RBA: PALLAS'S BUNTING in Victoria - Oct 4th

At 8:35am on Oct 4-2023, a Pallas's Bunting was photographed by Les Peterson at Clover Point in Victoria. The bird was seen with Savannah Sparrows in the fenced off area near the main parking lot. He last viewed the bird flying off to the west of the point at 8:45 am. A blurry shot of the spread wing seems to appear to show the lesser coverts being sandy brown and not chestnut, as it would be in a Reed Bunting. Also, it has a pale lower mandible.

Map to location where it was first HERE

Map to location of where it was last seen HERE

The bird was observed in the same area as it was originally spotted at 3 pm on Oct 4th by Val George.

This could be the bird that was seen in Squamish on Sept 23, 2023. Since this can't be proven, it will be treated as a different record.

This is a 1st record for BC and Canada.

**Multiple observers are searching for the bird on Oct 5th but so far it has not been relocated.**

Pallas's Bunting in Victoria - Photos: Les Peterson

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Tofino - Oct 3rd

At 11:40 am on Oct 3-2023, Kaiden Bosch found a Red-throated Pipit with 5 American Pipits on Comber's Beach directly south of the Sandhill Creek Mouth as they foraged within the driftwood. The birds flew off  to the north 10 mins after he saw them.

Map to location HERE

This is the 62nd record for BC.

Red-throated Pipit in Tofino - Photos: Kaiden Bosch

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Victoria - Oct 1st

At 6:45pm on Oct 1-2023, Steven Roias found and photographed a Red-throated Pipit on the south perimeter dyke at Panama Flats.

Map to location HERE

This is the 61st record for BC.

Red-throated Pipit in Victoria - Photo: Amelie Rousseau

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Jordan River - Oct 1st

At 8:44 am on Oct 1-2023, David Bell, James Kennerley and Mara Hanneson found a hatch-year female Northern Parula in a mixed chickadee/warbler flock in alders near the roadside.

Map to location HERE

This is the 26th record for BC.

The bird was not relocated after 9 am, despite multiple observers looking.

Northern Parula in Jordan River - Photo: David Bell

RBA: BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER in Metchosin - Sept 29th

At 10:26 am on Sept 29-2023, David Bell found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Metchosin.

This location is restricted access and is not open to the public.

This is the 27th record for BC.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Metchosin - Photos: David Bell

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Terrace - Sept 26-Oct 11th

At 2pm on Sept 26-2023, Jennifer Smith and Benn Whitwell found an Ash-throated Flycatcher in the pine trees in front of the Terrace Sportsplex on Park Ave in Terrace.

Map to location HERE

The bird continued in the same location on Oct 11th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Terrace - Photos: Eileen LeFrancois

RBA: BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER in Jordan River - Sept 24th

At 8:30am on Sept 29-2023, David Bell and James Kennerley found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Jordan River. The bird was in a large mixed flock made up of warblers, kinglets and chickadees in roadside alders, 200m west of the main parking area.

Map to location HERE

This is the 26th record for BC.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Jordan River - Photo: David Bell

RBA: REED/PALLAS’S BUNTING in Squamish - Sept 23rd

At 10:35 am on Sept 23-2023, Paul Jacques found a Reed/Pallas’s Bunting in Squamish near the Coho Park Trail. The bird was perched on a tree near a marshy area and was not associating with any other birds.

Unfortunately, the photos obtained do not show the diagnostic lesser coverts to differentiate a Reed Bunting which has rufous lesser coverts from a Pallas’s Bunting, which has grey ones.

The bird has not been relocated thus far on Sept 24th, despite multiple observers looking.

Map to last known location HERE

Either species would be a first record for BC and Canada.

Note the area has lots of black bears and birders should be bear aware. 

Reed/Pallas’s Bunting in Squamish - Photos: Paul Jacques

RBA: CHESTNUT- SIDED WARBLER in Metchosin - Sept 22nd

On Sept 22-2023, a hatch-year male Chestnut-sided Warbler was banded by Emma Radziul at Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Metchosin. 

This site is not open to the public.

This is the 90th record for BC.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Metchosin - Photo: David Bell

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Cedar - Sept 18th

At 6:45pm on Sept 18-2023, Tom Pawloski found an Ash-throated Flycatcher on private property in Cedar.

The location is not open to the public.

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Cedar - Photos: Tom Pawloski

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Delta - Sept 15-Dec 7

At 9:40am on Sept 15-2023, Alison Evely found an immature Black Phoebe flycatching at the north end of the centre dyke at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. 

On Sept 17th, the bird was last seen from the inner grassy trail, in the slough between the porta potty and the viewing platform on the north dyke. It has been viewed by multiple observers.

Map to location HERE

On Sept 20th the bird was located in Fuller’s Slough as viewed from the blind at the end of the E Dyke HERE

The bird continued HERE on Sept 24th. 

On Oct 15th-21st, 2023; the bird was last seen on the inner grassy trail in the slough near to the east dyke.

Map to location HERE

On Oct 22nd the bird was relocated on the east dyke HERE

On Nov 12 to 23-2023, the bird continued by the warming hut near the entrance/gift shop HERE.

On Dec 7, 2023, the bird continued near the Reifel washrooms/entrance.

There is an 8$ admission for adults and they are closed on Mondays. Reifel is open 9am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance is by reservation booking only, which can be made at their website HERE.

Reifel Bird Sanctuary is located at 5191 Robertson Rd in Ladner.

This is the 45th record for BC. 

Black Phoebe in Delta - Photo: Jim Martin

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Kelowna - Sept 13th

At 9:45am on September 13-2023, Kalin Ocana found a Chestnut-sided Warbler at Tsinstikeptum Woods in Kelowna. The bird was associating with a Tennessee Warbler.

Map to location HERE

This is the 89th record for BC.

This bird is on private Westbank First Nations Land and permission should be obtained before entering.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Kelowna - Photo: Kalin Ocana

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Kelowna - Sept 11th

At 11:30am on Sept 11-2023, Kalin Ocana found a Northern Parula at Tsinstikeptum Woods in Kelowna.

Map to location HERE

The bird has not been relocated thus far, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 25th record for BC.

This bird is on private Westbank First Nations Land and permission should be obtained before entering.

Northern Parula in Kelowna - Photos: Kalin Ocana

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Tofino - Sept 11th

At 8:50am on Sept 11-2023, Michelle Hamilton found a banded juvenile Snowy Plover on Comber's Beach in Tofino. The bird is on the beach near the trailhead entrance. The bird has been viewed by multiple observers.

**The bird was first photographed by Peter McAllister on September 10th at Chesterman’s Beach but it was misidentified as a Sanderling.**

Map to location HERE

This is the 43rd record for BC.

This bird was banded and the band number sent in and the researcher Micah Ashford revealed this bird was banded as a chick in Coos County Oregon on June 20, 2023.

Snowy Plover in Tofino - Photos: Lev Frid

Snowy Plover in Tofino (Photo: Michelle Hamilton)

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS in Tofino - Sept 9th

At 12:20pm on September 9-2023, Lev Frid spotted a juvenile Short-tailed Albatross on a pelagic trip with the Whale Centre out of Tofino.

The bird was banded on the left leg with a metal tag 83C and it’s been sent to a researcher in Japan.

Map to location HERE

Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Bruce Di Labio

Banded Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: John Forde

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Ucluelet - Sept 7th

At 3:55 pm on September 7-2023, Sam Heinrich found a Chestnut-sided Warbler in a small mixed flock of chickadees and kinglets. The bird was foraging in trees on the Wild Pacific Trail directly across from a wildlife sign that mentioned bears, cougars and wolves in Ucluelet.

Map to exact location HERE

This is the 88th record for BC.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Ucluelet - Photos: Sam Heinrich

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Agassiz - Aug 31-Sept 29th

On Aug 31-2023, Gord Gadsden found a Black Phoebe at Tuyttens Wetland in Agassiz. The bird was at the west end of Cutler Rd before it turns private.

Map to location HERE

The bird continued at HERE on Sept 29th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 44th record for BC.

Black Phoebe in Agassiz - Photos: John Procee 

RBA: SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER in Whistler - Aug 21-23rd

At 12:45 pm on August 21-2023, Ellen Ramsay found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Whistler. The bird is on a sandbar and can be viewed from the only bench on the Valley Trail at Green Lake.

Map to location of bird HERE and also seen HERE

Please Park HERE

This is the 39th record for BC.

The bird continues in the same spot on August 23rd and has been viewed by multiple observers. 

The bird has not been relocated on August 24th, despite multiple observers looking.

A video of the bird taken by Chris Dale can be viewed HERE 

*Please view the bird from the Valley Trail only and do not wade into the water to get to the sandbar*

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Whistler - Photo: Sue Flecker 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Whistler - Photo: Ellen Ramsay

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Whistler - Photo: Liz Barrett

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Tofino - Aug 20th

At 11:30am on August 20-2023, Ian Cruickshank found a Snowy Plover on the sand dunes at the NW end of Wickaninnish Beach.

Map to location HERE

This is the 42nd record for BC.

Snowy Plover in Tofino - Photo: Ian Cruickshank 

RBA: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Nakusp - Aug 20th

At 8:45am on August 20th-2023,  Julia Flesaker found an Ash-throated Flycatcher along the waterfront in Nakusp. The bird was on private property but viewable from the public promenade.

Map to location HERE

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Nakusp - Photos: Julia Flesaker

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Victoria - Aug 15th

At 12:15 pm on August 15-2023, Geoffrey Newell found a Black Phoebe in the central meadow of Uplands Park in Victoria. The bird perched on the ground and in a Garry Oak for 30 seconds before flying NE. It has not been relocated since.

Map to location HERE

This is the 43rd record for BC.

Black Phoebe in Victoria - Photos: Geoffrey Newell

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Pitt Meadows - August 11-Sept 17th

At 2 pm on August 11-2023, Ken Willis found an adult Black Phoebe perched on the second pumphouse on the dyke at Blaney Bog.

Map to location HERE

The bird was last seen at the same location on Sept 17th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

This is the 42nd record for BC.

Black Phoebe in Pitt Meadows - Photos: Ken Willis

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Colwood - Aug 11th

At 9 am on August 12-2023, Geoff Newhouse found a Black Phoebe on the chain link fence along the shoreline near the lagoon parking area at Royal Roads University. The bird only stayed briefly before disappearing.

Map to last location HERE

This is the 41st record for BC

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Delta - Aug 8-Oct 2nd

At 9am on Aug 8-2023, Isamu Marusaki found an immature Black Phoebe 50 m west of the foot of 112th St at Boundary Bay.

At 7:30pm on August 9-2023, the bird was relocated at the pumphouse near the foot of 112th St and was viewed by a few observers.

Map to location HERE

The bird continues at the same location on Sept 27th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

On Oct 2nd, the bird continued in the slough at 112th St and Hornby Dr.

This is the 40th record for BC.

Black Phoebe in Delta - Photos: Isamu Marusaki

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS in Tofino - July 3rd (Late Report)

On July 3-2023, Gary Tom found a juvenile Short-Tailed Albatross while boating near Lennard Lighthouse. He was able to take some photos with his cellphone. The bird was a Km from shore and would have been viewable by scope from Chesterman Beach. 

Map to approx location HERE

Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photos: Gary Tom

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Metchosin - Aug 1st

At 2:15pm on Aug 1-2023, David Bell, Mara Hanneson, Evan Lewis and James Kennerley watched a Black Phoebe fly in and land on a dead tree in front of them at Witty’s Lagoon.

They watched the bird for 30 seconds before it took off and flew south over the trees. The bird has not been relocated since.

Map to location HERE

This is the 39th record for BC.

Black Phoebe in Metchosin - Photo: David Bell

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA In Metchosin - July 24-Aug 29th

At 7:25 am on July 24-2023, David Bell found a Northern Parula at Cape Calver on the eastern side of Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Metchosin. He was able to take some digiscoped photos with his binoculars.

The bird continued in the same location on Aug 29th.

The location is not open to the public and is restricted access.

This is the 24th record for BC.

Northern Parula in Metchosin - Photos: Joachim Bertrands 

RBA: RED-NECKED STINT in Delta - July 13-17th

At 7:40pm on July 13-2023, Ilya Povalyaev found an adult Red-necked Stint in breeding plumage at Boundary Bay near the mansion between 88th St and 96th St.

Map to location HERE

The bird was viewed by one other observer but flew off and was not relocated as of 8:35pm on July 13th.

On July 14th-17th - the bird continued off the foot of 96th St and has been viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated since, despite multiple observers looking.

Red-necked Stint in Delta - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

RBA: NAZCA BOOBY in Queen Charlotte Sound - July 10-11th

At 9:50am on July 10-2023, Stephen Greenwood found an adult Nazca Booby ~43 nmi (~79.6 km) W of Calvert Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, while aboard the Noordam cruise ship. He watched the bird for 45 minutes as it flew north alongside the ship.

Map to location HERE

At 8am on July 11th, the bird was viewed again circling near the Noordam cruise ship by Jeffrey Pozner HERE offshore from Port Hardy.

This is the 4th confirmed record for BC.

Nazca Booby in Queen Charlotte Sound - Photos: Stephen Greenwood