Snipes

Also would consider Costa's Hummingbird (still can't check it off even after getting an invite to see the one coming to feeders last year in Kerrisdale, what was the point of going if i wasn't going to be allowed to take a picture of it?), Calliope Hummingbird (hope to remedy this one this coming year), Rock Wren (again, this coming year), Williamson's Sapsucker, Brandt's Cormorant (i really should have this one by now), Great Gray Owl (one of these days...), Pacific Loon (again, one of those i should have already), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (have gone after this one a few years in a row now with no success, one of my most sought after "local" shorebirds along with Ruff), Least Flycatcher (have tried a number of times over the years), Hutton's Vireo (thought i had it this year, got Cassin's instead, all good as i needed them both), Bank Swallow (one of these days..), Boreal Chickadee (will try again this upcoming year for sure), Brown Thrasher (i've got Long-billed, Curve-billed and Sage already), also, Pine Grosbeak, and White-winged Crossbill.
As for foreign birds, the Bearded Bellbird, Channel-billed Toucan and male Tufted Coquette eluded me in Trinidad, will always regret not getting them, hearing a bellbird just doesn't cut it.
Hornbills in general are my current Nemesis birds in Thailand, i've seen them flying in the distance but have never secured a shot, one day.

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Paul Kusmin
http://www.flickr.com/photos/revs45
http://45revs.blogspot.com

Digital (photo) Life List:
283 birds B.C. / 427 birds N.A. / 706 birds World (including NA)

Looks like a fun list Paul and looks like your hobby will keep you busy for while.Have a great new year.Ted

Debra good luck with the warblers,woodpeckers and owls.A couple of tough birds in there but you never know.Thats the fun of this hobby you just never know what may pop up.Thanks for taking the time out for commenting on just about everybody's photos in the past year.Have a good one.Ted

Yep the kingfishers are very skittish and see you from far away.The only decent one I got was from studying some perches they seemed to be landing on at a marsh then standing next to a tree with camo netting over me and even then it was just for a few seconds till he figured out I was not a tree!Thanks Ted

There is a fairly cooperative male Kingfisher that hangs out at the White Rock Pier. He's been sitting within 10 meters of me a couple of times. Once near the shore and once he was sitting on the rocks at the end of the pier. As many locals are always walking the pier, he seems acclimated to the presence of people.

Of course he's not always there. Birds are funny that way.

I'd like to find a Kestrel too. Especially in breeding plumage. I might have seen one a week or so ago at Iona. It was the right size and shape and sitting on the new razor wire fence by the road. Alas there was a big sewage truck sitting on my tail and I was nervous about hitting the brakes.

Also I'd like to find a Dipper dipping its head below the water's surface. Paul Kusmin described a location where one might be found but I haven't made it over the bridge yet.

And not having a bird feeder makes it difficult to find an Evening Grosbeak low down.

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MikeDB
http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdbug3/

I have seen a Kestrel twice on the way to Iona. He perches on the airport fence at the pull out on the left, just before the big log boom area. Good luck!