BC Bird of the Year - 2023 Edition

[goshawk]

Hello again BC Birders. Another outstanding year for interesting birds in BC is quickly coming to a close. As usual it started out rather quietly until May came along, which peppered us with some great treats, and it really hasn't stopped since then.



As always this list is not exhaustive and is completely subjective, so if you'd prefer to vote for a bird not on this list please, please, please feel free to do so.



Fieldfare - Jan - Kelowna - 3rd BC record

Black-tailed Gull - May - Colwood - 4th BC record

White-tailed Kite - May - Langley

Field Sparrow - May - Fairmont Hot Springs - 4th BC record

Bristle-thighed Curlew - May - Haida Gwaii - 4th BC record

Red-faced Cormorant - May - Hecate Strait - 1st photo doc

White-eyed Vireo - June - Ucluelet - 2nd BC record

Cave Swallow - June - Port Alberni - 2nd BC record

Nazca Booby - July & Oct - Haida Gwaii area - 4th/5th? BC record

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Aug - Whistler

Reed/Pallas's Bunting - Sept - Squamish - 1st Canadian record

Pallas's Bunting - Oct - Victoria - 1st/2nd? Canadian record

Summer Tanager - Nov/Dec - North Saanich

Green-tailed Towhee - Nov - Denman Isl/Jordan River

Baikal Teal (Probable) - Nov - Sarita - 3rd BC record

Great Black-backed Gull - Dec - Penticton/Vernon - 4th BC record

Pinyon Jay - Oct/Dec - West Van - 2nd BC record



Please do not submit your vote on this forum, but rather please do send me an email instead at



g o s h a w k 6 7 a t s h a w d o t c a



Thanks and good birding eh.



Kevin Neill

Victoria, BC

[goshawk]

Results for BC Bird of the Year

In what was the tightest race in years, up until this past weekend that is, we finally had a clear winner break out ahead for the win.

Votes were nicely spread out between 12 different candidates this year, which is higher than usual, and an indication of just how many great birds were found this year.

#1 with 29% of the votes - Pinyon Jay
#2 with 19% of the votes - Pallas's Bunting
#3 with 12% of the votes - Summer Tanager

So West Van's very obliging Jay wears the crown this year. Hopefully you got to see it. It's not too late if you haven't.

2024 is already off to a decent start. It feels like it may be a Gray Wagtail or a Tropicbird kind of year doesn't it?
It's good to have goals.

Kevin Neill
Victoria, BC