In memory of a Red-shafted Northern Flicker

This young Flicker left the nest merely a few weeks ago. Reason of death: unknown. The feathers were scattered all over the place. From the top left: chest and ventral feathers, tail feathers, 4 underwing coverts, one black breast-band feather; left wing, uppertail coverts, right wing; primary coverts, various back feathers.

Notice the molt limit, with P4 fresh and shorter, and P5 still half encased in its sheath.
The tip of the outer-most 5 primaries is more pointed than the rest of the primaries (as in juvenal feathers).

Bullock’s Oriole nesting @ Brunswick Point

Bullock’s Oriole male at the nest

Bullock’s Oriole female at the nest

Tropical Kingbird @ Brunswick Point

How to see a Sora and a Virginia Rail

1. Go to the North-West corner of Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
2. Stand on the platform overlooking the pond and peer at the reeds.
3. Wait.

I didn’t need to wait long. A couple of Soras showed up first, followed by an elegant Rail.

Franklin and Bonaparte at Locarno Beach

First year Franklin’s Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Ash-throated Flycatcher in Delta

Ash-throated Flycatcher

The distribution region of the Ash-throated Flycatcher doesn’t extend this much north, but this young individual stayed in Boundary Bay for over a month, to the delight of all bird chasers.

Blackie Spit

Long-billed Curlews spend their winters in and around Mexico and along the Pacific coast. The most northern Curlew along the Pacific chose Blackie Spit as his wintering habitat. He is accompanied by one to seven Marbled Godwits, whose distribution is similar.

Long-Billed Curlew and Marbled Godwit

Caspian Term

Barred Owl at Stanley Park

Stanley Park had a breeding pair of Barred Owls this year.

Barred Owl (seen near Lost Lagoon)

Merlin Chasing Sandpipers

A Merlin flushing a flock of Western Sandpipers at Iona inner pond. Yes, he did get one for lunch.

White-throated Sparrow, Stanley Park

This pretty migrant spent several days enjoying the grains at the stone bridge at Lost Lagoon, Stanley Park.