RBA: 2 SCARLET TANAGERS in Vancouver - June 4-6th

At 7:25 am on June 4-2022 Ian Burgess and Brent Diakow found a male Scarlet Tanager at the upper main parking lot in a flock of Western Tanagers at Queen Elizabeth Park.

Map to location HERE

The bird has also been seen HERE near the lawn bowling area. However the main location at the upper parking lot is where it prefers most.

On June 5th, Sharon Toochin discovered a second male Scarlet Tanager at the same location. While one was being viewed at the main upper parking lot HERE a second bird was being seen and photographed at the quarry garden beneath Seasons in the Park Restaurant HERE. Then both birds were viewed together at the upper main parking lot by several observers.

On June 6th both bird continue at the original location (main upper parking lot).

**The birds were not relocated on June 7th**

**This is the 4th confirmed photographed record for BC and the 1st record for Metro Vancouver.**

Male Scarlet Tanager in Vancouver - Photo: Cole Gaerber

Male Scarlet Tanager in Vancouver - Photo: Ian Burgess

RBA: MANX SHEARWATER in Ucluelet - May 28th

At 7am on May 28-2022, Ian Cruickshank found a Manx Shearwater flying NW 1 km out from Amphitrite Point.

He viewed the bird through his scope and described it as the following: “small shearwater with long/slender wings and noticeably snappy, fast wingbeats (a few beats at a time interspersed with long glides, of course); at distance appeared entirely clean white from throat to undertail, contrasting dark upper half to head, uniformly very dark upperwings and upperparts, underwings mostly pale but could make out dark borders. Smaller bird with quicker/snappier wingbeats than solo PFSH seen earlier today.”

Map to location HERE 

This is the 73rd record for BC.

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Dawson Creek - May 26th

At 2pm on May 26-2022, Steve Ogle found a Brown Thrasher at McQueen’s Slough. The bird is 250m down from the start of the main trail in the area where the trail has a small corridor of trees on both sides. The bird was singing and was viewed by all in his group.

Map to location of bird HERE

This is the 43rd record for BC.

The bird was not relocated on May 27th, despite observers looking.

Brown Thrasher in Dawson Creek - Photo: Sue Milks

RBA: MANX SHEARWATER near Calvert Island - May 25th

At 10:47 am on May 26-2022, Joshua Brown and Amicie Lavault spotted a Manx Shearwater flying south near the south end of Calvert Island which is south of Bella Bella. They viewed the bird while aboard a BC Ferries Vessel.

Map to location HERE

This is the 72nd record for BC.

Manx Shearwater near Calvert Island - Photo: Amicie Lavault

RBA: MANX SHEARWATER off Haida Gwaii - May 24th

At 11:43 am on May 24-2022, Joshua Brown found a Manx Shearwater in Hecate Strait in a flock of Sooty Shearwaters while he was aboard a BC Ferries vessel. The bird was last seen flying south.

Map to location HERE

This is the 71st record for BC.

Manx Shearwater in Hecate Strait - Photo: Joshua Brown

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Elkford - May 23rd

This morning (May 23-2022), Mona Walsh found a male Indigo Bunting at her private residence in the East Kootenay town of Elkford. The bird was in her garden for much of the morning and remained until early afternoon, at which point it was not seen again.

Indigo Bunting. Elkford, BC. May 23, 2022. Photo: Mona Walsh.

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER IN Chilanko Forks - May 20th

At 3pm on May 20-2022, Jim Sims, Lubna Khan and Sean and Betty Donahue found an adult Snowy Plover at Chilanko Marsh in Chilanko Forks (near Tatla Lake).

Map to location HERE

This is the 39th record for BC.

The bird was not relocated on May 21st despite multiple observers looking.

Snowy Plover in Chilanko Forks - Photos: Jim Sims

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Richmond - May 13-14th

At 9:15am on May 13-2022, Craig Huish found a Snowy Plover sitting on the south jetty and then it flew to the mudflats off the north side of the south jetty (near marker 207) at Iona Regional Park.

Map to location of bird HERE

**The bird was last seen 2:15pm in the same location on May 14th and was viewed by multiple observers. It flew north and has not been relocated as of 2:45pm**

***The bird has not been relocated on May 15th.**

This is the 38th record for BC.

Snowy Plover in Richmond - Photo: Craig Huish

RBA: MANX SHEARWATER in Ucluelet - May 13th

At 6:15 am on May 13-2022, Ian Cruickshank viewed a Manx Shearwater by scope from Amphitrite Point. The bird was one km out and landed on the water several times. You can view the description from this experienced observer here.

Map to location HERE

This is the 70th record for BC.

RBA: 3 SNOWY PLOVERS in Tofino - April 29-May 15th

On April 29-2022, David Caudwell found a Snowy Plover on Chesterman Beach. He was able to photograph the bird before it was flushed by a dog.

At 12pm on April 30-2022, Bob Hansen relocated the bird HERE on Chesterman Beach near Frank Island. The bird was in a flock of Semipalmated Plovers. 

A second bird was also seen at 1:40pm alone at Comber’s Beach by Michelle Hamilton. The bird was near the Comber's Beach Trailhead.

At 8:30am on May 1-2022, Ian Cruickshank saw 3 birds together on Comber’s Beach near the sandhill creek mouth HERE. 

2 birds continue HERE on Wickaninnish Beach on May 2-12th.

On May 14-15th - 1 bird continues on Comber’s Beach at the sandhill creek mouth HERE. 

This is the 35th, 36th and 37th record for BC.

Snowy Plover on Chesterman Beach in Tofino - Photos: Harry Sedin

3 Snowy Plovers on Comber's Beach, Tofino - Photo: Michelle Hamilton

RBA: KING EIDER in Comox - April 23-24th

At 7:10 am on April 24-2022, Krista Kaptein spotted a female King Eider at Singing Sands Beach in Comox. The bird was with 2000 Surf Scoters, some Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks and Greater Scaup. She was able to get photographs of the bird.

Multiple observers saw the bird until it flew off towards the SE at 8:50am.

Map to location it was first seen HERE

**After reviewing photos today, Iwan van Veen noticed that he had photographed the female King Eider HERE in a mixed scoter flock from the Comox to Powell River ferry at 9:25am on April 23rd.**

This is the 39th record for BC.

The bird was not relocated on April 25th.

King Eider in Comox - Photos: Krista Kaptein

RBA: PARAKEET AUKLETS and MANX SHEARWATER off Tofino - April 10th

At 10:00am on April 10-2022 on a pelagic with Ocean Outfitters on the Miss B Haven, Mike Toochin et al. spotted 5 Parakeet Auklets near Clayoquot Canyon. One bird was photographed and viewed well by all on board.

The birds were seen HERE

This is the 47th record for BC.

At 1 pm on April 10-2022, Ilya Povalyaev and Yousif Attia spotted a Manx Shearwater off the same boat. It was viewed by half on board as the bird did one quick flyby and didn’t allow for photos.

The bird was seen HERE

This is the 69th record for BC.

1 of 5 Parakeet Auklets off Tofino - Photo: Melissa Hafting

RBA: PARAKEET AUKLETS off Tofino - April 2

On April 2-2022, Joachim Bertrands et al found 6 Parakeet Auklets during a pelagic out of Tofino to the Clayoquot Canyon. 

Three of the birds were seen HERE. 

This is the 46th record of Parakeet Auklet for BC. 

Parakeet Auklet off Tofino - Photo: Joachim Bertrands

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS and PARAKEET AUKLET off Tofino - March 27

On March 27-2022, Blair Dudeck, Joachim Bertrands, et al found a Short-tailed Albatross and Parakeet Auklet during a pelagic with Ocean Outfitters out of Tofino. The Short-tailed Albatross was with a small group of Black-footed Albatrosses but not at a fishing boat. The Parakeet Auklet was seen by only a few on board.

The Short-tailed Albatross was observed HERE and the Parakeet Auklet was observed HERE.

This is the 45th record of Parakeet Auklet for BC. 

Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Joachim Bertrands

Parakeet Auklet off Tofino - Photo: Blair Dudeck

RBA: FERRUGINOUS HAWK near Spider Lake, Vancouver Island - March 26

At around 2:15pm on March 26-2022, Derek Isbister found a light morph adult Ferruginous Hawk along Blacktail Rd near Spider Lake. This road is accessed by exiting the Inland Island Highway (Hwy 19) at Horne Lake Rd. The bird was observed on a large snag.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been located since, despite multiple observers looking. 

Ferruginous Hawk near Spider Lake on Vancouver Island - Photo: Derek Isbister

RBA: WHOOPER SWAN in Vancouver and Richmond - March 17-18th

At 5:30pm on March 17-2022, Edward Nygren found an adult Whooper Swan at the NE corner of Trout Lake. Both legs were able to be fully visualized and they are unbanded. The bird is also not wing clipped as it flew in there this evening with 28 Trumpeter Swans.

This could be the same bird seen recently (March 16th) in Monroe, WA.

If accepted by the BC Bird Records Committee as a wild vagrant, this would be the 1st confirmed record for BC.

Map to location HERE

The bird was last seen at Trout Lake just after 12pm on March 18th and was viewed by multiple observers. 

The Whooper Swan and the flock of Trumpeter Swans took off and flew high and away heading NW at 12:15pm and have not returned to Trout Lake.

The bird was relocated in a field HERE in Richmond at 3:30pm with a flock of Trumpeter Swans near Number 7 Rd off the East-West Connector (Hwy 91) but has since picked up and flown north.

***The bird has not been relocated in either location on March 19th.***

Whooper Swan in Vancouver - Photos: Ilya Povalyaev

RBA: BROWN BOOBY off Vancouver Island - March 12-13th

At 2 pm on March 12-2022, a Brown Booby was spotted by the crew as it landed on the research vessel the Canadian Coast Guard ship John P. Tully.

Map to location of where the bird flew on the ship HERE

The vessel is now heading towards Triangle Island. Marie Robert was able to get photos on March 13th. The bird is being fed sardines on board and heaters placed by it since it didn’t appear to be doing well. 

At 2:30pm on March 13th-2022, the bird flew off the ship which was positioned HERE.

This is the 19th record for BC.

Brown Booby on CCGS J P. Tully - Photo: Marie Robert

RBA: Apparent NAZCA BOOBY off Vancouver Island - Feb 26-27th

At 9:08 pm on Feb 26-2022, Rebecca LaForge and Captain Hans Jessen found an apparent subadult Nazca Booby while aboard the fishing vessel The FV Raw Spirit. The photos available are not that clear but appear to show a rosy/orange cast to the basal half of the bill blending to a yellowish tip. The concavity on the culmen also points to Nazca. Nazca Booby would also be more likely in our waters.

The bird stayed put on the bow until 3 am on Feb 27th when it flew off. It did not return for the remainder of their time at sea. Rebecca and the crew were able to obtain photos and video of the bird.

The bird was viewed off the Brooks Peninsula, 170 nautical miles from land as they were heading WNW.

Map to location HERE

If this were to be accepted as a Nazca Booby by the records committee it would be the 3rd record for BC. There was also a Nazca/Masked Booby in 2020 off Galiano Island that could not be confirmed to species.

Apparent Nazca Booby off Vancouver Island - Photos: Rebecca LaForge

RBA: BLUE GROSBEAK in Tofino - Dec 16/21-April 28/22

On Dec 16-2021, Tom and Kristine Greig found a first year male Blue Grosbeak at the feeder at their home in Tofino.

The bird continued in their yard up to April 28th, 2022.

The home is not open to the public.

This is the second confirmed record for BC.

Blue Grosbeak in Tofino - Photo: Tom Greig

Blue Grosbeak in Tofino - Photos: Adrian Dorst

RBA: BRAMBLING near Quesnel - Dec 23rd

At 3pm on Dec 23-2021, Suzy Wright found a Brambling in her yard in a flock of American Goldfinches.

The bird was briefly present before a Northern Shrike scared it away and has not returned since.

The home is currently not open to the general public but this may change if the bird returns. 

Brambling near Quesnel - Photo: Suzy Wright 

RBA: TUFTED DUCK in Duncan - Dec 23/21-March 30/22

At 2 pm on December 23-2021, Jeremy Gatten found a male Tufted Duck at the sewage lagoons in Duncan. 

There is no public access inside the lagoons but birders can view the bird through the fence from the elevated trail off Wharncliffe Rd that gives a good view over most of the sewage lagoon.

Map to location HERE

The bird continues in the same location as of March 30, 2022.

Tufted Duck in Duncan - Photo: Jeremy Gatten

RBA: KING EIDER in Victoria - Dec 17-18th

At 4:15pm on Dec 17-2021, David Caudwell found a female King Eider swimming off Steve Fonyo Beach on Dallas Rd near the foot of Menzies St.

Map to location HERE

The bird was relocated on Dec 18th and was last seen flying west past McMicking Point at 9am. It has not been relocated since.

This is the 38th 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.**

King Eider in Victoria - Photo: David Caudwell

RBA: RED-SHOULDERED HAWK in Agassiz - Dec 12/21-Feb 11/22

At 12:50pm on Dec 12-2021, Susan Fennellow found an adult Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a tree on Tuyttens Rd in Agassiz.

Map to location HERE

PLEASE DO NOT TRESPASS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WHILE VIEWING THIS BIRD. PARK WELL OFF THE ROAD AND DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS OR ROADWAYS.

*This is the first photo-documented record for BC.*

It was not relocated on Dec 16th, despite multiple observers looking.

On Dec 19th, the bird was last seen in the same location and was viewed by multiple observers. 

The bird was not relocated on Dec 20-21st, despite multiple observers looking.

At 10:30 am on Dec 22nd the bird was relocated HERE along Whelpton Rd in a tall willow in a yard just west of the junction with Agassiz-Rosedale Hwy and East of the Junction with Tuyttens Rd. 

On Dec 28th the bird was seen at the west end of Cutler Rd.

It was relocated on Jan 14th and 15th on nearby Whorley Rd.

On Jan 18th the hawk was seen on Whelpton Rd.

**On Jan 23rd the hawk continued in the original location and HERE on Caignou Rd. It has also been seen on Bridge Rd just north of Whelpton Rd**

**On Feb 11th the hawk continued at the original location and on Whorley Rd. It has not been seen 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.**

Red-shouldered Hawk in Agassiz - Photos: Marc Sole

Red-shouldered Hawk in Agassiz - Photo: Susan Fennellow

RBA: WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Osoyoos - Dec 8th

On Dec 8-2021, Dwayne Flexhaug found a White-winged Dove at a feeder at his private home. 

This home is not open to the public. 

This is the 23rd record for BC.

White-winged Dove in Osoyoos - Photo: Jayme Flexhaug

RBA: EMPEROR GOOSE in Haida Gwaii - Dec 6th

At 2pm on Dec 6-2021, Carey Bergman found an adult Emperor Goose within the Skidegate Inlet IBA. The bird was still present 2 hours later when she returned.

The exact location is being kept as private by request.

Emperor Goose in Haida Gwaii - Photos: Carey Bergman

RBA: BRAMBLING in Revelstoke - Nov 19/21-Jan 11/22

At 1:30pm on Nov 19-2021 Darlene Cancelliere found a female Brambling at the feeders in the front yard of her home at 407 Edward St. This is the second she has had in her yard over the years. 

Map to location HERE

Birders are welcome to come view the bird but please view the bird from the public street and do not enter the yard. Please do not block driveways and be respectful of neighbours.

*The bird was relocated at a neighboring home at the corner of 5th St E and Downie St on Nov 28th.

Darlene relocated the bird at her place in her front yard on Nov 29th. It was travelling with house finches and eating Mountain Ash Berries.

On Dec 4th and 8th, the bird continued at the feeders HERE at 5th St E and Downie St.

**On Jan 11/22 the bird continued in the original location in Darlene’s front yard.**

**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.**

Brambling in Revelstoke - Photos: Melissa Hafting

RBA: EURASIAN SKYLARK in Haida Gwaii - Nov 18th

At 10am on Nov 18-2021, Margo Hearne et al. photographed an Asian subspecies of Eurasian Skylark in the pekinensis group at Mather’s Bight in Sandspit. 

Map to general 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.**

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