RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Victoria - July 21-Aug 10th

At 7am on the morning of July 21st-2016, Avery Bartels found an adult Female Chestnut-sided Warbler near the banding nets at Rocky Point Bird Observatory in Victoria. The bird was foraging along shrubs in the area. This location is not open to the public.

On July 25th, the bird was caught in the banding nets at RPBO and Serena Johnston banded the bird.

On August 2nd, David Allison saw the bird in the net lanes. The bird appeared to be in heavy moult and had no tail.

On August 4th, Avery Bartels had the continuing bird which has now been identified as a Second Year Female, after being aged in the hand.

On August 10th, David Allison saw the continuing bird again in the area near to the banding nets at RPBO but it has not been seen since.
 
This is the 62nd record for the province of BC.

Photo credit: Rocky Point Bird Observatory

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Ladner - July 17th-August 1st

At 2:20pm on July 17th-2016, Wayne Diakow found a single adult White-faced Ibis in worn breeding at Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Ladner. The bird flew by him and perched on a log in the South end of the SouthWest pond at Reifel. This pond is located directly south behind the house pond.

The bird was still present as of 5:30pm and was viewed and photographed by multiple observers.

The bird was relocated at 4:20pm on July 18th as it flew into the middle of the SW pond.

The bird was relocated at 6pm on July 19th in the SW pond and flew to the West Field at 7:30pm.

On July 20th at 9:10am the bird was seen in flight over the ponds.

On July 21st at 8:05 am the bird was seen feeding beneath the blue tower and at 8:10am it flew and began feeding in the middle of the West Field.

On July 22 at 9:00am the Ibis was relocated at Brunswick Point  just past the big bend in Ladner.

**This bird's pattern is that it comes into the Sanctuary during High Tide to feed. If you want to be successful in seeing this bird it is best to visit as close to High Tide as possible.**

On July 31st at 3:30pm, the bird was relocated by Ilya Povalyaev just past the big bend at Brunswick Point in Ladner. At 3:55pm the bird flew North and could not be relocated.

**On August 1st at 5pm, the bird was observed by multiple observers as it flew West past the big bend at Brunswick Point in Ladner.**

Reifel Bird Sanctuary is open every day from 9am until 4pm and admission is 5$ per adult. It is located at 5191 Robertson Rd in Delta.

The bird has not been seen since August 1st.

Photo: Sharon Toochin

Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

RBA: LAUGHING GULL in Sidney - July 7th-15th

At 12:30pm on July 7th - 2016, Kerry Finley found a second cycle Laughing Gull on the outer mudflats at Roberts Bay at The Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Sidney. The bird was actively feeding in a large flock of Glaucous-winged Gulls and a few Mew Gulls and the flock was frequently being flushed by a Bald Eagle. 

At 3pm, Kerry had the bird with some Glaucous-winged Gulls in the SW area of Roberts Bay near the Mermaid Creek Delta off the end of Fifth Street in Sidney.

At 6:20pm, the bird was relocated by Ann Nightingale on the beach at the end of Amherst Ave. Just after 7pm it was seen by multiple observers flying towards Sidney Island but is most likely still in the area.

On July 8th at 12:15pm the bird was relocated by Kerry Finley and observed by multiple observers sitting on the mudflats at the base of 5th Street in Sidney. At 1:15pm the bird was seen flying towards Amherst Ave in Sidney and has not been seen since.

The bird was not seen on July 9th.

On July 10th at 12:30pm, the bird was relocated by David Allison in flight as it flew towards Sidney Island from Roberts Point.

On July 10th at 3:05pm, the bird was last seen by David Fraser in a large feeding frenzy offshore with other gulls and it was visible from Amherst Ave.

On July 11th at 4:30pm, the bird was seen from Amherst Avenue by Geoffrey and David Newell as it flew SE towards Sidney Island. It landed briefly offshore in a gull feeding frenzy.

The bird was not see on July 12th, 13th or 14th.

On July 15th at 7:30pm Daniele Mitchell had the bird in flight as it flew SE past the light beacon at the tip of the Beaufort Street Peninsula, in a flock of California Gulla as he stood on the beach North of the Goddard Rd access in Sidney.

The bird was not seen on July 16th.

This is the first photo documented record for the province of British Columbia! 

Photo: Keith Taylor

Photo: Kerry Finley

XANTUS'S HUMMINGBIRD record from Gibsons now accepted in BC!

Usually the main page is not used for discussing The BC Birds Record Committee decisions, as we have a separate link for that but this 19 year old sighting has been a very controversial and intriguing topic for many. Birders have been awaiting a ruling one way or the other on the Xantus's Hummingbird that showed up in Gibsons On Nov 16, 1997 and now many can be happy that the bird has been ruled on and ACCEPTED to the Provincial List.


For more info and a full account of the original sighting please see HERE

RBA: NORTHERN PARULA in Vancouver - June 21st

At 10:45am on June 21st - 2016, Jaryd Turner found a Male Northern Parula at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver. The bird was singing just west of the pond along the flooded trail in a Red Alder. It was photographed and last seen flying NW along the flooded trail.

The park is located at 3941 Point Grey Rd in Vancouver.

Map to Location HERE

The bird has not been relocated since.

Photo: Jaryd Turner

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER near Ucluelet - June 18th

At 11:45am on June 18th - 2016, Ian Cruickshank (who has now found 3 Provinical rarities in a week!) found a Snowy Plover at the beach at Florencia Bay near Ucluelet. Florencia Bay is located within Pacific Rim National Park.

Multiple observers got to see the bird and the bird is still present as of 8:25pm on June 18th.

There was no sign of the Snowy Plover on June 19th.

A video of the bird can be viewed HERE

Map to location is HERE

Directions:

Park in the gravel pullout which is on the left hand side of Tofino-Ucluelet Hwy and walk down the Gold Mine Trail through the woods (about 2km) to the beach. Bird was feeding along the shore, on the beach to the left of the path entrance and 150 m East of the Lost Shoe Creek mouth.

If you get to Wick Rd you have gone too far.

This 2 km hike is NOT for those with mobility issues.

This is the 20th record for the province of BC.

Photos: Melissa Hafting

RBA: WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Ucluelet - June 17th

At noon on June 17th - 2016, Ian Cruickshank found a White-winged Dove at 1276 Helen Rd in Ucluelet. The bird is coming to a feeder in the front yard and can be viewed from the road. Please do not go onto the private property when viewing this bird. Please be respectful of Homeowners.

The bird continues as of 8:45pm on June 17th.

There was no sighting of the bird on June 18th.

A video of the bird can be viewed HERE

Photos: Ian Cruickshank

RBA: Northern Parula near Ucluelet - June 15th

On the evening of June 15th-2016, Ian Cruickshank found a male Northern Parula. This location is only accessible by boat. The bird was singing on an island in an oxbow in the river, which is west of a logging road bridge, over the lower Kennedy River. The island is part of Kennedy River Bog Provincial Park and this is where you would access the water from land. The Provincial Park is accessed by land via a logging from Highway #4. It is about a 30 minute paddle from the bridge if one had a non-motorized boat. The bird was found at these coordinates:

49.102929, -125.626606

Map HERE

Ian was able to obtain a recording of the bird. You can listen to the recording HERE

After a dedicated search the bird was not relocated on June 16th.

RBA: SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER in Tofino - June 11th

At 8 am on June 11th, 2016, Mike Wesbrook found a Male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on driftwood and hawking insects at Chesterman Beach in Tofino. The bird was observed for 15 minutes as it repeatedly got mobbed by crows as it moved north down the beach.  

The bird has not been relocated since.


Chesterman Beach is located at 1377 Chesterman Beach Rd in Tofino.

RBA: Ash-throated Flycatcher in Victoria, June 10th

On June 10th at 8am Mike McGrenere found an Ash-throated Flycatcher. He took photos and a recording. The bird was in the low Garry Oaks below the concrete viewing platform by the upper parking lot at Mount Douglas Park in Victoria.

The bird has not been relocated since this initial sighting.

You can listen to a recording of the bird HERE.

Mount Douglas Park is located at 4500 Cedar Hill Rd in Victoria.

Photo: Mike McGrenere

A Stork visits Kelowna - June 9th

Well it may not be a rare bird but it is a special celebration tonight for one of our regional coordinators from The Okanagan. On June 9th, 2016 Chris Charlesworth welcomed his first child into the world in Kelowna. He had a baby boy named Carsen James Charlesworth.

Little Carsen James Charlesworth

Congratulations Chris from all of us at the BC Rare Bird Alert. Thank you to you and all the regional coordinators for all the volunteer work you do here to share sightings to so many in the province.

All the best to you, Cindy and your beautiful new addition to your family.
Melissa

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Richmond - June 9th

On June 9th - 2016, Stuart Mackenzie found a Loggerhead Shrike at 2pm in Richmond.  The bird was found on the airport fence on the North side of Ferguson Rd  across from Shannon Rd en route to Iona Regional Park. It flew North and has not been relocated since 3pm.

Record Cell Photo by Stuart Mackenzie

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Victoria - June 6-7th

At 7:20am on June 6th, 2016 - Patrick Fair found a male Chestnut-sided Warbler in breeding plumage at Swan Lake. The bird was in the tall poplar trees at the south end of the trestle that is on Lochside Trail. Lochside regional trail is located between Saanich Road and Quadra Street. The bird was located about 100m from Saanich Road on the Lochside Regional Trail. The bird was moving too fast for any photos. However, he returned one hour later and the bird was still singing from this location and he got a recording, confirming its identity. The bird was relocated and photographed by multiple observers, at the same location up until 8:00pm.

The bird was relocated on June 7th at 12 noon by David Fraser in the same location in the tall poplars.

The bird has not been relocated since June 7th.

You can listen to the recording Here

This is the 61st record for the province of BC.

Photo: Gordon Hart

RBA: Lark Bunting in Hope - May 30th

On May 30th at 9am Gord Gadsden found a male Lark Bunting at Hope Aiport in Hope. The bird was on the fence by the weather station East of the airport terminal on the right side.

Hope Airport is located at 62720 Airport Rd in Hope.

The bird was not relocated since the initial sighting.

For more info and photos click Here

This is the 36th record for the province of BC.

RBA: FERRUGINOUS HAWK - May 21st

At 1pm on May 21st - 2016, Doug Brown had a Ferruginous Hawk flying over the Kailay Orchards in Osoyoos which is located at 10712 on Hwy 3. No photo was obtained but field marks were viewed with binoculars.

The bird has not been relocated since.

RBA: MURPHY'S PETREL off Vancouver Island - May 13th

On May 13th - 2016, Paul Lehman had a Murphy's Petrel 215 km SW of the Brooks Peninsula. The bird was viewed from the Grand Princess Cruise ship and all field marks were clearly seen. This is Paul's 4th Murphy's Petrel in BC waters and he has extensive experience with the species.

WHITE-FACED IBIS in Victoria - May 20th

At 9am on May 20th - 2016, Geoffrey Newell saw a flock of 7 White-faced Ibis fly SouthWest over Lohbrunner Rd and Lochside Trail in Blenkinsop Valley in Victoria.

The birds have not been relocated since the initial sighting.

TUFTED DUCK in Richmond - May 19th

At 9am on May 19th - 2016, Keith Taylor found a male Tufted Duck in the NW inner pond at Iona Regional Park. To gain access to the inner ponds a gate code is needed. Please contact Jude Grass at judegrass@shaw.ca to obtain the code. The park is located at 945 Ferguson Rd in Richmond and is open from 7am until 9pm.

The bird was last seen at 5pm on May 20th.

Male Tufted Duck - Photo: Keith Taylor

RBA: White-faced Ibis in Cranbrook, May 14th

On May 14th 2016 at 10:30am Dean Nicholson et al. found 2 White-faced Ibis at Reade Lake which is near Cranbrook. The two ibis were seen by two different groups during the local Naturalist Club’s Little Big Day.  Dean's team had 3 people, the second team had 4.
The second group saw the birds later that afternoon. In both cases the birds were across the lake, too far for photos. As the second group watched the birds they took off and flew away from the lake.  The UTM coordinates for Reade Lake and the spot the birds were seen is 583142.39 E  5497184.26 N.

Directions to the lake:

Go up Hwy 95A from Cranbrook to Kimberley, turning right onto Pighin Road.  Go another 3km and then take a right on the Lone Pine Ranch Road.  Go slowly along the road for 1 km and park. The lake is on the right. The ranch is private property and viewing is only from the road. 

These birds have not been relocated since the initial sighting..

RBA: Lesser Goldfinch in Surrey - May 5th

At 5pm on May 5th, 2016 Andrew Foxall found a Male Lesser Goldfinch at his home in Bell Park Estates in South Surrey.

The bird was present at the feeder for 30 mins and has not returned since.

Photo: Andrew Foxall

RBA: LUCY'S WARBLER in Castlegar - May 5th

On May 5th at 9:30am Craig Sandvig found and photographed a Lucy's Warbler in Castlegar. The bird was in the orchard at Selkirk College, just off Welsh Rd. The bird was 100m from the trailhead moving between the apple trees and hawthorns. The bird spent most of its time in the trees in the open area of the orchard but it also ventured into the thicker part on the south side. The bird was singing the whole time he was there and was present until 10:45am when he left.  

The bird has not been relocated since after several and thorough searches by multiple birders.  

This is the first record for the province of British Columbia.

Craig filmed the bird and his video can be seen Here

Directions to the bird:

When you get to the airport turn off on Hwy 3A, turn left onto Frank Beinder Way then turn right onto Rosedale Rd, then left on Campus Rd, then right onto Welsh Rd. Park at the end of Welsh Road.

Map Here

The trail starts at the end of Welsh Rd, heading west. The old orchard is on the south side of the trail adjacent to Welsh Rd. *The bird was 100 m from the trailhead as per above*

Photos: Craig Sandvig

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Victoria - May 4th-8th

On May 4th, 2016 at 4:30pm Geoffrey and David Newell found a Red-throated Pipit at Panama Flats in Victoria. The bird was first seen in the Northeast quadrant of the flats with 40 American Pipits. As it flew to the NW Quadrant birders got to listen to its high "psssss" call.  

The bird was last seen on the East side of Panama Flats just south of the building covered in graffiti at 9:30am on May 8th and has not been relocated since.

Panama Flats is located between Roy Rd and Carey Rd.  The best access to view the bird is off Carey Rd and to walk down the middle dyke looking at both the NE and NW Quadrants.

Photo: Courtney Cameron

Photo: Geoffrey Newell

RBA: White-cheeked Starling in Tofino - April 27-29th

On the morning of April 27th, 2016  at 7:30am Adrian Dorst found and photographed a White-cheeked Starling in Tofino as it fed on the second fairway at the Long Beach Golf Course. This bird could be ship assisted or an escapee. This would be the first ABA record if accepted. There is one other record from 1998 in Homer, Alaska but it was rejected due to provenance. The bird was seen by multiple observers on April 28th and 29th in the same location.

There are specific rules in place to view this bird. Birders are welcome early in the morning before the golfers arrive but must be out by 8:30am. When parking at the Golf Course please do not block any gates. Please stay off the green entirely when looking for or viewing this bird. Patience is key with this bird and it is best for one to stay in one place and wait until the bird appears. Please be respectful of these rules as the Golf Course management is generously opening it up to birders.

Evenings may be a possibility but only with a guide  and Wednesday and Thursday evenings are exempt.

The location for the Long Beach Golf Course is 1850 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino.

There has been no sightings of the bird on April 30th or May 1st.

Photo: Adrian Dorst

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Creston - April 5th

On the morning of April 5th - 2016, Marc-Andre Beaucher found an adult Loggerhead Shrike as it perched on a Hawthorn bush along the South West Dyke at Duck Lake in Creston. The bird was relocated by Craig Sandvig around 6:30pm on the same day. The bird was last seen in the hawthorns south of the campsite. The campsite is located at the West end of the Duck Lake dyke.

The bird was not relocated on April 6th.

Loggerhead Shrike perched to the left of Northern Shrike below. Photo: Marc-Andre Beaucher

RBA: MCKAY'S BUNTING in Richmond - Feb 23rd (late report)

At 10 am on Feb 23-2016 John Reynolds photographed a female McKay's Bunting on the south jetty at Iona Beach Regional Park in Richmond, BC.

Map to location HERE

The bird was photographed and confirmed by Jack Withrow (University of Alaska Museum, Collections Manager, Birds), who noted the mantle streaks were nice and lance shaped and that there was no obvious signs of hybridsm with a Snow Bunting. 

This is the 3rd record for BC.

Female McKay's Bunting in Richmond - Photo: John Reynolds

RBA: BLACK-HEADED GULL relocated in Vancouver, Feb 6-April 2nd

After careful study of the primaries it looks like this is the same bird as the Trout Lake gull seen from Jan 25-31st. See Here for the full explanation and photos.

Jim Palmer found a Black-headed Gull on the afternoon of Feb 6th as he was jogging on the Seawall at Stanley Park. The bird was on the rocks with some Mew Gulls at the base of Cardero Street at Beach Ave. He immediately noticed the blood red bill and legs and as the bird stretched he saw its black underwings. He said the bird seemed to have a different appearance to the Trout Lake bird. This is not out of the question as two different Black-headed Gull individuals recently turned up in Monroe, WA; however careful study of the primaries and facial patterns would need to be done to conclude this.

On Feb 13th he was seen by Mike Boyd in front of the Vancouver Maritime Museum

On Feb 14th, Jay Rourke relocated the Black-headed Gull at the Off-leash dog park at Spanish Banks.

On Feb 22nd the bird is was relocated at the foot of Cardero at Beach Ave.

On Feb 29th the bird is relocated at Spanish Banks Off-Leash Dog Park and continues there as of March 3rd.

On March 4th bird was relocated at the Musqueam Golf Course flying East over the Fraser River in Vancouver. The Golf Course is located at 3904 51st Ave W. in Vancouver.

On March 14th, the bird was relocated and photographed by Bridget Spencer and it was flying East over Deering Island in Vancouver.

On April 2nd the bird was relocated by Peter Candido as it sat on the Fraser River between Iona's North Jetty and Point Grey in Richmond. It has not been relocated since.

The bird has not been seen since April 2nd.

This is the 24th record for the province of BC.

Taken at Cardero at Beach Ave by David Baker

RBA: BLACK-HEADED GULL in Vancouver, Jan 25-Jan 31st

On Jan 25th at 8:40 am, Edward Nygren found an adult Black-headed Gull in non-breeding plumage in the NW corner of Trout Lake. He noticed right away the small size of the gull , the dark ear spot on the white head, the black wing tips and the blood red legs and bill. The bird was foraging on the lawn with Glaucous-winged and California Gulls.

The bird was relocated at 10:00 am in the gravel soccer field in the West side of the park by Daniele Mitchell on Jan 26th and was photographed by multiple observers. It moves between sitting on the lake and the West parking lot and soccer field.

The address for Trout Lake/John Hendry Park is: 3300 Victoria Drive, Vancouver.

This is the 24th record for the province of BC.

Adult Black-headed Gull at Trout Lake in Vancouver - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev 

TUFTED DUCK in Richmond, Jan 11th-March 3rd

At 1pm on Jan 11th, Paul Clapham found an adult male Tufted Duck in the South West inner pond at Iona Regional Park in Richmond. The bird was with 100 Lesser Scaups and Ring-necked ducks.  He was observed roosting on the island in the North West inner pond and also swimming in the NE  and SE inner ponds.

To get the gate code to access the inner ponds, please contact Jude Grass at judegrass@shaw.ca

The park is located at 945 Ferguson Rd in Richmond and is open from 8 am until 5pm daily.

The bird has not been relocated since March 3rd.

Tufted Duck in Richmond - Photo: Peter Candido

RBA: SIBERIAN ACCENTOR in Surrey, Jan 3-20th

At 12pm on Jan 6th, George Clulow and Mandy Lu found and photographed a Siberian Accentor at Gill Farm (5224 160th St). This is along 160th St. south of Colebrook Rd in Surrey in the blueberry fields on the east side of the road. The bird was flocking with 6 Dark-eyed Juncos and was perched in the Northern edge of the blueberry field in a Red Alder. The best way to access this location is to park in front of Capella's Farm on the shoulder of the road and walk south on 160th but it is also accessible South from Hwy 10. The bird is very skittish. The bird was actually first found on Jan 3rd at 2pm on the White Rock Christmas Bird Count but the observer wasn't sure of what he had seen until he photographed it on Jan 6th. More info on previous Siberian Accentors in British Columbia can be found HEREA note on parking and viewing. Please park off to the side of the road at wide spots or as far onto the shoulder as possible. When viewing from the roadway (the only viewpoint), please be respectful of passing vehicles and allow unimpeded passage to the residents and workers who utilize this road and please stay off private property at all times.

It has been seen in the hedgerow to the left (north) side of the house in blackberries and alders, and has also been seen to the right (south) of the house in the large bush. It goes into the blueberry fields as well as further down the hedgerow, both of which can make it difficult or impossible to see, and it may disappear for extended periods of time,. There have been several days with no sightings. When present, it is often only visible for brief moments at a time. It may associate with juncos or be by itself, but either way is usually inconspicuous.

Update: The accentor has not been relocated since Jan 20th.

Siberian Accentor in Surrey - Photo: John Gordon

RBA: Lesser Goldfinch in Abbotsford, Dec 30th - March 30th

Update: It has not been relocated since March 30th.

On Feb 9th, Chris and Sandi Buis relocated what they thought was the Lesser Goldfinch at the same location. The bird was seen again by Rick Toochin on Feb 11th and the ID was confirmed.

On Dec 30th, Rick Toochin and Chris Buis found a female Lesser Goldfinch at his feeders behind his hotel "The Brooksisde Inn" at 2379 Chardonnay Lane in Abbotsford. The property is open to the public but please do not point bins or camera lenses at the hotel windows which could disturb hotel guests.  Also remember to keep your voices down when visiting the property. The bird is actively feeding at various feeders at the back and sides of the property and best viewing is from the grassy field in behind the property. On Jan 8th a Common Redpoll was seen feeding alongside the Lesser Goldfinch.

Photo: Becke Sawatzky

Photo: Peter Candido

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Revelstoke, Dec 28-April 8th

On Dec 28th,  Patti Matsushita found a remarkable bird at her backyard feeder, a Brown Thrasher and her husband Mas was able to photograph the bird, which is continuing as of April 8th.

The yard is open to the public at 1100 Cottonwood Street in Revelstoke.  Best times to view the bird when it is usually actively feeding, are between 11:00 am and 2:00pm (PST). As always when visiting private property please be respectful of the owners' property and surrounding neighborhood.

This is the 38th record for the province of BC.

The bird has not been seen since April 8th.

Brown Thrasher in Revelstoke - Photo: Brian Stech

Brown Thrasher in Revelstoke - Photo: Reid Hildebrandt

RBA: Indigo Bunting in Port Coquitlam, Dec 21st-25th

On December 21st, John Findlay found an Immature Male Indigo Bunting at his backyard feeder. The bird was seen in a mixed flock of Dark-eyed Juncos and various Sparrows. Since then, the bird has been steadily returning to his feeder including on Dec 25th.

The home is not open to the public. 

The bird was last seen on December 25th.

Indigo Bunting in Coquitlam - Photos: Hilary Maguire

RBA: REDWING in Victoria AGAIN! - Dec.19-April 14th

On December 19th during the Victoria CBC, Nathan Hentze and Mike Davis found a Redwing at about 13:45. The bird was first in a vacant lot on the east side of South Valley Dr. in Victoria (off of Wilkinson, near Victoria General Hospital). It then flew to the west side where another vacant lot is, and disappeared potentially into a large cedar tree. The house closest to these lots is 3940 S. Valley Dr. *Note that if viewing this area on Google Maps, south valley drive ends on both sides of these lots, and it shows up as a dead-end. This has since been paved, and the road now connects through. However, this gap on the map is exactly where the vacant lots are located. Some google earth maps of the area can be viewed at: https://volantbc.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/seeing-redwing/

The road is relatively narrow here. Please do not park directly across from another parked vehicle as this may prevent service vehicles from getting through. There are several pull-outs on the road for visitor parking. There have been a couple incidents with an angry resident, so please do not use any driveways to turn around in, trespass, block vehicles, or anything else that might overstay birders' welcome in this neighbourhood.

Remarkably, this is the exact area where an out-of-town visitor photographed a Redwing on Dec. 16, 2013 (though unfortunately not known to the birding public until several months later).

The Redwing was still present through April 14th. The bird is mostly being seen in the holly tree and oaks in the lane behind 3957 South Valley Drive.

The bird has not been seen since April 14th.

This is the second record for BC.

Photo: Daniel Donnecke

Summer Tanager in New Denver, Nov 8-16

Linda Norman found and photographed this Summer Tanager in her New Denver neighbourhood. It stuck around for 8 days but has not been seen since. If it re-appears we will update this report. This is the 4th record of the species for BC.

Photo: Linda Norman

Tufted Duck at Salt Spring Island, Nov. 15

On the morning of Nov. 15, John Sprague found a Tufted Duck in Outer Ganges Harbour, Salt Spring Island. The bird was floating in a raft of 51 Red-breasted Mergansers, and several grebes. He described the bird as a juvenile.

The bird was about 300 m away near Third Sisters Island, and good scope views were obtained.

BC FIRST: ORIENTAL GREENFINCH in Victoria, Nov. 9th

On November 9th Geoffrey Newell found a finch near the corner of Beach Dr. and Newport Ave. at the Victoria Golf Course at 12:00 pm. The bird was reported to be very vocal, calling from a tree top and roof top. Initially identified as a Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, photos that were subsequently posted appear to show an Oriental Greenfinch.

The call heard was described as a "rather soft, yet slightly husky, and obviously finch-like chortle, somewhat like 'prech prech prech' with 3-4 notes together".

The bird was not found during searches on Nov. 11th.

Two photos were obtained. The bottom picture here is a crop of one of these photos.
Photos: Geoffrey Newell

There are six subspecies of Oriental Greenfinch. Only one, C. s. kawarahiba, is generally considered to be able to vagrate to North America owing to its breeding range and migratory habits. Although the photo is poor, the deep chestnut breast and perhaps head pattern seem to fit this subspecies.

This bird was confirmed by the BC Bird Records Commitee as the first confirmed record for the province of British Columbia.

NORTHERN PARULA at Vaseux Lake - Nov 5

This morning Jim Ginns, Janna Leslie and Paul Graham found a beautiful immature male Northern Parula! The bird was first seen at 9:15 am and was still present when they left at 10:45 am. It was foraging in the birch trees just before the start of the board walk. The bird stayed on the north side of the trail for the most part actively foraging in the birch. Paul Graham photographed the bird.

*Update - The bird has not been relocated on Nov 6th.*

Photo: Paul Graham

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Victoria - November 2

A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was found the morning of November 2nd in Victoria near the Chinese Cemetary (at Crescent Rd/Penzance Rd east of Clover Point) by Mike and Barb McGrenere. The bird was seen until about 10:15 am. The bird was in some low bushes at the point before flying north of the point towards some houses and into a pine tree. It was reportedly calling and foraging.

The bird was not relocated on November 3rd.

This is the 17th record for the province of BC.
 

Photo: Aziza Cooper

FIELD SPARROW at Oliver's Landing (near Squamish), Oct. 30-31

A Field Sparrow was found by Ken Wright at Furry Creek, Oliver's Landing, at 4:10 pm on Oct. 30th. From the townhouses at Oliver's Landing there's a trail that follows the seashore; walk until you get to a couple of orange cones and some gravel. The bird was near the cones. The coordinates for the location are 49.5854 N, -123.2248 W.  This would be a first provincial record if accepted.
The bird was relocated just south of the same area associating with White-crowned sparrows on the morning of Oct 31st but was not relocated since.

Update: There have been no reports either positive or negative on this bird since one observer reported the bird first thing the morning of October 31st. Further updates by anybody looking are appreciated, and can be left in the comments section or emailed.

Photo: Ken Wright

Photo: Ken Wright