Today (June 4), I found a LEAST FLYCATCHER singing in the riparian reserve
along Currie Creek near Duncan. This species is rare on Vancouver Island.

To get to this location, drive west on the Lake Cowichan for 8 km. Turn
left (south) on the Currie Creek Forest Service Road (just before the hydro
lines). Follow this road for approximately 1 km to the second log bridge.
There is a large dead cottonwood on your left. The Least Flycatcher was
very close to the bridge.

Currie Creek is a great place for summer songbird watching. The habitat is
a mixture of second-growth Douglas-fir forest, small patch cuts, and the BC
Hydro right-of-way. On June 2, I tallied 51 species of birds (almost all
passerines) in an area of about 100 hectares. Goodly numbers of many
species were present. Included were:
20 HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS
19 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS
21 MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLERS
6 WESTERN TANAGERS

2-3 pairs of RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS ARE NESTING THERE.

Michael G. Shepard
Director
VGI Vision Foundation
5325 Cordova Bay Road, Suite 211
Victoria, BC V8Y 2L3
c/o (250) 658-4844 telephone
(250) 658-0084 fax
mgs at orcatec.com