unable to social distance). The BC Public Health directives can be found HERE*

**Please wear a mask when viewing rare birds when social distancing is not possible or hard to maintain**

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

Black-throated Sparrow in Coquitlam - Photo: Mike Farnworth

Black-throated Sparrow in Coquitlam - Photo: David Schutz