RBA: GARGANEY in Kelowna - Sept 18-19th

At 1pm on Sept 18-2019, Chris Charlesworth and Ryan Tomlinson found a female Garganey (ABA Code 4) in the SE corner of Alki Lake at the Kelowna (Glenmore) Landfill. It is located at 2710 John Hindle Dr.

Visitors must sign in at the office upon arrival and visiting hours for birders are from 7:30am to 4:00pm - 7 days a week.

Map to location of bird HERE

The bird was last seen at 9 am on Sept 19th and was viewed by multiple observers. The bird was not relocated later in the day.

The bird was not relocated on Sept 20th.

This is the second record for the Okanagan and 14th record for BC.

Garganey in Kelowna - Photo: Don Cecile

Garganey in Kelowna - Photo: Chris Charlesworth 

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Metchosin - Sept 18th

At 8:25 am on Sept 18-2019, Daniel Donnecke found a hatch year Chestnut-sided Warbler at Rocky Point Bird Observatory during census. The bird was relocated later by David Bell at 9:50 am.

This area is not open to the public.

This is the 75th record for the province of BC.

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Victoria - Sept 13-15th

On the morning of Sept 13-2019, Chris Saunders found a first year/female type Chestnut-sided Warbler at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. The bird was in a mixed flock and first located in the cottonwoods south of the bridge and then flew towards the parking lot. Multiple observers were able to see the bird in cottonwoods by the Saanich Fire Station and it was photographed.

Map to location HERE

The bird continued in the same location as last described on Sept 15th.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Victoria - Photo: Daniele Donnecke

This is the 74th record for BC.

RBA: SNOWY PLOVER in Tofino - Sept 12th

At 5 pm on Sept 12-2019, Ian Cruickshank found a juvenile Snowy Plover at Schooner Cove Beach. He was able to photograph the bird as well.

Map to location of bird  HERE

Snowy Plover in Tofino - Photos: Ian Cruickshank 

This is the 26th record for the province of BC.

RBA: 2 SCRIPPS'S MURRELETS off Tofino - Sept 8th

At 11:47am on Sept 8-2019, Joachim Bertrands spotted 2 Scripps's Murrelets on a pelagic with Ocean Outfitters out of Tofino.

Many but not all of the people on board were able to see the birds and photos were obtained.

Map to exact location of birds HERE

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

Scripps's Murrelet off Tofino - Photo: Joachim Bertrands 

RBA: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in Kelowna - Sept 8-9th

At 10:00 am on Sept 8-2019, Kalin Ocana found an immature/female type Chestnut-sided Warbler at Maude Roxby Park. The bird was in a mixed flock of warblers that also included a Tennessee.

Map to exact location of bird HERE.

The bird continued and was viewable by multiple observers as of 1:40pm.

The bird was still present in the same location on Sept 9, 2019.

Chestnut-sided Warbler in Kelowna - Photo: Kalin Ocana

This is the 73rd record for the province of BC.

RBA: 2 SCRIPPS'S MURRELETS off Tofino - Sept 7th

At 12:55pm on Sept 7-2019, Joachim Bertrands spotted 2 Scripps's Murrelets on a pelagic with Ocean Outfitters out of Tofino.

Many but not all of the people on board were able to see the birds and photos were obtained.

Map to exact location of birds HERE

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

Scripps's Murrelets off Tofino - Photo: Joachim Bertrands

RBA: SCRIPPS'S MURRELET off the NW tip of Vancouver Island - Sept 4th

At 1 pm on Sept 4-2019, Michael Willison and Andrew and Eric Pratt saw a single Scripps's Murrelet from a cruise ship HERE off Cape Scott. No photo was obtained but the bird was well described.

This is the 34th record for the province of BC.

RBA: HAWAIIAN PETREL off Haida Gwaii - August 21st

At 12:15pm on August 21-2019, Michael Turso photographed a Hawaiian Petrel off Haida Gwaii while aboard the "Ovation of the Seas" Royal Caribbean cruise ship en route to Victoria.

Location of bird HERE

This is the first photographed record for BC and the 5th record for the province.

Hawaiian Petrel off Haida Gwaii - Photos: Michael Turso

RBA: GUADALUPE MURRELET off Tofino - August 17th

At 12:15pm on August 17-2019, Mike Toochin, Melissa Hafting and Ilya Povalyaev spotted a Guadalupe Murrelet 51 km  SW of Cox Point between Clayoquot Canyon and Loudoun Canyon. The birds were viewed from the "Miss B Haven" on a pelagic with Ocean Outfitters out of Tofino. The Guadalupe Murrelet was less than 10 feet from the boat. Multiple passengers on board were able to view and photograph the bird. At the same time a second Xantus’s Murrelet flew off the water before a clear view of its face could be had.

Exact location of bird was HERE

Guadalupe Murrelet off Tofino - Photo: Liron Gertsman

Guadalupe Murrelet off Tofino - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

This is the 3rd record for the province of BC.