Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Lesser Black-backed Gull, Abbotsford/Chilliwack area, Oct. 5-22

There have been multiple reports of a Lesser Black-backed Gull around Abbotsford/Chilliwack this month. On October 5-10 Rick Toochin reported an adult in the Matsqui Prairie area (Beharrel Rd). A bird matching the description of that individual was located on Chilliwack Central Rd. west of Gibson Rd. on Oct. 21 by Gord Gadsden. It was relocated on Sumas Central Rd. the following morning.

Friday, October 16, 2015

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER in Delta - Oct 16th

Kevin Louth found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at the North side of the Boundary Bay dyke this morning (Oct. 16). The bird was located in the hedgerow halfway between 104th Street and the pilings. It was viewed by multiple observers at 10:45 am as it moved rapidly through the tops of bushes and fed on insects. It was relocated at 12:45pm by Brent Diakow in shrubs on the North side of the dyke near the 104th airport parking lot.

The bird was photographed by Peter Candido.

The bird has not been seen since October 16th.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Delta - Photo: Peter Candido





Sunday, October 11, 2015

BROWN BOOBY off Sooke, October 11-12th

On October 11th Cathy Carlson found a juvenile Brown Booby on a log about 3 miles south of Beechy Head (East Sooke). This is southwest of Race Rocks.

On October 12th in the late afternoon the/a booby was relocated floating on a log off of Silver Spray near East Sooke Park (Jeremy Gatten). The bird was >1 km distant. This is relatively close to Beechy Head, where the original sighting took place.

Anybody searching for this bird from shore would be advised to scan boat masts as well as any rocky islets or areas with heavy bird foraging activity in addition to any floating debris. Getting out on a boat would be the best method, allowing closer approach to Race Rocks and other areas. Boat rentals *may* be available from Pedder Bay Marina.

The bird has not been seen since October 12th.

Photo: Cathy Carlson



Tuesday, October 6, 2015

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER in Revelstoke, Oct 6-13th

On Oct 6th Darlene Cancelliere found a second rare warbler in her yard, a female Black-throated Blue Warbler. The bird was relocated in her yard on Oct 7th-13th. Her lucky streak did not end there; in addition to the continuing male Hooded Warbler she also found a Harris's Sparrow that turned up on Oct 6th.

This location is not open to the public.

The bird has not been seen since October 13th.

Female Black-throated Blue Warbler in Revelstoke - Photo: Darlene Cancelliere

Sunday, October 4, 2015

HOODED WARBLER in Revelstoke, Oct. 4-31st

On Oct 4th while sitting out in her yard Darlene Cancelliere saw an adult male Hooded Warbler fly into her  backyard. The bird flew in at 2:30 pm. Local birders have viewed the bird, and it has been photographed. The bird returned on Oct 5th-31st and came to a bird bath and bird feeder.

This location is not open to the public.

The bird has not been seen since October 31st.

This is the 9th record for BC.

Male Hooded Warbler in Revelstoke - Photo: Peter Candido

                                           

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

BLACK-THROATED SPARROW in Sooke - Sept 29-Oct 13th

On September 29th at 4 pm, Kim and Roger Beardmore found a juvenile Black-throated Sparrow at Whiffen Spit in Sooke.

Searches throughout the day on September 30th failed to locate the bird, until ~6 pm when the bird was relocated near the parking lot. It remained in the area for multiple birders to see.

It has most frequently been observed in the area between the parking lot and the outer beach. The sparrow has been described as being very tame and approachable, and actively feeding throughout the day. It was also heard vocalizing.

The bird was last seen on October 13th. 

Photo: Donna Ross

Monday, September 28, 2015

ORCHARD ORIOLE on Balaklava Island - Sept 28-30th

British Columbia has a bit of a history with good birds being turned up by lighthouse keepers.  We are fortunate to have a relatively new recruit to the birding community in Ivan Dubinsky, who is stationed at the Scarlett Point Lighthouse on Balaklava Island.  The island sits 18 kilometres northwest of Port Hardy near the north end of Vancouver Island, and naturally this makes it an interesting spot with solid potential for rarities.

Ivan's first good score was a Tropical Kingbird last year.  Today (September 28), he upped the ante with a fantastic bird: an Orchard Oriole!  This species has been documented more frequently over the past 10 years, but overall there are still fewer than 10 records for the province.

The bird was still present on September 30th, the 3rd day in a row it was seen.

The bird has not been seen since Sept 30th.

The bright lemon yellow underparts and slightly-decurved, shorter bill point to Orchard Oriole (Photo: Ivan Dubinsky)