Victoria Rare Bird Alert Transcript

* British Columbia
* Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is.
* Nov 20, 2009
* BCVI090312

- Transcript

This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Bird Alert for Fri Nov 20

8:00am update. Compiled and Transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis.



Announcement

The VNHS Sat Birding Group will be going to Blenkinsop Lake this coming
Sat Nov 21. Meet at the south end by Don Mann Trucking at 8:30am.



Feature Birds

FRANKLINS GULL



Thurs. Nov 19

A FRANKLINS GULL was seen off the Ogden Point Breakwater.



Tues Nov 17

A swallow species was seen over Blenkinsop Lake. Also near by a SNOW
GOOSE and an immature Northern Shrike.



Mon Nov 16

A Snow Goose was seen south of Martindale Rd.



Sat Nov 14

A RBA for a Black-tailed Gull seen at Clover Point around noon. It flew
eastward. If confirmed this would be the first record for the Victoria
Checklist.

A FRANKLINS GULL was seen at Ogden Point on the inside.

A Rock Sandpiper was seen at Cattle Point.

A Marbled Godwit was seen at Wittys Lagoon in the estuary.

A Snow Bunting was seen at Clover Point near the (NON SEWAGE TREATMENT
OUT FALL!!!!)

Fri Nov 13

RBA a Red Phalarope was seen over Swan Lake.

A Snow Bunting was seen at Clover Point( near the sewage non treatment
outfall)

At Martindale there were 4 immature and 1 adult Tundra Swan, 30 CACKLING
Canada Goose, 8 GREATER-WHITE-FRONTED goose





Thurs Nov 12

A Short-eared Owl was seen at Swan Lake.

4 TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRES were seen on Mt Wells.

1 American Kestrel,1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Northern Harrier and 1
immature SNOW GOSSE were seen in the Martindale area.

A Ring-billed Gull was seen at Island-view Beach.

5 Western Meadowlark were seen on Saanichton Spit

A Snow Goose was seen on Blenkinsop Lake



Wed Nov 11

An immature Snow Goose was seen at Blenkinsop Lake

A Short-eared Owl was seen south of Martindale Rd.



Sun Nov 8

A Short-eared Owl was seen on Saanichton Spit.

2 Northern Fulmar were seen on the VNHS Trip on the MV COHO.





Thurs Nov 5

There were 9 Mourning Dove seen near the corner of Keating Cross Rd and
Central Saanich Rd.

A female Rufous Hummingbird was seen in Oak Bay.



Wed Nov 4

A Marbled Godwit was seen at Cattle Point another one was reported from
Holland point.



Tues Nov 3

A Short-eared Owl was seen from Island View Rd as you go up the hill.

8 Greater White-fronted Goose were seen along Martindale Rd.

8 CACKLING Canada Goose and 3 Snow Goose were seen at Pat Bay.

5 WESTERN MEADOW LARKS were seen at the northwest end of the airport.





Mon Nov 2

A Short-eared Owl was seen south of Martindale Rd.

2 Rock Sandpiper were seen by a kayaker on rocks near Mary Todd Island.

2 Northern Shrike, 3 Western Meadowlark and 1 Peregrine Falcon were
seen on Saanichton Spit(Cordova Spit).

4 Ancient Murrelet were seen off of MacAulay Point.

A Marbled Godwit was seen off Cattle Point

A Willet was seen off the end of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.



Sun Nov 1

A Short-eared Owl was seen hunting off McHugh Rd in Central Saanich. A
Barn Owl was heard hunting in Central Saanich in the early morning hours.

There were three Ruddy Duck on Swan Lake.



Sat Oct 31

There were 8 Greater White-fronted Goose seen along Martindale Rd.



Wed Oct 28

A Marbled Godwit was seen for the second day from the foot of Bowker
Ave in Oak Bay, along with seven other species for shorebirds including
the Willet.



Tues Oct 27

A Northern Shrike and a White-throated Sparrow were seen at Swan Lake.
White-throated Sparrow have been reported from several different
locations around the lake this past week.





Thurs Oct 22

A Willet was seen on Mary Todd Island from the foot of Bowker Ave



Tues Oct 20

RBA for a EMPORER GOOSE seen on the Victoria Golf Course.

5 Brown Pelican were seen on Race Rocks

5 Brown Pelican, SOTTY SHEARWATERS and a LEACHS STORM PETREL were from
the MV COHO in Canadian waters

A male Rusty Blackbird was seen at Galey Farm along the connector trail.

An immature Snow Goose was seen on the Victoria Golfcourse

An immature Snow Goose was seen off Lochside Dr just south of Lolbrunner.

7 Greater White-fronted Goose were seen on the Lockside School grounds.

2 CACKING Canada Goose were seen in Martindale



Sun Oct 18

2 SWAINSONS HAWKS were seen over Mt Douglas also there 2 American Kestrel.

4 Trumpeter Swan, the first of the fall season were seen over the
Blenkinsop Valley.

20 EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES were seen off Wiffin Spit Rd.

A Pectoral Sandpiper and a Ruddy Turnstone were seen at Wiffin Spit



Sat Oct 17

7 Pink-footed Shearwater were seen on the VNHS boat trip to Race Rocks,
the other highlight was a pod of Dall Porpoises.



Mon Oct 12

A juvenile PACIFIC GOLDEN- PLOVER was seen with Black-bellied Plover
on the east side of Saanichton Spit.

A Willet and a Red Knot were seen from the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.

A juvenile Golden Eagle was seen over Swan Lake. Also there a SWAMP
SPARROW, American Bittern, Ruddy Duck and a Redhead.

A Lapland Longspur was seen south of the boat launch at Island View Beach.



Sun Oct 11

A Canvasback, Ruddy Duck, American Bittern and a Redhead were seen at
Swan Lake.





Sat Oct 10

At Kings Pond there was 1 American Tree Sparrow seen on the east side,
also 1 Swamp Sparrow.

At Swan Lake today there was: 1 Rusty Blackbird, 1 American Bittern, 1
Ruddy Duck, 1 Redhead.

There were 6 Horned Lark seen on Mt Douglas.



Fri Oct 9

There were 7 Horned Lark on Mt Douglas



Thurs Oct 8

There was 1 Lapland Longspur seen on Christmas Hill.



Wed Oct 7

There were 4 Horned Lark and 1 Lapland Longspur seen on Christmas Hill.

A Western Meadowlark was seen at Island View Beach





Mon Oct 5

There was Rusty Blackbird with BREWERS BLACKBIRDS at Swan Lake.

There were three TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRS seen from the Mt Douglas lookout ,
also there 2 probable Mountain Bluebird,

2 SABINES GULLS and 16 Ancient Murrelet were seen from Tower Point
among 20,000 gulls.



Sun Oct 4

A Rough-legged Hawk was seen over Martindale Rd.

There was a Horned Lark and a TOWNSENDS SOLITAIR seen from the lookout
on Mt Douglas.



Sat Oct 3

2 Marbled Godwit were seen on the beach 500 metres north of Parker Park
which is on Parker Ave.

3 Sandhill Crane were seen over the Blenkinsop Valley.

12 Sooty Shearwater and 1 Pink-footed Shearwater were on a mini
pelagic boat trip to Race Rocks, also seen a Humpback whale,

A Willet and a Red Knot were seen from the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.

178 Snow Goose were seen over Rocky Point Bird Observatory.



Fri Oct 2

A TOWNSENDS SOLITAIR was seen at Saxe Point Park.

A Horned Lark was seen at Cattle Point.

3 Sandhill Crane were seen over Martindale Rd.

5 Lapland Longspur were seen on CHRISTMAS HILL.



Wed Sept 30

A juvenile Rough-legged Hawk was seen at UVIC.



Sun Sept 27

RBA for a Common Grackle seen from 3382 Sanderling Way in the Turnstone
Development off Happy Valley Rd.



Highlights from CRD Hawk Watch in East Sooke Park: 520 Turkey Vulture,
4 Osprey, 2 Northern Harrier, 16 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 COOPERS HAWK, 1
Broad-winged Hawk, 45 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Golden Eagle, 1 AMERICAN
KESTREL, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 5 Greater White-fronted Goose, 26 VAUXS SWIFTS.



A Horned Lark was seen on the floating Boardwalk at Swan Lake.



5 Greater White-fronted Goose were seen with Canada Goose in a field off
Martindale Rd near Welch Rd



2 Pectoral Sandpiper , 6 Western Sandpiper, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWICHER and
1 GREATER YELLOW-LEGS were seen at MacIntyre Reservoir.



2 GREATER-WHITE-FRONTED goose, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWICHER and 1 PECTORAL
SANDPIPERS were seen at Swan Lake.





Sat Sept 26

Highlights from the Hawk Watch in East Sooke Park: 400 Turkey Vulture,
1 Broad-winged Hawk, 25 Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 1
Merlin, 15 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 5 COOPERS HAWKS, 1 Northern Goshawk, 2
Bald Eagle, 1 Osprey, 4 Sandhill Crane, 200 Band-tailed Pigeon, 15
VAUXS SWIFTS, several Black Swift, 3 Evening Grosbeak.



A Willet was seen at the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.



An adult FRANKLINS GULL was seen on the sand bar by the bridge at
Esquimalt Lagoon.



A White-throated Sparrow was seen at the south end of the bridge at
Blenkinsop Lake.



4 Sandhill Crane were seen off of Sahilton Rd in Duncan.





Thurs Sept 23

2 Broad-winged Hawk and a White-throated Sparrow were seen at Rocky
Point Observatory. Also there 600 Turkey Vulture, 1 Northern Harrier,
6 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 COOPERS HAWK, 6 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 AMERICAN
KESTREL, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 70 VAUXS SWIFTS, 180 Band-tailed Pigeon. A
reminder RPBO is on DND land access is restricted to volunteers of RPBO.



Mon Sept 21

A BLACK-LEGGED KITTYWAKE was seen from Tower Point (Wittys Lagoon). Also
there a Ring-billed Gull.



Sun Sept 20

A Pink-footed Shearwater was seen off Tower Point.

An American Bittern was seen at Swan Lake.



Sat Sept 19

A SWAINSONS HAWK and a Northern Goshawk were seen at Rocky Point Bird
Observatory. A reminder that RPBO is on DND land and access is restricted.



Fri Sept 18

A Willet and a Red Knot were seen at the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.



Thurs Sept 17

RBA for a Red-shouldered Hawk seen at Rocky Point Bird Observatory. This
would be the first record for BC. Also there a Broad-winged Hawk. A
reminder, RPBO is on DND property, access is restricted.

RBA for a Black-footed Albatross seen from Tower Point (Wittys Lagoon).
This would be the fourth record for the VNHS Check List.

A Red Knot and a Willet were seen at the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.



Wed Sept 16

A Red Knot and Willet were seen on Mary Todd Island which is the
island closest to the Oak Bay Marina.

A WESTERN Palm Warbler was seen along the Galloping Goose Trail between
Brittany Dr. and Jacklin Rd.

Several Sandhill Crane were heard over RPBO. A reminder RPBO is on DND
land and access is restricted.



Tues Sept 16

A Red Knot and a Willet were seen from the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.

An American Bittern , Merlin and a Northern Harrier were seen at Swan Lake.



Mon Sept 14

A SAINSONS HAWK was seen from the Beechey Head Lookout at East Sooke
Park. Also there 2 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Merlin, 6 Sharp-shinned Hawk,
3 COOPERS HAWKS, 2 Northern Harrier, 12 Red-tailed Hawk, 2 BALD
EAGLES and 60 Turkey Vulture.



Sun Sept 13

A Red-eyed Vireo was heard from the zig zag portion of the floating
boardwalk at Swan Lake.

A Western Kingbird was seen at RPBO. A reminder that RPBO is on DND
land and access is restricted.

A Willet was seen at the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.



Thurs Sept 10

A Northern Waterthrush was seen by the switch back portion of the
floating boardwalk at Swan Lake.

A Willet was seen from the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.



Wed Sept 9

A Willet was seen again at the foot of Bowker Ave. in Oak Bay.



Tues Sept 8

A Northern Waterthrush was seen from the switch back portion of
floating boardwalk at Swan Lake. On Monday one was seen near Tues pond.

A Willet was seen from the foot of Bowker in Oak Bay.

A Dusky Flycatcher was seen in Pemberton Park which is off of Gonzales
Ave and Richardson St.





Sat Sept 5

A Willet was seen at the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.

A Solitary Sandpiper and a Pectoral Sandpiper were seen at MacIntrye
Reservoir.

A Pectoral Sandpiper and a 3 SEMI-PALMATED PLOVERS were seen at Wittys
Lagoon.

Hundreds of Sooty Shearwater, 10 Pink-footed Shearwater, 1
Short-tailed Shearwater and 6 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel were seen from
the MV COHO



Thurs Sept 3

A Willet was seen at the foot of Bowker Ave in Oak Bay.

A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen at Wiffin Spit.

A Solitary Sandpiper was seen at MacIntyre Reservoir.

A BAIRDS SANDPIPER was seen at Saanichton Spit.

A Ruddy Turnstone was seen on the beach east of Ogden Point.



Wed Sept 2

A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen at Wiffin Spit.

2 BAIRDS SANDPIPERS were see on Saanichton Spit on the east side.



Tues Sept 1

A Green Heron was seen at Swan Lake







Sun Aug 30

400 Sooty Shearwater, 4 Pink-footed Shearwater, 1 SHORT-TAILED
SHEARWATER, 1 Northern Fulmar, 1 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, 2 CASSINS
AUCKLETS, 1 Tufted Puffin were seen from the MV COHO ferry in Canadian
Waters.

1 Ruddy Turnstone was seen with Black Turnstone on the beach east of
Ogden Point near where the stairs go down to the water.



Sat Aug 29

RBA for a Brown Booby seen perched on the mast of a fishing boat, for
about 4 hrs Sat afternoon from Otter Point to the Sooke Harbour, it then
flew towards East Sooke Park. Pictures to posted soon.

RBA for a Brown Booby seen off Tower Point (Wittys Lagoon) 7:30 in the
evening.

A Ruddy Turnstone was seen on the beach east of Ogden Point below
Dallas Rd at Boyd St.

22 Red-necked Phalarope were seen off the Ogden Point Breakwater.

A Green Heron was seen on the railing of the floating Boardwalk at Swan
Lake.



Fri Aug 28

A Ruddy Turnstone was seen on the beach east of Ogden Point.

A CASSINS AUCKLET was seen Clover Point, also there a Parasitic Jaeger

An AMERICAN GLODEN- PLOVER was seen at Albert Head Lagoon.

200 Sooty Shearwater were seen off Tower Point (Wittys Lagoon)



Thurs Aug 27

A Ruddy Turnstone was seen with Black Turnstone on the beach just east
of the Ogden Point Breakwater.

An AMERICAN GODEN-PLOVER was seen at Albert Head Lagoon.

50 Sooty Shearwater and 1 Pink-footed Shearwater were seen from Tower
Point(Wittys Lagoon)

A Snow Goose was seen at Maber Flats





Wed Aug 26

RBA for a Manx Shearwater and a South Polar Skua seen from Tower
Point(Wittys Lagoon), also there 150 Sooty Shearwater, 2 NORTHERN
FULMARS, 2 Pink-footed Shearwater, 2 PARSITC JAEGERS.

90 Sooty Shearwater , 2 PARASITC JAEGERS and 1 Pomarine Jaeger were
seen from Beechy Head in East Sooke Park.





Mon Aug 24

A Sora was heard in the southeast part of Rithets Bog



Sun Aug 23

RBA for 1 Pink-footed Shearwater, also 2 Pomarine Jaeger, 1 PARASTIC
JAEGER, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Northern Fulmar and 3 SEMIPALMATED
PLOVERS were seen from Tower Point(Wittys Lagoon). Also a Golden Eagle
was seen on the trip there.



Fri Aug 21

Highlights of birds seen from the MV COHO on a VNHS Trip to Dungeness
Spit: A Parasitic Jaeger and several Sooty Shearwater were seen on the
way out, a Pomarine Jaeger was seen on the way back, all in Canadian
waters.





Tues Aug 18

There were a small number of Red-necked Phalarope seen off of Clover Point.

24 Common Nighthawk were seen over the Juan de Fuca Rec Centre



Monday Aug 17

2 Bank Swallow were seen at Swan Lake

1 Black Swift was seen over Hector Rd.



Sun Aug 16

Highlights of birds seen from the MV COHO on a VNHS Trip to Cape
Flattery. 2 Parasitic Jaeger, Northern Fulmar and several RED- NECKED
PHALAROPES



Sat Aug 15

RBA for a Clay-coloured Sparrow seen where the jogging trail meets the
main trail on the southwest side of Swan Lake

1 Solitary Sandpiper AND 1 Pectoral Sandpiper were seen at Rithets Bog

6 Pectoral Sandpiper were seen in a ditch along Lockside Trail south
of Martindale Rd near the pig farm.



Friday Aug 14

6 Pectoral Sandpiper were see along Lockside Trail between Martindale
Rd and Dooley Rd.

1 Black Swift was seen over Portage Inlet



Thurs Aug 13

3 Black Swift were seen over Sunnygrove Ter.
Wed Aug 12

2 BAIRDS SANDPIPERS were seen at Wittys Lagoon also there 2 Blue-winged
Teal.

Tues.. Aug. 11

1 Tufted Puffin, 2 Brown Pelican, 1 Long-tailed Jaeger, 1 CASSINS AUKLET, 5
Red-necked Phalarope, and 3 Ancient Murrelet were seen off Tower Point.

3 Wandering Tattler were seen between Holland Point and Ogden Point

Thursday Aug 6

RBA for a Hermit Warbler seen at 4655 Kerryiew Dr, in the Prospect Lake
area, birders are welcome,

Sun Aug 1

A Solitary Sandpiper was seen at McIntyre Reservoir , also there 9
LONG-BILLED DOWICHERS and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs among the 8 species of
shorebirds seen.

An American Bittern was across the lake from the lollipop boardwalk

Sat Aug 1

An American Bittern was seen across the lake from the lollipop boardwalk

A Wandering Tattler was seen from the Ogden point Breakwater

Highlights of a VNHS walk to Esquimalt, Albert head, and Wittys Lagoon were
2 Semipalmated Plover, 4 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWICHER and 1
SHORT-BILLED DOWICHER at Wittys Lagoon. 10 species of shorebirds were seen.

Thurs. July 30

2 Wandering Tattler were seen off the Ogden Point Breakwater.

Wed July 29

A Bank Swallow was seen over Swan Lake

Tues July 28

RBA A Green-tailed Towhee was seen at Tower Point(Whitty's Lagoon). If
confirmed this would be the first record for the Victoria checklist. From
the clearing go up the hill to the two picnic tables and the two garbage
cans. Near by are two port-a-potties. The bird was frequenting this location
near the picnic tables at the edge of the forest.

Rick Schortinghuis

Victoria BC




















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