16 September 2018 - Vancouver

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Turkey Vulture, Surf Scoter, Black Oystercatcher, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Orcas, Belted Kingfisher, Anna's Hummingbird, American Robin, Savannah Sparrows, Otter

Today we were booked on a Whale-watching trip so there was no early morning walk. Unfortunately yet again the weather was rather poor, with scattered showers and low cloud. The boat trip out to Vancouver Island was a little bouncy and rather wet & cold, and when we arrived, it was raining on and off. A Turkey Vulture was the first of this species for the trip, and as we sailed between the islets, we came across a school of Pacific White-sided Dolphins; according to the Prince of Whales people, quite a rarity. One of the skippers had been working there for many years and only ever seen them four times. They came rather close and we got some great views. Eventually we also found a pod of Orcas, which performed quite well to the several watching boats, despite the squally showers. A couple of parties of Surf Scoter flew by, and as we left, I found a couple of Black Oystercatchers on one of the islets, though the boat was so bouncy and we moved so quickly that I didn't get really good views. Other birds included Double-crested Cormorants, Pelagic Cormorants and Kittiwakes, and we also saw a number of Grey Seals.

In the evening, Joanne was shattered so stayed in the hotel and I had one more bash around Stanley Park. I had a Belted Kingfisher again briefly at the marina, and similar species to yesterday, but also came across a single Anna's Hummingbird perched atop a tree. Two American Robins were high up at the top of another tree, calling, and had me confused for a while. A number of sparrows were on the edge of the Lost Lagoon, including Song and White-crowned, with several Savannah Sparrows in the weedy fields. As I headed back at dusk, an Otter swam by.

Turkey Vulture - Vancouver Island