Abundance rankings follow those used in the Vancouver Natural History Society (VNHS) checklist: common, fairly common, uncommon, rare (1 to 10 records per year), casual (2 to 20 records in total, not seen every year, somewhat outside usual range), accidental (only one record, far outside usual range). Abundance depends on habitat suitability, food availability, weather, etc. and often changes from year to year. Population figures are from Butler and Campbell 1987, Campbell et al. 1990, Butler 2002, and VNHS bird hotline and rare bird data. Other individuals and sources consulted include the VNHS (Aitchison 2001, Elliott & Gardner 1997), B.C. Birds Summary, Alan Contreras (Contreras 1994), Fred Cooke (Cooke 1996), Dave Dunbar (VNHS Raptor surveys), Ann Eissinger (Eissinger 1994), David Hancock (Hancock 2004), John Ireland (Reifel Bird Sanctuary), Jo Ann Mackenzie, North Cascades Audubon Society, Pacific Coast Joint Venture (PCJV 2005), Dennis Paulson (Paulson 1998), Mike Price (Price 1990), and records from Allen Poynter (Boundary Bay area), Richard Swanston, Brian Self (Point Roberts), Mary Taitt (Boundary Bay Regional Park), Terry Wahl (Whatcom County), Wayne Weber (Boundary Bay area).
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata Spring (March to late April-early May) and fall migrant (October), fairly common in winter, especially at mouth of Fraser River; casual summer. Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica Common spring (Feb to May) and fall migrant (October) with a few spending the winter. Common Loon Gavia immer Common migrant and winter visitor, a few non-breeders stay through the summer. Yellow-billed Loon Gavia adamsii Uncommon in winter (October to May), casual in summer; salt waters e.g. Blaine, Point Roberts. Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Uncommon local resident in watershed. Nests e.g. Alaksen, Green Timbers, Brydon Lagoon, freshwater in Whatcom County. Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus Common winter visitor, mid-September through April. Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegena Common spring (April) and fall (Aug/Sept/Oct) migrant and winter visitor. Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Rare to uncommon migrant and winter visitor, September to May. Best found at White Rock pier or Drayton Harbor. Western GrebeAechmophorus occidentalis Year round; molting flocks in late summer/fall, some birds spend winter. Clark’s Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii Casual; few records. Northern FulmarFulmarus glacialis Accidental. The remains of one were found under a hydro line in Surrey in November 1995. Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus Accidental; fall, Point Roberts. Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris Accidental in Strait of Georgia, off Point Roberts. Fork-tailed Storm Petrel Oceanodrama furcata Accidental, fall, winter at Point Roberts, Surrey. American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Rare visitor, late spring and fall. Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Casual in spring and fall. 2 possibly 3 in June 2006. Brandt’s Cormorant Phalacrocorax penicillatus Uncommon winter visitor, September to April. Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Common year round with smaller numbers in summer, including breeding birds. Pelagic CormorantPhalacrocorax pelagicus Fairly common year round in marine environments, especially in winter (late Oct to late May). American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Uncommon breeding resident, less common than formerly. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias fannini Common year round resident in several colonies. 6% of coastal subspecies population occurs in Boundary Bay area. Great Egret Ardea alba Casual visitor, but increasing numbers; generally June to Sept. Snowy Egret Egretta thula Accidental, during post-breeding dispersal. Cattle EgretBubulcus ibis Rare visitor spring, late fall, winter. First reported 1970 in B.C. now almost annual. Green Heron Butorides striatus (Green-backed Heron) Uncommon year round, with small local population and additional post-breeding dispersal of juveniles occurring in July and August, until end of September. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Very rare winter. Only regular site in B.C. in winter is Fuller’s Slough at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Arrives late August, departs mid April (17th -21st). Breeding record: one nest found at Alaksen in 1978. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Uncommon spring and fall migrant and summer visitor. Migrates through May and September/October. This species is increasing in numbers and becoming more common in the area. Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Rare winter visitor, and uncommon spring and fall migrant. Migrates through area last two weeks of April/early May and September/October. May be increasing in numbers. Emperor Goose Chen canagica Casual visitor, e.g one at Crescent Beach, spring 1968, Reifel, one stayed all winter 1977/78. One at Beach Grove, December 94, the first in B.C. since 1978.. Snow Goose Chen caerulescens Subspecies: Lesser Snow Goose. Common, abundant spring, fall migrant and wintering population. Nests at Wrangel Island Russia. Ross’ Goose Chen rossii Casual fall and spring visitor, one or two in Jan/Feb. Canada Goose Branta canadensis moffitti Very common resident; also migratory sub-species and stocks that are less common to rare, e.g. Cackling Goose, B.c minima, Vancouver Canada Goose B.c. fulva , Taverner’s Canada Goose, B.c.taverneri, and Dusky Canada Goose B.c. occidentalis. Flocks of geese move onto stubble fields during September. Before the 1960s, only migratory Canada geese visited the area; subsequently resident birds were introduced and have since become very abundant. Brant Branta bernicla nigricans (Black brant) Spring migrant (March, April), a few on fall passage. Small wintering population in Boundary Bay, Roberts Bank and Drayton Harbor, about 2000 in winter, 2002). Gray-bellied Brant, a Western High Arctic race, similar to Atlantic brant, B.b. hrota, with a total population of about 8 000 birds, also winter in Boundary Bay and the Skagit (Padilla and Samish bays). Mute Swan Cygnus olor Resident, breeder. An introduced species, occurring in increasing numbers. Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator Winter visitor, expanding numbers and range in Pacific Northwest. Now commoner than Tundra Swan in area. At least 4% of Pacific Coast population use Fraser delta. Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus Winter visitor, in small numbers. Wood Duck Aix sponsa Fairly common summer, breeding visitor. A few stay for the winter. Gadwall Anas strepera Common year round. Breeds. Eurasian WigeonAnas penelope Uncommon winter visitor, end of October to March, becoming increasingly common. American Wigeon Anas americana Abundant winter visitor, spring and fall migrant. Probably breeds in small numbers. American Black Duck Anas rubripes This species was introduced to the region but failed to establish; it is now considered extirpated. However, individual birds, of questionable origin turn up occasionally, e.g. Tsawwassen jetty fall 2001. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Common resident , migrant and winter visitor. Largest numbers (50,000) September to March, influx October, peaking November to December. Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Summer visitor, with a very few staying to winter. Small breeding population e.g. Serpentine Fen, Burns Bog ponds, Boundary Bay Regional Park. Arrive mid-April - late April, departs September. Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera Summer visitor, small numbers winter. Small breeding population e.g. Serpentine Fen, prob. Burns Bog ponds. Arrives mid-March to mid-April, departs September. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Common spring and fall migrant, less common winter visitor, a few breed. Northern Pintail Anas acuta Common spring and fall migrant and winter visitor (Sept. - April), a few may breed. Migration peaks mid/late March and Aug-Oct. Fraser Estuary wintering birds (about 35 000) are about 1% of world population. Baikal Teal Anas formosa Accidental. The only record for British Columbia was a drake shot on 20 November 1957 in Ladner. Green-winged Teal Anas crecca Common winter, spring and fall, some may breed. About 6% of 280,000 Pacific Flyway population is found in south coastal B.C. September to April, peaking in November. May breed in ponds in Burns Bog and Serpentine Fen. Old world race Eurasian Teal A. c. crecca is a rare winter visitor, e.g. Elgin 2004. Canvasback Aythya valisineria Uncommon, mostly winter visitor. Fraser delta is centre of winter abundance along coast but historically it was much more abundant. Maximum Christmas Bird Count number was 753 at Ladner in 1975. Redhead Aythya americana Rare visitor. Has spent winter at Reifel Bird Sanctuary, e.g. 1993/94, and three birds at Westham Island on 17 July 1974 were an unusual summer record. Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Uncommon year round. A few breed in ponds in Burns Bog - the only location nests have been found in Vancouver Checklist area. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Rare fall to spring visitor, accidental summer. First recorded in Boundary Bay area in 1961, with increasing but small number of observations since then. Greater Scaup Aythya marila Common spring and fall migrant and winter visitor. Uncommon summer. Peak periods, April and October to December (30 000 birds). Most abundant diving duck off Boundary Bay (57% of sightings according to Butler and Campbell 1987). Many dead birds found in Beached Bird Surveys, eaten or scavenged by peregrines, eagles, etc. Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Spring and fall migrant and winter visitor; uncommon summer. Peak periods, March/April and late October to early December. Less than 4000 birds winter. King Eider Somateria spectabilis Accidental at Point Roberts. Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus Present year round, but does not breed in area. Large numbers in fall and winter, fewest in May and June. Rafts of males in summer (July, August) joined by females and juveniles in fall. Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata Common year round non-breeder. Large numbers in winter; migrants pass through in April and May. White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca Common year round, non-breeder. Peak numbers on east side of bay during December and May. Black ScoterMelanitta nigra Regular fall and winter visitor, Aug. to April with a peak in Nov.-Dec. Historically common, as illustrated by the number of bones found in local middens, but now the least abundant of the three scoter species in area. Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis (Oldsquaw) Winter visitor, with a few in summer. Occurs October to April, with peaks Dec./Jan. Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Spring, fall and winter visitor, October to May, peaking Dec. and March on east side of bay. Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Spring, fall and winter visitor, November to May. Barrow’s Goldeneye Bucephala islandica Winter visitor, November to April, averaging 25 birds at Kwomais Point area. Regular at Blaine, Semiahmoo. Smew Margellus albellus Accidental from Asia or possibly escaped captive birds; only three records in area. Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus Uncommon, mostly winter visitor and spring/fall migrant. Nest records for Reifel, Blaine-Semiahmoo area. Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Winter visitor. October to May, peak Nov/Dec on east side of bay. Gather in April at mouth of Fraser River to feed on eulachon. Common Merganser Mergus merganser Common, especially in winter, fall and spring. Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Winter visitor, September to March. Peaks Dec./Jan. on east side of bay. Uncommon in breeding season, e.g. May 93, one at Reifel. Winter numbers highest e.g. Kwomais Point , White Rock (recorded on CBCs e.g. 477 in 1991, 175 in 1990), Point Roberts. Osprey Pandion haliaetus Uncommon, mostly between April and early September. Pair nests at Deltaport on Roberts Bank. White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus (Black-shouldered Kite) Accidental. first record for Canada, April - May, June 1990, Reifel and Delta, also April 1994, Ladner and April 1995, Reifel. Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalus Resident breeder, with additional winter visitors, peaking in January/February. David Hancock’s 2004 survey found over 75 nests between the Fraser River and the International Border. Several nests also occur around Drayton Harbor. Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Common resident and winter visitor. 26% of all harrier sightings (780 birds) during the 10 year Vancouver Natural History Society raptor survey prior to 1989 were in Boundary Bay. Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Year round but more in winter than summer. Breeds. Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii Fairly common year round but more in winter than in summer. Breeds. Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Uncommon winter, rare summer. Broad-winged Hawk Buteo playtypterus Accidental. An adult recorded near Watershed Park on the Surrey/Delta border, October 2002 (Rick Toochin). Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni Accidental; e.g. Point Roberts Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Common breeding resident, with additional winter visitors. Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus Winter visitor, mostly December to March, occasional in fall (e.g. September, October). Numbers fluctuate from year to year. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Rare visitor. Most in early spring. American Kestrel Falco sparverius Peak numbers in winter and for a few days on spring/fall passage. Uncommon at other times. Merlin Falco columbarius Fairly common winter visitor. Boundary Bay is the most important wintering habitat in Fraser Valley. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Winter visitor, and spring and fall migrant. More common than formerly. Read: Bolt from the Blue by Dick Dekker Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus Rare winter visitor, especially to Boundary Bay foreshore. Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus Rare winter visitor. One seen most years 1988 onwards, in Roberts Bank, Brunswick Point, Boundary Bay dyke area. Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Introduced resident game bird, once very common, now quite scarce. Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus Very uncommon resident in upland woodlands, in less disturbed parts of watershed. This species has declined dramatically over the last hundred years in the Boundary Bay area. Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus Accidental to White Rock Jan. 1976. Virginia Rail Rallus limicola Year round breeding resident. Sora Porzana carolina Summer visitor. Breeding records for e.g. Burns Bog, Elgin Park, Roberts Bank, Ladner Harbour Park. American Coot Fulica americana Common winter visitor, some year round and breeding records. Greater Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis tabida Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Cranes have historically nested in Burns Bog and it is believed that about ten birds currently occur during the breeding season, with a further ten or so arriving in September. Burns Bog and Pitt Lake are the only breeding areas in the Lower Mainland for this species. Occasional Lesser Sandhill Crane G. c. canadensis also occur on migration. Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola Abundant fall and spring migration, common in winter. Spring arrivals early March onwards, fall passage September, early October. 3% of North America’s population present in Fraser River Estuary on a single day in spring. Largest Canadian population in winter. American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica (formerly Lesser Golden Plover, with Pacific Golden Plover) Uncommon spring and fall migrant. Peaks, late April, May and early Aug to early Nov. Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Rare spring and fall migrant. Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Casual summer, e.g. individuals June 1991, 112 St., June 1996, Mud Bay, April 2003, Roberts Bank. Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Migrant, fairly common spring, common late summer, peaks late July to early August. Drayton Harbor mud flats are a good location for this species. Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Resident and migrant (esp. fall). Fairly common breeder. Lesser Sand PloverCharadrius mongolus Accidental; Boundary Bay 104th -112th Street, July 12 2007 for several days. Black Oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani Very local breeder (Roberts Bank) and rare visitor other than Roberts Bank, Point Roberts. First breeding record for mainland coast at ferry jetty and compensation lagoon in 1995; now breeds regularly. 3 chicks hatched June 2006 and 2 other pairs seen, Roberts Bank (Rick Swanston information) Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus Accidental visitor, records in spring from Blackie Spit and possibly Serpentine Fen. American Avocet Recurvirostra americana Casual transient, occasionally overwinters, e.g. Beach Grove lagoon, Serpentine Fen, Elgin. The first breeding record for West Coast was for 2 pairs that tried nesting at Blackie Spit in spring of 1988 but were unsuccessful. Attempts in 1989 and 1990 were also unsuccessful. Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Common spring and fall migrant, winter visitor to bay. Mid Sept to late October peak. Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Common fall migrant, fairly common spring. Migrates through from early July, peaking mid August to late September. Does not stay for winter Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Rare visitor, e.g. Reifel, Serpentine Fen. Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria Uncommon but regular, late summer (mid-August on) fall migrant at Boundary Bay, Reifel, Blackie Spit and Beach Grove Lagoon. Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Rare spring/summer visitor, very rare winter. Wandering Tattler Heteroscelus incanus Casual in August, Sept. One at Blackie Spit was very rare for this sandy location, usually along rocky shores and jetties. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Summer visitor. Breeds. Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda Rare migrant late summer, fall, to fields near Boundary Bay. Bristle-thighed CurlewNumenius tahitiensis One only. Sight record at Blackie Spit May 1983 was 2nd Canadian Record (although this was disputed by Paulson 1998). A dozen or so occurred on the outer Washington coast in 1998 and one was in Pacific County, WA in 1982. 1 unconfirmed sighting in late summer, 2006, on Boundary Bay, by Pete Davidson. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Fairly common spring and fall migrant. Concentrations in Drayton Harbor are the greatest in Washington State inland waters. Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis One record, a juvenile in September 1984, at 112 St., was Canada’s first and only and the first North American record south of Alaska. Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Rare migrant, mostly spring and late summer/fall, Roberts Bank, Blackie Spit, 72 St. turf farms, Blackie Spit. Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemastica Rare migrant mostly in fall, e.g. Blackie Spit, Drayton Harbor-Semiahmoo, occasionally spring, e.g. Reifel May 2003. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Rare but regular visitor. One or two birds (juveniles) occur most years July, August to early October. Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa Rare but regular, mostly during May to September, e.g. 104 - 112 St. Boundary Bay, Blackie Spit. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Rare but regular, non-breeding visitor, seen in winter, spring, late summer and fall, but very seldom in June and July. Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala Winter visitor to rocky shores, and around B.C. Ferry and Port terminals on Roberts Bank. Surfbird Aphriza virgata Rare to uncommon winter visitor on rocky shores. Red Knot Calidris canutus Rare but regular fall migrant, very rare spring Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Boundary Bay in May 1987 unconfirmed. Sanderling Calidris alba Fall migrant to bay and regular small winter flocks, especially Boundary Bay Regional Park. Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Passage migrant, especially July and August. Opinions differ as to how many visit Boundary Bay each year. Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Abundant spring and late summer migrant. Fall migration totals of up to 1.5 million birds for Boundary Bay and Roberts Bank, with 10% of world’s population through Fraser Delta in a single day. Typically stay 3 days on migration. Numbers dropped drastically 2001- 2004. Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis (Rufous-necked Stint) Casual transient in Boundary Bay, e.g. two at 112 St. July 1992, one at 96 St. May 2003. Little Stint Calidris minuta Casual. Second B.C. confirmed record was one in breeding plumage, July 1988, on Boundary Bay (Dick Cannings in Campbell et al. 1990) Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Accidental. The first confirmed Pacific Northwest record was for a juvenile at Reifel, Sept. 1982. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Fairly common spring, common fall migrant. White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis Accidental. One in Summer 2006, Boundary Bay 96th St dyke, and one in Sept. 1978, Blackie Spit. This species occurs as a casual transient at Iona. Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Fairly common in fall, especially in August, September. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotus Late summer, fall migrant; August to Sept/October. Spring migration is usually east of the Rockies but occasionally some occur on the bay, e.g. over a hundred in May 2002, at 112 St. Sharp-tailed SandpiperCalidris acuminata Rare but regular. Not in winter. Rock SandpiperCalidris ptilocnemis Rare winter visitor. Dunlin Calidris alpina pacifica Very common winter visitor and spring, fall migrant. Northernmost site in winter for significant numbers of dunlin: 30 to 60 000 between October and March in Boundary Bay/Roberts Bank, with a further 6 to 10 000 in Drayton Harbor. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Accidental Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus Uncommon, probably regular late summer/fall migrant. Influx between August 15 and 20 in Boundary Bay/Reifel area in 2005. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis Rare but fairly regular fall (August/Sept) migrant. RuffPhilomachus pugnax Regular but uncommon fall migrant, mostly juveniles. First recorded 1971 now seen every year. Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus Migrant mostly in spring, some in fall (September, earlier passage than long-billed). Not in winter. Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Migrant mostly in fall (Sept/October peak, some in Nov.), some spring (April to May). Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata Year round, more common in winter. A few breed. Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Uncommon migrant, e.g. mid-August, 2005. Past breeding records for Serpentine Fen (Barry Leach). Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Regular but uncommon migrant, last week August -first week Sept, Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria Rare to uncommon, in invasion years, e.g. 1982, 2002. South Polar Skua Catharacta maccormicki Accidental: September, Point Roberts (year?). Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus Very rare transient at Point Roberts, offshore at ferry terminal in late summer. Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus Uncommon offshore migrant, e.g. at Point Roberts, Roberts Bank, Semiahmoo Spit, in late summer, arriving August leaving end of October, accompanying the passage of terns. Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus Casual on fall passage at Point Roberts, offshore at Ferry Terminal. Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan Rare summer - fall migrant, late July to September. Little Gull Larus minutus Casual in fall, e.g. off Point Roberts. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundis Casual, especially in fields near Burns Bog and Highway 10. Bonaparte’s Gull Larus philadelphia Regular spring/fall passage migrant in Boundary Bay, late April and September. Heermann’s Gull Larus heermanni Rare transient, in summer and fall. Occasional Point Roberts late Sept. to early November. More common in Gulf Islands immediately south of Boundary Bay, e.g. Mayne, Saturna. Mew Gull Larus canus brachyrhynchus Year round resident. Present in most months but fewer in June and July. Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Abundant year round resident, including summer, post-breeding molt. California Gull Larus californicus Mostly late summer and fall visitor, July through October, during post-breeding dispersal. Herring Gull Larus argentatus smithsonianus Uncommon winter visitor. Small numbers in mixed gull roosts in fields south of Highway 10 and around Burns Drive. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Casual. One at Hornby Drive, Delta in March 2002 was the 2nd Vancouver record. Thayer’s Gull Larus thayeri Used to be considered subspecies of Iceland Gull L. glaucoides thayeri Fairly common in winter. Identification challenging, especially since there are many hybrids (glaucous-winged gull X western gull etc.). Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides kumlieni The Canadian subspecies is Kumlien’s Iceland Gull. Rare winter visitor, individuals join mixed gull roosts in fields south of Highway 10, Burns Drive. Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus Uncommon but becoming regular in winter. First record Nov. 1989, with a rash of records in North America. Burns Bog, landfill area or nearby fields, in mixed gull roosts in fields south of Highway 10, Burns Drive. Western Gull Larus occidentalis occidentalis Uncommon to rare. Very small numbers in mixed gull roosts in fields south of Highway 10. This subspecies has a paler back than Californian birds. Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens Resident and abundant. This is the common “seagull” of the Boundary Bay area. Rick Toochin estimated 110, 000 glaucous- winged gulls at the Vancouver Landfill at Burns Bog in December 2002 (BC Birds summary). Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus Rare winter visitor. Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini Rare transient as a result of westerly gales, usually in September and October. More than one a year, e.g. Blackie Spit May 90, Point Roberts Sept 92, July 95, Tsawwassen ferry Sept 96, Point Roberts Oct 97. Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Casual in fall, e.g. Point Roberts, Blackie Spit. Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea Accidental. First record for Vancouver, and sixth for B.C. was one at 72 St. then at Roberts Bank port, Dec 2001. Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Regular in summer, from late April to September, especially around Roberts Bank and the western side of Boundary Bay, also Blaine-Semiahmoo. Elegant Tern Sterna elegans Accidental. One roosting at Roberts Bank port, July 21 1992 onwards. Common Tern Sterna hirundo Spring (May) and fall (mid August to October) migrant. Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Casual offshore, e.g. Point Roberts. From 1977 to 1995 a colony nested on gravel islands near Everett, WA, the southernmost colony on the West Coast, by 1320 km (825 miles). Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri Casual in summer, e.g. Blackie Spit, Point Roberts. Black Tern Chlidonias niger Rare in summer, at Serpentine Fen and on and on late spring/fall passage. Common Murre Uria aalge Winter visitor, late September to end of April. Thick-billed Murre Uria Lomvia One record only, for Drayton Harbor, WA, December 31 1986. Pigeon Guillemot Cepphus columba Year round in waters of Strait of Georgia near Boundary Bay, especially in summer. Recorded from Point Roberts and have nested at Lily Point and on old wooden piers at the entry to Drayton Harbor. Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus Uncommon summer, common to abundant in winter at Blaine Harbor and Point Roberts. The highest number of this species recorded at a single location south of Alaska was 5206 birds off the southwest point of Point Roberts (Terry Wahl in Eissinger 1994). Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus Uncommon in winter late Nov. - late Feb, especially at Point Roberts. Cassin’s Auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus Casual. Point Roberts Nov. 80, Sept. 92, Tsawwassen Ferry Sept. 95, Crescent Beach Aug. 98. Rhinoceros Auklet Cerorhinca monocerata Rare summer visitor to Point Roberts, probably from breeding colony at Sequim, Washington. Tufted Puffin Fratercula cirrhata Accidental in summer/ fall, e.g. Point Roberts. Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced, widespread and common resident. Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata Uncommon breeding bird and some stay for the winter. Appears to be declining in area. Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Locally common year round, and may be increasing, e.g. Langley, parts of Ladner, Burns Bog perimeter. Barn Owl Tyto alba Resident and winter visitor at northern limit of range. First recorded in BC in 1909 and now Canada’s last nesting population. About 1000 birds or 250 - 300 breeding pairs in 1991 (Terry Sullivan). Western Screech OwlOtus kennicottii Uncommon year round resident, but numbers are declining. Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Common year round resident. Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca Irruptive, winter visitor only common in certain years: the all time high winter count for North America, one hundred and seven birds, was made on the Ladner Christmas Bird Count in December 1973. Invasions are irregular, occurring on average every five or six years, but with wide variations, for example an apparent gap of twenty nine years between 1916 and 1945 (though this may have been recording omission). Notable invasion years, listed by Campbell et al. in Birds of British Columbia, were in the 1950s, mid 1960s, 1974/75, 1977/78 and 1984/85. These were followed by a peak invasion year in 1996/7, then a gap until winter 2004/05 that saw a handful of owls at the mouth of the Fraser River and a peak winter 2005/06, with 18 birds on the Boundary Bay foreshore on 26 Dec 2005. Northern Hawk Owl Surnia ulula Irruptive, casual in winter. One in wooded area near Dakota Creek, 2001; also recorded for Point Roberts. Northern Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium gnoma Rare year round. Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Casual in winter e.g. 1984, 1987 in fields near airport. One seen on Point Roberts jetty. Formerly bred in delta, now very rare. Barred Owl Strix varia Uncommon resident. Range expanding rapidly as far south as Central Oregon and Cascades. Numbers down on BC coast in 2001 (Dick Cannings, Nocturnal Owl Survey). Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa Casual transient in Fraser lowlands in winter. Recorded for Campbell Valley Park. Long-eared Owl Asio otus Uncommon winter visitor. Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Boundary Bay - Fraser River delta is the most important wintering area for this species in British Columbia, but it is becoming uncommon. Once a very common breeding and wintering bird, its numbers have dramatically declined in the last twenty years and there are no recent summer reports for the western delta. Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus Casual. First record of a live bird from Vancouver area, Nov 95 Crescent Beach. March 97 one in Ladner in conifer, 55 B St. Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus Uncommon resident, breeding e.g. Campbell Valley Park. Winter visitor to e.g. Point Roberts, Reifel, Campbell River valley, Sunnyside Acres. Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor Very uncommon summer visitor, June to September. Historically it was much more common, but numbers decreased significantly by 1952, probably as insect levels dropped off with marsh drainage and pesticide use. Further declines in the last twenty years, and now hardly ever seen even on migration. Black Swift Cypseloides niger Common to uncommon summer visitor, very weather dependent. Records from late May to early July correspond with thundery weather and general influx of swifts to Lower Mainland region. Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi Uncommon summer visitor and/or migrant late May/early June, and late Aug/September. Decreased in numbers since early 1900s. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Accidental at Campbell Valley Park. Anna’s Hummingbird Calypte anna Uncommon year round resident. Expanded its range into Pacific Northwest in last thirty years. Recorded regularly from Tsawwassen, White Rock ravines, Burns Bog, Point Roberts, especially in winter. Calliope Hummingbird Stellula calliope Rare spring and summer visitor away from coast, e.g. Campbell Valley Park. Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus Common and widespread summer breeding visitor, with increased numbers on spring (late March to mid May) and fall (Aug.) migration. Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Year round resident, local, in small numbers. Lewis’ Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Casual spring and fall passage migrant. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius Rare transient from east of the Rockies. Male and female in South Surrey Jan 4 1997 was the first in five years. An immature was seen on the White Rock Christmas Bird Count 2002. Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis Rare spring transient recorded e.g. Point Roberts Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber Uncommon winter visitor some years. Large numbers correlate with heavy snowfall in mountains. Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescans Resident, widespread and common year round Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Resident and winter visitor. Less common than downy woodpecker. Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Common year round resident and spring/fall migrant. Noticeable movement in late summer/early fall brings birds into suburban areas. Commonest sub-species is red-shafted, but yellow-shafted and hybrids also regularly occur. Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus Uncommon resident in upland forests. It has declined in Tsawwassen area in last fifteen years. Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi Uncommon summer visitor. Numbers have declined in last decades. Western Wood Pewee Contopus sordidulus Uncommon spring and fall migrant. Some stay for summer. Arrives last week of April or first week of May. Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax traillii Uncommon summer visitor. Least Flycatcher &nbs