Subject: Crested Auklet
Date: Sep 6 08:59:46 2003
From: Bruce Whittington - fieldnat at pacificcoast.net


On the Victoria RBA is a Crested Auklet, seen and photographed by two
experienced observers, near Pedder Bay in Metchosin (30-40 minutes west
of Victoria). It was seen from an area which has restricted access, but
seen on the water at the mouth of Pedder Bay, so is potentially
see-able from the Pedder Bay Marina area, or by boat. The Pedder
Bay/Race Rocks area is good for seabirds so it may stick around. If
confirmed it will be a first Victoria record, second British Columbia
record.

Also seen recently was a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near Ucluelet on the
west coast of the Island (an area that routinely gets fall vagrants)
but no reports have been received in the last few days.

For anyone who wants to monitor the auklet, the Victoria RBA is
250-592-3381.

Bruce Whittington
Victoria, BC
mailto: fieldnat at pacificcoast.net