British Columbia Field Ornithologists

After a prolonged recess our Featured Photographer Series is finally back on line with another superb gallery of stunning bird photographs. Our guest presenter, #15 in the series, is Michelle Lamberson of Kelowna. View her work HERE.

There are two recent developments from the BC Bird Records Committee to announce.

First, an interim BC Bird Records Committee Sightings Database is now available on this website.

Also, the Rare Bird Report Form for the submission of rare bird sightings is now even easier to use. The form is fillable on-line, and is submitted directly to the committee from the website.

Not a bird to report to the Bird Records Committee

The September 2017 issue of BC Birding, our newsmagazine, is now available in the Members Area. There are two online versions: a lighter version for quick download, and a higher-resolution version for printing on a home printer. Hard-copy subscribers will receive their copy by post as soon as possible.

In this 28-page edition you will find 33 fine photographs, BCFO news; BCFO trips reports, several features, updates on young birder activity, and regular columns.

Full reports on our excellent June AGM in Tumbler Ridge will be found in the upcoming BC Birding newsmagazine. We not only enjoyed fabulous birding, but saw first hand the evidence for the dinosaur origins of birds – Tumbler Ridge being BC’s premier location for dinosaur bones and trackways.

While we birders were outdoors looking up, others were clearly looking down with other targets in mind, and made an historic discovery. The day after our departure, BC’s first ever dinosaur skull was lifted from its discovery location on a local creek, and transported to the Tumbler Ridge Peace Region Palaeontology Research Centre. Read more here about BC’s first dinosaur skull.

Dr. Rick Lambert with his discovery.

Close-up view of part of the tyrannosaurid skull (like an Albertosaurus), – probably around 75 million years old. Note the long curving teeth.

Close-up of tooth

Tyrannosaurid skull outline

Congratulations to our Tumbler Ridge hosts on this significant and exciting find.

This spring, the 20-year-old public bird blind at Vaseux Lake was replaced with a three-level, architect-designed structure with a significantly larger floor area, central staircase, enclosed second level, and rodent-proof construction. The entry level of the blind is wheelchair accessible as will be the boardwalk when it is rebuilt later this year.

View from marsh

The four+-year project was organized through the BC Nature Important Bird and Biodiversity Program with Eva Durance, volunteer Caretaker for the Vaseux IBBA, as project manager assisted by a team of people with responsibilities in that area. Funding was provided by a number of agencies and businesses including the Public Conservation Assistance Fund of HCTF, BC Nature Foundation, Fortis BC Community Fund, Penticton Rotary Club, and Lake Breeze Winery. Many other individuals, government and non-profit agencies, and businesses assisted in a variety of ways to complete the project.

Eva hopes many BCFO members will enjoy the new facility throughout the years.

View from approach

Gary Davidson has just published a new, revised, and improved checklist for the West Kootenay. Copies will be available for $2.50 each at the upcoming Tumbler Ridge AGM.

Sample page here:

The latest issue of BC Birding, our newsmagazine, is now available in the Members Area. There are two online versions: a light version for quick download, and a higher-resolution version for printing on a home printer. Hard-copy subscribers will receive their copy by post as soon as possible.

In this 28-page edition you will find BCFO news; three regular columns; an introduction to birding in West Mexico; BCFO trip reports; reports on trips to foreign parts; and some memorable avian encounters. Hyperlinks have now been enabled.

A reminder for everyone that the registration and payment pages for this year’s Tumbler Ridge AGM, and the Tour de Peace extension trip open this weekend, Sunday April 2 at 9:00 am PDT.

You’ll find the links to these pages under the Events tab > Annual Conference above.

Look forward to seeing you in Tumbler Ridge.

Photo: William H. Majoros – licenced under Creative Commons

Festival Active Pass is now entering its third year with an exciting line-up of birding, arts, and community events.

For details of this year’s program on Mayne Island check out the festival website.