Something New and Something Unexpected!

The following post and photos were submitted by MIBC member Gord Curry. Many thanks for your ongoing contributions to birding on the North Island Gord!

In late August, a Northern parula was sighted at the Quatse River estuary, marking only the 30th observation of this eastern warbler in British Columbia.

With a visiting friend and fellow birder from Ontario (Ted) we organized a trip to the Port Hardy area to see if we could find it. No such luck, even with help from Emile, the one who had originally located it and seen it that very morning. Birds don’t often stick around to be seen by others, but many birders give it a try, with some success.

Only four days later, and after my birder friend had left for Ontario, what do I find close to my yard in Sointula? A Northern parula, in a mixed flock of warblers in a birch tree across the street, and therefore the 31st record of this species in B.C.

Though the photo is a bit blurry, it confirms this sighting on Malcolm Island of a Northern parula. Gord Curry Photo

Now for the unexpected. My friend and I were checking out Blackfish Sound by boat for sea birds that might be around near the end of August. To our surprise and delight we located a flock of 150 Sabine’s gulls being actively harassed by parasitic jaegers. The jaegers chase gulls so aggressively that the gulls often drop or regurgitate their catch which is then picked up by the jaeger.

Sabine’s gulls lift off after being disturbed by a parasitic jaeger. Gord Curry Photo

This is very dynamic action to observe. Turns out that 150 Sabine’s gulls is a high count for the Mount Waddington district. An added bonus, for Ted especially, was to see a sooty shearwater flying around the same area, Ted’s first for this area. Got to love it when the unexpected comes together!

One of five parasitic jaegers that were harassing the Sabine’s gulls. Gord Curry Photo

Small But Dedicated Group Powers Through This Year’s Spring Count

It was a small but determined crew for this year’s spring bird count.

The number of count participants, bird species and individual birds sighted were down this year from the last, but the weather was delightful and the purple martins and a ruddy turnstone showed up to brighten the day even more!

A lone ruddy turnstone was among a group of black turnstones out by Pulteney Point. Danielle Lacasse Photo

Purple martins arrived on cue for the count at their nesting boxes in Rough Bay.

Six count participants spotted just under 1,700 birds and 65 species this year. Notable observations included the purple martins, ruddy turnstone, American pipits and Hammond’s flycatcher. The absence of widgeons was notable, as they are often found in combination here with green-winged teal at this time of year.

A group of American pipits were scouring the tideline. Danielle Lacasse Photo

One backyard count located in Area One (Rough Bay and the town of Sointula) included four hermit thrush, six varied thrush, 16 dark-eyed juncos, a pileated woodpecker, and five red-breasted sapsuckers.

Eric Demers gave a lively presentation on the bird banding project he initiated at Vancouver Island University.

The Saturday presentations included a look at Vancouver Island University’s bird banding program, led by Eric Demers, and a summary of current research on the western screech owl, presented by MIBC member Danielle Lacasse.

To download the full results from this year’s spring bird count, click on the link below:

2026 Spring Count Tally SheetDownload

26th Annual Spring Bird Count Set For April 26th!

Chris Hurst Photo

It is slowly warming up to spring and Malcolm Island birders are getting set for the 26^th annual spring bird count here on Sunday, April 26^th.

While the Sunday afternoon potluck has been cancelled this year, the Saturday presentations will go ahead at the Athletic Hall on Saturday, April 25^th. Eric Demers will provide an overview of Vancouver Island University’s bird banding project and then MIBC member Danielle Lacasse will review some recent research on the western screech owl.

Download a copy of the promotional poster for the count below.

2026 Spring Count PosterDownload

Nothing Like a Surprise Visit From a Group of Tundra Swans!

The following story and photos were submitted by MIBC member Gord Curry. Thank you Gord, for your ongoing support for the bird club and for your keen observations of birds and bird behaviours on and around Malcolm Island.

You just never know what bird species are going to land in your lap. In the last couple years large white pelicans have dropped by Sointula’s waterfront, but this time the surprise was sixteen tundra swans! There are the occasional larger trumpeter swans that have overwintered on Malcolm Island, but most often they are at the Nimpkish and Cluxewe estuaries. There are now only three instances where tundra swans have been recorded within the Mount Waddington District, once near San Josef Bay and twice on Malcolm Island.

Many tundra swans have a yellow area near the eye that trumpeter swans don’t have. Gord Curry Photo

Glancing out the window my gaze was drawn to a bunch of large white birds paddling toward shore, swans…then with binoculars…tundra swans! Although it was raining, I grabbed my camera to record this rare event as the birds hauled themselves onto the beach to briefly rest on shore. They then went back into the ocean and paddled out toward Haddington Island. This bevy of swans caught the outgoing tide, where I last saw them four hours later, drifting and paddling past Ledge Point, heading toward the gravel dock near the Cluxewe estuary.

Tundra swans are only a little bigger than half the size of trumpeter swans but still bigger than geese. Gord Curry Photo

An avid birder friend from Port Hardy was interested in seeing them, so I provided updates as the swans headed towards Cluxewe. Unfortunately, he could not catch up to them in time. I suspect they may have decided to fly once the tide turned against them and continue their journey towards the nearby coast areas of Alaska and the Yukon to breed. Love those surprises!

The 30th Annual Broughton Strait Christmas Bird Count

The following story was submitted by MIBC member Gord Curry, and photos were supplied by Gord Curry and MIBC member Danielle Lacasse – thank you Gord and Danielle for your ongoing support for birding activities on northern Vancouver Island. Gord is the coordinator for the Broughton Strait Christmas Bird Count and faithfully and carefully gathers and records all of the observations throughout the count area. Danielle, one of our younger members, has contributed tremendous energy to and support for our group. Thanks again to you both!

The Broughton Strait Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in the Port McNeill, Malcolm and Cormorant Island areas started in 1994. This past December 28^th (2025) we had the highest participation since this count’s inception, with 28 people covering the three main areas in multiple groups. This dedication provides valuable and often used data for biologists and scientists to understand local and global bird trends, plus it’s gratifying being citizen scientists for a day.

This western meadowlark was a pleasant Christmas surpise for members of the Port McNeill Broughton Strait CBC team. Danielle Lacasse Photo

It was nice that the rain mostly held off but the wind was a factor, making it more difficult to find some species and record the number of individual birds in the area. Despite the weather we found 77 species for a total of 5,976 birds. Our result was above our long-term average of 69 and our number of birds was close to our more recent years totals. A few bird species seen three days before or after the count day are also recorded but not included in the totals. These records reflect some of the species that weren’t seen on count day but were in the area.

This Pacific loon was right off the tip of Pulteney Point, working the currents for feed. Gord Curry Photo

A few birds we don’t always see but included were a western meadowlark and two least sandpipers in Port McNeill, a red-tailed hawk on Cormorant Island, and five Wilson’s snipe on Malcolm Island.

A pileated woodpecker was working away on a tree when members of the Port McNeill team came upon it. Danielle Lacasse Photo

I and the birds would like to thank this year’s participants for their enthusiasm and dedication. Next year’s Broughton CBC will likely be on December 27, 2026, so check out this site for details and join in on the fun.

Members of the Port McNeill team found this ruby-crowned kinglet perched on a sword fern. Danielle Lacasse Photo

All the best in 2026!

For a copy of a summary of birds observed, please click on the link below:

2025 BS CBC List of TotalsDownload

Beautiful Day For 34th Annual Malcolm Island CBC!

Volunteers braved chilly winds for the 34^th annual Christmas Bird Count here on Malcolm Island this past December 28^th.

This was one of four Wilson’s snipe feeding at the creek in Rough Bay during the 2025 CBC on Malcolm Island. Chris Hurst Photo

Some of the highlights this year included a few Wilson’s snipe and a huge flock of American widgeon and green-winged teal in Rough Bay, a pileated woodpecker and several American oystercatchers off Kaleva, numerous pigeon guillemots and a few ancient murrelets off the North Shore, and a good showing of western grebes and white-winged scoters in Mitchell Bay.

These two ring-necked ducks were swimming about on Big Lake. Gord Curry Photo

Observations by count participants and results from two backyard bird counts identified 60 species and 2,325 individual birds. These results are just a bit lower than last year’s species count of 64 and individual bird count of 2,762.

Hooded mergansers were out in numbers this year inside the breakwater in Rough Bay. Chris Hurst Photo

The Malcolm Island CBC is part of the larger Broughton Strait CBC, coordinated by MIBC member Gord Curry. The Broughton Strait CBC area includes Alert Bay, the Nimpkish and Cluxewe estuaries, Port McNeill and Malcolm Island. Results, photos and a story on the Broughton Strait CBC will be posted soon.

To download the results from the 2025 Malcolm Island CBC, click on the link below:

2025_Malcolm_Island_CBC_Tally_SheetDownload

North Island Residents Invited to Join Annual Broughton Strait Christmas Bird Count on December 28th

Barrow’s goldeneye may be among the waterbirds sighted at this year’s annual Broughton Strait Christmas Bird Count. Danielle Lacasse Photo

The following story and photos were submitted by MIBC member Danielle Lacasse. Thank you for your ongoing support for and contributions to birding on the North Island Danielle!

Residents across the North Island are invited to head outdoors, connect with fellow nature enthusiasts, and contribute to an important Canada-wide scientific project during this year’s Broughton Strait Christmas Bird Count (CBC).

Chestnut backed chickadees are a cheerful addition to any CBC. Danielle Lacasse Photo

The count, part of the long-running National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, takes place annually across North America. Volunteers spend a single day surveying birds within a designated area, providing data that helps scientists monitor population changes, migration patterns, and long-term trends in avian health.

Hooded mergansers are often seen at the breakwater in Rough Bay during the annual CBC on Malcolm Island. Danielle Lacasse Photo

Organizers emphasize that everyone is welcome, regardless of birding experience. Participants will be grouped according to skill level, with seasoned birders available to guide beginners. Those with mobility challenges can also take part by conducting a feeder watch, which involves observing and counting birds at a feeder for at least 15 minutes and submitting the results.

You will mostly hear Steller’s jays before you see them at the annual Broughton CBC. Danielle Lacasse Photo

This year’s Broughton Strait count will be held on Sunday, December 28, with morning meet-ups scheduled in Port McNeill, Malcolm Island, and Cormorant Island. After a brief orientation, teams will disperse to their assigned areas to begin the day’s count.

Port McNeill participants are asked to register in advance by contacting Danielle Lacasse at daniellelacasse19@gmail.com. Those on Malcolm Island or Cormorant Island can sign up with Gord Curry at gord.curry@gmail.com.

Organizers encourage residents to mark their calendars. With binoculars in hand and an eye on the treetops, community members can help make the 2025 Broughton Strait Christmas Bird Count a memorable and meaningful event.

October Was a Rare Bird Month!

The following article and some of the photos were submitted by Port Hardy birder Émile Brisson-Curadeau . Credits for the other contributed photos are given in the captions. Thank you Émile for so generously contributing this story and for helping to collect photos to illustrate these amazing rare bird sightings on the North Island. And thanks to MIBC member Gord Curry for working with Émile to coordinate the material for this post.

A young male Steller’s eider found on October 8th by Émile Brisson-Curadeau

Last October turned out to be the craziest rare bird month for Port Hardy, perhaps ever! It started with a rough-legged hawk at the airport on October 7, the first for the Mount Waddington region. The next day, a black phoebe as well as a Steller’s eider were seen within 30 minutes of each other, near the Quatse estuary. The latter is particularly rare in BC, with only one other observation in southern BC dating from…1976!

Joachim Bertands found this swamp sparrow on October 9 in Port Hardy

An American tree sparrow found on October 12th by Émile Brisson-Curadeau, here photographed by Nick Park

The streak continued, with an orchard oriole on October 10^th , a scissor-tailed flycatcher on the 11^th, and an American tree sparrow on the 12^th, all seen at the airport, ending the seven-day extravaganza with seven rarities, five of which are new additions to the region’s total. That’s more than what is typically added to the Mount Waddington regional list in a whole year! Other good observations occurring later in the month included two ruddy ducks and one great egret.

An immature scissor-tailed flycatcher found on October 11th by Émile Brisson-Curadeau

Why did all these rare birds end up in Port Hardy this October? Hard to say exactly, but one thing is for sure, the Steller’s eider’s continued presence attracted a lot of birders in town throughout the month. There are generally few birdwatchers in Port Hardy, especially outside the tourist season, and the influx of observers on site this year definitely helped to spot more rare birds than usual. As it turns out, the swamp sparrows, the egret, and the ruddy ducks were all found by outsiders coming to see the Steller’s eider.

Mark Wynja photographed this great egret on the Port Hardy waterfront, October 29th.

Other than that, we tend to explain patterns of rare visitors with weather, and this fall was in fact quite unusual, with more sunny days than rainy ones. Is it possible that birds typically go around the rainy depressions typical of the north island, and avoid the region altogether? Could it be that this year, birds were actually able to fly through the region undisturbed, creating the perfect conditions for lost birds to end up in Hardy? We might never know, but I like that hypothesis.

Pairing Fitness Training With a Spot of Birdwatching!

The following story and photos were submitted by Malcolm Island Bird Club member and Gravel Grinder in training Gord Curry. Many thanks for your ongoing support for the club Gord, and good luck at the race!

In 2024 Malcolm Island hosted the first annual Malcolm Island Gravel Grind bike race. There was an overwhelming enthusiasm for this event as cyclists from all over BC and beyond showed up for the 30- and 60-kilometer courses. I would have liked to participate in the race but had to settle for the fun of volunteering as I was still recovering from minor surgery.

This year I have a new bike as my old mountain bike finally said enough is enough after more than 35 years of hauling me around. I signed up for this year’s 30-kilometer race, promising my wife and myself to curb my competitive nature and just ride the course. Recovering from injury near the age of 70 is a little different from 50 years ago. This type of physical exertion is another great litmus test of my health, especially since having had open heart surgery 10 years ago.

My training rides have seen me frequently stopping to listen for, observe and enumerate birds then ride home with fewer interruptions. Now I have reached the point where I need to step up my rides and push my fitness. Although my binoculars are still around my neck the focus has been riding sections of the course and increasing my distances. The course has its muddy sections, and an inherent hazard is the collection of mud on the binocular lenses. I guess I have to tuck them away in my backpack and resist the urge to gawk at birds.

This barred owl was peaking around a branch at me, before it silently disappeared. Gord Curry Photo

On my first two rides through gravel road and trail there were a couple of bonuses. The first was a barred owl that appeared from the side of the road to briefly sit in a tree and contemplate me, just long enough for me to get a picture.

This western kingbird made the Vancouver Island Rare Bird Alert with only about five other sightings this year. Gord Curry Photo

The second was a lifer for me. I was navigating the narrow decline off Black Bluff and happy to burst out into the open sunshine at Sam’s Beach. I immediately noticed a bird slightly smaller than a robin flying out from a seaside treetop to snatch a flying insect, and right back to the same perch. At this point my binoculars were in my pack so I scrambled to get a look, already suspecting what I had found. Sure enough, a western kingbird was repeatedly hawking for insects and perching in the treetops. This migrating bird was very focused on its winged food, so I had time to unpack my camera and confirm my sighting. This is also a rare bird for this area. Two trail rides and two rewarding bonus birds, makes me look forward to my next rides!

Birding by Boat: A Wild Day in Weynton Passage

The skies often seemed as if they were going to open up on Saturday morning, but it was a more than pleasant day for pelagic tour participants. Danielle Lacasse Photo

This story and photos were submitted by Malcolm Island Bird Club member Danielle Lacasse. Thank you for your ongoing support for the club Danielle!

There’s something magical about birding from a boat—salt in the air, sea spray on your face, and wildlife appearing just around the next rocky outcrop. On a recent trip through Weynton Passage, we set out on a birding adventure that turned out to be far more than just about birds.

Weynton Passage is known for its fast-moving currents and rich marine ecosystem. As we cruised along the Malcolm Island shoreline looking for grebes, ducks, and oystercatchers, the boat rocked gently on the tide while the landscape opened up into a mix of rugged islands and open ocean. It didn’t take long before the sightings started.

This bald eagle was feeding but keeping an eye on the photographer. Danielle Lacasse Photo

First up: marbled murrelets—those shy, mysterious little seabirds that spend most of their lives at sea and only come ashore to nest in old-growth trees. Watching them bob in the water and fly chaotically across the waves was very entertaining. Their mottled plumage made them surprisingly tricky to spot, but once you got the hang of it, you started seeing them everywhere.

This surfbird was among the shorebirds sighted during the Saturday morning pelagic tour. Danielle Lacasse Photo

Then came the scoters—plenty of them. Mostly white-winged scoters, with their distinctive black bodies and white wing patches, diving in groups and surfacing like synchronized swimmers. We even spotted a few surf scoters mixed in. It was a good reminder that seabirds, while sometimes overlooked, have a lot of personality if you spend time with them.

Black turnstones were out in numbers for the tour and for the Sunday spring count. Danielle Lacasse Photo

Of course, no trip through these waters would be complete without spotting a few bald eagles. We saw several—some perched regally in tall conifers, others soaring overhead. One even let us creep in close while it snacked on a tasty morsel from the sea.

But the birds weren’t the only stars of the day. The marine mammals absolutely stole the show.

Sea otters also made an appearance during the tour. Danielle Lacasse Photo

On the rocky haul-out on the edge of the Plumper Group, Steller sea lions barked and growled at each other, massive and loud and impossible to ignore. Harbor seals were more discreet, lounging in the sun and occasionally sliding into the water with a splash when we drifted a little too close. And perhaps the most delightful sight of the day was a sea otter, floating on its back, wrapped in kelp having a snooze.

The mix of wildlife, wild seascapes, and crisp ocean air made this a trip to remember. Weynton Passage and the waters around Malcolm Island delivered on every front: birds, mammals, scenery, and a sense of total immersion in nature.