Birding in BC Community

I went out to Blackie Spit, after that Black and White Warbler posted on the RBA, but no luck there. Consoled myself with this image.

Female Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Randy, on Flickr

I was a little surprised to see that our favourite species, the European Starling, hadn't made an appearance on the list yet. Well, allow me...

European Starling by Jewill on Flickr

Here are a few Spring entries from the South Okanagan.


American White Pelican


Western Kingbird


Williamson's Sapsucker


Golden Eagle

Great shots everyone! Love your Starling, Judy. lol. Glad to see you back, Ian! I was in your neck of the woods today (White Lake Eco Reserve) and was able to finally add a few birds to our collection. I had a Spotted Sandpiper, but terrible photo. Here are two less common additions on our list:
Nashville Warbler


Cassin's (Solitary) Vireo



More common but nice:
Western Bluebird


Chipping Sparrow


I know we have this guy, but I needed at least one good picture to post from there: Brewer's Blackbird (lol)


A few days ago I was hiking at Black Mountain Regional Park and added these lovelies.
Calliope Hummingbird


Vesper Sparrow


Also at Black Mountain, I'm "pretty sure" this is a Dusky Flycatcher.


Now if only I could get my images to look like Ian's! haha.
Happy Birding, everyone!
James

Everyone is doing extra special work! We are at 158 birds.
Here's the current List:
viewtopic.php?p=92087#p92087

Thanks for the participation, everyone! I love looking at all the photos!
James

Great additions from the interior- thanks Ian and James. Hope to see some of these next month on my Kaslo vacation.

I did a Dawn Patrol at Iona Beach Park this morning, and was lucky enough to bag some new birds for the Challenge.

First up is a pair of Purple Martins. I saw at least 3 pairs starting to occupy the Martin sheds on the pilings out there.

Purple Martin pair by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Saw a pair of Semipalmated Plovers gleaning along the river beach as the tide was going out. A small flock of Western Sandpipers were also moving around, but these two Plovers hung around long enough for me to get some record shots.

Semipalmated Plover by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Semipalmated Plover by GMcD2008, on Flickr

And finally from Iona Beach Park, there were a few Common Terns moving around among all the Caspian Terns along the river side of the park. Managed to catch this one out of a group of mixed Terns that went by. The Common Terns were easy to pick out compared to the Caspian Terns - the Commons are a bit smaller, have the longer tail and shorter bill, and some have the grey cast to the bellies.

Common Tern by GMcD2008, on Flickr

First of year in the back greenspace. I heard him a couple of days ago (such a pretty song) and then saw him today. The female should be arriving soon (it seems the males always get here first) and then hopefully some fledglings.

Black-headed Grosbeak (Male) by Jewill on Flickr

I was over at Mayne Island for a couple days, and on the trip kept my eyes open for some birds for the Challenge (and my own sightings). Starting at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, there were a number of Pelagic Cormorants around with some in breeding colours.

Pelagic Cormorant by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Travelling through Active Pass I spotted a few Pigeon Guillemots, with one making a dash to avoid the ferry, so I got a snap shot off, not a very good one, but good enough for ID and the list:

Pigeon Guillemot by GMcD2008, on Flickr

While on Mayne Island, I always spend a couple hours in the Japanese Gardens there - a great little oasis of peacefulness. I heard a singing bird that I wasn't recognizing, looked over and there was a House Wren on the gate structure. Harsh lighting and a bit distant, so a photo was taken, good enough for ID and verification. Add the House Wren to the list:

House Wren by GMcD2008, on Flickr

I spent a couple hours at Bennett Bay on Mayne Island, and was watching for shorebirds and anything else interesting. Distant Belted Kingfisher, but no photo opportunities, a small colony of Purple Martins using the nest boxes on the Mayne Island Resort pier pilings, a few Turkey Vultures soaring high over the south point, Great Blue Herons fishing along the tideline, and a group of Black Oystercatchers out on the rocks. Not very many shorebirds though. As I was sitting on a log in the shade, I looked over and spotted a Northern Rough Winged Swallow perched on a shady spot nearby, great - that's not on the list, here we go. Northern Rough Winged Swallow portrait:

Northern Rough Winged Swallow by GMcD2008, on Flickr

While on the patio this afternoon, this guy flitted in, landed on the fence (so it qualifies for a 'Fence Friday' shot) stayed for about 10 seconds and then was gone. I managed to get only 4 pics of him; I liked this one the best.
I originally labeled it as a Western Wood-Pewee but on 2nd thought it may actually be a Western Flycatcher (formerly known as a Pacific-slope Flycatcher). What do you think?

Western Flycatcher by Jewill on Flickr

Jewill- looks good for the Western Flycatcher - the teardrop eye ring, light yellowish caste to the belly. Western Wood Peewees are generally greyer and lack the eye ring. Good capture.