[courtjcam]

Hi all! Two ID questions:

First - I saw a bird new to me at the breakwater in Victoria today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/91712727@N06/8368020381/
(and the next two pictures after that) are of the same bird that looks to be in the Auklet or Murrelet group but colouration doesn't match anything I have in my books! It was diving and coming up quite far away from its original spot.

Second - I'm having trouble deciding whether I've seen Western Sandpiper or Dunlin (or both):

This picture link is a group I saw in Oak Bay near the Marina today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/91712727@N06/8369086360/

This next link is a picture of a single bird hanging out at Clover Point with a group of Oystercatchers a couple days ago: http://www.flickr.com/photos/91712727@N06/8351037463/

Thanks for any ID help you can give me on these!

[rawalker]

Great pics!

I would say your first is a rhinoceros auklet and the next pics are dunlin. I'm no shorebird expert though.

Randy - Langley

[Birder2000]

I agree with Randy, your first photo is of a Rhinoceros Auklet and the last two are both of Dunlin. Good shots!

[courtjcam]

Thanks for the input - both birds are lifers for me...how exciting!
Cheers!

[Jeremy Gatten]

To add to the above comments, you can almost be certain you are encountering Dunlin purely by the fact it is winter. On southern Vancouver Island, Western Sandpipers are rare after October whereas Dunlin are a common winter species. Species should never solely be based on their probability of detection, but it often helps steer you in the right direction. If you are interested in learning about the seasonal distribution of Victoria's birds, please refer to the checklist found on the Victoria Natural History Society's website:

http://vicnhs.bc.ca/checklist.pdf

If you want to participate in local natural history outings (including local or regional bird trips), please consider joining the Victoria Natural History Society. There is a birder's night that takes place once a month (for most of the year) and a variety of other interesting talks along with the Victoria Naturalist magazine that you receive with your membership - it's well worth the yearly fee to support/be a part of this community.

http://vicnhs.bc.ca/membership.html

Cheers,
Jeremy Gatten
Saanichton, B.C.

[courtjcam]

Jeremy, The checklist will be a helpful addition to my simple reference book of BC bird pics. Will also check out the Victoria Natural History Society. Thank you for steering me in that direction!
Cheers,
Courtney