RBA: HOODED ORIOLE in Vancouver - May 22nd

A male Hooded Oriole was photographed at Jericho Beach Park near the duck pond at 3pm on May 22nd. It was first misidentified as a Yellow-headed Blackbird. Several birders looked for it on the evening of May 23rd but it was not relocated. The observer chooses to remain anonymous.

This is the 23rd record for the province of BC.

Male Hooded Oriole in Vancouver - Photo: SS So/Macaulay Library

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Delta - May 21st

At 9:45am on May 21st-2018, Cole Gaerber found an adult male Snowy Plover, 200m west of the mansion at 96th St at Boundary Bay. It was loosely associating with 5 Western Sandpipers.

Map to location HERE

The bird was flushed by Bald Eagles at 10:25am and has not been relocated as of 7pm.

This is the 21st record for the province of BC.

Adult male Snowy Plover in Delta - Photos: Cole Gaerber

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Delta - May 20th

At 10:45am on May 20th-2018, Rob Lyske found a Loggerhead Shrike sitting on a telephone poll wire on 34th St near the intersection of 34th St and 33A Ave in Delta.

Map to location HERE

The bird is being viewed by multiple observers as of 11am.

At 11:45am the bird disappeared and has not been relocated. It was last seen along the cottonwoods perpendicular to the road. 

The bird was not relocated on May 21st. 

This is the 91st record for the province of BC.

Loggerhead Shrike in Delta - Photo: Rob Lyske

RBA: PROTHONOTORY WARBLER in Princeton - May 19th

At 11:30am on May 19-2018, Edward Lahaie found a male Prothonotary Warbler at his home at 460 Auburn Crescent in Princeton. The bird was foraging in the Hawthorne bushes in his yard but was not relocated after looking for it all day and a photo could not be taken. 

He gave a detailed description of the bird as he viewed it from 12 feet away: "Deep yellow coloured, gray blue wings, white under tail with larger dark bill."

The home is open to the public and the address is 460 Auburn Crescent, Princeton. Please do not knock on the front door before proceeding to the backyard. Please be respectful of the homeowner's property and residences in the area and do not block driveways.

This is the 9th record for the province of BC.

The bird was not relocated on May 20th.

RBA: RED-THROATED PIPIT in Victoria - May 19-21st

At 3:30 pm on May 19th-2018, Geoffrey Newell found and photographed a Red-throated Pipit on the central dyke at Panama Flats. This is the second Red-throated Pipit he has found at this location. The previous being in May 2016.

Panama Flats is located between Roy Rd and Carey Rd. The best access to view the bird is off Carey Rd and Baker St and to walk down the middle (central) dyke looking at both the NE and NW quadrants.

Map to Location HERE

As of 6:30pm the bird is being viewed by multiple observers at the north end of Panama Flats.

This is the 54th record for the province of BC.

The bird was not seen on May 20th.

The bird was relocated at the N end of Panama Flats at 2pm and continued until dark on Monday May 21st.

Red-throated Pipit in Victoria - Photos: Geoffrey Newell

RBA: LESSER GOLDFINCH in Princeton - May 12th

At 1:50pm on May 12-2018, Edward Lahaie found a male Lesser Goldfinch at the nyjer feeder at his home at 460 Auburn Crescent in Princeton. The bird stayed at the nyjer for ten mins but has not been relocated. This is the 4th time his family has had this species at his home.

The bird has not returned but if it does the home will be open to the public with pre-approved appointments. Please contact the RBA if you plan on visiting.

This is the 23rd record for the province of BC.

Male Lesser Goldfinch in Princeton - Photo: Edward Lahaie

RBA: GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE in Williams Lake - May 5th

At 8:30 am on May 5-2018, Lubna Khan and Sean and Betty Donahue found a singing male Great-tailed Grackle on a cottonwood tree on the Scout Island Causeway (Scout Island Rd) on Scout Island in Williams Lake. Lubna Khan was able to get some great shots of the bird. The bird was subsequently viewed by multiple observers until 8:15pm.

There is a second female Great-tailed Grackle currently in the province in Vancouver. You can read about that bird HERE.

This is the 6th record for the province of BC.

Map to location HERE

The bird was not relocated on May 6th, despite multiple observers looking.

Male Great-tailed Grackle in Williams Lake - Photos: Lubna Khan

RBA: WHITE-FACED IBIS in Kelowna and Cranbrook - May 5th

At 7:15am on May 5th-2018, Bobby Dailey found and photographed 7 White-faced Ibis at Elizabeth Lake in Cranbrook. The birds were from the shore trail as they foraged in the reeds in the lake.

The best spot to view them from is HERE

Park at Innes Ave S. and 11 St S.

The birds were still present an hour late when he left but were not relocated on May 6th despite multiple observers looking.

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At 9am on May 5th-2018, Rhonda Schurian found a single White-faced Ibis on the sandbar at the mouth of Mission Creek in Kelowna. Young birder Kalin Ocana paddled up to it in a canoe at 11:30am for excellent photos, sadly it was flushed by kayakers at 6pm and others could not relocate it.

The bird allowed for up close photos and was viewed by several observers that day but was not relocated on May 6th.

This is the 43rd and 44th record of this species in the province of BC.

A stunning portrait of a White-faced Ibis in Kelowna - Photo: Kalin Ocana

3 of 7 White-faced Ibis at Elizabeth Lake in Cranbrook - Photo: Bobby Dailey

RBA: INDIGO BUNTING in Prince George - May 2-3rd

On May 2nd-2018, Anne Hogan spotted an adult male Indigo Bunting feeding on millet at her home on Hoferkamp Rd. On May 3rd, the bird continued and Bob Steventon was able to photograph it at their feeder.

The home is not open to the public. 

The bird was not seen on May 4th.

Male Indigo Bunting in Prince George - Photos: Bob Steventon

RBA: Probable REDWING in Vancouver - April 29th

At 8:35am on April 28, 2018 Bridget Spencer found a probable Redwing. The bird was sitting in a white blossom cherry tree in Musqueam Golf Course along the Fraser River. It was singing for 30 mins and she made a recording and took record photos as it flew east towards Point Grey Golf course. The bird was relocated at Point Grey Golf Course at 9:05 am but was only heard and then not seen again when the birder had to leave. It has not been relocated since despite multiple observers looking.

Experienced European birders believe it to be a Redwing. You can listen to it HERE

Bridget made a comparison recording between her bird (Starts at 0:00 and ends at 0:04) and a confirmed Redwing by Michael Bome (starts at 0:05 and ends at 0:15) on Xeno-Cantho. You can listen to it HERE

Map to exact location bird was first seen HERE

Probable Redwing carrying Cherry Blossom in beak - Photo: Bridget Spencer

RBA: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Cawston - April 26th

At 4:15pm on April 26th 2018, Mark McAnally found a Loggerhead Shrike on Nighthawk Rd in Cawston.

The exact location is 250m before the descent to the border customs stop. The bird was in view for over 10 minutes as it flew back and forth across the road, landing in the open.

A map to the exact location is HERE.

Nighthawk Rd is west of Osoyoos and accessed off of Highway 3.

Loggerhead Shrike in Osoyoos - Photo: Mark McAnally

Loggerhead Shrike in Osoyoos - Photo: Mark McAnally

RBA: BLACK PHOEBE in Coquitlam - April 20th-21st

At 11:30am on April 20th-2018, John Reynolds found a Black Phoebe at Colony farm in a Coquitlam.

Directions to bird: The bird is in the pond in front of the service yard. Coming from Hwy 7, park at the community garden. Walk back and turn left on a newly gravelled road. Just before you reach the fenced-in work area go to the right of the fence and make your way along the fence towards the pond.

The bird was photographed and last seen by multiple observers at 7:30am on April 21st. There were no subsequent sightings later in the day despite multiple observers looking.

Map to location of bird HERE

This is the 23rd record for the province of BC.

Black Phoebe in Coquitlam - Photo: John Reynolds

Black Phoebe in Coquitlam - Photo: Melissa Hafting

RBA: GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE in Vancouver, Richmond and Point Roberts - May 11-Sept 1st

On March 11th-2018, Shelley Ide found a bird she did not recognize on the sidewalk of W. 4th Ave in Vancouver. At the time she had identified the bird as a female Boat-tailed Grackle. On the afternoon of April 17th-2018, Aaron Zacharias found the same bird in a vacant lot on W. 4th Ave between Alma St. and Highbury St. Aaron identified it as well as a female Boat-tailed Grackle. After Robert Lee relocated it this evening and provided a photo. I was able to help identify it to species and the bird is actually a female Great-tailed Grackle, which is a great bird nonetheless. Congrats to the finders. The bird has a limp but is doing ok it is eating and flying ok.

Map to exact location HERE. The bird has also been seen on a balcony next to the parking lot off Point Grey Rd for Jericho Park.

This is the 5th record for the province of BC and 1st record for Metro Vancouver.

A news article of the bird can be found HERE

The bird continues in the same vacant lot as of May 7th.

On May 8th and 12th, the Grackle was relocated at Cecil Green Park near UBC.

On July 14th, the bird was seen at the Iona inner ponds before flying towards the Fraser River.

On Aug 3rd-11th, the bird continues near the boardwalk of the outer pond by the parking lot at Iona.

On Sept 1st - Ken Klimo relocated the bird HERE on the rocks at Point Roberts, WA near the marina. The bird sadly now has a broken foot.

Female Great-tailed Grackle in Vancouver - Photos: Melissa Hafting

Female Great-tailed Grackle in Vancouver - Photo: Janice White

RBA: PARAKEET AUKLET off Tofino - March 29th

On March 29, 2018 - a pelagic out of Tofino from The Whale Centre found a single Parakeet Auklet at an ocean depth of 515 ft in pelagic waters, offshore from Tofino. An exact GPS location of the bird was not taken. It sat on the water briefly before taking flight and disappearing out of sight.

The bird was found and photographed by Joachim Bertrands.

Parakeet Auklet off Tofino - Photos: Joachim Bertrands

This is the 43rd record for the province of BC.

RBA: 3 SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSSES off Tofino - March 24th

At 9am on March 24, 2018 on a pelagic trip out of Tofino on Ocean Outfitter's "Miss B. Haven," 13 birders saw three juvenile Short-tailed Albatrosses, one of the birds was banded and after photo review a partial band number was visible. We sent in the band and the researchers said he was banded on April 24, 2017 as a chick at Tori Island, Hachijo, Japan. His full band number is 13D9932.

The first Short-tailed Albatross was spotted by Mike Toochin and all birds were found on Clayquot Canyon with 400 Black-footed Albatross behind a trawler.

The birds stayed with the boat in close proximity (as close as 10 feet away) and allowed for great photos. The birds were present for the full 5 hours the birders were at the canyon.

Exact GPS location of birds HERE

Banded (R) Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Melissa Hafting

2 out of 3 Short-tailed Albatrosses off Tofino - Photo: Melissa Hafting

Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photos: Melissa Hafting

Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

RBA: KING EIDER in Qualicum Beach - March 12-April 2nd

At 2:15pm on March 12, 2018, Neil Robins and John Purves found an adult male King Eider in breeding plumage. The bird was in a large raft of scoters near to Bluffs Drive in the Eaglecrest Area of Qualicum Beach. They viewed the bird for an hour by scope. They were unable to photograph the bird due to distance.

The bird was relocated by Guy Monty et al. on March 13th at the end of Whitmee Rd and is being viewed as of 6:30pm. A scope is required. From March 18th to 22nd, the eider was relocated further north at the Little Qualicum Estuary and could be viewed from the beach access at the east end of Surfside Dr. The bird was seen on March 23rd from the end of Buller Rd, which is just south of the previous location - a map of the location can be viewed HERE.

The bird was seen at the original location at the end of Whitmee Rd on March  26, 2018.

*On April 2nd the bird continued at the end of Seacrest Place in Qualicum Beach.*

This is the 37th record for the province of British Columbia.

King Eider in Qualicum Beach - Photo: Blair Dudeck

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Elko - Jan 2-March 19th

On Jan 2-2018, Brad Eckersley first saw a Brown Thrasher visiting his property on Yarrow Rd. The bird was present for a month and a half but was not identified. On Feb 11-2018, Bob Livsey found the bird at Brad's feeder and identified it as a Brown Thrasher. It was only present at the feeder for about 6 seconds. It was seen again briefly on Feb 12th at the same location and was singing. Appearances have been too brief for any photo opportunities.

The bird can now be viewed from the public location of  Main St and Yarrow Ave. 

This is the 40th record for the province of BC.

This is the second Brown Thrasher in the province at the same time. The other bird is in Cranbrook and details can be found HERE.

The bird has not been seen since March 19th, 2018.

RBA: BROWN BOOBY in Victoria - Jan 29th-Feb 3rd

An apparent injured adult Brown Booby was found at 1pm on January 29/2018 at Ogden Point in Victoria. The bird was photographed by Ashley Olender who didn't realize what it was. June Elaine Pigeon found the bird at the same site later in the afternoon and noticed it was immobile and shivering and called the SPCA. The bird was then transported to SPCA's Wild ARC rehab facility.

A photo of the bird can be viewed HERE

Sadly, despite best efforts, this bird died on Feb 3rd at Wild Arc.

Thank you to Wild Arc and especially to June Pigeon for aiding this bird as best as they could.

You can read more about this sad story HERE.

This is the 15th record for the province of BC.

RBA: LESSER GOLDFINCH in Victoria - Dec 11/17-Jan 7/18

Update: This bird was first photographed by Susan Harper at her home on December 11/2017. However, at the time she didn't realize it was a Lesser Goldfinch.

At 11:50am on December 24-2017, while viewing  a previously reported Tennessee Warbler, Nathan Hentze found a female Lesser Goldfinch. The bird was feeding in the backyard of Susan Harper's home at 820 Rogers Court. However, the Lesser Goldfinch is best viewed by looking at the feeders in the backyard from Rogers Way. It was also seen directly across the street at 840 Rogers Way. The bird was viewed by multiple observers all afternoon and photographed.

Please do not trespass on home owner's property and be respectful of other residents in the area.

This is the 22nd record for the province of BC.
 
The bird has not been relocated since January 7th/2018, despite multiple observers looking.

Female Lesser Goldfinch in Victoria, Dec 24/17  - Photo: Gordon Hart

Female Lesser Goldfinch in Victoria, Dec 24/17 - Photo: Marie O'Shaughnessy

RBA: BROWN BOOBY off the West Coast of Vancouver Island - Dec 5th

Greg Petri had an adult Brown Booby land on his fishing vessel in pelagic waters, west of the Brooks Peninsula on December 5th-2017. The bird rode on the boat for quite some time before flying off to sea.

This is the 14th record for the province of BC.

Brown Booby on the West Coast of Vancouver Island - Photo: Greg Petri

RBA: BROWN THRASHER in Cranbrook - Dec 9/17-April 19/18

At 1:45 pm on Dec 9th-2017, Ryan Tomlinson found a Brown Thrasher in Joseph Creek. This location is directly across from Greg Ross and Katrin Powell's home; who have a Northern Cardinal visiting their yard since Nov 7th at 213 17th Ave N.

Map to location of bird HERE

At 2:45pm the bird was relocated in the same location by Chris Charlesworth and photographed.

The bird was not relocated on Dec 10th, despite multiple observers looking.

On December 26th, bird was relocated in Greg Ross's Yard at 213, 17th Ave N.

The bird was last seen at the above location on Dec 29th, 2017.

On Jan 1, 2018 Wendy Norris Roberts relocated the Brown Thrasher in her yard on 11th Ave S in Cranbrook.

The bird continues in the same location on 11th Ave S as of March 5, 2018. Please view the bird from the street only and do not trespass. Please be respectful of neighbors and private property. The address is withheld per request. Contact the RBA if you plan to go searching for this bird.

This is the 39th record for the province of BC.

The bird was seen in the yard of a private home on 13th Ave S on March 18, 2018.

*The bird was last seen at 11 Ave S as of April 20, 2018.  Contact the RBA for viewing access.*

Brown Thrasher in Cranbrook. Jan 31, 2018. Photo: Greg Ross

Brown Thrasher in Cranbrook. Feb 19, 2018. Photo: Wendy Norris Roberts

RBA: SUMMMER TANAGER in Vancouver - Dec 9/17-April 20/18

At 8:25am on Dec 9th-2017, Wendy Kahle found an immature male Summer Tanager (red feathers appear on the bird's face and back) at her home near W 71st Ave in Vancouver. The bird has a bill deformity but is coming to her suet feeder on her patio in her backyard. The bird can be viewed from the public lane (Avery Ave), behind the property. It may also be possible to view it from the Arbutus greenway. Please do not trespass on her property or in the townhouse complex. Please be respectful of private property.

Map to where to stand to view her patio feeder HERE.

The bird has not been seen since April 20th.

This is the 6th record for the province of BC and 1st for Metro Vancouver.

This bird has received a lot of media attention and you can read/watch news stories on it HERE, HERE, HERE , HERE and HERE.

Imm. Male Summer Tanager with bill deformity in Vancouver - Photo: Liron Gertsman

Imm. Male Summer Tanager with bill deformity in Vancouver - Photo: Melissa Hafting

RBA: Another Male KING EIDER in Vancouver - Dec 4-16th

At 3pm on Dec 4th-2017, Peter Woods found a male King Eider at Stanley Park in Vancouver. The bird was near to shore allowing for close views. It was between the north end of English Bay and the Second Beach swimming pool. It was viewed from the seawall off Stanley Park Drive in a small Surf Scoter flock until 4:20pm, when it became dark and the observer left.

A map to exact location HERE

At 8:10 am on Dec 5th-2017 it was viewed by multiple observers at the same time that the male King Eider was being viewed in Berth 5 in Tsawwassen. To read about the Delta bird click HERE.

The Vancouver male King Eider was relocated with six Surf Scoters off the north end of English Bay off the seawall at Beach Ave, near the Sylvia Hotel.

A map to exact location HERE.

At 8am on Dec 6th the Eider was relocated with a large flock of Surf Scoters about 150m off the parking lot, just north of the 2nd beach swimming pool.

At 1:10pm on Dec 7th, the King Eider was seen near the SeaBus terminal at Waterfront Station in a large raft of Surf scoters. It was still present as of 3:30pm.

At 1:30pm on Dec 8th, the bird continues as viewed from the Seabus near the tip of Canada Place.

On Dec 9th, 10:30am the bird continues at Canada Place.

Map to Canada Place location HERE.

The bird was not relocated on Dec 10th or 11th, despite multiple observers looking.

At 11:50am on Dec 16th, the bird was relocated just off Canada Place near the blue drop sculpture, with a flock of Surf Scoters and one female Long-tailed Duck. It has not been relocated since.

** An aside: On Dec 2nd-2017, Ryan Terrill reported seeing a bird that he thought was "undoubtedly a Female King Eider" offshore from the "Star Princess" cruise ship between UBC and Lighthouse Park. His description fit a female Eider and it was last seen flying north with a Surf Scoter flock towards Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. However, due to distance and unidentifiable photos, other Eider species could not be ruled out. Therefore, that record had to be left unconfirmed. There are now 3 potential King Eiders in Vancouver.

If this male King Eider in Vancouver is in fact a second individual, it would represent the 36th record for the province of BC.

Male King Eider in Vancouver - Photo: Peter Woods

RBA: LITTLE GULL in Penticton - Nov 17-18th

At 9am on November 17-2017, Chris Charlesworth and Jesse Hannebauer found a First-winter Little Gull in Penticton. The bird is actively feeding 150m offshore off of Lakeshore Drive W, between the "Peach" on the beach and the "SS Sicamous" Boat on Okanagan Lake in Penticton. Photographs were obtained.

Map to location HERE

The Gull continues as of 4:30pm on Nov 18th. It is staying mostly off the end of the old Lakeshore Hotel and Casino Pier and has been viewed by multiple observers. The bird is best viewed with a scope.

Map to location of pier and Gull HERE

One observer reported seeing the gull at 8:30am but despite multiple observers looking, it has not been relocated by anyone else on Nov 19th or 20th.

This is the 98th record for the province of BC and the first record for the Okanagan.

Imm. Little Gull. Penticton, BC. Nov 17, 2017. Photo: Don Cecile.

Imm. Little Gull. Penticton, BC. Nov 17, 2017. Photo: Don Cecile.

Imm. Little Gull. Penticton, BC. Nov 17, 2017. Photo: Don Cecile.

RBA: NORTHERN CARDINAL in Cranbrook - Nov 7/17- Feb 27/18

UPDATE: This bird was accepted by the BC Bird Records Committee in December 2017. It is the FIRST confirmed record for the province of British Columbia.

A female Northern Cardinal was found by Katrin Powell and Greg Ross at 9:50am on November 7th-2017. The bird was in the front yard of their home at 213-17th Ave N., as it visited her feeder with black-oil sunflower seeds. It was present for 40 mins.

Provenance was considered, as cardinals are kept as cage birds in some areas. However, they have been reported in Alberta and confirmed by the Alberta Bird Records Committee as vagrants. Northern Cardinals have also bred successfully in Alberta and the first confirmed breeding record there was 2009. BC has a hypothetical record from Prince George in 1994 that was never confirmed and a carcass of one was found in March 2014 in Nanaimo.

The time of year and the part of the province where it showed up bodes well for a vagrant. Also, this is the time of year (late fall/winter) when many eastern vagrants show up out west. The other thing that lent credence for the bird being of wild origin is that it is a female. Most (but not all) caged birds from collectors (not breeders) are male.

The public is allowed to look at the bird as it visits the feeder in the yard from the sidewalk. Please respect other homeowners in the area by not blocking driveways and not pointing binoculars at homes. Please do not trespass on the homeowner's property or yard. 

The bird has been viewed by multiple observers coming to the feeder at their yard. It has also been seen across the street, sitting in the brush adjacent to Joseph Creek.

*On Dec 5th a Hoary Redpoll was found by Danny Tyson in the same yard. The bird is still present as of Dec 7th as well.*

The Northern Cardinal was last seen in the same location on Dec 8th.

The bird was not relocated on Dec 9th or 10th, despite multiple observers looking.

The bird was relocated on Dec 20th in a flock of Common Redpolls, at a feeder at Lorraine Schmidt's home in the 200 block of 13th Ave S.  Please view the feeders from the back lane. The homeowner doesn't want the address published online but contact the RBA for the address, if you plan to go searching for it.

The bird has not been seen since Feb 27/18.

CBC radio did an interview with Katrin Powell (homeowner who found the bird) and you can listen to it HERE (starts at 33:55).

You can also read a newspaper article about this bird from the "Cranbrook Daily Townsman" HERE.

Female Northern Cardinal in Cranbrook - Photo: Michael Klotz

Female Northern Cardinal in Cranbrook - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

RBA: WHITE WAGTAIL IN COMOX - Oct 24th

At 1:50pm on October 24th-2017, Krista Kaptein found a White Wagtail at Point Holmes in Comox. The bird was with Golden-crowned and Savannah Sparrows on the upper beach, 500m east of the boat launch. It made a few chip notes and short flights but always returned to the same spot. She left the bird actively foraging on the beach at 2:10pm.

Point Holmes is located at 348 Lazo Rd in Comox.

Map to location HERE.

The bird has not been relocated on October 25th, despite multiple observers looking.

This is the 13th record for the province of BC.

White Wagtail in Comox - Photos: Krista Kaptein

RBA: KING EIDER in Delta - Oct 24-Dec 5th

At 9:15 am on October 24th-2017, Michael Klotz found an adult male King Eider at the end of the steel piling at Berth # 5 at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. The bird was associating with a flock of Surf Scoters. This area is only open to paid passengers walking on or boarding a ferry by car. It is not open to the unpaid public. A walk on passenger fee is 17.20$ each way. Passengers are asked to board the ferry and not view it from the waiting room and leave. Please be respectful of BC Ferries rules.

PLEASE DO NOT WALK INTO THE TERMINAL WITHOUT PAYING FOR A TICKET. Remember birders want to see the bird after you, so please act in the best interest of all.

A scope is suggested to best view this bird. 

As of Dec 5th, the bird (who is now in almost full breeding plumage) continues frequenting in between Berth 3, 4 and 5.

The bird was not relocated on Dec 6th.

Map to location of bird HERE.

A discount parking lot, priced at 11$ a day with free shuttle, is located nearby HERE. Short and Long-term parking are also available at the ferry terminal.

This is the 35th record for the province of BC.

Male King Eider in Tsawwassen - Photos: Blair Dudeck

Adult Male King Eider in Delta, 11/26/17 - Photos: Liron Gertsman

RBA: BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER in Sechelt - Oct 17-19th

At 2:40pm on October 17th-2017, John Hodges found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Wilson Creek Estuary in Sechelt. The bird was in the bushes between the big sand pile and the estuary. It called briefly and posed on top of a bush that was 4 metres in front of him. John was able to view the bird for brief periods on and off for about 5 minutes but was unable to get a photo. He lost the bird soon after and it was not relocated as of posting time.

A map to where the bird was found at the Estuary is HERE

A map to where to park at Wilson Creek Estuary can be found HERE.

Wilson Creek Estuary is located at 1580 Field Rd, Sechelt.

The bird was last seen in the same location on Oct 19th. It has not been relocated since.

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

RBA: COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD in Powell River - Sept 7/17- March 16/18

On Sept 6th-2017, Ken and Kathleen Pritchard found an adult male Costa's Hummingbird at a window feeder on their property "SeaSide Escape Retreat." The bird was first dismissed as an Anna's Hummingbird, hence the delay in them getting the word out. This property is located at 2102 Donkersley Rd in Powell River and is open to the public. Please call them first at (604) - (344-1235) before going to view this bird as a courtesy to them and per their request. Please be respectful of all guests and the homeowners private property as this is a resort.

The bird has been viewed by multiple observers but has not been seen since March 16, 2018.
Map to location HERE.

This is the second Costa's Hummingbird occurring in the province right now. The other is in Abbotsford, please see HERE. 

This is the 28th record for BC.

Adult Male Costa's Hummingbird in Powell River - Photos: Kathleen Pritchard

RBA: BROOWN BOOBY in Richmond - October 2nd

At 12:30pm on October 2-2017, Mark Hamel found an adult Brown Booby. The bird flew onto his fishing vessel as he passed by active pass near Mayne Island. The bird remained perched on the vessel as he traveled the Strait of Georgia until he came to Sand Heads in Richmond. The bird flew off the ship as he came into the mouth of the Fraser River and perched on the lighthouse in the water. He then watched it fly off as he continued on into Steveston Harbour.

Exact location of where he last saw the Booby HERE.

This location is at the end of Steveston Jetty and is only accessible by boat.

Adult Brown Booby in Richmond - Photo: Mark Hamel

RBA: COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD in Abbotsford - April 2/17-Sept 4/18

On April 2nd, Michael Dossett found an adult male Costa's Hummingbird as it came to his backyard feeder.

The bird continues as of Sept 14th, 2018.

This home is not open to the public.

This is the 27th record for BC.

Male Costa's Hummingbird in Abbotsford - Photo: Michael Dossett