250



As of September 25, Phase 1 of the Big Year is complete. A Ruff at Boundary Bay was the big milestone bird. Unfortunately, 250 was reached early enough in the year that there remains considerable opportunity for the list to grow. I say "unfortunately" because this means that instead of sitting back with a cold glass of water and relaxing for the rest of the year, I now have to initiate Phase 2: 260-something. Below is a photographic recap of the recent year birds that haven't been featured on my blog

#250 - Ruff - 25 Sep 2015 - Boundary Bay. The Ruff is on the far right end of the island, and an American Golden-Plover is third from the left end.

#249 - Clay-colored Sparrow - 22 Sep 2015 - Stanley Park Rose Garden.

#248 - Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - 22 Sep 2015 - Reifel Bird Sanctuary. 

#246 - Vesper Sparrow - 8 Sep 2015 - Colony Farm.

#243 - Horned Lark - 6 Sep 2015 - Iona Island. Photo taken at the Tsawassen Ferry Jetty on Sep 17, 2015. 

As a tribute to the action-packed fall of shore birding at Boundary Bay, I would like to welcome you to the Boundary Bay Shorebird Simulator. Can you find the Bar-tailed Godwit? And if you're really bored, look for a Red Knot.