[jewill]

Inspired by GMcD's Mountain Bluebird I went out to Iona this morning in search of both blue and yellow birds. I was not prepared for how cold and windy it was. I eventually found both of my target birds so that made it worthwhile.

A cute little female Mountain Bluebird (1st time I've seen a female of the species)
Mountain Bluebird (Female) by Jewill on Flickr

I only found 1 Yellow-headed Blackbird, but that's all I needed. He certainly wasn't shy, I guess looking for handouts.
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Male) by Jewill on Flickr

Hey, what happened to Spring??

[GMcD]

I don't think I've seen a Sora on the list yet - here's one from January, 2023 along the West Dyke in Richmond.

Sora01 Jan30_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[BillGyles]

A Bonapart's Gull with two first winter Short-Billed Gulls at Little Qualicum Estuary, April 7.
Bonapart's Gull with Short-Billed Gulls by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

[NewWestBirder]

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus): Immature by Randy, on Flickr

Received this surprising visitor at the side of our house today in New West. Quite the urban raptor.

[GMcD]

Saw a couple Hammond's Flycatchers in the last few days:

Hammonds Flycatcher06 Apr19_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Also saw a Hermit Thrush today, spring is coming!

Hermit Thrush02 Apr21_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[jewill]

I went down to Blackie Spit this morning. It was pretty quiet but I did manage to come away with these 3 additions.

Not the greatest picture as the tide was out so they were quite far away, but I'll take it.
Caspian Tern by Jewill on Flickr

Savannah Sparrow by Jewill on Flickr

American Crow by Jewill on Flickr

Nice catch on the Sharpie Randy. Don't you love it when the birds come to you like that? It makes up for all of the missed ones.

[GMcD]

Common Yellowthroats are back in town.

Common Yellowthroat04 Apr26_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

Gotta love springtime! Wilson's Warblers are showing up, as well as Northern Rough Winged Swallows at Iona Beach Park.

Wilsons Warbler04 May02_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Northern Rough Winged Swallow01 May02_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

Splitting a few hairs - the Yellow Rumped Warbler was previously posted, but that was the Audubon variety - here's the Myrtle variety, so it should count as a different bird.

Yellow Rumped Warbler11 May03_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

Thanks to NewWestBirder for updating the list - here's a Double Crested Cormorant from earlier this spring along the Steveston waterfront:

Cormorant41 Mar29_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

I also noticed the Short Eared Owl hadn't made the list - there were quite a few along the West Dyke in Richmond this winter, so lot's of opportunities for getting some sightings:

Short Eared Owl21 Mar06_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Short Eared Owl05 Mar06_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

Iona Park ponds are alive with Swallows of all kinds, the Barn Swallow can now be added to the list:

Barn Swallow07 May03_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Barn Swallow01 May02_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

And another from Iona Park that wasn't on the list- Violet Green Swallow, one of the earlier arrivals to the area:

Violet Green Swallow01 Mar21_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[NewWestBirder]

Semi-palmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) by Randy, on Flickr

[NewWestBirder]

If GMcD continues his prolific contributions, I'm going to have to update the list again in about 2 hours. What great shots.