I know there are still Washington birders who want to see the Citrine Wagtail, and probably other U.S. birders monitoring our list serve about this mega-rarity. Recent viewings have been disappointing and the bird doesn't even show up on many days. There has been lots of speculation about where it was staying. The alternate location has been found and the directions are here.

From the Inland Island Highway, take the exit to Courtenary and Comox. Follow it to Cliffe Avenue, which is a T intersection. Turn left and go north on Cliffe approximately a mile to 17th St. Turn right, cross the bridge and bear right onto the Comox Road. Instead of pulling up at the sewer treatment plant for the first site, continue east along the Comox/Dyke Rd. approximately 500 m. Park at the Rotary Viewing Stand parking lot on the south (estuary) side of the road. From the parking lot look across the road and find the first (westernmost) house. That house has a cedar hedge along the front and continuing along the side of the property. Beside this cedar hedge is a small laneway that leads to a field and a few more houses. The hydro powerlines also cross the road here, leading down this same laneway. At the botton of this laneway is a metal gatewith a No Trespassing Sign, and another sign indicating that it is both conservation land and actively farmed.The field beyond the gate is grassy, and a bit flooded in a few places. It is around these flooded pools that a local birder first found the wagtail late Dec. 30th (~4pm). It was still present in this same location at least until 11 am on Dec. 31st, much to the delight of several visiting birders. This field is known as "Simpson's Farm", and there is a metal Duck's Unlimited plaque at the southeastcorner of this field labelling it as such. Birders may view the bird from the laneway, but the fields and driveways here are all private. Observers should only park at the rotary viewing stand, and not in the laneway. Use caution crossing the road, as it is busy! Nobody should enter the fields beyond the gate (you don't need to in order to see the bird, and it is sometimes 10 m from the gate anyway). Even if you see dog-walkers in the fields, that does not imply permission to enter (they are residents of the laneway).This could be where the bird sometimes disappears to, and should be checked if the bird is not found at its original location. Please be courteous and respectful of all landowners, do not trespass, and ensure that birders continue to be able to access this phenomenal rarity.

This is pretty much a repeat of what Nathan Hentze from Victoria posted at the BCVI Birds Yahoo group. My contact said that a neighbor at the new site commented that the wagtail has been seen regularly at this second site. So those going for the bird should check out both fields and then let the rest of us know about continued sightings. This second site has a history of trespass issues so please take the cautions about not entering the field seriously.

Carol Riddell




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