JOURNAL 124 - THE NOVICE BIRDER

Oct. 8 / 05

EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!

NORTHERN WHEATEAR DISCOVERED BY RALPH HOCKEN

Perhaps the most exciting Vancouver Island birding find of the year was the Northern Wheatear by Ralph Hocken on Oct. 7/05 at Columbia Beach on the northern bank of French Creek. Ralph discovered the rare Alaskan or Yukon visitor at mid-day and took a few photos. Later that night the bird was identified as a Northern Wheatear by local bird expert, Guy Monty. The next morning at 7:30 AM, Ralph posted the news on the bcbirdingvanisland email group. A few minutes later I just happened to check my computer for emails and bird reports. I was astounded to see Ralph's report. An hour later my wife and I pulled into Columbia Beach. As we parked, Ralph arrived and told us where he had seen the bird. We hurried to the beach but didn't have to look very far. There were already birders from as far as Vancouver on the scene and they had the Wheatear in their scopes. The remarkable bird was extremely compliant and within 20 minutes I had all the photos I wanted.


The Wheatear was extremely cooperative as it bounced from log to ground searching for insects or bugs.

Reported Wheatear sightings have been extremely rare with very few records in the whole province.

After a few snacks, the Wheatear would fly up to a stump or rock to rest.

Of course, the usual preening and stretching was required.

Although I am just speculating, I assume the Wheatear originated in Alaska or Yukon and had difficulty with its GPS trying to find Africa.

Wheatear snack - looks like a millipede to me. (Sorry - out of focus picture.)

I couldn't resist - just one last shot for the road. Adios!

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SAANICH - WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED

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DUNCAN - VOLUME 1 BOOKSTORE

CHEMAINUS - LITTLE SHOP OF NOVELS

LADYSMITH - SALAMANDER BOOKS (FRASER & NAYLOR)

NANOOSE - SCHOONER COVE MARINA

SOOKE - SOOKE HARBOUR HOUSE

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