Taiga Flycatcher (4)

Ficedula albicilla

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Date taken: Dec 31 2025

Details: outside normal range

Looking for food in downtown Vancouver, near the Aquatic Centre.

Date uploaded: Jan 1

Taiga Flycatcher (4)

Ficedula albicilla

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Date taken: Dec 31 2025

Details: outside normal range

The bird of the year for Vancouver. Our little friend was active again today, and fortunately there was a short break in the fog bank to allow sunlight through. Vancouver city centre.

Date uploaded: Jan 1

Taiga Flycatcher (4)

Ficedula albicilla

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Details: outside normal range

Not only was it foggy, but the large trees were shading the area. It took quite some work to get any shot that was lit and in focus. Downtown Vancouver, BC.

Date uploaded: Dec 30 2025

Comments (3):
Brian Morin: Nice one. If anyone could add this newest addition to Canada's bird list to their personal list it should be you. A regional friend recently moved and is a block away from the bird. He'll be able to check it out until it moves on. Hopefully it makes it well into spring.
Chris: Thanks Brian…Happy New Year. Yes I’m hoping despite the chill with the fog, and near 0C temps, that it can find enough food. I’ll have to look up more on this species, which is now included in the latest National Geographic guide. It has been very active, spending lots of time on the ground…which always scares me. Fortunately no cats around yesterday, but lots of leashed dogs.

Taiga Flycatcher (4)

Ficedula albicilla

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Details: outside normal range

Canada's first Taiga Flycatcher. A real pleasure to see the behaviour of this little one in downtown Vancouver, together with dozens of other birdwatchers and many passer-byes who were wondering what all these people with long lenses were doing in the city.

Date uploaded: Dec 30 2025

Comments (2):
Ahmad Shah: Excellent find, well captured.
Chris: Thanks a lot. A very plain bird, but the surrounding excitement more than made up for it. It was interesting to see this species’ habits

Chestnut-backed Chickadee (11)

Parus rufescens

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Date taken: Nov 23 2025

Delta, BC

Date uploaded: Nov 24 2025

Comments (4):
Ahmad Shah: A real beauty, superb find. Well done Chris !
Brian Morin: Good light on your subject

California Scrub Jay (6)

Aphelocoma californica

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Details: hybrid

Probably one of the rarest birds I've seen at our feeder. A very neat colour pattern on this Scrub Jay, which I believe is a cross between it and the Steller's Jay. Delta, BC

Date uploaded: Nov 11 2025

Comments (2):
Brian Morin: A great addition to the yard list.
Ahmad Shah: Great capture, nice bird for the backyard. I have not seen this species.

Sandhill Crane (76)

Grus canadensis

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Neat that over 75 photos have been uploaded of this species. Reifel Sanctuary.

Date uploaded: Oct 26 2025

Comments (1):
Brian Morin: Good detail

Spotted Redshank (6)

Tringa erythropus

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Details: winter plummage, outside normal range

Next month will officially be the 20th anniversary of Birdviewing...reached species #900 today. It has been an amazing time seeing all of your incredible photos and the hard work going into each one. Honoured to be on the journey with you. Every photo has a story: today as we showed up at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, some folks had been waiting for 2 hours . Maybe Grace at 4 years old flushed it into the open (with a little extra noise), as within 2 minutes it came out for everyone waiting. And right behind the visitor centre. A few scares over the next minutes with Eagles overhead and then a Coopers Hawk coming right in. What an afternoon.

Date uploaded: Oct 26 2025

Comments (3):
Brian Morin: Glad you got it and a nice photo. That makes two Redshanks for Birdviewing this year. I wouldn't have been too concerned about the eagle but the Cooper's Hawk is another story.
Chris: Thanks Brian. I somehow missed yours - just had a look. Being in breeding was certainly more stunning. Glad you got a fantastic photo of him too :) Yes the Coopers swept in low over the water, flushed the whole flock of yellowlegs (about 30-40), chased one but ended up with nothing and perched in a tree about 100 yards away. Quite the show.

White Wagtail (8)

Motacilla alba

Chris

Canada (British Columbia)

Date taken: Sep 21 2025

Details: outside normal range

Seen at Steveston Village, Richmond (Vancouver) - chasing sparrows. Hopefully it finds enough food and survives the changing conditions in the months ahead.

Date uploaded: Sep 23 2025

Comments (1):
Brian Morin: Nice addition to your list.

Great Blue Heron (177)

Ardea herodias

rhondaprevost

Canada (British Columbia)

Date taken: Jul 9 2025

Catching dragonflies at Stanley Park, Vancouver

Date uploaded: Jul 21 2025

Comments (1):
Brian Morin: Neat. It did a better job than I did trying to catch a moth in the house. :)