BRITISH COLUMBIA RARE BIRD RECORDS November 2008 Compiled by: Rick Toochin and Jamie Fenneman, Wildlife Biologist (
[email protected]) LGL Ltd. environmental research associates The following is a list of casual and accidental bird species that have been recorded within the boundaries of British Columbia (B.C.). Most records here are supported by skin specimens (sp), photographs (ph), tape recordings (rec), or adequate field notes. Some records have either been rejected by local rarities committees (on identification or origin grounds) or are awaiting review, but these are included here for completeness with notes on any discrepancies. Except where the observation is obviously flawed or seriously lacking in details, no attempt has been made to unilaterally pass judgement on any sight records. This responsibility is best left to a proper Rare Birds Committee, which currently does not operate in the province. Species and distinctive subspecies with fewer than 40 provincial records are included on this list. Several other species that were formerly considered casual or accidental have now been found with increasing frequency and, in some cases, have proven to be annual or nearly so. Some of these species have been observed to breed in British Columbia (indicated by an asterisk [*]). Rare regularly occurring species include: Emperor Goose Sharp-tailed Sandpiper White-headed Woodpecker* Tufted Duck Buff-breasted Sandpiper Ash-throated Flycatcher Murphy’s Petrel Ruff Tropical Kingbird Mottled Petrel Little Gull Loggerhead Shrike White-faced