RBA: Ash-throated Flycatcher near Sechelt - Aug 28th

At 9am on August 28th-2016, Arnold Skei found an Ash-throated Flycatcher at the Wilson Creek Estuary near Sechelt. The bird was seen low in small trees near the concrete culvert sitting on the ground close to the second lookout over the inside section of the mudflats. There is a large sand pile that one can stand on and the bird was seen from there in the row of trees along the water's edge. Arnold returned later that afternoon but could not relocate the bird.

Arnold was able to get some digiscoped photos below:

Photo: Arnold Skei

SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSSES near Cape Scott - August 7th

At 11 am on August 7th-2016, Albert Michaud found and photographed two immature Short-tailed Albatrosses. He was conducting a whale survey at the time for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans near Cape Scott Provincial Park which is off the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. The UTM coordinates of where he spotted them in flight were 50°27'01.9"N 128°32'57.1"W.

This is the second sighting this year of a Short-tailed Albatross in BC waters. The last one was a sight record on June 12th-2016 by Joseph Morlan. Joseph reported seeing an adult Short-tailed Albatross at UTM 50.582614, -128.858638. That location was near to this sighting about 15 miles SSW of Beresford Island, and slightly further SSE of Sartine Island. That bird was viewed from the Grand Princess Cruise Ship. He was unable to get photos during his brief view and there were no other observers. However, he is experienced with this species and his field notes were extensive.

Immature Short-tailed Albatross near Cape Scott Provincial Park - Photos: Albert Michaud

RBA: BLACK-THROATED SPARROW near Sechelt - August 7-9th

On the morning of August 7th-2016, Cathy McLellan found and photographed an adult Black-throated Sparrow feeding with some Dark-eyed Juncos on the driveway of her private home in Sandy Hook.

The bird was relocated on August 8th at 1:30pm by John Hodges in the same area. The bird was in a bush at the corner of Skookumchuk Rd and Deerhorn Drive.

At 6:15 am on August 9th, Daniele Mitchell relocated the tame bird feeding in the exact same location that John Hodges had it the day before. The bird was by the stop sign at the corner of Skookumchuk Rd and Deerhorn Drive. Please see map below for exact location.

At 12pm on August 9th, the bird was relocated by multiple observers in the same location as it sat in a cedar tree across from the stop sign at the above intersection.

Map to location HERE

The homeowner's property is NOT open to the public. When viewing this bird from the public street please be respectful of private property.

The bird was not seen on August 10th.

Photos: Daniele Mitchell

RBA: Lesser Goldfinch near Okanagan Falls - July 31st

At 6:30am on July 31st-2016, Doug Brown found a male Lesser Goldfinch as he was setting up the mist nets at the Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory's banding station which is situated North of Vaseux Lake. The bird was singing along the net lanes and Doug got a visual of the bird as well.

This area is open to the public.

The bird was not seen on August 1st.

RBA: RED-NECKED STINT in Delta - July 22-26th

Kevin Louth found an adult Red-necked Stint in breeding plumage at 11:46 am on July 22nd-2016. The bird was on the mudflats with some Western Sandpipers off the end of the 96th Street Boundary Bay Dyke in Delta. The bird is still present as of 12:54pm.

At 1:10pm Kevin Louth lost sight of the bird as it flew and the flock split up.

At 7:55am on July 23rd the bird was relocated by Daniele Mitchell and viewed by multiple observers on the mudflats at Boundary Bay at the foot of 88th St. The bird was in a large flock of 600+ Western Sandpipers, Sanderlings and some Black-bellied Plovers.

The bird was relocated at 9:25am by Ilya Povalyaev at the mudflats near the 80th St Pumphouse and is still present as of 9:57am and viewed by multiple observers.

The bird was last seen feeding off the mudflats off 72nd St at Boundary Bay at 10:10am.

At 8pm the bird was relocated on the mudflats off 96th St at the Mansion by Brian Self et al. The bird showed two times very briefly between 8-8:10pm.

On July 24th, the bird was relocated on the mudflats off 96th St at 8:40am and viewed by multiple observers. The bird was last seen at 9:00am.

The RNST was not relocated on the evening of July 24th nor the 25th.

At 11:30am on July 26th, the bird was relocated by Roger Foxall on the mudflats off 104th St in a flock of Peeps and Black-bellied Plovers.

The bird was not seen on July 27th.

The bird was photographed by several observers. A scope is required to view this bird.

 

Photos: Ilya Povalyaev

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