Historic and recent records of white-tailed ptarmigan on , 1905-2002.

Encounter Number, Gender, Date Year Region Area Type Age Class Observer Comments Reference Coordinates Additional Comments Collected for Royal Museum 9-Oct 1905 South Heather Mt. V 1 Dr. Stoker (RBCM) Cowan 1938 At head of Cowichan Lake Mt. Tom Taylor/Big 20-Aug 1910 Central Interior V 6 Ck H.S. Swarth Collected for California Museum of Vert. Zool Cowan 1938 Cowan 1938, Aug 1912 Central Crown Mt. V 2 Ck W.B. Anderson Collected for RBCM Swarth 1912 This mountain is referred to as "Mt. Saunders" 11-Jul 1912 South Mt. McQuillan V 1 F E. Despard Swarth 1912 by Swarth Oct 1926 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 M A Collected for RBCM RBCM 1 male (yearling) old P9 and P10 Comox Argus Newspaper, May 10, 1928 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 Comox Argus Newspaper 1998 Town Archives: 19-Jul 1931 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 1 A, (4-5) Ck Geoffrey B. Capes On ridge between Arrowsmith and Cokely Courtenay, BC 22-Jul 1932 Central Mt. Evans V 2 F Ck Collected for RBCM RBCM Comox Argus Newspaper, May 10, Sum 1935 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 Comox Argus Newspaper 1998 June or July 2-Oct 1936 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 Courtenay Museum Identified from Museum photos RBCM

11-Sept 1938 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 6 A, 4 Ck I.M. Cowan & P.W. Martin Collected for RBCM Cowan 1938 29-Aug 1939 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 Courtenay Museum Identified from Museum photos RBCM 1939 Central Mt. Frink V 1 Courtenay Museum Identified from Museum photos RBCM 31-Aug 1943 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 2 (F+?) A, 2 (M+?) Ck Collected for RBCM RBCM Jul 1947 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 1 Syd Watts 1950 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 1 Charlie Faulkner Also spent time in Red Pillar area, saw Jul 1952 Central Comox Glacier V 1 Syd Watts ptarmigan on 1 week trip Jul 1953 Central Big Interior Mt. V 1 Syd Watts Albert-Edward to Della Falls via Reese Ridge Sum 1958 Central Strathcona Park V 1 Syd Watts and Big Interior 5-Aug 1959 North Victoria Peak V 1 Syd Watts Provided Map Della Falls to via Mt. Tom Taylor, Mt. Aug 1961 Central Strathcona Park V 1 Syd Watts Phillips, etc. Aug 1962 Central Strathcona Park V 1 Syd Watts Elk River to Buttle Lake via Golden Hinde

2 km west of Wood Mtn Ski Park; open Old Courtenay Heather, willow and western hemlock w/in 30 m; 49°40'N western hemlock/slpine fir forest; has 28-Dec 1962 Central Lookout V 4 Fred Zwickel & B. Simard roosting on rocks; ~800 m 125°11'W pictures; collected 2 birds - in Cowan museum. 19-Jul 1962 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 1 Bryan Gates 16-Aug 1963 Central Mt. Washington S-F Fred Zwickel On summit 30-Aug 1965 North Victoria Peak V 1 Syd Watts Provided Map 12-Dec 1965 Central Mt. Becher V 3 Dave King Flushed birds near old Becher cabin 13-Jul 1965 Central Mt. Becher V 1 Dave King Flushed birds; 1170 m

1 Historic and recent records of white-tailed ptarmigan on Vancouver Island, 1905-2002.

Encounter Number, Gender, Date Year Region Area Type Age Class Observer Comments Reference Coordinates Additional Comments 400' below several sets of tracks under cedar, 24-Nov 1965 Central Mt. Washington V 1 A, 2 Ck Dave King collected 2 (chicks) 24-Apr 1966 Central Mt. Washington S-T 1-2 Dave King SW slope; 1440 m 27-Apr 1966 Central Mt. Becher S-T 1 Dave King Had been feeding on buds of Vaccinium spp. 28-Apr 1966 Central Mt. Becher V 1 A F Dave King On edge of cliff; specimen collected Specimen Collected 16-Feb 1966 Central Mt. Washington S-T 1 Dave King Near top of NW ridge; on top of cliff; 1410 m

31-May 1966 Central Mt. Washington V 2 (F+?) A Dave King Feeding on buds of catkins and alder; 1 F collected Lowland douglas fir plantation; western hemlock, douglas fir, willow and amabilis fir w/in 30 m; elev. 570 m; banded as 4194 and 4195; probably a 21-Apr 1971 Central Tsolum Main Road V 2 Fred Zwickel winter dispersal event 9-Oct 1971 North Mt. Cain V 1 Syd Watts On Mt. Cain/Mt. Hapush ridge Mackenzie Range lies above the Kennedy Aug 1974 South Mackenzie Range V 1 Adrian Dorst Photo River 4-Jul 1974 North Mt. Alston V 1 Syd Watts Provided map 15-Aug 1975 North Rugged Mt. V 1 Syd Watts Provided Map 27-Jul 1976 North Mt. Ashwood V 1 Syd Watts On south peak Eggs had brown spots; found In rock hollow; 27-Aug 1979 Central Mt. Albert Edward S-Sh 3 J. David Routledge given to RBCM 17-Jul 1979 North Mt. Ashwood V 1 Syd Watts On north peak 8-Jul 1980 South Mt. Hooper V 1 F A, 4 Ck J. David Routledge 13-Jul 1980 North Mt. Myra V 1 Syd Watts 17-Jul 1980 South Mt. Service V 1 A J. David Routledge 17-Jul 1980 South Mt. Whymper V 1 F A, 3 Ck J. David Routledge Talked to David Routledge, info faxed by Mike May 1980 South Mt. Hooper V 1 Island Mountain Ramblers Delaronde 1980 South Butler Peak V 1 Bud Smith Photo Retired from Ministry of Environment 1980 South El Capitan V 1 Bud Smith Retired from Ministry of Environment Shot 3 ptarmigan, retired from Ministry of 1980 South Mt. Cokely V 3 Bud Smith Specimen Collected Environment 22-Aug 1981 Central Comox Glacier S-T,F,Sc J. David Routledge 25-Jul 1981 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 19 J. David Routledge Wint 1981 Central Mt. Washington V 1 Rick Adams Under blue chairlift lots of powder snow that year 14-Aug 1984 North Tsitika Mt. V # Syd Watts South side of Mt., alpine meadow 23-Jul 1984 North Mt. Alston V 1 Syd Watts 1-Sep 1984 North Hkusam Mt. V 7-8 Les Peterson Possibly a brood Les Peterson is from Ministry of Forests Jul 1986 Central Flower Ridge V 1 F A, # Ck Sandy Briggs May have photo Jul 1987 South Steamboat Mt. V 1 Adrian Dorst Near Clayquot Plateau; near snowfield Photo 16-Aug 1988 North Pinder Peak V 1 Syd Watts 20-Aug 1988 North Victoria Peak V 1 Syd Watts Provided Map Sandy Briggs & Don 3-Sep 1988 Central Mt. Colonel Foster V, C 1 Berryman Bird flushed; SW slope; bare rock 4-Sep 1988 Central Comox Glacier V 5 A Ken Rodenets On rocky terrain; clear weather

2 Historic and recent records of white-tailed ptarmigan on Vancouver Island, 1905-2002.

Encounter Number, Gender, Date Year Region Area Type Age Class Observer Comments Reference Coordinates Additional Comments 18-Sep 1988 South Mt. Apps V 3 A Ken Rodenets In subalpine terrain 26-Aug 1989 North Mt. Alava V 1 Syd Watts Feb 1989 North Mt. Cain V 1 Peter Curtis Below ski lodge in slash; 1050 m

5-Aug 1990 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 F A, 5 Ck Sandy McRuer & P. Dance RBCM 19-Jul 1990 Central Golden Hinde V 1 F A Sandy Briggs On summit Photo Aug 1991 Central Marble Peak C 2 Syd Watts Record sent to Dave Fraser May 1991 Central Argus Mt. V 2 Lindsay Elms On summit Sep 1992 North Mt. Cain V 2 Peter Curtis Flying near summit Interviewed by Lea Elliot and crew; up to 6 birds 19-Aug 1993 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 11 3 groups of hikers seen together Aug 1993 North Mt. Ashwood V 2 Peter Curtis Near summit Aug 1993 Central Big Den Mt. V 25 (A+Ck) Lindsay Elms On south end of summit 1993 South Klitsa Mt. V 1 Sandy McRuer Birds flushed by helicopter MOF guy Apr 1994 North Mt. Ashwood C 1 Peter Curtis 1 km south of summit 26-Aug 1994 North Mt. Cain V 1 Syd Watts Aug 1994 North Rugged Mt. V 2 Peter Curtis At col NW of summit Aug 1994 Central Mt. Adrian V 1 Hiker Fall 1994 South Klitsa Mt. V 6 Don Cecile 10-Jul 1994 Central Mt. Septimus V 1 F A, # Ck Chris Barner Interviewed by J. R. Young Oct 1994 South Mt. Whymper V 12-15 Curly Newman Interviewed by J. R. Young 5-Aug 1995 South Mt. Landale V 1 F A, # Ck Hiker Interviewed by J. R. Young party also saw ptarmigan in 1993 7-Aug 1995 Central Cream Lake V 1 F A, 4 Ck Hiker Interviewed by J. R. Young 10-Aug 1995 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 F A, 4 Ck Richard Guillet D0622 = female Aug 1995 North Whiltilla Mt. V 2 Peter Barratt Birds flushed by helicopter 1-Jul 1995 South Mt. Hal V 1 Sandy McRuer 15-Jul 1995 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 3-4 Alan Thomson 29-Jul 1995 South Mt. McQuillan V 5 A (F+?), 4 Ck Mike Stini 30-Jul 1995 Central Mt. Frink V # Ck Hiker Interviewed by K. Martin

Jul 1995 Central Little Jim Lake V 1 Chris Barner Interviewed by J. R. Young At Little Jim Lake (gird ref: 142848 map 92 F/5) 6-Jun 1995 South Mt. Whymper V 1 Don Doyle Responded to male call playback Near Repeater [elev = 1263 - SEE MAP 92 F / 1] NO ALPINE 7-Jun 1995 South Mt. Hooker S - Sc Don Doyle for 10 km!] Jun 1995 South Klitsa Mt. V 1 Don Cecile Lots of sign throughout 1995 May 1995 North Mt. Cain C 1 Peter Curtis On ridge 1 km west of summit Nov 1995 South El Capitan V 2-3 Curly Newman Interviewed by J. R. Young 26-Sep 1995 Central King's Peak V 3 Hiker Interviewed by K. Martin Sep 1995 Central Puzzle Mt. V 2 Lindsay Elms On south end of summit 1995 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 Wayne French Interviewed by J. R. Young Note left in registrar at top of peak (from 5-Aug 1996 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 2 Rhonda Koral Victoria) 8-Aug 1996 Central Phillips Ridge V 1 Hiker Interview by Len Thomas and Katrine Vogt 21-Aug 1996 Central King's Peak V 2 F A, 9 Ck Chris Barner

3 Historic and recent records of white-tailed ptarmigan on Vancouver Island, 1905-2002.

Encounter Number, Gender, Date Year Region Area Type Age Class Observer Comments Reference Coordinates Additional Comments Aug 1996 Central Big Interior Mt. V 2 Lindsay Elms On north glacier Aug 1996 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 3 F A, # Ck Ron Quilter Looked for bands but did not see any Dec 1996 South Mt. Landale V 2-3 Curly Newman Interviewed by J. R. Young Jul 1996 Central Peak 1520 V 2 A, 5 Ck Lindsay Elms 2 km west of The Behinde, on summit Jul 1996 Central Elk River Pass V 2 A, 2 Ck Lindsay Elms On west slope Oct 1996 South Mt. McQuillan V 1 F A, 3 Ck Don Doyle Flushed by helicopter Signal for D0630 Sep 1996 North Rugged Mt. V 1 F A, 2 Ck Peter Curtis At col NW of summit Sep 1996 South Squarehead V 1 Ken Rodenets Sum 1996 Central Big Interior Mt. V 2 Chris Barner Sum 1996 Central King's Peak V 2 A (M+F), 3 Ck Chris Barner On north ridge Sum 1996 Central Mt. Tom Taylor V 1 F, 3 Ck Ian Morris 40 m west of summit; bare rock; near heather, 10-Aug 1997 Central Conuma Peak V 1 Sandy Briggs scrub and trees; 8:30 AM 14-Aug 1997 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 1 Graham Turnbull Arrowsmith Lake lat: 49 20' 88", long: 125 28' 14-Aug 1997 South Taylor Ridge V 1 F A, 5 Ck Jim Vallance Near Taylor repeater 39" Near Pogo and Rhino Peaks Aug 1997 North Mt. Ashwood V 2 Peter Barratt Birds flushed by helicopter 6-Dec 1997 North Mt. Cain V 1 Rick Adams Bird flushed from ski area into west bowl Feb 1997 North Mt. Cain V 1 Mt. Cain Habitat project Bird disturbed by snowmobile Jan 1997 North Whiltilla Mt. V 1 Peter Curtis South of summit; ~1500 m 20-Jul 1997 Central Mt. McBride V 1 Ken Rodenets Sent letter, had seen "Wanted" poster Jul 1997 South Beaufort Range S - F,Sc Otto Winnig 14-Jun 1997 South Mt. Moriarty V 1 Chris Ruttan Photo 29-Jun 1997 North Mt. Cain C 1 Mt. Cain Habitat project Parkland habitat; territorial call Jun 1997 Central Jutland Mt. V 1 F A, 7 Ck Mike Delaronde Mar 1997 Central King's Peak V 2 A (F+M) Lindsay Elms Mar 1997 Central King's Peak V 2 A (F+M) Lindsay Elms Below bowl; subalpine habitat

4-Sep 1997 Central Morrison Spire V 1 F A, 3 Ck Jack Morrison Hen = D0735; seen near dissapointment peak 8-Sep 1997 Central Greig Ridge V 2 Jack Morrison Sep 1997 North Hapush Mt V 1 Peter Curtis On flat area 500 m south of summit 4-Apr 1998 South Mt. Cokely V 1 Sandy Briggs On ridge between Arrowsmith and Cokely Subalpine w/ mixed conifers; slightly under heli- 17-Apr 1998 North New Castle Ridge V 1 Jim Vallance pad. topo map 92E/16 ref 8-Aug 1998 Central Mt. Bate V 2 Sandy Briggs SE exposure; 1260 m 823291 Buttle Lake map 92F/12 1:50,000 grid 8-Aug 1998 Central Phillips Ridge V 5 Lindsay Elms ref 065970

4 Historic and recent records of white-tailed ptarmigan on Vancouver Island, 1905-2002.

Encounter Number, Gender, Date Year Region Area Type Age Class Observer Comments Reference Coordinates Additional Comments Buttle Lake map 92F/12 1:50,000 grid 8-Aug 1998 Central Phillips Ridge V 3 Lindsay Elms ref 058977 25-Aug 1998 Central Mt. Adrian S - F Lindsay Elms On summit

Upper Campbell Lake map 92F/13 Ed. 3. 1:50,000 grid ref 170160 ("Roger's 24-Aug 1998 Central Roger's Ridge V 1 F A, 3 Ck Lindsay Elms On ridge 2 km NW of summit Ridge") 24-Jul 1998 North Rugged Mt. V 1 F A, 3 Ck Lindsay Elms At col 24-Jul 1998 North Rugged Mt. V 2 A (M+F) Lindsay Elms 10 m below summit 25-Jul 1998 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 F A, 5 Ck Lindsay Elms Female appeared to have orange bands on Jul 1998 North Hapush Mt V 1 F A, 2 Ck Peter Curtis On flat area 500 m south of summit 5-Jun 1998 North Mt. Cain C 1 Mt. Cain Habitat project Parkland habitat; territorial call 21-Jun 1998 North Mt. Abel V 1 Mt. Cain Habitat project Bird hiding Jun 1998 North Mt. Abel V 2 Mt. Cain Habitat project

topo map 92F/3 In patches of heather amongst fissures in ref 223567 6-Sep 1998 South Steamboat Mt. V 6 Sandy Briggs limestone; 1110 m 1:50000 22-Sep 1998 Central Limestone Cap V 3 Jay Armstrong One individual with red bands on both legs Aug 1999 Central Mt. Myra V 1 A Michael Brown On summit Photo 6-Sep 1999 Central Crest Mt. V 1 F A, 5 Ck Chris Ruttan Photo Topo map 92L/1 Schoen Lake Grid Ref 1999 North Mt. Eden C 1 Lindsay Elms 964684 Topo map 92L/1 Schoen Lake Grid Ref 1999 North Mt. Eden S - F Lindsay Elms 964685 Aug 2000 South Klitsa Mt. V 1 F A, 5 Ck Bryan Gates 200 m from summit Aug 2000 South Mt. Arrowsmith S - Sc Bryan Gates On ridge between Arrowsmith and Cokely map 1:50,000, 92F13 ref. 20-Jul 2000 Central King's Peak V 2 Hiker At col south of summit; 1700m 960208 23-Jul 2000 Central Adder Mt. V 1 Brook George Jul 2000 South Mt. Cokely V 1 A M? Gord McNeil Dead Band D0852 17-June 2000 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 1 Chris Ruttan Photo Jun 2000 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 1 Hiker On summit

5 Historic and recent records of white-tailed ptarmigan on Vancouver Island, 1905-2002.

Encounter Number, Gender, Date Year Region Area Type Age Class Observer Comments Reference Coordinates Additional Comments 4930' 52" N, 17-Sept 2000 Central Mt. Chief Frank V 1 Ken Rodenets on rock, in the open, small bird, no bands 125 03' 02" W 20-Sept 2000 South Pogo Peak V 3 Peter Rothermel 11-Aug 2001 South Adder Mt. S - F, Sc, T Chris Ruttan 20 m below summit 12-Aug 2001 Central Elkhorn Mt. V 1 Harry van Oort West side of Mt.; near base of summit in talus Other sightings (no details): on N-S ridge west of Golden Hinde and South of MtDevoe Area of exposed rock near edge of steep W facing (5504700 297800 to 5506800 297800), on N-S cliff, small wildflower clumps, occasional group of ridge West of Mt. Devoe (5507800 296750 to low shrubby trees, heather below on steeper 5509000 296600), and on Phillips ridge slopes, snow in pockets but not near birds, cloudy between 1732 m peak and 1 km west of that with some rain and fog, "low whistle" from birds, 5497250 N peak (N-5497250 E-307450 to N-5499200 E- 16-Aug 2001 Central Phillips Ridge V 2 A Barry Saxifrage ~1600 m 307450 E 305250) 13-Jul 2001 South Peak 5040 S - Sh 1 Lindsay Elms Near summit Jul 2001 Central Rambler Peak V # Nick Elson Family, unknown number, 1750 m Jul 2001 Central Mt. Cain V, S - Egg # Nick Elson west ridge, Jun 2001 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 1 Harry van Oort On ridge between Arrowsmith and Cokely 2-Sep 2001 South Mt. McQuillan V 6-7 Sandy Briggs On summit Photo 49 deg 36' 50" N, 125 deg 41' 8- Sep 2001 Central Phillips Ridge V 2 Randy Carter 40" W. Emailed Peter for deatails 2001 Central Elkhorn Mt. V 2 Peter Rothermel (June 5 2002) Emailed Peter for deatails 2001 Central Flower Ridge V 1 F A, 3 Ck Peter Rothermel (June 5 2002) Below South Summit, coming up from Lone Tree 1-Aug 2002 Central Comox Glacier V 1 F, 1 Ck Lindsay Elms Pass 16-Aug 2002 Central Mt. Adrian V 2 A Lindsay Elms Near summit 17-Aug 2002 Central Mt. Tom Taylor V 3 A Nick Elson Rocky terrain, next to small snowfield, 1500 m photo available if desired, sunny, 30+ deg celsius, 17-Aug 2002 Central Morrison Spire V 1 A Barb Sorensen calm 21-Aug 2002 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 1 A, 3 Ck John Elson Twent minutes below summit Grid Ref: 21-Aug 2002 Central Mt. Colonel Foster V 1 A, 7 Ck Lindsay Elms 944135 49,33 N, 126,43 W. 92 F 24-Aug 2002 Central Mt. Myra V 1 A Paul Brown Summer Plumage, evasive, 11:00 / 12 Above treeline, rocky terrain and snowfields, 49 323' N, 125 25-Aug 2002 Central Mt. Thelwood V 1 A Kevin Ferguson "Summer plumage upper, winter plumage lower" Photo 42.5' W 25-Aug 2002 Central Mt. McBride V 1 Joe Taylor Rocky terrain, very little vegetation Photo Next to snowfield, rocky terrain, very little 25-Aug 2002 Central Morrison Spire V 2 A, 2 Ck Joe Taylor vegetation Photo

6 Historic and recent records of white-tailed ptarmigan on Vancouver Island, 1905-2002.

Encounter Number, Gender, Date Year Region Area Type Age Class Observer Comments Reference Coordinates Additional Comments 25-Aug 2002 Central Mt. Myra V 1 Lindsay Elms 19-Jul 2002 North Victoria Peak V 2 A Nick Elson White patches in plumage, ~2000m, 19-Jul 2002 North Victoria Peak V 2 A Nick Elson Near snowfield, white patches in plumage 20-Jul 2002 North Spectator's Peak V 1 A F, 5 Ck Barb Sorensen Clear and warm, calm wind, chicks foraging Spectator Pk is near Arrowsmith 20-Jul 2002 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 1 A Barb Sorensen Clear and warm, calm wind 1820 bump b/w Limestone Cap and Lots of feathers and scat, has seen ptarmigan at 25-Jul 2002 Central Greig Rdige V 3 A Marcy Prior same location several times before Sent feather Ridge Above 26-Jul 2002 Central Scheldrup Lake V 1 F A, 6 Ck Marcy Prior 1-Jun 2002 North Mt. Nora V 1 A Lindsay Elms Near summit 2-Jun 2002 North Mt. Adam V 1 A Lindsay Elms On summit 2-Jun 2002 South Pogo Mt. V 2 A Chris Ruttan 1 on ridge, 1 near summit Photo Orange band on left leg, blue and pink band on 9-Jun 2002 South Mt. Arrowsmith V 2 A Lindsay Elms Near summit Photo right leg. 18-May 2002 South Adder Mt. S - F, Sc Chris Ruttan 25-May 2002 Central Mt. Mitchell V 2 A Lindsay Elms 49.28.70 N, 125.31 E, 92 F / 1-Sept 2002 Central Mt. Septimus V 2 A, 2 Ck Carol Yole 5 14-Sept 2002 Central Mt. McBride V 6 A R. Collister Snowfield west of summit Alpine, Rocky terrain, feeding on grasshoppers, mixed brown and white plumage, ~1800 m, bald 5505450 22-Sept 2002 Central Mt. Albert Edward V 2 A David Thompson eagle in vicinity 326600 No date recorded, he estimates the year at around 1990 (Graeme spoke with him on 1990 South Mt. Brenton V 1 Curly Newman NE end in old burn telephon, summer 2002)

7