Birding in BC Community

Bar-Tailed Godwit by R Varga, on Flickr

This rare visitor has been generating a lot of interest in the Lower Mainland. This was a very very long distant shot, cropped significantly, with a lot of sharpening added, to get a somewhat decent image. Frankly, I couldn't identify the bird myself with my binoculars, but a few others with scopes provided the solid ID.

_H3A5534-Sabine Gull 3 by Patrick Covello, on Flickr

A Juvenile Sabine Gull at Brydon Lagoon

Pat

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) by Randy, on Flickr

A little surprised that we didn't have this one on the list, but glad to be able to add it now.

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) by Randy, on Flickr

How exciting to sight my first rarity. Caught this image during a little bike trip with spouse, as we stayed for a few days at Yellow Point Lodge on Vancouver Island.

That's a beautiful image of the Sabine's, Patrick.

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) by Randy, on Flickr

A contribution from Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen.

Wow -- great shots all the way around! Those rares. Nice. Thanks for contributing Randy, Bill, Patrick, and GmcD. I've been out and about the last month and a half but failed to upload a few. Here's my catch up!
First, a Red-Naped Sapsucker ... saw this on Scenic Canyon Trail in Kelowna.


Next up is this Merlin I captured in Knox Mountain Park. He has been cruising around the neighborhood, too.



Ok, I've been meaning to capture one of these guys--too common not to be on the list. Black-billed Magpie.


Another one I see frequently in Knox Mountain Park but finally got a nice photo: Mountain Chickadee


One more frequently in the park, but I have a horrible picture. If someone has a better one: Western Bluebird


Finally, I know we have a Cooper's Hawk, but here's a better shot. This one was right here in my backyard -- finishing off an unfortunate quail. He ate the whole thing ... feet and all. Only feathers were left.




Updated count and "remaining bird list" next! Enjoy!
James

I've got us at 212 birds! Excellent work. We seem to be a little ahead of last year's pace.
I created a list (link below) of the Remaining Birds. Easier to work with now I think.
viewtopic.php?p=92419#p92419

Thanks for keeping the challenge alive. I love seeing all the birds each year. Pretty cool.
James

_H3A6667-Wood Duck by Patrick Covello, on Flickr

A Wood Duck at Burnaby Lake at sunrise.

Pat

Nice to see the pictures coming in again after a bit of a lull. Sorting through photos from the last few weeks, I found some from the Missing Birds List. Here are a Heerman's Gull (Cattle Point, Victoria); a Surfbird (Neck Point, Nanaimo) and a flock of Sanderlings (Columbia Beach, Parksville).
Heerman's Gull by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

Surfbird by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

Sanderlings by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

Here are a couple that we are missing from our list. Still lots of time to fill some more gaps...


Great Horned Owl


Lark Sparrow

I found two more to add...the Shrike was one I saw in June but didn't process as it was a letdown, I was hoping to get a better opportunity for the Shrikes this year but I found them a tough go! This was shot from the car across the passenger seat window..


Northern Shrike


Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)