RBA: PROTHONOTARY WARBLER in Vancouver - Nov 30-Dec 6th

**UPDATE: In May 2023 the bird was banded and released successfully into the wild.****

*This bird has been captured by Wildlife Rescue Association and is currently in their care. It will be released in Vancouver in the spring. Please see the Press Release HERE **

At 2:30pm on Nov 30-2022, Peggy Mersereau photographed a Prothonotary Warbler at a private home in Vancouver.

On Dec 1-3rd, the bird was relocated at a public park (Riverfront Park) at the end of Jellicoe St and has beeen viewed by multiple observers.

Please be respectful of private residences in the area. Please do not point cameras at private homes. 

Map to location seen HERE and HERE

The bird was not relocated on Dec 4th, despite multiple observers looking.

The bird was seen Dec 6th in the underground parking area of a nearby apartment complex. This area is off limits to birders.

**The bird was captured by Wildlife Rescue Association on Dec 6th and is currently in their care.***

This is the 11th record for BC and 2nd record for Metro Vancouver. It is also the first winter record for Canada.

Prothonotary Warbler in Vancouver - Photo: Melissa Hafting

Prothonotary Warbler in Vancouver - Photo: Peter Candido

RBA: ARCTIC LOON in Victoria - Nov 23rd

At 9:30 am on Nov 23-2022, Geoffrey Newell found and photographed an Arctic Loon off McMicking Point. He observed the bird through a scope for 10 mins at a distance of 1 km. The bird then took off after a few minutes and flew west. 

Map to location HERE

The bird was not relocated despite multiple observers looking. 

The bird was accepted by the BC Records Committee.

Arctic Loon in Victoria - Photo: Geoffrey Newell

RBA: PRAIRIE WARBLER in Victoria - Nov 21st

At 3pm on Nov 21-2022, Danielle Geller found and photographed a Prairie Warbler at Glencoe-cove Kwatsech Park in Victoria. She watched it for 15 seconds before she lost it.

Map to location HERE

This is the 6th photographed record for BC.

The bird was not relocated on Nov 22nd, despite multiple observers looking. 

Prairie Warbler in Victoria - Photos: Danielle Geller

RBA: SLATY-BACKED GULL in Kamloops - Nov 21-26th

At 10:30am on Nov 21-2022, Tana Coetzer found a Slaty-backed Gull in a mixed gull flock on a sandy bank off the Kamloops Airport River Trail at the end of Aviation Way.

The bird was still present when she left at 2pm.

Map to location of where she stood HERE and where the bird was HERE

The bird also has been seen HERE and HERE at Mission Flats and at the dump.

This is the 86th record for BC.

On Nov 24-26th, the bird was last seen HERE at Mission Flats and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird has not been relocated since.

Slaty-backed Gull in Kamloops - Photos: Tom Beeke

RBA: WHOOPER SWAN in Courtenay - Nov 19-26th

At 4:30pm on Nov 19-2022, James MacKenzie, Nathan and Iain Haigh found a Whooper Swan at a retention pond on private property in Courtenay. The bird was not banded on either leg and toes did not appear to be clipped. It was in a flock of 78 Trumpeter Swans.

These ponds are not accessible to the public. Local birders have an agreement with the property owner. Please do not trespass.

At 4:45pm, the bird flew away to the SW towards Comox Lake.

Map to original location HERE

At 1:30pm on Nov 20-2022, the bird was relocated HERE in a field on Marsden Rd.

The bird later moved to a field HERE on Charter Rd and is being viewed by multiple observers as of 3pm.

The bird was not relocated on Nov 21.

On Nov 22-24th the bird was relocated HERE in a field off Dove Creek Rd and is being viewed by multiple observers.

On Nov 26th  the Whooper Swan was relocated in a field off Piercy Rd HERE and seen by multiple observers.

It has not been relocated since, despite multiple birders looking.

This is the second record for BC of a presumed wild vagrant.

Whooper Swan in Courtenay - Photos: James MacKenzie

Whooper Swan on Dove Creek Rd in Courtenay - Photo: Roger Beardmore

RBA: SCARLET TANAGER in Kaslo - Nov 18th

At 4pm on November 18, 2022 Allison Grant found a female Scarlet Tanager in her yard on A Avenue. The bird appeared sick and listless. It was shivering and having difficulty breathing.

The homeowner took the bird inside and it seemed to recover for a bit. She planned to release it the next morning but sadly it died overnight.

This is the 5th confirmed photographed record for BC and the 1st record for the Central Kootenay.

Female Scarlet Tanager in Kaslo - Photos: Allison Grant

RBA: BROWN BOOBY in Delta - Nov 14th

At 12:30pm on Nov 14-2022, Lochlan Wylie et al. found an adult female Brown Booby while aboard his family’s sailboat. The Booby stayed with the vessel for 11 mins as they were off Westham Island. At 12:41pm it flew off to the NE.

Map to location he first saw it HERE 

The bird was refound 2 hours later at 2:30pm by John Hall. The Brown Booby landed on his sail boat and stayed on the boat for over ten mins and he was able to obtain photos. 

John Hall first saw the bird HERE before it flew off towards Galiano Island.

This is the 20th record for BC.

Brown Booby in Delta - Photos: Lochlan Wylie

Brown Booby on John Hall’s boat off Delta, BC - Photo: John Hall

A video of the bird taken by Lochlan Wylie can be viewed below:

A video of the bird taken by John Hall can be viewed below:

RBA: BELL’S VIREO in Victoria - Nov 6-9th

At 4pm on Nov 6-2022, Steven Roias and Amelie Rousseau found a Bell’s Vireo at the NE end of Panama Flats. The bird was feeding in blackberry bushes.

Map to location HERE

This is the 2nd record for BC.

The bird was last seen HERE near the original location on November 9th and was viewed by multiple observers. 

It has not been seen since despite multiple observers looking.

Bell’s Vireo in Victoria (Photo: Amelie Rousseau)

RBA: ACORN WOODPECKER in Port Moody - Nov 1st (late report)

At 5:15 pm on Nov 1-2022, Gillian McMillan photographed a female Acorn Woodpecker at her private home in Port Moody.

The bird only stayed at her feeder for ten minutes and did not return. If the bird returns the home may be open to the public.

This is the 14th record for BC and 3rd for Metro Vancouver.

Female Acorn Woodpecker in Port Moody - Photos: Gillian McMillan

RBA: BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER in Fort St. John - Oct 29-Nov 4th

On October 29-2022, Kenneth Lane photographed a male Black-throated Blue Warbler at his private home on 118a Ave in Fort St. John.

The bird was last seen on Nov 4th and was viewed by multiple observers. It was not seen on Nov 5th.

The home is open to the public. Please contact the RBA for the address and instructions on viewing.

Black-throated Blue Warbler in Fort St. John - Photos: Kenneth Lane

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Abbotsford - Oct 25th (late report)

On Oct 25th Elisha Miller found a Black Phoebe that was hawking insects from a fence near a manure pile on private property on Arnold Rd near Vye Rd.

Map to location HERE

This is the 37th record for BC.

Elisha was not able to get a photo but did obtain a recording you can listen to below:

RBA: 2 EURASIAN SKYLARK in Ucluelet - Oct 24-31st

At 4:35pm on Oct 24-2022, Ian Cruickshank found a (presumed due to location) Asian subspecies of Eurasian Skylark (in the pekinensis group) in Ucluelet. 

The bird was flushed at a distance of 30-40m from the grass field at the end of the spit. He recorded the bird calling and got some video of the bird in flight. He watched it circle a few times and then watched it drop down into the grass where he lost it but presumed it was still there.

Map to location HERE

On October 25th-2022, Sam and Craig Cameron saw 2 birds at the site.

On Oct 28th-2022, Ian Cruickshank also confirmed he viewed 2 birds at the same location. Adrian Dorst was able to photograph both birds as well.

**The birds were last seen in the same location on Oct 31st. They were not relocated on Nov 4-2022.**

2 Eurasian Skylarks in Ucluelet - Photos: Adrian Dorst

A recording taken by Ian Cruickshank of one of the birds can be heard below:

RBA: ACORN WOODPECKER in Ladner - October 8-11th

At 2pm on October 8-2022, Anne Murray and Iris Wong found a male Acorn Woodpecker at Ladner Harbour Park near the marina.

Map to location HERE

The bird was present as of 6:20 pm and was  viewed by multiple observers. 

It was last seen across the river HERE on a bare snag. The bird flies back and forth to both locations so best to check both spots.

The bird was last seen frequenting both of the same locations above on Oct 11th and was viewed by multiple observers.

**The bird was not relocated on Oct 12th, despite multiple observers looking.**

This is the 13th record for BC and 2nd record for Metro Vancouver.

Male Acorn Woodpecker in Delta - Photos: Iris Wong

RBA: EURASIAN SKYLARK in Haida Gwaii - Oct 2-3rd

At 10:30 am on Oct 2-2022 James Bradley found a Asian subspecies of Eurasian Skylark (in the pekinensis group) at Sandspit Airport. The bird was foraging in grass at the NW end of the airfield near a juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Nathan Hentze and Ian Cruickshank also got to view the bird shortly after. The bird was still present as of 4pm and was viewed by other birders.

At 11:30am on Oct 3-2022,  Paul Levesque relocated the bird in the same spot.  He believes he viewed 2 birds.

Map to location HERE

The bird was not relocated on Oct 4th, despite multiple observers looking.

Eurasian Skylark in Haida Gwaii - Photos: Ian Cruickshank

Eurasian Skylark in Haida Gwaii - Photo: Carey Bergman 

RBA: HAWAIIAN PETREL off Cape Scott, Vancouver Island - Sept 18th (Late Report)

At 9:05 am on Sept 18-2022, Mark Wynja and Mike Toochin spotted a Hawaiian Petrel 34 nautical miles WSW of Cape Scott, while aboard the MS. Eurodam Holland America cruise ship. The bird was travelling north parallel to the ship, allowing for good looks by scope, for several minutes, before flying off west. Other observers on board were able to get on the bird as well but it was too distant for photos. Mike Toochin has extensive experience with this species, having seen several in North America.

Map to location of bird HERE

This is the 6th record for BC.

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Harrison Hot Springs - Sept 22nd

At 9:50am on Sept 22, 2022 Gord Gadsden found and photographed an immature/female-type Chestnut-sided Warbler at East Sector Lands Park in Harrison Hot Springs.

The bird was along the gravel part of McPherson Rd at the east end of East Sector Park.

Map to location HERE

This is the 86th record for BC.

RBA: LARK BUNTING in Victoria - Sept 20th

At 6:25pm on Sept 20-2022, Marie O’Shaughnessy found a Lark Bunting feeding on the ground in the enclosed fenced plant restoration area with Savannah Sparrows at Cattle Point. After watching it for 20 mins she last saw it fly towards the boat launch.

*After reviewing photos Gordon Hart noticed he photographed the bird at 10:30am on the rocky area by the boat ramp HERE as did Martha Keller at 12:50pm*

This is the 40th record for BC.

Map to first location HERE

*The bird was not relocated on Sept 21st, despite multiple observers looking.*

Lark Bunting in Victoria - Photos: Marie O’Shaughnessy

RBA: CURLEW SANDPIPER in Delta - Sept 2-7th

At 1:30pm on Sept 2-2022, Melissa Hafting found a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Boundary Bay.

The bird was halfway between 104-112th St. feeding in the seaweed with Baird’s Sandpipers close to the dyke.

Map to location HERE

This is the 17th record for BC.

The bird was last seen at 5:45pm on Sept 2nd and was viewed by multiple observers before being flushed by a Peregrine Falcon. It was last seen flying towards 112th St. where it was not relocated.

The bird was not found on Sept 3.

At 2:35pm on Sept 4th, the bird was relocated by Melissa Hafting HERE and was also seen HERE between 104-112th St.

The bird was last seen in the same location at 5:45pm on Sept 4th and was viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was last seen on Sept 7th in the same general location as previous reports (between 104-112th St) and has been viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not seen on Sept 8th or 9th, despite multiple observers looking.

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: Dave Beeke

Curlew Sandpiper in Delta - Photo: Melissa Hafting

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Ucluelet - Aug 27th

At 2:15pm on August 27-2022, Bruce Di Labio and Paul Lagasi found and photographed a Northern Parula foraging in mixed coniferous/deciduous trees on Helen Rd, near the gate by the Hyphocus Inn.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been relocated as of 2:30pm on Aug 27th, despite multiple observers looking on Aug 27th and 28th.

This is the 23rd record for BC.

Northern Parula in Ucluelet - Photos: Bruce Di Labio

RBA: EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL in Sechelt - Aug 15th

At 2:45pm on Aug 15-2022 John Hodges found and photographed an Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Wilson Creek Estuary in Sechelt.

The bird was observed for the next 3 hours by multiple observers. 

The bird moved all around the estuary but a map pin to the first location on the beach where it was foraging is HERE

This is the 5th record for BC.

The bird has not been relocated on August 16th, despite multiple observers looking.

A video of the bird foraging at low tide on the mudflats taken by Mari Petznek can be viewed below:

Eastern Yellow Wagtail in Sechelt - Photo: John Hodges

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Saanich - Aug 11-Sept 6th

At 8:15am on Aug 11-2022, Mike McGrenere found a Brown Thrasher foraging on the ground in the yard to the west of the intersection of Lohbrunner Rd E and Lochside Regional Trail. At 10 am it was observed by several observers further up along the driveway as the homeowner has allowed birders to enter.

Map to location HERE

*The bird was last seen on Sept 6th and has been viewed by multiple observers.*

Please be respectful of private property and do not block the driveway with cars. 

PLEASE DO NOT WALK UP THE DRIVEWAY TO VIEW THE BIRD. VIEW THE BIRD FROM THE PUBLIC ROAD WHERE THE DRIVEWAY MEETS.

This is the 44th record for BC.

Brown Thrasher in Saanich - Photo: Evan Larson

Brown Thrasher in Saanich - Photo: Les Peterson

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Richmond - July 29th

At 10 am on July 29-2022, Craig Huish found a juvenile Black Phoebe sitting on the south jetty (on the north side) at marker 75 at Iona Regional Park in Richmond.

Map to approximate location HERE

The bird has not been relocated since.

This is the 36th record for BC as a Black Phoebe was photographed at Cheam Wetlands on July 24th-2022 in Rosedale.

Black Phoebe in Richmond - Photo: Craig Huish

RBA: NAZCA BOOBY in Victoria - July 23-24th

At 6:22pm on July 23-2022, Tasli Shaw found a Nazca Booby off Victoria while driving a whale watching vessel for Ocean Ecoadventures. The bird seems to be the same bird photographed in Seattle, WA on July 20th due to the distinctive plumage since it is a subadult. Tasli watched the Nazca Booby circling and sitting on the water at the south end of Trial Island for 8 minutes before she saw it fly SE at a rapid pace. She followed it as it flew SE for 5 mins until it was out of sight. She was able to obtain video documentation and photographs of the bird as well.

Map to location of where she saw the Nazca Booby HERE

At 4:12pm the Nazca Booby was relocated by Orion Giles and was photographed sitting on a log HERE off Race Rocks. It is not viewable from land and a boat is required to access this spot.

At 7:06pm the bird was photographed sitting on a log HERE by another whale watching captain Matt Stolmeier. This location is 4 nautical miles from the original observation. 

The bird was not relocated on July 25th, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 3rd confirmed record for BC.

Nazca Booby in Victoria - Photos: Matt Stolmeier

Video by Tasli Shaw:

RBA: LITTLE GULL in Newgate - July 18th

At 12:30 pm pm July 18-2022, Michael Bentley and Neal Hutchinson found a Little Gull in Newgate near the Montana border. The gull was resting on an island on Gold Bay on Lake Koocanusa. They viewed the bird until 1:40pm when they left.

The bird was not relocated on July 20th.

Map to location HERE

This is the 101st record for BC and therefore will no longer will be reported on the main page going forward. It is the 1st record for the East Kootenays.

Little Gull in Newgate - Photos: Neal Hutchinson 

RBA: SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER in Lardeau - July 18th

At 9:30am on July 18-2022, Margaret Murphy found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at her home on 5th Ave near Main Street in Lardeau. 

At 11:30am the bird was relocated along Main Street by Marlene Johnston but has not been relocated since posting time despite multiple observers looking. 

Map to location of initial sighting HERE

This is the 38th record for BC.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Lardeau - Photos: Marlene Johnston

RBA: 2 SEDGE WRENS CONFIRMED BREEDING near Fort St. John - July 4-12th

At 4:15 am on July 4-2022, Chris Coxson found 2 Sedge Wrens singing in the marsh across the parking lot from Watson Slough. He viewed both birds at the same time.The birds were present during his entire visit until 7am. He was able to obtain photos and audio. 

1 bird was found at the same location in 2019. Watson Slough is 30 mins from Fort St. John on Highway 29 towards Hudson’s Hope.

If birders travel through the marsh please be careful of trampling the habitat as the birds are nesting there and Yellow Rails do as well. Please do not use playback on these nesting birds.

Map to location HERE

At 2:30pm Christopher Di Corrado reported that he had 3 Sedge Wrens at once. 

On July 7-2022 Bill Beadle got video documentation showing a Sedge Wren carrying food confirming a first breeding record for BC.

Video by Bill Beadle below:

At least 2 adult birds continue in the same location on July 12th and have been viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 6th record for BC.

Sedge Wrens near Fort St. John - Photos: Chris Coxson

RBA: MANX SHEARWATER and SCRIPPS'S MURRELET off the Brooks Peninsula (West Coast of Vancouver Island) - July 3rd

At 1:30pm on July 3rd, 2022, Guy Monty and Bernard Schroeder found and photographed a Manx Shearwater while doing bird surveys for the government in the Brooks Peninsula near Ououkinsh Canyon.

Map to location of sighting HERE

This is the 74th record for BC and due to increasing multi annual numbers will no longer be published on the main page. 

At 2pm on July 3rd, 2022 Guy Monty also spotted a single Scripps's Murrelet during the same survey. He was not able to photograph the bird but described it well.

Map to location of sighting HERE

This is the 37th record for BC.