A Yellow Wagtail, a first for Vancouver Island and an accidental bird
anywhere s. of Alaska/Yukon, was found Sept. 4 and was still present AM of
Sept. 5 in the Martindale Flats area of Central Saanich, just north of
Victoria. Search the bulb fields at the east end of Martindale Road, on the
north side of the road...last seen just east (uphill) of the green irrigation
pumphouse and
red tractor parked off Martindale Rd.

The bird is loosely with many American Pipits, Savannah Sparrows, one or
more Lapland Longspurs and up to 3 Horned Larks.

Slight debate on the age of the bird. Originally reported as an immature,
this bird has only a faint hint of a U-shaped breast band typical of juvenile/
immature Yellow Wagtails. Some opinions that it may be an adult female..

Wash/Ore. birders could take the Anacortes-Sidney ferry or the Tsawwasswen-
Swartz Bay ferry to Van. Is. Drive s. on Highway 17 and turn left (east)
onto Martindale Road. The bird was on the left (north) about 1 km (.5
mile) along Martindale Road. Try the bulb fields, which now look more
like dried potatoe fields---deep grooves and ridges, with daffodil leaves
dried and withered. Bird is best seen by scope while viewing down the
grooves/ridges.

Updates will be on the Victroia Rare Bird Alert - (604) 592-3381.

Also, a Little Bunting at the SE settling pond, Iona Is. Sewage Treatment
Plant in Richmond, BC to at least Sept. 4. The Vanc. BC Rare Bird Alert is
temporarilly out of service.

Bryan Gates, Victoria
bgates at assessment.env.gov.bc.ca