Birding in BC Community

Awesome pictures, everyone! I was out today at Beaver Lake Road in Lake Country. So many varied Riparian zones there -- it was a nice day. Someone told me there were Lark Sparrows, but I never saw any. I'll probably go out and have another look!
I collected a couple of birds for us today (plus I had some I see y'all already added to the list. lol).
First up is this Western Bluebird:


Here's the female!


I already posted the Lazuli Bunting male -- here's the female!


Here is a replacement Pygmy Nuthatch ...


Finally, we already have them, but I couldn't pass up posting my two Kingbird shots! lol. Eastern and Western.



If you visit the Okanagan and you have the time, I recommend a trip up Beaver Lake Road ... the road is pretty rough in a couple of spots, but well worth the drive! Today the higher elevation birds were a little scarce, but everyone else fully cooperated! haha.

Enjoy,
James

Managed a couple of shots of this rare visitor to my backyard. Band-tailed pigeon.No idea if it is male or female.[img]https://i.imgur.com/4i2Y2Cf.jpg[/img]

Here is another shot of the band-tailed pigeon. Less clear, but more natural setting. Thought I had attached it to my previous post.
Cheers

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) by Randy, on Flickr

While not really a native bird, the Ring Necked Pheasant is a pretty spectacular customer in breeding season. This guy was strutting his stuff at London Heritage Farm earlier today,, had his little shaded corner of the world all to himself, and seemed quite content to hang around for a while.

Ring Necked Pheasant26 June07_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Ring Necked Pheasant22 June07_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Lots of amazing photos posted lately. Here is a bit blurry juvenile Red Crossbill. A first for our bird bath.
Red Crossbill by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) Male by Randy, on Flickr

Female Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) by Randy, on Flickr

Adding the female to the male we already have.

Just posting a question for this learned group: Re Red-naped Sapsuckers: I earlier posted a photo of a red-naped with the solid white wing bar which is identified as one of the features of this bird by all the literature I have reviewed. This photo of what I think is a red-naped but it is lacking any sign of this solid white wing bar. No where can I find a reference that suggests the wing bar might be missing on some red-napes. Is this normal? Might this bird be a juvenile? A hybrid? Am interested in your experience.

Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) Male Without Solid White Wingbar by Randy, on Flickr

GMcD wrote: ↑May 20 1:13 pm Terra Nova Park in Richmond was once again a good morning walk - found a Hutton's Vireo gleaning through a Black Locust tree beside the south end of the park near the viewing platform and bridge to the dyke.

Huttons Vireo05 May20_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Huttons Vireo01 May20_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

I believe this is actually a Cassin’s Vireo! Nice shots.

Sorry I haven’t been contributing, I’ve been a bit preoccupied with non-bird stuff lately. I do have a couple though that I’ll add shortly.

Thanks Zwest - i relied on my Sibleys Guide and having seen Hutton's Vireos in Terra Nova Park in the past, that was my default identification. I now note the subtle difference from a Hutton's - the eye ring on the Hutton's is smaller and sometimes not complete around the top of the eye. I will edit my pictures. Unfortunately I can't edit an old post, so I'll re-post to close the loop. I trust the "Keeper of the List" to update that.
Thanks.

A revision post to the Vireo I saw in Terra Nova Park in Richmond last May - A Cassin's Vireo spotted at Terra Nova Park in Richmond in May:

Cassin's Vireo05 May20_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Cassin's Vireo01 May20_2023 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

A couple missing owls:

Great Horned


Long-eared

NewWestBirder wrote: ↑Jun 11 11:23 am Just posting a question for this learned group: Re Red-naped Sapsuckers: I earlier posted a photo of a red-naped with the solid white wing bar which is identified as one of the features of this bird by all the literature I have reviewed. This photo of what I think is a red-naped but it is lacking any sign of this solid white wing bar. No where can I find a reference that suggests the wing bar might be missing on some red-napes. Is this normal? Might this bird be a juvenile? A hybrid? Am interested in your experience.

Randy - it looks to me like his wingbar is covered up by his chest feathers ... still there but hidden. my two cents. lol. James

GMcD wrote: ↑Jun 14 5:42 am Thanks Zwest - i relied on my Sibleys Guide and having seen Hutton's Vireos in Terra Nova Park in the past, that was my default identification. I now note the subtle difference from a Hutton's - the eye ring on the Hutton's is smaller and sometimes not complete around the top of the eye. I will edit my pictures. Unfortunately I can't edit an old post, so I'll re-post to close the loop. I trust the "Keeper of the List" to update that.
Thanks.

Zach always keeps me on my toes! Glad to see you perusing and adding again, Zach. I've missed all your photos!
McD -- I'll update the list! lol. Sometimes I get a little behind ...
James