Citrine Wagtail - Courtenay, B.C.

[murraybrown]

This report is both a rare bird and out of town report:

Hot on the heels of the first sighting for B.C. Cave Swallow at Iona, comes a first for Canada and second for N. America, Citrine Wagtail.

It is being seen just out of town in the farm fields of Courtenay, B.C., Vancouver Island. Apparently this species breeds in northern Europe and migrates into southern China so is certainly not expected in this part of the world.

Myself and two friends got distant, but good scope views of the bird yesterday afternoon while waiting in the rain and wind for a long, long, time!

The only field guide that I know that shows this bird is the latest (sixth edition) Birds of N. America by National Geographic. Of course it can also be seen by Googling the name online.

Updated information can be found on the BCVIBIRDS website.

[Wetlander]

Good work, Murray! That "stakeout" sounds like it was work. I've seen some of the photos from the Island, nice bird!

[Chris]

Murray, well done. Probably quite a few people there.

Murray sent me Brian Carson's pictures he took.

[murraybrown]

Thanks for posting the pics Chris. Actually it was Brian Stech that took the photos. There have been large groups of birders at that location but only six of us at the time we were there.

Incidentally this bird is located almost exactly in the place that the Black-tailed Gull was found a couple of years ago. It's right at the estuary of the Puntledge River which is a very birdy location.

Kevin, you're right, it was a cold and wet stakeout and we were almost ready to give up when a young "Hot shot" with ears like Gord, said "I hear it calling" and in it came from on high right behind us!

Great fun.

[Gord]

Good pictures, Brian. Wow, what an amazing bird to find!! Congrats to all who were able to go see it.