RBA: SNOWY PLOVERS in Tofino - May 1-23rd

At 2:45 pm on May 1-2024, Daryl Henderson and Annette Bailey found a Snowy Plover at the mouth of Sandhill Creek on Comber’s Beach in Tofino.

Map to location HERE

On May 4th-2024, Ian Cruickshank found a new or relocated the same Snowy Plover HERE on Wickaninnish Beach.

On May 5th-2024, Michelle Hamilton relocated the bird HERE 500m south of Greenpoint on Comber’s Beach.

The bird continues on Comber’s Beach on May 6th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

On May 7-11th, 2024, 2 Snowy Plovers were observed side by side HERE on Wickaninnish Beach.

On May 12th, 2 were found on Wickaninnish Beach by Nygel N. but one was banded and all previous birds were not banded proving this was at least one new individual.

On May 14th, 2024 Adrian Dorst relocated one of the birds or found a new one on Long Beach in Tofino.

**On May 23rd, 2024 Ian Cruickshank found another unbanded Snowy Plover on Comber’s Beach.**

These are presumed to be the 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th and 49th record for BC

Snowy Plover in Tofino - Photo: Daryl Henderson

RBA: BRAMBLING in Quesnel - April 26th

On April 26-2024, a Brambling hit Leanne Davies’s window at her private home in Puntchesakut Lake near Quesnel. The bird survived and flew off once recovered.

Brambling in Quesnel - Photo: Leanne Davies

RBA: ORIENTAL TURTLE-DOVE in Surrey - April 17-24th

At 4:36pm on April 17-2024, Cos van Wermeskerken found an Oriental Turtle-Dove sitting on the grass at the edge of the slough near Dunsmuir St at Blackie Spit.

He watched the bird for a few mins before it flew west and high over the intersection of Dunsmuir St.and Gilley St. He was unable to relocate the bird.

Map to location of where he saw the bird is HERE

This is the 4th record for BC and is listed as ABA Code 4.

At 6:55pm on April 18th, Ilya Povalyaev and Melissa Hafting relocated the dove at a feeder at a private home at the corner of Agar St and McBride Ave. 

Map to location HERE

Please be respectful of private property and do not block driveways or point cameras at windows of private homes.

The bird was briefly there before flying south and high at 7:05pm over Sullivan Street.

On April 24th, the bird continued at the same feeder and has been viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on April 25 or 26, despite multiple observers looking.

**Please do not spread seed down in the neighborhood at the request of homeowners, as it can attract rats**

Oriental Turtle-Dove in Surrey - Photo: Eric Ellingson

Oriental Turtle-Dove in Surrey, BC - Photos: Ilya Povalyaev

Oriental Turtle-Dove in Surrey - Photo: Cos van Wermeskerken 

RBA: KING EIDER in Ucluelet - April 10-11th

At 10:30 am on April 10-2024, Chris Coxson found a female King Eider in a large mixed Scoter flock of over 900 birds off of Little Beach in Ucluelet.

Map to location of bird HERE

Best spot for birders to stand and view the bird is HERE on Little Beach

This is the 41st record for BC.

The bird continued in the same on April 11th and was viewed by multiple observers. It has not been relocated since.

King Eider in Ucluelet - Photos: Chris Coxson

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Langley - April 3-5th

At 9 am on April 3-2024, Cos van Wermeskerken found an adult Black Phoebe calling at the NW corner of Brydon Lagoon.

Map to location HERE

This is the 46th record for BC.

On April 5th, the Black Phoebe continued in the same spot and had been viewed by multiple observers.

On April 6th, the bird was not relocated, despite multiple observers looking.

Black Phoebe in Langley - Photos: Cos van Wermeskerken

RBA: HOODED ORIOLE in Port Alberni - March 11-16

On March 11-2024, a male Hooded Oriole was photographed on private property in Port Alberni, and reported to Jeremy Kimm. The observer wishes to remain anonymous.  

The home is not open to the public.

This is the 28th record for BC.

The bird continued as of March 16th at the same location. 

Hooded Oriole in Port Alberni - Photo: via Jeremy Kimm

RBA: REDWING in Vancouver - March 14

At 3:40pm on March 14-2024, Mark Swanson found a Redwing at Fraser River Park in Vancouver. The bird was seen associating with American Robins on the grass in the southeast corner of the park.

Map to location HERE. 

This is the 5th record for BC.

The bird was not relocated on March 15th despite multiple observers looking. 

Redwing in Vancouver - Photo: Mark Swanson

RBA: HOODED ORIOLE in Cobble Hill - Jan 12-Feb 27th

At 11am on Jan 12-2024, a male Hooded Oriole was photographed at a hummingbird feeder at a private backyard of a home, on Pineridge Dr (near Pineridge Pl), in the gated community of Arbutus Ridge in Cobble Hill. The sighting was posted on inaturalist by the observer’s son Mr. William Innes but the original observer prefers to keep their first name anonymous.

The home is not open to the public. The community is gated and currently there is no public access except for residents.

This is the 27th record for BC.

The bird was seen again by resident of the community on February 27th.

Hooded Oriole in Cobble Hill - Photo: Jeremy Gatten

RBA: PINYON JAY in West Vancouver - Oct 27/23-Jan 29/24

At 2:30pm on Dec 16-2023, Michelle Baudais, Sigal Blay and Masahito Yamada found a Pinyon Jay on Sinclair St in West Vancouver during the Vancouver Christmas Bird Count. The bird also has been sighted on a feeder at the corner of Inglewood Ave and 20th St, and west towards 21st St.

Map to locations it has been seen at HERE, HERE and HERE

On Dec 17/23-Jan 29/24, the bird continued and was viewed by several observers at the same spots loosely in the company of Steller’s Jays.

**A homeowner Gillian Shipman has photographed the bird at her feeder on Sinclair St since Oct 27th.**

**Please be respectful of private residences in the area and do not illegally park or block driveways.**

The bird has not been relocated since Jan 29-2024, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the second record for BC.

Pinyon Jay in West Vancouver - Photos: Danielle Cooper

RBA: BRAMBLING in Kitimat - Dec 10/23- Feb 25/24

At 10:30am on Dec 10-2023, April MacLeod found a Brambling at her home in Kitimat. 

The home is open to the public and is located at 72 Skeena Street. 

Map to location HERE

On Dec 11th, the bird continued at the same location at dawn and was also seen HERE by multiple observers at 11:15 am behind Skeena Street in a tall Cottonwood tree along the Creek with some Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins.

On Feb 25th, the bird continued at April’s home.

Please be respectful of private residences in the area and do not block driveways.

Brambling in Kitimat - Photos: April MacLeod

RBA: GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL in Penticton, Vernon, and Kelowna - Dec 6/23-April 15/24

At 11:40 am on Dec 6- 2023, Chris Charlesworth and Ryan Tomlinson found a first year Great Black-backed Gull on the beach of Okanagan Lake in Penticton. The bird was sitting on the beach with 1 second-year Lesser Black-backed Gull directly across from the Spanish Villa Resort.

Map to location HERE

The bird continued in Penticton on Dec 12th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

On Dec 14/23-Jan 1/24 and January 4, 7, 9-10/24 the bird continued at the mouth of Vernon Creek on Okanagan Lake HERE. On Dec 20th it was seen at MacKay Reservoir in Vernon. On January 2 & 3/24 it was seen on the dock at Maude-Roxby Bird Sanctuary in Kelowna, and on January 6 it was seen at Bredin Pond at the Kelowna Landfill.

On January 18-24, the bird was seen on the dock at Maude-Roxby Bird Sanctuary in Kelowna.

On Jan 25-April 15th, the bird was seen back at the mouth of Vernon Creek and Kin Beach in Vernon on Okanagan Lake in Vernon.

This is the 4th confirmed photographed record for BC.

Great Black-backed Gull in Penticton - Photos: Chris Charlesworth

RBA: COOK'S PETREL in Port Coquitlam - Dec 28/2022 (LATE REPORT)

On Dec 28, 2022 a female Cook's Petrel was found alive (but grounded) at 2110 Rowland Street, Port Coquitlam. The bird was discovered by a member of the public and taken to the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC. Upon receipt of the bird, they immediately observed that it was severely emaciated. Despite their best efforts, the bird's condition failed to improve and the bird was humanely euthanized on Dec 31st.

After the bird was euthanized, it was transported to the Canadian Wildlife Service office in Delta. At a later point, it was necropsied by a Veterinarian from the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Animal Health Centre at the Beatty Museum. The necropsy determined the sex (female) and that there was no evidence of trauma. It is believed that the bird's grounding was due to its extreme emaciation/weakened condition. After the Veterinarian finished the necropsy, the bird was sent to the Collections Curator, Cowan Tetrapod Collection, UBC Beaty Biodiversity Museum.

The measurements of the bird are as follows:

Weight: 120 g

Wingspan: 69.9 cm

Wing chord: 22.3 cm

Tail Length: 8.6 cm

Total body length: 30.8 cm

Tarsus length: 3.347 cm

Culmen length: 2.581 cm

The bird was sent to several seabird experts including Steve Howell and Michael Force who confirmed the ID and ruled out Pycroft's Petrel.

This is the second confirmed photographed record for BC. The other bird hit a window in Lillooet on Dec 4, 2007.

Cook’s Petrel in Burnaby - Photos: Wildlife Rescue Association of BC

RBA: TUFTED DUCK in Duncan - Dec 1/23-March 19/24

On Dec 1-2023, Jeremy Gatten found the returning male Tufted Duck at the Duncan Sewage Lagoons. This is likely the same bird that he first found at the site in 2020.

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 on March 19, 2024 and has been viewed by multiple observers. 

Tufted Duck in Duncan - Photo: Heather Tocher

Tufted Duck in Duncan - Photo: Jeremy Gatten

RBA: BAIKAL TEAL in Sarita - Nov 28th

At 3pm on Nov 28-2023, Andrew Westerhof found a probable immature male Baikal Teal at the mouth of Carnation Creek. The bird was with 7 Green-winged Teals. The bird is in eclipse plumage moulting into alternate. 

Distinguishing a hybrid in this plumage would be very hard until the bird acquired its proper adult plumage. However, the general shape, face pattern including dark behind, below and in front of the eye, leg colour and apparent colouration are seemingly to be coming in correctly. The under-tail coverts look good for Baikal Teal and the white on the trailing edge of the wing is broad and conspicuous, as it should be in this species and the speculum is also consistent with Baikal Teal.

Map to location HERE

This bird is located on private gated land at a Coho Research station that is not accessible to the public. The locked gate is several kms from where the bird was seen so birders cannot even view it through the gate.

The only way to get near to the area is by boat but please note the estuary is very shallow so even a boat would likely not get close enough in order to see the bird. Note also no boat rentals are available near to the area at this time of year.

Birders may want to check Sarita Estuary HERE (about 10 kms away) in case the bird moves there but they must seek permission from the Huu-hay-aht First Nations to walk on the land. 

Multiple experts in Asia have confirmed this to be a bird pure in their opinions. 

If confirmed and accepted by the BRC, this would be the 3rd accepted record for BC.

The bird has was not relocated on Nov 29th or Nov 30th.

Probable Baikal Teal in Bamfield - Photos: Andrew Westerhof 

RBA: DICKCISSEL in Prince Rupert - Nov 27/23-April 6/24

At 1:30pm on November 27-2023, Teresa Weismiller found a male Dickcissel in a flock of House Sparrows coming to a feeder on a lawn at 516th 5th Ave E. in Prince Rupert.

Map to location HERE

Please be respectful of private residences and view from the public road.

This is the 33rd record for BC.

The bird was last seen in the same location on April 6, 2024 and has been viewed by multiple observers. 

Dickcissel in Prince Rupert - Photos: Teresa Weismiller 

RBA: GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE in Jordan River - Nov 18-22nd

At 10:25 am on Nov 18-2023, Carl Hughes found a Green-tailed Towhee in an empty lot in Jordan River. 

Map to location HERE

This is the 15th record for BC.

On Nov 22nd, the bird continued in the same location and has been viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was not relocated on Nov 23rd, despite multiple observers looking.

Green-tailed Towhee in Jordan River - Photos: Randy Dzenkiw

RBA: GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE on Denman Island - Nov 15-19th

At 9:50 am on Nov 15th-2023, Teresa Bouchard found a Green-tailed Towhee on Gladstone Beach on Denman Island. The bird is spending time on the grasses above the shoreline.

Map to location HERE

Birders should park at the end of Gladstone Way Rd and walk the small trail down to the beach.

*Note birders with mobility issues may find it hard to access the beach as it’s a muddy downhill trail that has a rope only to help you descend to the beach.*

This is the 14th record for BC.

The bird continued on Nov 19th and was viewed by multiple observers. It was not relocated today.

Green-tailed Towhee on Denman Island - Photo: Melissa Hafting

Green-tailed Towhee on Denman Island - Photo: James MacKenzie

RBA: SUMMER TANAGER in North Saanich - Nov 11/23-April 18/24

At 1 pm on Nov 11-2023, Max and Gib Maxwell found a male Summer Tanager at their suet feeder in their front yard.  It also has been seen in the Arbutus trees along the driveway.

The home is open to the public at 2449 Tyron Road in North Saanich. 

Please be respectful of private residences and do not block driveways. If construction is occurring in the area birders will need to park further afield and walk to the site. The homeowners are fine with birders standing on the driveway to view the bird. 

Map to location HERE

This is the 9th record for BC.

The bird continues on April 18, 2024 and has been viewed by multiple observers.

Summer Tanager in North Saanich - Photo: Ann Nightingale

Summer Tanager in North Saanich - Photo: Liam Singh

Summer Tanager in North Saanich - Photo: Gib Maxwell

RBA: BROWN BOOBY in Victoria - Nov 8th

At 3pm on Nov 8-2023, a Brown Booby was photographed by Walter Thorne while riding the M.V. COHO Ferry. The bird was seen in Canadian Waters on the return trip from Port Angeles.

Map to approximate location HERE

This is the 22nd record for BC.

Brown Booby in Victoria - Photos: Walter Thorne

RBA: ORCHARD ORIOLE in Victoria - Nov 5-28th

At 8:30am on Nov 5-2023, Geoffrey Newell found a female Orchard Oriole in Victoria.  The bird is frequenting Blackberry and Ivy bushes along Radcliffe Lane near McMicking Park. It was also seen on Radcliffe Lane near Hood Lane.

Map to locations the bird has been seen at HERE and HERE

Birders should opt to park on Beach Drive near Hood Lane as there are only 3 parking spots on Radcliffe Lane. Please do not block driveways and be respectful of private residences. 

The bird is being viewed by multiple observers HERE and at the original location near the park and small parking lot on Radcliffe Lane on Nov 6th.

On Nov 7-28, the bird continued at the original location HERE.

The bird has not been relocated since Nov 28th, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 12th record for BC.

Orchard Oriole in Victoria - Photos: Les Peterson

RBA: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS in Haida Gwaii - Nov 3rd

At 12:34pm on Nov 3-2023, while working on the FV Ocean Pearl, Lindsay Dealy found and photographed an immature Short-tailed albatross.

Map to location HERE

Short-tailed Albatross in Haida Gwaii - Photos: Lindsay Dealy

RBA: BROWN BOOBY in Haida Gwaii - Oct 26th and BC’s 1st record of MASKED BOOBY!

At 5pm on Oct 26-2023, William Woodbury photographed a Brown Booby that landed on and rode his fishing vessel “The Hannio Lio.”The Booby was trying to escape gulls that had been harassing it at sea. The bird was first seen 4 miles west of Tian Head and took off from the vessel shortly after.

Map to location HERE

Brown Booby in Haida Gwaii - Photo: William Woodbury

This is the 21st record of Brown Booby for BC.

Additionally, an astounding record of an adult Masked Booby from Sept 21, 2021, from the same observer on the same vessel, also came to light. This historical record took place 5-10 nautical miles offshore between Frederick and Langara Islands.

Approximate location of bird HERE

This late report constitutes the 1st confirmed record of Masked Booby in BC.

Adult Masked Booby in waters off Haida Gwaii - Photo: William Woodbury

RBA: NAZCA BOOBY in Haida Gwaii - Oct 23rd

At 3:34pm on Oct 23-2023, Josef Vavra found a Nazca Booby that flew aboard and landed on the FV Ocean Pearl fishing vessel, that he was working on in Haida Gwaii.

Map to location HERE

This is the 4th record for BC.

Adult Nazca Booby in Haida Gwaii - Photos: Josef Vavra