B C Newsletter of the British Columbia Field Ornithologists ISSN 1206-1611 Volume 17 Number 3 / September 2007

In This Issue

First BCFO Award for Ornithology ...1

BCFO Offi cers and Directors; Membership Information;...... 2

President’s Report ...... 3

New Members, Internet Sources and Research Grants; Editor’s Notes and Notions...... 4

BCFO Ornithologists Award cont. ....5

Andy Stewart (8 July 2007) Stewart (8 July Andy BCFO Newsletter and Journal Dr. Ian McTaggart-Cowan receiving fi rst B.C.F.O. Award for Ornithology from Dr. back issues ...... 7 Wayne C. Weber, while Martin K. McNicholl looks on. Upcoming meetings and events...... 8 First B.C. Field Ornithologists Award for Ornithology BC Birding News Briefs ...... 9 During the fourth annual general meeting of the B.C. Field BCFO 2007 Lillooet AGM, fi eld Ornithologists on 14 May 1994 in Kamloops, Wayne C. Weber moved trip reports...... 10 that B.C.F.O. establish an annual award to recognize signifi cant contributions to ornithology in B.C. (Esralson 1994). I seconded the Some Birds of the South Pacifi c ....14 motion, and after some discussion, it was adopted. However, other Bird Atlassing Arrives in BC ...... 18 priorities prevented the board from implementing the award for several years. More recently, the project was revived and a selection committee Bird Sightings: Spring 2007 ...... 20 of Sandra Kinsey (then President), myself and Wayne C. Weber (Chair) was appointed. Richard J. (Dick) Cannings replaced Sandra Kinsey after Authors in this Issue ...... 22 the end of her term as President. Advertisements...... 23-24 Earlier this year the B.C.F.O. board agreed with the selection committee that the B.C.F.O. Award for Ornithology should “recognize an please see BCFO Award, page 5

Volume 17, Number 3 1 BCFO Offi cers and Directors

PRESIDENT Jim Ginns BC Birding, ISSN 1206-1611, is published four times a year by British 1970 Sutherland Road, Penticton, BC V2A 8T8 Columbia Field Ornithologists (BCFO), P.O. Box 8059 Victoria, B.C. V8W 3R7 250-492-9610 / [email protected] PAST PRESIDENT A subscription to this quarterly is a benefi t of membership in the society. Sandra Kinsey Members will also receive a copy of the annual journal, British Columbia 9860 Alpine Drive, Prince George, BC V2N 5W7 Birds. Membership in BCFO is open to anyone interested in the study and 250-963-8381 (phone/fax) / [email protected] enjoyment of wild birds in British Columbia. VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Bell 1302 Sunnyside Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7R 1B1 BCFO objectives include fostering cooperation between amateur and 604-980-9085 professional ornithologists, promoting cooperative bird surveys and research TREASURER projects, and supporting conservation organizations in their efforts to preserve Andrew Stewart birds and their habitats. 3932 Telegraph Bay Road, Victoria, BC V8N 4H7 250-477-1328 / [email protected] Since November, 2003, BCFO has maintained an offi cial partnership with the RECORDING SECRETARY Changhwa Wild Bird Society, Changhwa, Taiwan. Laure Neishe 186 Dewdney Cr., Penticton, BC V2A 7Z6 250-490-3635 / [email protected] DIRECTORS Membership Dues Wayne Diakow 9840 Waller Court, Richmond, BC V7E 5S9 Please send membership requests, or requests for further information, to 604-275-2753 / [email protected] Membership Jude Grass 17375 27A Avenue British Columbia Field Ornithologists Surrey, BC V3S 0E9 P.O. Box 8059, Victoria, BC V8W 3R7 604-538-8774 / [email protected] Tony Greenfi eld Membership Dues: P.O. Box 319, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0 604-885-5539 / greenfi [email protected] Individual memberships ...... $25.00 Les Gyug Library subscriptions...... $25.00 3130 Ensign Way, Westbank, BC V4T 1T9 250-769-5907 / [email protected] Junior memberships (age under 18)...... $18.00 John Vooys U.S. and foreign memberships...... $25.00 ($US) 3721 Nicola St., Abbotsford, BC V2T 4Z9 604-850-3757 / [email protected] Memberships are for the calendar year.

MEMBERSHIP Rita Wege 2684 Davidson Road, Castlegar, BC V1N 4P9 250-359-7234 / [email protected] Newsletter Submissions

ARCHIVIST Kevin Bell Send material for publication in any format to the editor. Submissions may 1302 Sunnyside Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7R 1B1 include bird fi nding information for our “Site Guide” series and any articles 604-980-9085 about birding experiences, preferably but not necessarily in British Columbia. NEWSLETTER EDITOR A brief biographical sketch (5--100 words) should accompany the article if the Phil Henderson editor does not have a recent version or you wish to change it. P.O. Box 615, Fort Langley, BC V1M 2R9 604-888-1571 / [email protected] Please send newsletter submissions to JOURNAL EDITOR John B. Sprague Phil Henderson (Editor, BC Birding) 474 Old Scott Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2L7 Box 615, Fort Langley, BC V1M 2R9 250-537-0760 / [email protected] 604-888-1571 / [email protected] NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION Ted Goshulak Deadline for the receipt of material for publication is the 15th of the month 9578 - 212 B St., Langley, BC V1M 1N4 preceding the March, June, September, and December issues. 604-888-0408 / [email protected]

LIAISON, CHANGHWA WILD BIRD SOCIETY Jo Ann MacKenzie 15341–21 Avenue, Surrey, BC V4A 6A8 Advertising 604-538-1676 / [email protected] Advertising rates are available upon request.

BCFO Website http://www.bcfo.ca

2 BC Birding, September 2007 President’s Report

Following the 118 species I tallied on Sandhill Cranes and the second to temporarily serving as alternate. If you the BCFO’s South Cariboo (Big Bar the Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory, would like to work on the planning Ranch) extension, my birding fell into a migration monitoring station and implementation of the Atlas as our the doldrums. However, with very little run by the Okanagan Similkameen alternate please contact Kevin or Jude. chasing about I did tally 111 species in Conservation Alliance, to support A fi nal comment, most of us have June in the Okanagan Valley, including data recording and security. Les succumbed to a greater or lesser Merlin, Sora, Wilson’s Phalarope, Gyug effi ciently coordinated degree to the technology tsunami. But Black-chinned Hummingbird and communications with applicants and is technology ruining birding? CBC2 Black-headed Grosbeak. A pair of the the evaluation of the proposals. radio reported (September 10) that latter have visited the sunfl ower seed The site and dates for the 2008 AGM birders are placing cell phones along feeder in our garden for each of the are under negotiation. Three sites are their owl survey routes. Then from the past four years, sometimes bringing being considered: Valemont, Salmon comfort of home dial each phone and their young. Although the general area Arm and Creston. play owl calls and listen over the phone of the nest is well-known, the nest has for replies! There goes all the fun of not been found (so no nest record Some changes have occurred in the operation of BCFO. Krista De Groot standing out in the cold and rain or card for that species). Our bluebird snow or sleet and trying to hear over nest boxes were a disappointment turned over the title of librarian and the library to Andy Buhler. Krista the barking of the local canines that we because for the second year in a row aroused. several were vandalized by a Black for several years has very effi ciently Bear just when they contained eggs or run the library and, on behalf of all Jim Ginns, President young of Western Bluebirds, Mountain of us, I extend sincere thanks! The Chickadees and House Wrens. Another Buhlers have relinquished the job of box with four dead, nearly grown Production Editors for our journal, young WEBL may have been the result BRITISH COLUMBIA BIRDS. Most of of a hawk catching at least one of the us probably look at the journal when adults (part of a wing of a male was it arrives and “say” something like found nearby). “Very nice!” without knowing all the behind the scenes work that goes into It is satisfying to hear that the new producing each issue. Having been BIRDS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA the Managing Editor (2000-2004) checklist is popular. Remember BCFO of another scientifi c journal (six 200 is one of three partners that produced page issues a year) I can assure you the list and that the previous list came- that a lot of careful, meticulous effort out about 10 years ago. is behind the copy that appears in the At the Directors’ meeting in Lillooet mail. Marilyn and Andy deserve a loud the offi cers for 2007-08 were selected three cheers from the membership for and they are listed on the inside cover the fi ne job they have done!! Neil Dawe of this issue. Briefl y, it is the same gang has kindly agreed to handle the duties that ran the show last year. I appreciate of the Production Manager. these birders agreeing to continue to At the Lillooet AGM, Peter Davidson serve BCFO since all of them have and Dick Cannings of Bird Studies very busy schedules. Their wealth of Canada introduced us to the BRITISH experience and broad perspectives COLUMBIA BREEDING BIRD ATLAS benefi t the directors’ sessions. project. You will be hearing a lot This year several applications were more about the project and how you submitted under the BCFO Grants can GET INVOLVED! Subsequently program. Two $500 grants were BCFO was invited to sit on the awarded; one to Tyler Innes to support steering committee and Kevin Bell is his fi eld work on Vancouver Island our representative with Jude Grass

Volume 17, Number 3 3 Editor’s Notes and Notions INTERNET SOURCES BCFO RESEARCH GRANTS On a recent visit to the UBC Herbarium BCFO BCFO encourages Linda Jennings, the vascular plants http://www.bcfo.ca submissions of proposals for fi nancial assistance Collection Manager, asked me if I knew Alaska Bird Observatory for bird surveys and other of a Cowan, a McTaggart-Cowan, whose http://www.alaskabird.org/ ornithological research. It name marked a specimen sheet she was Biodiversity Centre for Wildlife Studies also wishes to foster greater examining. I told her it must be Ian http://www.wildlifebc.org connection between applicants McTaggart-Cowan and mentioned the and the society. Potential award which the BCFO presented to him Bird Studies Canada / Long Point Bird applicants are reminded that Observatory and the article that Martin McNicholl http://www.bsc-eoc.org/bscmain.html 1. requests for funding had written for the occassion. I promised must be for planned, to send her the article. If I recall correctly Birding in British Columbia rather than completed, the specimen sheet indicated that the General interest information including bulletin board, checklists, rare bird alerts, book projects. plant had been collected in the 1950’s in Scotland. I could provide no additional reviews, etc. 2. under normal information about this collection; in my http://www.birding.bc.ca/ circumstances, mind Dr. McTaggart-Cowan is so fi rmly BIRDNET applicants should be, entrenched in the British Columbia Site of the Ornithological Council. or be willing to become, natural history landscape (sensu lato) http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/ members of BCFO. that I had never considered a connection Bird Source 3. projects and their results to Scotland, other than the obvious Audubon’s and Cornell Laboratory of are to be reported in connection suggested by his surname. Ornithology’s’ interactive bird information site, BCFO’s journal, BC Now I’m curious. featuring “eBird” Birds. http://www.birdsource.com/ In additon to the article on Dr. 4. in order for BCFO British Columbia Conservation Data Centre McTaggart-Cowan, Martin McNicholl directors to give a timely provides his usual roundup of news and Information on plants, animals and response to project ecosystems at risk in British Columbia. upcoming meetings and events. Ken proposals, deadlines http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/ Wright, Ian Routley and Jeff O’Kelly take for submission are us back to the fi eld trips of the AGM eBird Canada January1 and July 1. Online interactive program for storing, sharing, in Lillooet and Neil Dawe provides an sorting and assembling bird sightings. 5. all reasonable requests insightful and entertaining article on will be considered within birding and relaxing in the South Pacifi c. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center the limits of the society’s Dick Cannings and Pete Davidson provide http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/birds/ fi nancial strength. details of a bird atlas for BC and Don Point Reyes Bird Observatory Cecile summarizes noteworthy spring http://www.prbo.org/cms/index.php sightings from around the province . Rocky Point Bird Observatory As noted by our President Jim Ginns, http://www.islandnet.com/~rpbo/index.html BCFO NEW MEMBERS Andy and Marilyn Buhler have handed The A.O.U. Check-list of North American SINCE LAST ISSUE over the duties of producing our journal Birds, Seventh Edition BC Birds to Neil Dawe. Andy and http://www.aou.org/checklist/index.php3 Colin R. Campbell Marilyn have done a splendid job and SORA: Searchable Ornithological Research Victoria have been instrumental in the success Archive and persistence of the BCFO through Marg Fowler Search and retrieve online publications from Courtenay their efforts on the journal and through The Auk (1884-1999), The Condor (1899- editing this newsletter for so many years. 2000), Journal of Field Ornithology (1930- Mark Habdas This is a well deserved break although 1999), North American Bird Bander (1976- Vancouver 2000), Pacifi c Coast Avifauna (1900-1974), I see that Andy has taken on the task of Studies in Avian Biology (1978-1999), Wilson Lee Harding looking after the BCFO library, which was Bulletin (1889-1999). All articles are available Coquitlam no doubt left in excellent shape by the as DjVu’s and PDF’s. Eleanor Wright departing Krista DeGroot. http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/ Lillooet Phil Henderson, Editor

4 BC Birding, September 2007 Ornithologists Award cont. from cover individual who has made signifi cant and Mount Revelstoke National Park Turner of the Land Conservancy of contributions over a long period and by his naming of a distinct race of B.C., Bert Brink and Ian McTaggart- of time to ornithology in British the White-tailed Ptarmigan. He was Cowan are the two living pioneers Columbia in any one or more of three also co-author with Charles J. Guiguet of this approach in B.C. (Knox areas: of a 1965 treatise on the mammals 2007). McTaggart-Cowan has 1. Research on bird biology or ecology of British Columbia, considered “the served in numerous advisory roles or detailed documentation of the most outstanding provincial handbook in mitigating the effects of several avifauna of a portion of B.C. on mammals” in Canada over two major “development” projects and decades after publication (Smith managing national parks in Canada 2. Conservation of birds or bird 1981). and elsewhere, and is credited with habitats in B.C. Although known to birders as a infl uencing the abolishment of the 3. Public education about birds in distinguished ornithologist, Dr. bounty system, fi rst in B.C., and B.C.” Cowan’s interests and expertise are ultimately in Canada generally and much broader, and his 1936 PhD thesis with the shift in government agencies In discussing possible candidates to apply ecological principles to for the award, I commented that from the University of California at Berkeley was on deer, not birds. hunting and trapping regulations. numerous people are well deserving He also played a signifi cant role in of such an award on one or more of He is considered an authority on birds, mammals and malacology. His persuading government departments those grounds, but that one particular to hire trained biologists for wildlife candidate, Dr. Ian McTaggart-Cowan, research interests expanded from systematics and distribution more management positions and in the should receive the inaugural award for establishment and work of The Land the following reasons: towards behaviour and ecology. While he continued to author or co-author Conservancy of B.C. and of The 1. He is the only co-author of both papers and notes on bird distribution Nature Trust of B.C. In 1970, he was of the two most recent (1947 and and taxonomy, others in his seven selected by the Wildlife Society for 1999-2001) scientifi cally authoritative decades of contributions appeared on its Leopold Medal for “his leading treatises on the birds of British anatomy, brood mixing, disease, foods, role in promoting the application Columbia. out-of-season occurrences, parasites of ecological knowledge to the management of biological resources.” 2. He qualifi es as an award recipient on and population dynamics in waterfowl, At the World level, he served as a ALL three grounds. gallinaceous birds, shorebirds, owls and fi nches. The Society of Canadian Vice-President of the International 3. He not only qualifi es in all three Zoologists formally recognized his Union for the Conservation of Nature. categories, but has contributed contributions by bestowing its Fry He has served on the boards of substantially to all three at B.C., Medal on him in 1976, he is one of numerous local, provincial, national Canadian and World levels. the recipients of the Alberta Society of and international naturalist and The other members of the awards Professional Biologists’ J. Dewey Soper conservation organizations and was committee and subsequently the Awards for signifi cant contributions to the eighth person to be profi led in B.C.F.O. board agreed with this biology and the Society of Canadian the prestigious international scientifi c nomination. Ornithologists bestowed its 1998 Doris journal Biological Conservation. Recently, the University of Victoria Ian McTaggart-Cowan’s initial research Huestis Speirs Award for lifetime contributions to Canadian ornithology established the Dr. Ian McTaggart- was primarily on systematics and Cowan Professorship in Biodiversity distribution, as exemplifi ed by his on him during their annual general meeting in Vancouver. Conservation and Ecological publication with James A. Munro of Restoration to continue his pioneering his fi rst treatise on British Columbia’s Dr. Cowan’s research has not been efforts. birds, by several similar works on confi ned to “academic” or “pure avifauna or avifauna and mammals science” topics, but has also been Just as Dr. Cowan’s interests in birds in Alberta and B.C., including works directed at solving conservation and other wildlife were kindled and on Kootenay National Park, the Peace problems by applying scientifi c mentored by such notable naturalists River area, the Queen Charlotte Islands fi ndings to them. According to Bill as Hamilton M. Laing, Tom McCabe, J. A. Munro and Kenneth Racey

Volume 17, Number 3 5 (eventually his father-in-law) and This inaugural award to Dr. Cowan and C. J. Guiguet. 1979. A bibliography of his PhD supervisor, the legendary was announced by B.C.F.O. President British Columbia ornithology. Volume I. B. C. Provincial Museum Heritage Record No. Dr. Joseph Grinnell, Dr. Cowan Jim Ginns during the banquet of 7, Victoria. in turn served as a distinguished the 17th annual general meeting in mentor or “primary infl uence” (e.g. Lillooet on 26 May 2007. Dr. Neil Campbell, R. W., N. K. Dawe, I. McTaggart- Cowan, J. M. Cooper, G. W. Kaiser and M. Mitchell 2005) to about 100 graduate K. Dawe accepted the plaque on Dr. C. E. McNall. 1990. The birds of British students, several of whom have had Cowan’s behalf (Ginns 2007). On 8 Columbia. Volume 1. Royal B.C. Museum, outstanding careers in government July 2007, committee chair Wayne C. Victoria. institutions, museums and universities. Weber, B.C.F.O. Treasurer Andrew C. Campbell, R. W., N. K. Dawe, I. McTaggart- His formal educational endeavours Stewart and I visited Dr. Cowan in Cowan, J. M. Cooper, G. W. Kaiser and M. included teaching at the university Victoria to present the award formally C. E. McNall. 1990. The birds of British Columbia. Volume 2. Royal B.C. Museum, level (University of British Columbia), (Figure 1) during a very pleasant visit Victoria. where he also served as a department during which his geologist son-in-law, head (zoology) and dean (graduate Mikkel Schau, served refreshments. Campbell, R. W., N. K. Dawe, I. McTaggart- Cowan, J. M. Cooper, G. W. Kaiser, M. C. E. studies). After “retirement,” he served A more detailed biographical account McNall and G. E. J. Smith. 1997. The birds as Chancellor at the University of with more details on his research of British Columbia. Volume 3. UBC Press, Vancouver. Victoria. The citation for his 1970 and other contributions, a more Leopold Award referred to him “as complete list of previous awards and Campbell, R. W., N. K. Dawe, I. McTaggart- Cowan, J. M. Cooper, G. W. Kaiser, A. C. a pioneer in wildlife management honours and a list of his ornithological education.” He also contributed Stewart and M. C. E. McNall. 2001. The birds publications will be submitted to B.C. of British Columbia. Volume 4. UBC Press, substantially to “public” education in Birds. I would welcome anecdotes from Vancouver. his fi rst post-graduate position at the readers of fi eld outings with him or B.C. Provincial Museum for fi ve years Campbell, R. W., T. D. Hooper and N. K. Dawe. indications of how his lectures and/or 1988. A bibliography of British Columbia and through extensive public lecturing writings infl uenced their careers. ornithology. Volume II. Royal B.C. Museum in person and on television (another Heritage Record No. 19, Victoria. B.C.F.O. members are also invited of his pioneering efforts). He was Cowan, I. M. and C. J. Guiguet. 1956. The described as a “mesmerizing speaker,” to nominate candidates for future mammals of British Columbia. B. C. with people sitting in the aisles to awards to the chair of the selection Provincial Museum Handbook No. 11, listen to him (Valastin 2005). committee, Dr. Wayne C. Weber. All Victoria. nominations will be considered by the Ealey, D. M. and R. Leech. 2005. Environmental In addition to the awards already committee and if your nominee is not consulting and the Alberta Society of mentioned, his many contributions to chosen one year, it will be retained for Professional Biologists. pp. 41-42 in [P. conservation, ecology, mammalogy, consideration in the following years. Rowell] (Editor). Fish, fur [and] feathers. natural history and ornithology Fish and wildlife conservation in Alberta through formal and public education 1905-2005. Fish and Wildlife Historical Martin K. McNicholl Society and Federation of Alberta Naturalists, and through scientifi c study have Edmonton. been recognized through several Literature Cited or Consulted Esralson, L. 1994. British Columbia Field honorary positions (such as Honorary Ornithologists fourth annual general meeting President of the Federation of B.C. Anonymous. 1970. Aldo Leopold Award for 1970. Journal of Wildlife Management 34: 14 May 1994. B.C. Field Ornithologist 4(3): Naturalists), honorary doctorates 679-680. 4-5. from several universities, numerous Anonymous. 1983. Honorary Life Members Ewan, J. and N. D. Ewan. 1981. Biographical awards (including being named of C S Z. Bulletin Canadian Society of dictionary of Rocky Mountain naturalists. an Offi cer of the Orders of British Zoologists 14(4):14. Bohr, Schetema & Holkema, Utecht/Antwerp and Dr. W. Junk, The Hague/Boston. Columbia and Canada and recipient Anonymous. 1984. Who’s who in America. 43rd of Canadian Centennial and Queen edition. Marquis who’s who, Chicago. Geist, V. 1988. McTaggart-Cowan, Ian. 1988. p. Elizabeth Jubilee medals), inclusion in 1282 in J. H. Marsh (Editor). The Canadian Brink, V. C. 1980. Introducing Dr. Ian encyclopedia. Second edition. Hurtig, several encyclopedias and biographical McTaggart Cowan. pp. 1-2 in R. Stace-Smith, Edmonton. dictionaries and being named an L. Johns and P. Joslin (Editors). Threatened and endangered species and habitats in Ginns, J. 2007. President’s report. B.C. Birding honorary life member of several 17(2):3. organizations. At least three additional British Columbia and the Yukon. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Fish and Wildlife scholarships and one building bear his Havera, S. P. 1987. Awards of the Wildlife Branch, Victoria. Society. Wildlife Society Bulletin 15:126-148. name. Campbell, R. W., H. R. Carter, C. D. Shepard Knox, J. 2007. Honours for hero of B.C.

6 BC Birding, September 2007 conservation movement. Victoria Times Unpublished Document Consulted Colonist 11 June 2007:. Questionnaire to Elective Members and Fellows Lewis, M. 1979. To conserve a heritage. Alberta of American Ornithologists’ Union for AOU Fish and Game Association, Calgary. Centennial fi lled out by Ian McTaggart- Mair, W. W. 1982. Contemporary Cowan and sent to M. K. McNicholl as conservationists (8). Ian McTaggart-Cowan. member of AOU Committee on Biography Biological Conservation 23:1-3. in 1983. McCall, J. 2005. New professorships of special interest to FBCN members. B.C. Naturalist 43(2):16. McNicholl, M. K. 1985. Cowan, Ian McTaggart. p. 434 in J. H. Marsh (Editor). The Canadian encyclopedia. Hurtig, Edmonton. McTaggart-Cowan, I. 1998. The second Doris Huestis Speirs lecture. “Moments from the education of an ornithologist.” Picoides 11(2):17-22. Mitchell, G. 2005. Alberta’s fi rst game biologist. pp. 41-42 in [P. Rowell] (Editor). Fish, fur [and] feathers. Fish and wildlife conservation in Alberta 1905-2005. Fish & Wildlife BACK ISSUES OF BCFO NEWSLETTERS AND JOURNALS AVAILABLE Historical Society and Federation of Alberta Naturalists, Edmonton. If you are missing past issues of BC Birding or British Columbia Birds you Munro, J. A. and I. McT. Cowan. 1947. A review can purchase most volumes by contacting the people listed below. Back of the bird fauna of British Columbia. B.C. issues of the journal British Columbia Birds can be acquired for $5.00/ea Provincial Museum Special Publication No. or the BC Birding newsletter for $2.00/ea (prices include postage) from the 2, Victoria. following people. Nettleship, D. N. 1998. 1998 Doris Huestis Speirs Award for Outstanding Contributions For journals contact: For newsletters contact: to Canadian Ornithology. Picoides 11(2): 15-17. Neil K. Dawe Ted Goshulak Silver, R. 2004. VNHS profi le. Ian McTaggart- 438 Temple Street 9578 - 212B Street Cowan renaissance man. Discovery 33(1): 10- Parksville, BC Langley, B.C. 15; also reprinted with very minor revisions V9P 1A3 V1M 1N4 and different photographs under title Dr. Ian [email protected] [email protected] McTaggart-Cowan: renaissance man. in B.C. Naturalist 43(3):8-11, 2005. Simpson, K. (Editor). 1986. Canadian who’s who 1986. Volume 21. University of Toronto Press, Toronto. Smith, D. A. 1981. Mammalogy in Canada: a historical overview. Canadian Field-Naturalist 95:6-17. Spalding, D. A. E. 1981. Naturalists in Alberta: a brief history. Chapter 1, pp. 1-15 in M. K. McNicholl (Editor). The history of the Federation of Alberta Naturalists and its corporate member clubs. Alberta Naturalist special issue No. 1, Edmonton. All journal back issues are currently available, except for Volume 8 of British Valastin, P. 2005. Robert (Bob) Webb, Provincial Columbia Birds which is out of print. Please pre-pay your order by cheque Wildlife Biologist. pp. 43-44 in [P. Rowell] or money order made out to BC Field Ornithologists. (Editor). Fish, Fur [and] feathers. Fish and wildlife conservation in Alberta 1905-2005. Journal Articles On-line All feature articles and notes published in Volumes Fish and Wildlife Historical Society and 1 – 13 of British Columbia Birds are available from our website www.bcfo.ca Federation of Alberta Naturalists, Edmonton. Articles can be down-loaded individually as PDF fi les using Adobe Reader, version 5 or greater.

Volume 17, Number 3 7 Upcoming Meetings & Events compiled by Martin K. McNicholl

The following meetings and other events are those that take place in B.C. and immediately adjacent areas or that potentially include information on birds that occur in B.C. Information on additional meetings are listed in the bimonthly Ornithological Newsletter and, for readers with inter-net access, on BIRDNET at www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/ BIRDMEET.html.

October 4-7 2007 PACIFIC SEABIRD GROUP SPECIAL CONFERENCE, Lukang, Taiwan. Contact details not yet published; Inter-net details: http://www.pacifi cseabirdgroup.org/ and http://www.pacifi cseabirdgro up.org/downloads/PSG_1stannouncement_SIM2007.pdf.

October 11-14 2007 B.C. NATURE (FEDERATION OF B.C. NATURALISTS) FALL GENERAL MEETING & CONFERENCE, Harrison Hot Springs. Contact: Heather Larstone, 4483 Wilson Rd., Yarrow, B.C. V2R 5C5; no phone number published; e-mail: [email protected].

October 11-14 2007 WESTERN BIRD BANDING ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING, Petaluma and Point Reyes National Seashore, CA. Contact: Diana Humple, PRBO Conservation Science, Box 1157, Bolinas, CA 94924-1127; no phone number published; e-mail: [email protected].

October 30- 31ST ANNUAL MEETING, WATERBIRD SOCIETY, Barcelona, Spain. Contact: Xavier Ruiz, 3 November 2007 Dept. de Biologia Animal, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; phone number not yet published; e-mail: [email protected].

October 31- WORLD OWL CONFERENCE, Groningen, The Netherlands. Contact details not yet published. 4 November 2007 Inter-net details: http://www.worldowlconference.com.

February 13-16 2008 4TH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS IN FLIGHT CONFERENCE, McAllen, Texas. Contact: Terry Rich, 5815 Peachtree St., Boise, ID 83703-3125; phone (208) 378-5347; e-mail: [email protected].

March 4-7 2008 12TH BIENNIAL ALASKA BIRD CONFERENCE, Fairbanks, Alaska. Contact: Nancy DeWitt, Alaska Bird Observatory, Box 80505, Fairbanks, AK 99708; phone (907) 451-7059; e-mail: [email protected].

April 18-20 2008 2008 ANNUAL MEETING, WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY & ASSOCIATION OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS, Mobile, Alabama. Contact: Frank Moore, Dept. of Biol. Sciences, Univ. of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr.. Box 5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406; phone (601) 266- 4748; e-mail: [email protected].

May 12-15 2008 CONFERENCE ON SPENT LEAD AMMUNITION: IMPLICATIONS FOR WILDLIFE AND HUMANS, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho. Contact [no individual named]: The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID; phone (208) 362-3716.

May 29-31 2008 B.C. NATURE SPRING 2008 CONFERENCE, Penticton, B.C. Contact details not yet published.

August 1-8 2008 NATURE CANADA CONFERENCE, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Contact details not yet published.

August 6-9 2008 126th STATED MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION, COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING & SOCIETY OF CANADIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS ANNUAL MEETING, Portland, Oregon. Contact information not yet announced.

8 BC Birding, September 2007 September 22-28 2008 RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Missoula, Montana. Contact: Kate Davis, Raptors of the Rockies, Box 250, Florence, MT 59833; phone (406) 829-6436; e-mail: [email protected].

November 10-14 2008 THIRD NORTH AMERICAN SEA DUCK CONFERENCE, Quebec, Que. Contact: Michel Robert [address not yet published]; phone (418) 649-8071; e-mail: [email protected]. September 29- RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Pitlochry,

October 4 2009 Scotland. Contact: Ruth Tingay [address and phone number not yet published], e-mail: [email protected].

Thanks to Jo Ann MacKenzie for contributing to this issue of this compilation.

B.C. Birding News Briefs Compiled by Martin K. McNicholl

Arnold Code –After losing Brenda Code on 5 December 2006 [see B.C. Birding 17(1):14, 2007], Langley Field Naturalists lost her father, Arnold, on 15 June 2007 (e-mail from Annabel Griffi ths to LFN members 15 June 2007). As noted by Phil Henderson (Langley Field Naturalists Newsletter June 2007:4), Arnold was a passionate naturalist and photographer. He served on the board of LFN for several years, led fi eld trips and showed slides of birds, plants and other natural history subjects during most “member’s nights.” Birders Honoured –Most of the recipients of 2007 Vancouver Natural History Society volunteer awards are at least casual birders. Two are B.C.F.O. members who attend annual meetings frequently. Larry Cowan was given a Kay Beamish Award for Nature Recognition for his many years of leading birding fi eld trips and his decade of managing the Vancouver Rare Bird Alert. He is also a former chair of the club’s Birding Section. Viveka Ohman received a Garibaldi Service Award for her many years of leading fi eld trips, as well as service to the board and to the birding and marine biology sections. Many birders also know her as coordinator of the White Rock Christmas Bird Count –based on J. McCall. 2007. Vancouver Naturalist 9(2):6-7. Education at Reifel –A recent grant from Wild Birds Unlimited sponsors 500 Greater Vancouver school children to join the education program of the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary this fall -based on Anonymous. 2007. Marshnotes 2007:11.

Volume 17, Number 3 9 LILLOOET BCFO AGM FIELD TRIP REPORTS

The BCFO held its 17th Annual AGM sighted a Eurasian Collared-Dove in We spent the remainder of this May 25-27, 2007 in the community of the heavy sagebrush. Several stops were fi eld trip at an area locally known Lillooet. It was hosted by the Lillooet made as we climbed the steep gravel as “Curlew Field”. Luckily, it lived Naturalists Society and the Lillooet road through mature Ponderosa Pine up to its name and everyone either Friendship Centre and Miyazaki and Douglas-Fir. We were treated heard or had reasonable looks at a Heritage House kindly provided to Western Tanagers, Mountain Long-billed Curlew as it fl ew around suitable venues for the indoor portion Chickadees, and a pair of Chukars. proclaiming its territory. The Rock of the weekend. A White-breasted Nuthatch, a rather Wren and White-throated Swifts that This is the fi rst BCFO meeting to occur uncommon bird in the Lillooet area, traditionally inhabit this area were in southwestern British Columbia’s fl ew in to the imitation of a pygmy- not so cooperative, however. As a Fraser Canyon. Lillooet lies on the owl. Many Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) consolation, we were rewarded by a eastern edge of the Coast Range Warblers and Dark-eyed Juncos were in Clay-coloured Sparrow—fi rst record Mountains (some reaching nearly 3000 attendance. for the Lillooet area—that was singing m) which form a dramatic backdrop Eventually we found ourselves away in a dry gully. Several people had to this picturesque landscape. surrounded in a carpet of blooming good views of this scarce dry-country These mountains sponge most of yellow Arrowleaf Balsamroot in an sparrow. Western Meadowlarks and the moisture from Pacifi c storm old burn on the slopes of the Clear Vesper Sparrows sang away during systems leaving Lillooet in a powerful Range. Several of us were treated to our visit. A big Black Bear ambled rainshadow zone. Here a rich blend a good view of Red-naped Sapsucker down the road towards us as we slowly of birds with dry interior and coastal and Clark’s Nutcracker. The highlight drove along the fi eld only realizing our affi nities awaits the naturalist. for most was Dusky Grouse, a recent existence at about 100 m away! Over the weekend seven fi eld trips to taxonomic split from Blue Grouse. The weather was most cooperative on four different areas were lead by six On the Sunday outing, a male in full Saturday with mainly overcast skies enthusiastic fi eld trip leaders (Olivia display (see photo last issue) was most and light winds. Sunday’s fi eld trip Flynn-Gomez, Maria Mascher, Kim cooperative and allowed the entire began in similar fashion but ended North, Jeff O’Kelly, Ian Routley, Ken group fi ne views of this dramatic in a heavy shower, giving us a good Wright). Sixty-fi ve keen participants breeding ritual. We drove on as far soaking—not exactly rainshadow were in attendance. as the snow would allow and added conditions! Hermit Thrush to the roster before Curlew Field - Tom Cole Road descending back to the dry benchlands below. The Curlew Field-Tom Cole Road fi eld trip covered the benches along Highway 99 on the east side of the Fraser River between Lillooet and Pavilion as well as the adjacent steep Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-Fir slopes. Our fi rst stop afforded a dramatic view over of the Bridge River confl uence where a pair of Common Mergansers were swimming. We then drove a short ways up the highway to a ten- year old burn. Here we found Calliope Hummingbirds, Lazuli Buntings, Nashville Warblers, Spotted Towhees and an assortment of other birds that thrive in regenerative habitats. The next stop was at the Tom Cole Road turnoff Wright Ken where Dick Cannings and company

10 BC Birding, September 2007 Fountain Valley Fountain Valley was, as always, very productive for birds. After sharing a common area with the folk heading on to Tom Cole we began our ascent along Fountain Valley road. The fi rst stop, locally referred to as Veery corner, didn’t disappoint, although there were more vireos and Cedar Waxwings. The next stop was not a planned stop, but as a Gray Catbird sat out in plain view, oblivious to the large group of birders clustering around, it was included. It put in a similar performance for the group the second Ken Wright Ken day along with a Say’s phoebe. Horned grebe was seen at Chilhil on the second day, my birding skills Further up the road we stopped on Lake along with lots of comical male were called into question after I an overlook that provides excellent Ruddy Ducks. Cinquefoil Lake, the last had convinced the group to trudge mixed riparian habitat for Western lake in the valley is in transition since through the pouring rain to the site Tanagers, Cassin’s and Warbling the removal of it’s old 1940’s earthen and a Red-naped Sapsucker appeared. vireos and warblers. We had good damn. With a more constant water Fortunately it was closely followed looks at Western Tanagers, as well level, Common Cattail has become by the Red-breasted, and with a little as Nashville, MacGillivray’s and more plentiful and provides improved sleuthing by the group we discovered Townsend’s warblers. The Townsend’s habitat for Common Yellowthroat, its nest hole. As far as we know this is was a lifer for a few folk on the second Sora and Virginia Rail. All three species the fi rst attempted breeding record for day. Both Hammond’s and Dusky were seen or heard over the two days. our area. fl ycatchers sang in tandem the fi rst day and a Barred Owl announced his Red-breasted Sapsucker is extremely Our total number of species was 79 on presence although he didn’t make an rare in our area. However, one had day one and 78 on day two. Despite appearance. been seen at the far end of Cinquefoil the poorer weather the second day Lake and it was hoped it would the birds still showed up. Although The three lakes in the valley provided appear during the fi eld trips. It kindly we didn’t add any new species to the a fair sampling of waterfowl. The complied on the fi rst day. However Lillooet checklist it was still had an enjoyable morning birding despite the rain on the second day.

Seton River - Cayoosh Creek The Seton-Cayoosh corridor fi eld trip was only conducted on Saturday, May 26. We began our outing at Seton Lake where a Common Loon was spotted quite close to the shore. Nearby a pair of Mountain Bluebirds were active, frequently perching on electrical wires overhead. Shortly after our arrival a Gray Catbird began singing and soon fl ew into a shrub with sparse vegetation where it afforded excellent views as it continued Ken Wright Ken singing. The cheery song of White-

Volume 17, Number 3 11 crowned Sparrows provided a steady We next proceeded to the Seton River Species List: AGM Field Trips background to our stay at Seton Lake. upper spawning channels. This stop did not yield any new species, but it Canada Goose Our next stop was the trail which leads Wood Duck to the Cayoosh Creek waterfall. Here was a chance for a welcome snack and Gadwall we began our viewing with a cluster of some group photos. While snacking, American Wigeon we enjoyed observing Mountain Goats Mallard Harlequin Ducks on the Seton hydro Blue-winged Teal on the cliffs across the river, a Black canal. Our main objective on this Cinnamon Teal stop was to fi nd Black-throated Gray Bear walking along the railroad tracks Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Warblers and we were soon amply and a Yellow-bellied Marmot perched on a rock near the river’s edge. Green-winged Teal rewarded by a chase involving three Redhead individuals. Their display was fairly Our fi nal stop of the morning was the Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup lengthy and mostly conducted at or lower spawning channels on Seton Harlequin Duck just above eye level providing everyone River. By this time, the sky had clouded Barrow’s Goldeneye with excellent views, and without over and a brisk breeze had come Common Merganser causing the usual cases of “Warbler up which diminished the amount of Ruddy Duck Chukar Neck” that follow when viewing this song we could hear. Nevertheless, it Ruffed Grouse species. Through the rest of the walk was fascinating as always to observe Dusky Grouse we heard and saw Yellow, Yellow- the individual variations in song from Common Loon Pied-billed Grebe rumped, Nashville and MacGillivray’s the many Song Sparrows who breed Horned Grebe warblers. Hammond’s Flycatchers in this spot. We only saw about 40 Osprey were frequently heard and occasionally species on the fi eld trip but felt quite Bald Eagle Northern Harrier seen. As our elevation rose from satisfi ed and particularly happy with Cooper’s Hawk the riparian forest into conifers, we the display from the Black-throated Red-tailed Hawk heard the ethereal song of Swainson’s Gray Warblers. Golden Eagle Thrushes. One “obstacle” to birding by American Kestrel Texas Creek Road Merlin ear on this portion of the trip was the Virginia Rail constant calling of Evening Grosbeaks. This fi eld trip took place on both Sora What seemed like thousands of these American Coot days of the weekend but I can only Killdeer birds had moved into the area a couple report on the Sunday trip as I was Spotted Sandpiper of weeks earlier and they could be seen on the Seton-Cayoosh corridor trip Long-billed Curlew or heard almost anywhere there were the previous day. The Texas Creek Wilson’s Snipe trees. Eurasian Collared Dove Road fi eld trip was conducted (with Mourning Dove Barred Owl Common Nighthawk Vaux’s Swift Calliope Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Belted Kingfi sher Lewis’s Woodpecker Red-naped Sapsucker Red-breasted Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Western Wood-Pewee Hammond’s Flycatcher Dusky Flycatcher Say’s Phoebe Western Kingbird Eastern Kingbird Cassin’s Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Steller’s Jay

Ken Wright Ken Clark’s Nutcracker

12 BC Birding, September 2007 permission of course) mostly on a good look at the Chat. Occasionally private property where fi elds of grass, we heard it sing, but it was concealed Black-billed Magpie sagebrush and Common Rabbit-Bush in a dense thicket and only a couple American Crow Common Raven cover an uneven terrain with low of members of the party got good Tree Swallow rises and shallow depressions. The looks at it. The rest of us only had Violet-green Swallow depressions have enough water to brief glimpses of its silhouette as it Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow make small ponds in the spring and fl itted about in the thicket. Eventually, Barn Swallow there is also an artifi cial pond with increasing rain forced us to end our Black-capped Chickadee large quantities of cattails. We began trip but not before having seen or Mountain Chickadee with the artifi cial pond which yielded heard some 70 species between us. Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch several species of ducks including Combining all fi eld trips and a few Pygmy Nuthatch Ruddy and Ring-necked. The Red- other casual observations produced Marsh Wren winged Blackbirds were singing and Golden-crowned Kinglet an impressive total of 124 species (see Ruby-crowned Kinglet calling constantly, nearly obscuring preceding inset and last issue for more Townsend’s Solitaire the song of a Yellow-headed Blackbird details)! Three new species were added Veery in a dense clump of reeds on the far to the Lillooet checklist (Eurasian Swainson’s Thrush side of the pond. All six of our area’s Hermit Thrush Collared-Dove, Yellow-breasted Chat, American Robin swallow species put in appearances. Clay-coloured Sparrow) raising the Varied Thrush At this point, two members of our total to 234 species. Mountain Bluebird party returned to where we had parked Gray Catbird We would like to extend a big word of European Starling as one of them was on a motorized Cedar Waxwing scooter and the uneven terrain was thanks to Vivian Birch Jones (Lillooet Orange-crowned Warbler proving to be a serious obstacle. There Naturalist Society) for taking on Nashville Warbler the BCFO meetings and making it Yellow Warbler they patiently waited for 2-1/2 hours Yellow-rumped Warbler while the rest of us made a wide loop happen! We would also like to give Black-throated Gray Warbler around the property. As we were to special thanks to the BCFO for giving Townsend’s Warbler discover, they proved that good things a generous contribution of $500.00 to MacGillivray’s Warbler Common Yellowthroat come to those who wait. the Lillooet Naturalists Society. Also, Wilson’s Warbler we are very happy that the BCFO The “target” bird on this expedition Yellow-breasted Chat adopted the position statement on the Western Tanager was a Yellow-breasted Chat which had steady state economy while in Lillooet. Spotted Towhee been heard and seen the day before. On behalf of the Lillooet Naturalists Chipping Sparrow For those of us from Lillooet, this Clay-coloured Sparrow Society, we are very happy to have Vesper Sparrow was particularly exciting as it was our hosted the BCFO in Lillooet! It is our Savannah Sparrow fi rst record of this bird in the area. hope that you will consider visiting Song Sparrow Our investigation of the area where Lincoln’s Sparrow Lillooet again in the near future. White-crowned Sparrow it had been seen proved fruitless, but Golden-crowned Sparrow along the way we saw many American Ken Wright, Ian Routley and Dark-eyed Junco Kestrels, as well as a Merlin and we Jeff O’Kelly Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting were serenaded by the frequent songs Red-winged Blackbird of Western Meadowlarks. Western Meadowlark Yellow-headed Blackbird We fi nally emerged on the road a few Brewer’s Blackbird hundred yards from where we were Brown-headed Cowbird parked and gradually made our way Bullock’s Oriole Cassin’s Finch back to the cars, only to discover that House Finch the two members of our party who Pine Siskin had been waiting so patiently had been Evening Grosbeak enjoying the song and occasional views House Sparrow of a Yellow-breasted Chat for about Total Species: 124 half an hour. We ended up spending at least half an hour standing right where we had parked trying to get a

Volume 17, Number 3 13 Some birds of the South Pacific Neil Dawe Neil Rarotonga, Cook Islands, looking south. Avarua, the National Capital of the Cook Island lies landward of the cruise ship.

Some 3400 km northeast of New complex, 32 km in circumference, Once we settled in to what would Zealand lies the Cook Islands, a cluster covering an area of 67 km2, built by be our home for the next week, we of 15 volcanic islands and coral atolls effusive and pyroclastic eruptions moved out to the front deck, and isolated in the South Pacifi c. (Thompson et al. 1998). Its steep, under Coconut Palms (Cocos nucifera) My wife, Renate and I had the good mountains are clothed in a thick carpet swaying in the trade winds, we sipped fortune of visiting two of the islands in of forest and fernland ranging from wine, searched the lagoon for birds, April 2006, shortly after I had retired disturbed forest at the lower elevations and listened to the roar of the surf as from the Canadian Wildlife Service. through to the cloud forest above it pounded the coral reef some 600 Being a group of small islands and 400 m. Most of the development on metres offshore; birding at its best. atolls, the avifauna of the Cook Islands Rarotonga is confi ned to the island’s A Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana) is somewhat depauperate with only 50 perimeter and extends only about a worked its way along the beach species (LePage 2007). Before we left, kilometre inland. An extensive coral feeding on ghost crabs (likely Ocypode I had determined that with luck, and reef with its attendant, exquisitely- laevis), while White Terns (Gygis alba) based on the time of year, we might be turquoise, tropical fi sh-fi lled lagoon fl ew overhead, occasionally landing able to get 21 species (including three surrounds much of the island. in the large Pacifi c Ironwood trees endemics) on the two islands we’d We landed at Avarua, a city of around (Casuarina equisetifolia) that were planned to visit. So birds are obviously 10,000 people on the north side of the intermingled amongst the palms along not the only reason to go there. island. We had rented a private beach the shore. Both birds are ubiquitous After a 12 h fl ight from Los Angeles, cottage and on our way to Avaavaroa, along the Rarotongan coast. The tern with a brief stopover at Papaete, on the south side of the island, we was often found inland as well, where Fiji (where we got our fi rst look at a glimpsed our fi rst Cook Island birds many nested along with White-tailed Common Mynah, Acridotheres tristis), Common Mynas and Red Junglefowl Tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus) Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook (Gallus gallus) both introduced and that we glimpsed from considerable Islands, appeared through the clouds. common in the developed areas distance. and beaches of the island. Feral Over the next few days we were Rarotonga lies roughly the same populations of the Red Junglefowl distance south of the equator as Hawaii awakened regularly each morning by were also present in the mountain crowing junglefowls. We found the does north. It is the emergent summit forests of the island. of a Pliocene-Pleistocene volcanic dark phase of the Reef Heron (Egretta

14 BC Birding, September 2007 sub-tropical Pacifi c. By are still areas richly draped in tropical the end of the fi rst week, vegetation. Fifteen smaller motus, we had amassed a grand lie around the lagoon perimeter, and total of seven species! one, Honeymoon Island, supports We also spent time a Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon visiting the shops and rubricauda) colony. markets of Avarua On Aitutaki, another beach cottage on as the larger city had the west coast of the island was our signifi cantly lower food home. Again, mynas were common but prices than the smaller, the island also had some species that

Neil Dawe Neil local shops in Avaavaroa. didn’t occur on Rarotonga, which we The Common Mynah, a common, introduced species on Avarua was situated hoped to get. Aitutaki is one of the few the Cook Islands. almost directly on the islands in the Cook group to support other side of the island from our the white phase of the Reef Heron and sacra), a fairly common species, cottage and took about a half hour to after renting a scooter and cruising feeding intertidally, fl ying out to the get there on either the clockwise or the few roads that follow the shore, it reef, or striding the beaches. Pacifi c anti-clockwise buses that travel the didn’t take us long to fi nd one. Even Golden-Plovers (Pluvialis fulva) loafed Ara Tapu or main road that follows the there, however, the dark phase was still at one of the few estuaries on the island perimeter. the more common of the two. island, and we glimpsed a Long-tailed At the start of our second week on the The next morning we walked along Cuckoo (Udynamis taitensis) amongst CookIslands, we fl ew to Aitutaki, about the coral-sand beach and saw more the thick Red Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa- an hour’s fl ight north of Rarotonga. Reef Herons, tattlers, and some new sinensis) shrubs that frequent the Aitutaki is an “almost atoll” consisting species, including a number of Brown shoreline. This was the only time we of a small group of volcanic and coral (Anous stolidus) and Black noddies saw this secretive species although motus or islets ringing a large and (Anous minutus) the latter of which we we heard it occasionally. The cuckoo magnifi cent lagoon formed when were not likely to get on Rarotonga. breeds in New Zealand and migrates, much of the central volcanic mountain Another early morning hike took us in what has been called perhaps the dropped into the sea. What remains to Maunga Pu, the highest point on most remarkable overwater migration is not much more than a large hill on the island at 124 m, passing large land of any land bird (Lack 1959), to spend the large island. Much of the big island crabs and a myriad of skinks along the southern winter in the tropical and has been developed although there the way. The view of the lagoon and motus was spectacular. On our way down we got a good look at three Blue Lorikeets (Vini peruviana), White-tailed Tropicbirds, more mynahs, and a plover. On the Cook Islands, the lorikeet is only found on Aitutaki, likely arriving as a caged bird from French Polynesia in the 1800s (McCormack 1997). On our last full day on Aitutaki, we chartered a cruise of the lagoon and motus, which took about 20 of us out to snorkel amongst amazing displays of reef fi sh. Wrasse, Moorish Idols (Zanclus cornutus), Threadfi n Butterfl yfi sh (Chaetodon auriga), Picasso Triggerfi sh (Rhinecanthus

Neil Dawe Neil aculeatus), and Yellowstripe Goatfi sh The Reef Heron is only common on three islands of the southern Cook Islands group, (Mulloidichthys fl avolineatus), ncluding Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

Volume 17, Number 3 15 Neil Dawe Neil Dawe Neil

Red-tailed Tropicbird incubating (left) and with young (right) on Honeymoon Island, Aitutaki. among many others, swam with us side of the island at Muri Lagoon, the behaviour also plays a role in that face to mask. Occasionally, as we only lagoon on the island with motus. it only lays 2 eggs and incubation swam up to a reef, a huge Moray Eel Over the next two weeks we wandered begins with the fi rst egg resulting in (Gymnbothorax spp.) would appear the white coral sand beaches, shopped asynchronous hatching and usually the suddenly from within the coral the Saturday markets at Avaroa for survival of only one young. crevasses; it’s a startling experience fresh food, snorkeled and kayaked the As a result of intensive conservation and, as we discovered, very diffi cult lagoons, sampled the tasty Polynesian measures, life expectancy for males to apply brakes underwater! Giant foods, and drove many of the back has increased from around 5 years to clams (Tridacna gigas), some nearly a roads searching for more birds but, at least 15 years; life expectancy for metre across, were fairly common in alas, we found no new species. females improved from just over 2 the lagoon. They were introduced to The day before we were to fl y out, we years to nearly 13 years. Aitutaki from Australia in the 1990s. decided to try and get the endangered We called to arrange a tour of the We made our way to Honeymoon and endemic Rarotonga Monarch Takitumu Conservation Area, created Island and the colony of nesting (Pomarea dimidiata), a small fl ycatcher by three island families to secure Red-tailed Tropicbirds. During our confi ned to three forested valleys on and protect the fl ycatcher habitat. walkabout of the island, Renate and I the island. Once among the rarest birds Unfortunately, the conservation found many nests containing adults in the world, its population in 1983 area manager was busy with funeral and young of varying ages. Nests was estimated at 35-50 individuals. arrangements, but when he learned were slight depressions in the coral Effective conservation measures I was a biologist from Canada he sand under Pemphis shrubs (Pemphis brought the population up to 259 in suggested we visit the conservation acidula), which formed the majority of 2002. Some birds were translocated to area on our own and gave us directions the vegetation on the island. The adult Atiu, another of the Cook Islands, over as to where we would likely fi nd the birds seemed unperturbed and had the period 2001-2003, and in 2004 fl ycatcher. obviously acclimatized fairly well to the estimated combined population the daily visits by the tour companies; was 289-300 individuals although a Early the next morning we boarded we didn’t notice one bird leaving the series of 5 cyclones in 2005 may have the “clockwise bus,” which took us nest as a result of our disturbance. The reduced the population (Birdlife near the conservation area. Walking remainder of the tour brought us more International 2007). from the road up the hillside through extensive orange groves, we fi nally noddys and our fi rst Great Frigatebirds Threats to this fl ycatcher included (Fregata minor). By the time we had came to the conservation area clearance of the forest through “track,” and its lush tropical forest of left Aitutaki our species list totaled 13 economic development; invasive plants birds! fl owering trees, vines, and giant ferns. and animals, especially the Black Rat We continued making our way up to Back at Rarotonga, we spent the rest of (Rattus rattus); and its vulnerability the fl ycatcher location. Once there, I our stay at a small resort on the north to the impacts of cyclones. Its nesting

16 BC Birding, September 2007 started a climb into fl ycatcher habitat. References Renate was some 30 metres behind me and within a minute called out, “I BirdLife International (2007) Species think I have it!” I slowly made my way factsheet: Pomarea dimidiata. http: back down the trail hoping I wouldn’t //www.birdlife.org (Accessed 22 scare the bird and there amongst the August 2007) shrubs we got our fi rst glimpse of the Lack, D. (1959). Migration across the Rarotonga Monarch. This particular sea. Ibis 101,374-399. individual was banded on its left leg, blue over white. It stayed long enough LePage, D. 2007. Avibase - Bird for me to get some photos and then Checklists of the World, Cook fl ew off. Islands. http://www.bsc-eoc.org/ On our way back down through the avibase/avibase.jsp?region=ck&pg=c conservation area, we also found the hecklist&list=clements (Accessed 20 endemic Rarotonga Starling (Aplonis August 2007). cinerascens) and the Pacifi c Pigeon McCormack, G. 1997. The status of (Ducula pacifi ca)—a perfect fi nish to Cook Islands Birds. World Birdwatch the day and our month on the islands. 19: 13-16. Dawe l

The Cook Islands are still one of the Thompson, G. M., J. Malpas, and Nei few places on earth where you can I.E.M. Smith. 1998. New Zealand A Pacifi c Pigeon roosting in an Albizia tree walk for kilometres on white coral- Journal of Geology and Geophysics. (Falcataria moluccana) in the Takitumu sand beaches that line turquoise 41: 95-104 Conservation Area. lagoons and, perhaps, run into one or two other people (at least in April). The slow pace of the islands, interesting natural history, friendly peoples, exquisite beauty, excellent foods, and a different culture including “the best of the Polynesian dancers,” make the Cook Islands a wonderful place to visit. The 16 avian species we tallied were simply the “icing.”

Neil K. Dawe Neil Dawe Neil The endangered Rarotonga Monarch, a Cook Neil Dawe Neil Islands endemic and once among the rarest birds The secretive Rarotonga Starling, a in the world. vulnerable endemic of Rarotonga.

Volume 17, Number 3 17 Bird Atlassing arrives in British Columbia

Bird atlassing is a global phenomenon representation of project partners, estimating relative abundance and do that is widely acknowledged to be and a series of sub-committees (e.g. not contain details of nest locations. an invaluable and extremely cost- volunteer management, technical, The second sampling method will effective resource for conservation fund-raising) are being formed to be designed to estimate the relative planning and management. Atlas guide the project, and oversee two abundance of bird species in different projects provide snapshots of the salaried staff, an Atlas Coordinator and squares to provide a much clearer distribution and abundance of Assistant Coordinator. picture of where populations of biodiversity in a geographic region. The plan for data collection is to divide each species are concentrated. Pilot They are designed to be repeated at the province into 10-km grid squares studies, resulting data analysis and regular intervals and differ from faunal based on the Universal Transverse volunteer feedback, resulted in point Birds and fl oral summaries (e.g. the Mercator grid system. The overall counts being chosen as the means of of British Columbia ) by providing goal, over the next 5 years (2008- collecting abundance data. This will a simple, standard framework for 2012), is to obtain complete coverage not be required for all atlassers, but making comparisons of patterns of of most 10-km squares in southern will be encouraged for experienced occurrence, density, and population British Columbia and a selection of birders, provided they can identify change. Atlasses have many practical one or more squares from each 100 most birds in their area by song. conservation applications; the two x 100 km block in remote regions. The third sampling method will Ontario breeding bird atlasses (1985 Volunteers, known as Atlassers, and 2005) are used extensively by involve collecting more precise typically take responsibility for documentation of breeding sites of the Committee on the Status of covering one or more 10-km squares, Endangered Wildlife in Canada for signifi cant species and colonial species. but can send in data from anywhere in Participants will be encouraged to fi ll assessing species status. They also the province. Regional coordinators bring networks of naturalists and out nest record cards with detailed will take responsibility for organising information for any nests they fi nd. birdwatchers together to achieve a coverage of atlas squares in each of clearly defi ned goal. However, particular emphasis will approximately 40 BC Atlas regions be placed on species that are either At the core of the atlassing concept - areas of the province that largely provincially or regionally rare, as well is public volunteerism. Atlassing correspond to existing naturalist/ as species such as Great Blue Herons provides a major opportunity for the birding community catchments. and Bank Swallows that nest in public to contribute to conservation We anticipate that the project will colonies. planning. Birds are one of the best- generate as many as one million known faunal groups, and birding is The data from all of these sampling individual records, through three methods will be submitted to the one of the most rapidly increasing primary methods. The fi rst and pastimes in North America, so it atlas organizers, either on computer most basic atlas technique consists scannable data forms or through is no surprise that breeding bird of searching 10-km squares for atlases lead the way in terms of the interactive web pages. Data will be breeding evidence, dividing your extensively checked for possible errors, shear number of atlas projects either search time (a minimum of 20 hours) ongoing or completed. In Canada, and quickly made available for display in proportion to the habitats within and download through a state-of-the- breeding bird atlases already exist in the square. For example, singing six provinces, and the time is ripe art system of interactive web pages. birds in their breeding habitat in A dedicated BC Breeding Bird Atlas for BC to conduct its fi rst, and lead their breeding season are recorded the way for future atlases across the website is under construction, and as “possible” breeders; pairs of should be ready for Atlassers to register country. The BC Breeding Bird Atlas, birds, agitated or displaying birds spearheaded by Bird Studies Canada, over the winter. Details will be posted are “probable” breeders; and nests, in the next newsletter. Participants, is being developed as a conservation distraction displays or fl edged young partnership between several NGOs organizers and interested members of are recorded as “confi rmed” breeding. the public will be able to view results as (including BC Nature/BC Field These data provide information Ornithologists), federal and provincial soon as they are ready each year (with on the distribution of birds across regular updates through the season), governments, and the private sector. A the province, but are less useful for Steering Committee comprising equal to track the progress of the atlas, to

18 BC Birding, September 2007 identify gaps in coverage, or to obtain So, don’t plan on going anywhere for preliminary answers to questions the next fi ve summers! Spend time about the current distribution and getting to know your own home abundance of British Columbia’s birds. patch even better, and taking the Other monitoring programs, such opportunity to explore parts of British as Nocturnal Owl Surveys and nest Columbia you’ve always wanted to records from WiTS will feed directly visit but haven’t yet got to. Plus, it into the Atlas, and Atlas data will be is a great chance to get friends out linked to other relevant programs, enjoying nature with you, build on our such as Important Bird Areas. The naturalist community and inspire the emphasis is very much on maximising next generation of birdwatchers. data-fl ow and data-sharing, using the Dick Cannings and Pete Davidson, latest web and database technologies Bird Studies Canada developed for this very purpose.

Samantha Brett and Julia Cannings nestbox checking

Volume 17, Number 3 19 British Columbia Bird Sightings: Spring 2007 March was cool, wet and often windy throughout. April dried out and warmed up a bit, but the weather never really showed promise of the summer to come until the last 10 days of May when hotter, dry weather prevailed. With wet and windy conditions prevailing, a good variety of interior birds were found along the coast with the outer coast in particular capturing many vagrants. †: fi eld notes submitted; m.obs.: many observers; ph.: photographed.

Geese through Shorebirds few sightings of the past decade in the central interior, a Whooping Crane was described from the north shore of Ross’s Geese are very rare in the southern interior but Francois Lake as it fl ew at a height of 50m heading west 16 this spring were found at a number of locations: on the May (†KW). early side, a single was in Kamloops 18 Mar (fi de RH); another was between Penticton and Summerland 21 Mar Black-necked Stilts made their near-annual pilgrimage – 4 Apr (ph. LN et. al.); a single was in Quesnel 25 Mar into the s. interior with: 12 in the Kootenays at Wasa 7 (fi de PR); a single in Nakusp 19 Apr (GSD); and one was Apr (JM); 5 at T’Kumlups Pond, Kamloops 9–30 Apr seen in a fl ock of Canada’s over Okanagan Falls 21 Apr (PH, DW, RH) where they were successful nesters two (CC); and most remarkable was the report of a fl ock of 18 years ago; 7 on Robert Lake, Kelowna 29 Apr (RC); and near Vernon 3 May (ph. Simone Runyan). An astonishing 5 n. of Osoyoos 9 May (MB) and the last of the spring number of Trumpeter Swans was seen in a fi eld near numbered 2 at Osoyoos L. 16 May (CC et. al.). Rare spring Vanderhoof where 900 were counted 24 Mar (CA) nearly transients in the Kootenays, American Avocets numbered doubling the previous high count for the interior. Rare 8 at Elizabeth L., Cranbrook 22 Apr (GR) and 1 at Burton along the coast, Common Teal were found in Mar with 15 May (GSD). Greater Yellowlegs continue to push the singles: in Courtenay 1 Mar (RHi); Maplewood 3–16 Mar early arrival envelope with a record-setting arrival in (RL); and in Victoria 13 Mar (MB). The only Tufted Duck Tofi no 14 Mar (AD, RC) and by the usual average arrival reported was of a single male seen from the Iona south date, 26 birds were present 30 Mar (AD, RC). A single jetty 31 Mar (MKM). Casual in the region a 2nd summer Spotted Sandpiper was record-early in Oliver, s. Okanagan male Steller’s Eider was found near Gordon’s Beach, s. 6 Apr (DB). Whimbrel are rare in the interior yet two Vancouver Island, 26 May (ph. RTo, LH) which furnished were found this spring with one at Roundup Lake in the the 8th regional record. Arctic Loons have long been Cariboo 12 May (ph. PR); and one on the Stump Lake thought to be occasionally frequenting coastal waters and Ranch near Kamloops 14 May (RH). Long-billed Curlews, there are now fi ve reports spanning the past eight years. a grassland species of concern, were found in very good This spring, an alternate adult was well described with numbers in the c. interior with 23 near Vanderhoof 18 both Pacifi c and Common Loons nearby for comparison Apr (SL); and 26 near Shelly 16 Apr (SL). Very rare in and distant photos were taken near Gordon’s Beach, s. the interior, a Marbled Godwit was at Cranbrook 12 May Vancouver Island 20 May (ph. RTo, LH). (KY). Rare along the coast, a Ruff was at Reifel 10 May (JI) and another was at Grice Bay, Tofi no 22–23 Apr (†JR, The Kootenays experienced a good migration of Red- MC). necked Grebes with a large aggregation of 58 birds on Arrow Lake, Nakusp 19 Apr (GSD). Very rare on the Gulls through Thrashers coast, a Clark’s Grebe was at Jordan River 15 Apr (ph. RTo, LH et. al.). American White Pelicans arrived early on As gull numbers increased in the central interior this Williams Lake with a single there 24 Mar (ph. CA) and a spring, two rarities were picked out of the fl ocks in Prince single spent several weeks on Quamichan Lake, confi rmed George: a Glaucous-winged Gull was at Cottonwood 12–14 May (fi de DM) for a fi rst local record. A tantalizing Island Park 18 Apr (NH et. al.); and a Glaucous Gull was description of a possible Masked Booby was received, there 19 Apr (NH et. al.) both furnished 2nd records for the having been seen briefl y in overfl ight in Parksville 23 local checklist area. Among the thousands of gulls feeding May (†RT, NR); there are no confi rmed records for on herring roe, an adult Slaty-backed Gull was located in the province. Very rare along the coast, particularly in Qualicum Bay, mid Vancouver Island 13–15 Mar (AM, RS, spring, a Swainson’s Hawk was seen heading north over JS). Very rarely seen from shore, a basic plumaged Thick- Martindale Flats, Victoria 11 May (CSa). A Richardson’s billed Murre was off Gordon’s Beach 20 May (LH, †RTo). Merlin, the prairie form, was seen at Okanagan Lake Also rather cooperative from shore were single Horned PP near Summerland 21 April (RyT). Adding to the Puffi ns: off Amphitrite Point, Ucluelet 15–25 Mar (MT,

20 BC Birding, September 2007 AF); off Botanical Beach, Port Renfrew 27 May (†RTo, LH); 14 Mar (†TP) 75 metres away from previous Iona sighting. and off the southern tip of the Queen Charlotte Islands 22 This species had not been recorded in the province since May (BW, RB). Eurasian Collared-Doves continue their Apr 2000. The only report of Harris’s Sparrow came from expansion in the southern interior and along the south Alaksen National Wildlife Refuge 24 May (PD). coast. The most signifi cant sighting this season came from Black-headed Grosbeaks rarely stray north into the Carmanah Point Lightstation, a well known vagrant trap Cariboo but one such male was found singing near on the west coast of Vancouver Island 16 May (JE). Casual Milburn Lake 11 May (fi de PR). Lazuli Buntings were in the province, a male Costa’s Hummingbird was heard again recorded on the coast in small numbers, the singing and seen performing territorial fl ights at Jordan most out of place was a female seen at Carmanah Point River on the sw. coast of Vancouver Island 7 Apr (ph. RTo). Lightstation 25 May (JE) and a male near Long Beach 26 Another hummingbird rarity was also found at Jordan May (GB). Astonishingly early (especially considering River, a male Calliope Hummingbird, normally destined the latitude), a male and two female Bobolinks were well for the dry southern interior and it too was a one-day described visiting a feeder in Quesnel 11–12 May (VW). wonder 15 Apr (†RTo). Other interior birds found along The only report of Common Grackle away from the Peace the coast include: a Say’s Phoebe in Sooke 24 Mar (RTo) R. area involved a single in Tofi no 25 May (AD) at the and another was at Maplewood 6 Apr (MW); Western exact location one was discovered last year. The Bullock’s Kingbirds on Mt. Douglas, Victoria 21 Apr (MMG) and in Oriole that overwintered just n. of Qualicum Beach Duncan 2 May (DM). returned to the feeder after a 54-day absence 21 Mar–19 Very rare in the province a Loggerhead Shrike was near Apr (CB). Very rare in the southern interior, a pair of Knutsford 21 May (ph. GG). Very rare in the w. Kootenays, Purple Finches were on Anarchist Mountain 26 May (JG, except the extreme south, a Black-billed Magpie was RS). A diligent observer picked out a Hoary Redpoll from at Kaslo 27 Mar (DP). Sage Thrashers are very sparsely a fl ock of 400 Commons in Prince George 31 Mar (SL) scattered in the sage brush of the extreme southern and a pair at a feeder in the same area 1 Apr (ph. NH et. interior yet remarkably, two were found on the coast: one al.). After a long absence, Pine Siskins returned to the was in North Vancouver 5 Apr (RL) and another was at Kootenays in mid-Apr (GSD) and in the Okanagan 24 the Nanaimo River Estuary 14–15 Apr (ph. GLM et. al.). Mar (DGC). Accidental in the province, a ‘green-backed’ The latter furnished a 5th record for Vancouver Island with male Lesser Goldfi nch was well described from Lardeau 6 all previous records occurring in May. May (MJ). There are only four confi rmed records of this species, the most recent from Princeton May 1999. Warblers through Finches Compiled by Donald G. Cecile Previously accidental but now annual over the past six years, a Northern Parula was found singing in s. Surrey 7995 Wilson-Jackson Rd., Vernon, British Columbia V1B 30 May (†CG, ph. PC et. al.) falling well within the usual 3N5 ([email protected]) late May early Jun window for eastern passerines. A Chestnut-sided Warbler, however, did not follow the rules Contributors (subregional editors in bold-face): of vagrancy by arriving extremely early in Jordan River David Allinson (Victoria), Cathy Antoniazzi (c. interior), 1 May (RTo). A Cape May Warbler was a very good fi nd Michael Bentley, Catherine Bonnar, Jack Bowling (weather at Tumbler Ridge 26 May (GLM, BSc). Very rare in the summary), George Bradd, Rob Butler, Peter Candido, Richard J. region, a male Hermit Warbler was found within a fl ock of Cannings (s. Okanagan), Chris Charlesworth, Michael Church, Townsend’s Warblers at Jordan River 21 Apr (†RTo) and Ralph Crombie, Gary S. Davidson (Kootenays), Pete Davidson, even more shocking was the discovery of a pair of Hermit Adrian Dorst (Tofi no-Ucluelet), Jerry Etzkorn, Andrew Foxall, Warblers in Sooke Mountain Park 12 May (†RTo, CI). Very George Gardner, Jeremy Gatten, Carlo Giovanni, Phil Heal, rare in the Lower Mainland, a Black and White Warbler Nathan Hentze, Rick Hilton, Rick Howie, John Ireland, Corina was found scaling the local Alder and Cottonwoods at Isaac, Len Jellicoe, Marlene Johnston, Steven Lawrence, Kevin Maplewood 21 May (RL). A Brewer’s Sparrow was a good Louth, Rob Lyske, Art Martell, Derrick Marven, Joyce Maxwell, Mike McGrenere, Guy L. Monty, Martin K. McNicholl, Laure fi nd at Wilson Creek, Sunshine Coast 22–23 Apr (AS). Neish, Mark Phinney (Peace River), Dirk Pidcock, Phil Ranson Casual in the province, Black-throated Sparrows were (Cariboo), Tom Plath, Neil Robins, Greg Ross, June Ryder, Chris found: along the Grant Narrows Nature Trail, Pitt Lake 17– Saunders, Rick Schortinghuis, Bernard Schroeder, Jonathon 26 May (m.obs. ph. LJ, KL); and at Chopaka Customs w. Simms, Roger Simms, Arnold Skei, Mike Tabak, Roger Taylor, of Osoyoos 24 May (JG). Casual in the province and well Rick Toochin (Juan de Fuca), Keith Walker, Dave Whiting, out of habitat and range, a Sage Sparrow was at Iona Island Bruce Whittington, Val Winthrope, Mark Wynja, Kathy Young.

Volume 17, Number 3 21 Authors in this Issue

Dick Cannings Martin K. McNicholl Dick Cannings was born and raised in the Okanagan, in a family keenly Martin, a member of B.C.F.O’s Award for Ornithology Committee, interested in natural history. This early involvement in birds, bugs helped draft the terms of reference of the Loran L. Goulden Memorial and plants led him to a university education in zoology, including a Award initially of the Edmonton Natural History Club (later BSc degree from the University of British Columbia and a MSc from transferred to the Federation of Alberta Naturalists) and of the Janette Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dick was Curator of the Dean Award of the Ontario Bird Banding Association and chaired Cowan Vertebrate Museum at the University of British Columbia and the selection committees for the fi rst few recipients of each. He also now works half-time for Bird Studies Canada, coordinating eBird served on the selection committee for the 1994 Doris H. Speirs Award Canada, Canadian Christmas Bird Counts and the British Columbia- selection committee of the Society of Canadian Ornithology (awarded Yukon Owl Survey. He has written a number of books and is also the to Anthony J. Erskine, one of Cowan’s illustrious graduate students). bird co-chair of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ian Routley I’m a Rural GP who has practised in Lillooet for the past 19 years. I’ve Neil K. Dawe been interested in birding since my mother dragged my out as a 6 year Neil K. Dawe, Registered Professional Biologist, retired (2006) from old on Vancouver Island (I grew up in Nanaimo) for birding walks with the Canadian Wildlife Service after 31 years in civil service. He is a Neil Bourne. Meeting Ken Wright in late 1999 was really the event co-author of the four-volume work, The Birds of British Columbia, that started me on a more serious level of birding - record keeping and three children’s books including The Bird Book, and over 50 other more “accurate” observations. When I fi rst met Ken he asked if I had publications. Dawe is a founder of the Brant Wildlife Festival and a any Pygmy Nuthatches around our area. I very confi dently told him founding Director of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Foundation no! When we later sat down to watch hours of video of my feeders (he and The Qualicum Institute, a society for ecological, social, and is one of the few friends who actually likes to do that), the fi rst bird I economic sustainability. In 2001, he was honoured with the Ian showed him was a Pygmy Nuthatch! He never lets me forget that and McTaggart-Cowan Award of Excellence in Biology from the Association I know he feels compelled to check all of my more uncommon records of Professional Biologists of British Columbia. because of it. When I’m not working I’m hiking, travelling and taking pictures. I’m not really a lister though. I just love to watch birds. Jeff O’Kelly Ken Wright Jeff O’Kelly studied piano and voice at the University of British Ken has enjoyed watching birds since early childhood and remembers Columbia and was a member of the Vancouver Opera Chorus for 17 various species seen on a his very fi rst birdwatching trip to the Sunshine seasons before retiring to Lillooet, British Columbia in 2006. He also Coast at age 8. He now is a freelance consultant involved in bird, lichen worked as music consultant for Whole Notes, a TV series about classical music (cable channel BRAVO). Jeff is the host of a weekday morning show (“Snooze Button”) on Radio Lillooet (CHLS—100.5 FM), a founding member of the Lillooet Naturalist Society and an avid birder.

From The Spectator, London; Courtesy CanWest News Service.

22 BC Birding, September 2007 BIRDS OF PANAMA 8-20th January 2008 WHISKEYJACK NATURE TOURS

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Volume 17, Number 3 23 24 BC Birding, September 2007