Awaiting photographs of: Eurasian Dotterel: Queen Charlotte Islands April 23, '08; Little Bunting: Masset Christmas Count Dec 14/, 2008. New info recently received includes: photo taken of Oriental Greenfinch at Francois Lake 2009 (escape cagebird is as likely as a true vagrant); Ashy Storm-Petrel (seabird researchers 2008); Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Hecate Strait 2009) and Streaked Shearwater off Vancouver Island 2009. Dates for pelagics and greenfinch would be appreciated. Note that the Hawaiian Petrel observed in June of 2010 was 200 miles offshore and thus outside the ABA area. As all are new species for Canada and for the province the images must be presented to the public for review before being accepted. Links to such would be appreciated in the comment boxes at this site. This checklist is without copyright and can be used by anyone as they wish. Click on page, use magnification tool, click drag.
Exact dates for pelagics and greenfinch would be appreciated. List is now 495 species as of April 15, 2012.
Campbell et al states that the population of Brandt's Cormorants fluctuates greatly from year to year along our coast and that the numbers are especially low during El Nino years. This species has decreased in the waters around Victoria in recent summers but the bar graphs on the British Columbia and Vancouver Island Checklists for July through August will remain as is to wait for any change that might occur in the cormorant’s status should the phenomenon reverse. As predicted, the numbers have built in the summer of 2011 but they are still very uncommon at this point in time. https://picasaweb.google.com/116613508683518614971/Ranges#5638896593746736978
Note to potential publishers: The map above holds copyright and must be reworked prior to publishing.
Image above has copyright.
A recent publication discusses genetic evidence for hybridization between Pacific-slope and Cordilleran Flycatchers across sw BC and sw Alberta. (Andrew C. Rush, Richard J. Cannings and Darren E. Irwin). ‘Analysis of multilocus DNA reveals hybridization in a contact zone between Empidonax flycatchers’, J. Avian Biol. 40: 614-624, 2009. It is conceivable that 'pure' Cordilleran Flycatchers occur as vagrants in the Flathead area of the province as vagrants from the nearest breeding area 150 miles south of the border in Montana. Tape recording of the male's song would be a necessity as proof of their occurrence. http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/2996
