>
>Hi Tweets,
>This report is encouraging for a birdwatcher from the rear rows! Some weeks
>ago (Oct. 6), I was hiking in Cape Scott Park, at the northwestern tip of
>Vancouver Island, and came across a warbler which absolutely didn't fit
>anything known to me or shown in my field guide. Yellow breast with
>brownish streaks; yellow eyering; greenish upperparts; some faint white
>in the tail. My conclusion after comparison of more guides: Closest to a
>Magnolia Warbler but for the fact that the streaks on the breast were not
>black. Maybe in fall...? (They breed further up the coast of B.C.,
>as somebody else mentioned earlier)
>

Your description could match Magnolia. The head is often gray and the
streaks on the breast do appear on young birds. Me recollection of these
streaks is soft gray in colour with a horizontal necklace and vertical
streaks (like ghost impressions of the black markings of the adult)
Besides, Magnolia Warblers should occur here more often than they have been
noted. Jack Bowling made a comment not too long ago regarding Magnolia
Warblers in BC.

>If you like 6h hikes on submerged trails and boardwalks, and bears
>walking in your tracks, then Cape Scott is a must!

I have hiked this trail two times (both in Oct.) and am convinced that this
is another vagrant trap. I think I was convinced before I went but what I
saw was further evidence. For example, the Hanson's Lagoon is a spot with
great potential: I saw my first VAn.ISle Rough-legged Hawk there,
Meadowlarks in late fall... Nissen's Byte (sp?) produced Pacific Golden
Plover and I believe Emperor Goose (in the past). There is also a sand dune
area that looks fantastic (Guise Bay) that produced more meadowlarks, Swamp
Sparrow...
Then the lighthouse itself produced 100+ migrating Kittiwakes, 85 N.
Fulmars, ,1 Yellow-billed Loon, 50+ Shearwaters, all seen from shore!


If people are not prepared for the near 60km walk (roundtrip) I believe ther
are boat taxis that are available from Port Hardy or a helicopter ride would
be even better!


dcecile at cln.etc.bc.ca.
Cheers,

Don Cecile
Port Alberni, B.C. Canada
dcecile at cln.etc.bc.ca.