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Greetings, I wanted to put out a reminder that it is a group requirement to sign off posts with your full name and location. I have seen this slide recently, but I haven't been too concerned by it as the content has all been positive. I would like to retain this formality and just wanted to put out a gentle nudge to get this back on track. Thanks, -- Jeremy Gatten, Group Moderator Cowichan Bay, BC

My question is why are we surprised? We have a global financial model which depends on the mantra of more; more people, more consumption and more resources being used to fuel it. Too many people, too much consumption and growth mania! We’ve taken over 70% of the planet’s land and 70% of the planet's fresh water. With this model things can only get worse for birds and other wildlife....and ultimately for humans too! Derek Derek Matthews Vancouver Avian Research Centre www.birdvancouver.com

FYI - the loss of insects (& decline in bitds) was also noted on our recent trip to southern Ontario for 10 days in good weather. We drove 1650 km from Toronto to Leamington/Pt Pelee, Niagara Falls & Kingston then back to TO. Hardly any bugs squished on the windshield. Over half that journey was on 2 lane paved rural highways. Compared to when I lived near Brighton (150 km east of TO) 55 yrs ago, there was little avian diversity: mostly grackles, robins, starlings & red-winged blackbirds, with herring & ring-billed gulls by the lakes & Niagara River. I saw few raptors on the trip: about 25 vultures, 1 eagle, 4 osprey (3 were a family unit at Brighton Bay), 1 r-t hawk & 2 kestrel. Hardly any swallows (mostly barn), sparrows & woodpeckers. And no deer. There was some diversity in the 2 parks (Pt Pelee & Presqu’ile - near Brighton) but few songbirds were singing, most often picked up using the Merlin App. It was like the book Silent Spring by R Carson. Quite a sad difference from my teen years there. Bob Hay Cassidy, BC https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/03/climate-species-collapse-ecology-insects-nature-reserves-aoe

Hi all, Recently a report came to me of a “striking red-headed, black and white bird that behaved like a woodpecker/sapsucker. The park staff has also identified them as red headed woodpeckers.” I suggested to the person that this could have been a Red-breasted Sapsucker but she was adamant that it was different, with a much lighter underparts than normal. This bird was seen at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park at campsite #29 in the upper campground facing east toward the river. i just wanted to get the word out in case someone wants to go check it out. David in Surrey

Neat, eh. I’ve also seen starlings perched on a wire by a road waiting for cars to hit large insects that they then swoop to pick up. Bob Hay Cassidy, BC https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/23/tom-cruise-stunt-hawk-uses-pedestrian-crossing-target-prey

Hi Folks, Not directly related to birds and birding, but your plans may be affected by the Ironman 70.3 bike route which covers 56 miles. Over 2,000 bikes will be on the roads. It begins at Elk Lake and passes Mount Douglas, Sidney, Deep Cove, West Saanich Road and Wallace Drive, Willis Point Road, Keating Cross Road, Oldfield Road and Brookleigh Road. Have a look at the map: https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-victoria/course#bike Cheers, Aziza Cooper Victoria BC

This afternoon, May 21, there was a male Blue-winged Teal on McIntyre reservoir at Martindale. Val George, Victoria

A potentially sad story in interior BC about the bird flu; likely an over-reaction by the Feds. Bob Hay Cassidy, BC https://www.timescolonist.com/national-news/protesters-opposed-to-agency-ordered-cull-at-ostrich-farm-prepare-for-long-term-stay-10679602

Begin forwarded message: From: "Michael Schellkes (Mike)" <mikeschellkes@...> Date: 17 May 2025 at 7:56:51 pm GMT-7 To: Robert Hay <rbhay2020@...> Subject: ABC News: ‘Pandemic potential’ as deadly bird flu strain surrounds Australia ? ‘Pandemic potential’ as deadly bird flu strain surrounds Australia Australia is surrounded by the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu. And it is morphing as sea animals and birds bring it ever closer to these shores.Read the full story Shared from ABC app

Hi everyone, I just thought I would touch base here and recap my recent finds from the birding I have been able to do in Victoria so far this spring: Black Scoter (4) - BC Ferries NE of Active Pass - March 24 Western Bluebird (1 unbanded male) - Martindale Flats in field south of the pig farm - March 27 Mountain Bluebird (2 males, 1 female) - Martindale Flats along Lamont Rd - March 27 Marbled Godwit (1) - Victoria Golf Course with Whimbrel flock - April 13 Franklin's Gull (1) - BC Ferries NE of Active Pass - April 15 Arctic Tern (1) - McMicking Point eastbound with Bonaparte's Gulls - April 25 Happy spring birding, Geoffrey Newell Victoria, Canada

I am taking the Lady Rose supply boat and had a Brown Pelican fly past roughly halfway between Port Alberni and Bamfield heading towards PA. Jonathan

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) program of Canadian federal Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (Canadian Wildlife Service) is looking for a volunteer birder proficient at identifying birds by call for a 1 long day, 50 BBS stop logging road field trip to the Nitinat Valley on southern Vancouver Island between June 9 and July 9. Detailed instructions/maps/recording sheets/stop descriptions and return transportation from Victoria will be provided. Contact Nature Victoria member/Director Jim Cuthbert soon at jimcuthbert33@..., 250 896-6379 if interested." -- Ken Walker

Hello everyone, Back in the 1970s, Marbled Godwits were considered rare on the west coast in spring but that was likely never the case, just a dearth of observations. This year, from late March to 4 May I have so far counted 171 Marbled Godwits, from individual birds to as many as 51 in a flock. I know that Ian Cruickshank has also recorded some, though I don't know his numbers. The biggest numbers were recorded at Stubbs Island and most of the rest were seen at Jensen's Bay, with one flock at Long Beach. I did exclude two flocks from my count that were likely duplicates from the previous day. Even after so many years I am still thrilled to see these birds. Adrian Dorst Tofino BC

Fred Milne Park (Sooke River Rd) - 2 Osprey on next. Whiffen Spit: 3 Whimbrel at low tide at base of spit (outside) 2 Killdeer on nest site (well parked with tape....) -- From an Island in the Pacific, Richard James, Victoria, BC

The newest way of finding birds (to my knowledge) are thermal heat sensors. I was introduced to the devise in Australia when looking for the Plains-wanderer with Philip Maher this past April. We found the first in only 1 1/2 hours at night when they are best found due to not flushing or blending in to their environment. They are not nocturnal. He used to search with truck headlights and that was not nearly as successful. His searches are now 100%. However, I was informed that they are as useful during the day. A friend just got back from India where the device was used to find secretive pheasant species hidden on grassy hillsides. Their usefulness is huge. Philip recommends the Hikmicro brand. One can spend up into the tens of thousands for one but the least expensive that works well is the Hikmicro lynx co 6 at $479 Canadian. I will be purchasing one for my upcoming trip to Puerto Rico for owls and nightjars but expect to use it in daylight. The size you ask. They are some 5” long with a 2” circumference. Tiny. Here is a link to the one I expect to purchase. I only wish I had one in Patagonia where I missed an owl during daylight that roosted daily beneath one of many scattered bushes on a hillside. It would have stood out like a beacon. https://anaum.ca/products/hikmicro-lynx-lc06?variant=46184617935012&country=CA¤cy=CAD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOoraSIHNJfKXMVJ8EX4RNeHOP773Ky1i-tHX5r5aiLkVsEbY0QLGtWg Keith Taylor Victoria BC