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Post by birder1942 on Oct 30, 2015 13:28:33 GMT -8
Hi fellow birders. Did a bit of a drive onto Sumas Prairie and came across a Tropical Kingbird on Angus Campbell Road around house number 540 (south of Vey Road)at around 1:30 and I observed it for 15-20 minutes. It was hawking for insects and continually landing on the wires along the road. I got several photos. John Vooys
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Post by Jamie on Oct 30, 2015 15:49:14 GMT -8
GREAT sighting! The first ever sighting in our checklist area. I knew we'd get a Tropical Kingbird in our checklist area someday!  |
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Post by birderbert on Oct 30, 2015 16:31:18 GMT -8
A very skittish bird under poor lighting conditions. Pics turned out reasonable with a bit of sharpening
 Kingbird2 by BirderBert, on Flickr
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Post by Gord on Oct 30, 2015 17:20:39 GMT -8
John, well done. I've been waiting to see this species to show up in our checklist area. Bert, that's a good photo under the conditions. Nice work.
I bet it will stick around a bit so good luck to those who go take a look for it.
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Post by Chris on Oct 30, 2015 19:33:47 GMT -8
Way to go John! It's about time we get our first confirmed Tropical Kingbird sighting for the eastern Fraser Valley.
Nice shot Bert.
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Post by birder1942 on Oct 31, 2015 10:02:13 GMT -8
My wife and I went to see if the Tropical Kingbird was still around. We did find it. It has moved to power lines along the driveway of 541 Angus Campbell. It must be finding insects near the chicken barns. Good birding everyone. John Vooys
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Post by birderbert on Oct 31, 2015 10:41:21 GMT -8
My pics from yesterday under very poor lighting show a blue wash to the grey head! I wonder if this is normal or just because of the dark, overcast sky?  Kingbird3s by BirderBert, on Flickr |
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Post by nickinthegarden on Oct 31, 2015 14:00:45 GMT -8
If you do go to check it out stay on the road or edge of the road. I was told that a local resident was complaining that people were trespassing and was going to call the Police. Whether people actually did walk into properties or not is not known. Farmers in this area have had a lot of theft over the years and some of them get very anxious when unknown vehicles are parked near their property.
Nick
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Post by Ben on Oct 31, 2015 15:52:16 GMT -8
I was told that a local resident was complaining that people were trespassing and was going to call the Police. Whether people actually did walk into properties or not is not known. I don't see why anybody would need to go onto someone's property b/c it was (and probably is still) just on the wire. But I agree, don't trespass! |
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Post by Gord on Oct 31, 2015 23:31:45 GMT -8
Nick and Jonathan, good reminders to consider others when out birding. What we're doing is innocent but to someone looking out their window as a car parked suspiciously it looks a great deal differently. If I see anyone looking at me I make sure to smile and wave so they know I'm not trying to be sneaky. Where possible, I've backed up to say hi and explain what I'm up to. The relief in their faces when I do that is very obvious and more often than not they've got some bird stories to share or questions to ask.
This afternoon the bird was easily viewed from the road. It was quite actively hunting insects.
Bert, I think you're right that the bluish cast is due to the lighting. A similar patch of that colour is seen on the wires just to the left of the feet.
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Post by Harrier on Nov 1, 2015 10:29:03 GMT -8
I'm at the site right now, but no luck yet. I'll scout around for a bit longer, but it may have moved on.
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Post by oldfulica on Nov 4, 2015 17:38:53 GMT -8
The Kingbird was at Angus Campbell road again today. It flew east over the field towards the first farm buildings on Vye rd.
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Post by birder1942 on Nov 4, 2015 21:05:38 GMT -8
Way to go Len. I'm glad you got to see the bird and it wasn't just an illusion. Quite a number of these Kingbirds have shown up in southern BC this fall. John Vooys
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Post by Gord on Nov 5, 2015 16:13:51 GMT -8
The Tropical Kingbird was there again today at the same location. It seems to go down low around the barns but invariably returns to their typical prominent perches on wires and other areas out in the open.
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Post by oldfulica on Nov 5, 2015 17:58:47 GMT -8
Way to go Len. I'm glad you got to see the bird and it wasn't just an illusion. Quite a number of these Kingbirds have shown up in southern BC this fall. John Vooys Thanks John. I see even Prince Rupert has one. |
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