News

Wildlife Afield - Volume 7, Number 1

   

The publication layout for Wildlife Afield (Volume 7, Number 1) has been completed and the issue is now at the bindery. The journal will be mailed to members on January 4, 2012. 

The 139-page issue contains the first half (Nonpasserines) of a major article on Birds of the North Peace River region, prepared as a standard reference for environmental assessment issues concerning proposed hydro-electric developments in the region. Another Feature Article summarizes new historical information on the success and failure of a Greater Sage-Grouse introduction in British Columbia in the late 1950s. Two noteworthy Natural History Notes complete the articles.

The complete Contents for Volume 7, Number 1 can be viewed here.

    Wildlife Databases - Electronic Data Entry
Species Summary - January 2008 through June 2011

    Total species: 597; Total records: 1,717,073

   
· Male Mountain Bluebird

Our electronic databases are designed to include historical and current information archived in a central repository for all species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that have been recorded within the political boundaries of British Columbia and extending 160 kilometres (100 miles) offshore. Extinct, extirpated, and species recorded only once are included in the dataset.

While most digital databases include seven basic fields (i.e., month, day, year, observer, general location, species, and number of individuals), we are including an additional eight fields for every record. These include a description of the specific location, National Topographic System (NTS) map grid, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, sex, age, behaviour, habitat, and elevation. Additional fields, when available, include weather, food/prey, colour phase, mortality, evidence of breeding, recognizable subspecies, bird band number, source of the record, and noteworthy comments such as spring arrival and autumn departure dates, personal anecdotes, explanation for large numbers, and other information that enhances the value and interpretation of the record. A complete single digital record, therefore, could contain information for 24 different fields.

      
· Determining the precise location for many historical records, especially in wilderness regions, can be very time-consuming and often requires searching original field notes for clues.

Although additional time is required to enter a record, the “value-added” data fields are essential for species’ research, conservation, and management programs in the province. Over time, each record also contributes to a better understanding of the natural history and ecology of a particular animal during its residency in British Columbia. Therefore, recording as much information during the initial observation is time well invested. 

As databases grow in size, and include previously over-looked historical information, their significance becomes more revealing. In 1947, James A. Munro and Ian McTaggart-Cowan published their treatise A Review of the Bird Fauna of British Columbia. This important book depended heavily on museum specimens and the field notes of biologist James A. Munro. Rarely were the observations of other active field naturalists considered or was information extracted from sources other than published literature. At the time, acceptable records, especially for rare species, were based on specimens or identifiable photographs. Over five decades later, the four-volume set The Birds of British Columbia (1990-2001) was completed. The authors attempted to include reliable observations from thousands of amateur birders as well as available unpublished government and wildlife consultant reports. Still, only a fraction of the information buried in the detailed diaries and field notebooks of early and contemporary naturalists were gleaned for records and much of the “gray” literature had confidentiality restrictions.

While new records help refine the known distribution of a species, we are concentrating our efforts on including more biological and natural history information which indirectly also adds a “dot on a map.” For example, we received 43 years of arrival and departure dates for Eastern Phoebe within its normal range in northeastern British Columbia. This additional information has allowed for a more precise calculation of migration dates and how they may vary between decades, years, and perhaps with changes in latitude between traditional breeding sites at Swan Lake, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Buckinghorse River, and Fort Nelson.

   
· The Eastern Phoebe breeds mainly in northeastern British Columbia where it is locally an uncommon migrant and summer visitant. Recently, isolated pairs have been found nesting at Mackenzie, Cluculz Lake, and Creston.

It is well known that bird populations are dynamic, numbers are constantly fluctuating, and ranges are continually changing. There is now reliable evidence that over the past 120 years at least 60% of all regularly-occurring species in British Columbia have expanded their ranges. Current trend information has not considered these historical shifts in their analysis, mainly because of the time required to search and transfer old records to a central database. Two recent examples include noteworthy changes in the breeding distribution for Common Nighthawk and Canada Warbler whose numbers were considered by some to be declining.

A few other examples of species with significant changes in breeding and nonbreeding ranges in the province include Greater White-fronted Goose, Ring-necked Duck, Harlequin Duck, Hooded Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Yellow-billed Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Northern Fulmar, Brown Pelican, Cooper’s Hawk, Merlin, Yellow Rail, Sora, Sandhill Crane, Semipalmated Plover, American Avocet, Greater Yellowlegs,

   
· The breeding range of Greater Yellowlegs, formerly restricted to the central interior of the province from the Cariboo-Chilcotin north to Fort St. James, is now a regular breeding species in parts of northeastern British Columbia.

Long-billed Curlew, Mew Gull, Horned Puffin, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Flammulated Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Vaux’s Swift, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Least Flycatcher, Blue Jay, Bewick’s Wren, Gray Catbird, Tennessee Warbler, American Redstart, Vesper Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Common Grackle.

Provincial and state wildlife databases that include comprehensive historical and current information are very rare in North America, mainly because of the lack of commitment and interest in compiling “old stuff” that initially seems like a wasted effort with little return. Yet, such information is critical in interpreting population trends, species’ annual living requirements, and reasons for changes in distribution. Long term databases are especially important in understanding how ecosystems function. Simple annual observations on the arrival and departure date for birds and emergence and hibernation dates for amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, for example, is paramount in analyzing the potential impact of climate change on vertebrates in the province. In the long term, such information can help better focus scarce time and resources on the most important issues requiring attention.

Database records are for the 146-year period 1866 to 2011. 

It should be noted that all activities related to the data entry program are entirely volunteer-based. There are no public funds for administrative costs or remuneration for acquiring and processing data. The main source of consistent revenue is from BCFWS memberships and individual donations.

The following species’ lists, including number of records, represent totals added to the Biodiversity Centre for Wildlife Studies species and location databases for the three and a half-year period January 2008 through June 2011. 

Species below are listed alphabetically, by their common name, following the latest taxonomic standards.

Amphibians

American Bullfrog (2,624), Boreal Chorus Frog (112), Coastal Tailed Frog (88), Columbia Spotted Frog (837), Green Frog (21), Long-toed Salamander (93), Northern Leopard Frog (331), Northwestern Salamander (39), Northern Pacific Treefrog (3,710), Northern Red-legged Frog (1,499), Rough-skinned Newt (721), Wandering Salamander (614), Western Toad (475), and Wood Frog (1,506).

   
· In late summer, thousands of toadlets assemble along shores of ponds, sloughs, marshes, and lakes and frequently move enmasse between various wetlands where they are susceptible to predation and highway traffic.

Total amphibian species: January 2008 through June 2011 – 14.
Total amphibian records: January 2008 through June 2011 – 12,670.

Reptiles

Common Gartersnake (2,226), Gophersnake (122), Northern Alligator Lizard (1,634), North American Racer (16), Northwestern Gartersnake (109), Painted Turtle (4,693), Pygmy Short-horned Lizard (1), Red-eared Slider (1,461), Rubber Boa (18), Terrestrial Western Gartersnake (1,624), Western Rattlesnake (189), and Western Skink (33).

           
 · One of the records in the Gopher Snake database includes a late seasonal activity date of October 16.

Total reptile species: January 2008 through June 2011 – 12. 
Total reptile records: January 2008 through June 2011 – 12,434.

Birds

Two sets of numbers are included with each species. The first (in italics) refers to the total number of individual occurrence records used to prepare the nonbreeding component of a species account published in the four-volume set The Birds of British Columbia (1990-2001). The second number represents the total number of digital records currently in the BCFWS species database. The new information is being used to prepare updated and greatly expanded species accounts that now include historical changes in distribution, monthly distribution maps, areas of vulnerability, changes in habitat requirements, and recommendations for conservation and management activities. See Wildlife Afield for examples of updated species accounts.

Acadian Flycatcher (1 – 0), Acorn Woodpecker (1 – 8), Alder Flycatcher (498 – 2,971), Aleutian Tern (3 – 0), American Avocet (127 – 5,333),

   
   · Since publication of the American Avocet account in The Birds of British Columbia in 1990, the number of records in the current database has increased by over 4,000 percent. 

American Bittern (1,864 – 12,731), American Black Duck (522 – 924), American Coot (11,398 – 8,465), American Crow (6,336 – 11,863), American Dipper (2,717 – 14,666), American Golden-Plover (1,560 – 360), American Goldfinch (6,910 – 1,850), American Kestrel (9,608 – 3,440), American Pipit (4,357 – 877), American Redstart (1,911 – 3,635), American Robin (16,012 – 4,838), American Three-toed Woodpecker (771 – 528), American Tree Sparrow (1,491 – 333), American White Pelican (613 – 723), American Wigeon (17,928 – 21,169), Ancient Murrelet (1,936 – 148), Anna's Hummingbird (1,462 – 46,053), Arctic Tern (493 – 4,262), Ash-throated Flycatcher (53 – 70), Baikal Teal (1 – 1), Baird's Sandpiper (1,355 – 992), Baird’s Sparrow (3 – 0), Bald Eagle (19,801 – 16,000), Baltimore Oriole (234 – 132), Band-tailed Pigeon (9,373 – 1,043), Bank Swallow (1,423 – 2,971), Bar-tailed Godwit (10 – 4), Barn Owl (2,567 – 18,068), Barn Swallow (9,067 – 16,142), Barred Owl (955 – 17,063), Barrow's Goldeneye (7,101 – 23,904), Bay-breasted Warbler (31 – 2), Belted Kingfisher (8,133 – 6,782), Bewick's Wren (4,354 – 8,883), Black Oystercatcher (3,949 – 13,223), Black Phoebe (2 – 0), Black Scoter (4,063 – 4,544), Black Swift (2,144 – 244), Black Tern (1,127 – 25,036),

   
· The large number of Black Tern records is the result of a focused effort to develop a species database for freshwater wetland-nesting birds.

Black Turnstone (7,690 – 2,797), Black-and-white Warbler (212 – 97), Black-backed Woodpecker (279 – 402), Black-bellied Plover (4,761 – 2,778), Black-billed Cuckoo (22 – 0), Black-billed Magpie (4,236 – 8,209), Black-capped Chickadee (9,113 – 12,963), Black-chinned Hummingbird (402 – 3,595), Black-crowned Night-Heron (262 – 709), Black-footed Albatross (974 – 976), Black-headed Grosbeak (1,823 – 1,835), Black-headed Gull (21 – 63), Black-legged Kittiwake (3,347 – 11), Black-necked Stilt (23 – 3), Black-throated Blue Warbler (6 – 103), Black-throated Gray Warbler (1,683 – 1,616), Black-throated Green Warbler (185 – 0), Black-throated Sparrow (19 – 0), Black-vented Shearwater (9 – 8), Blackburnian Warbler (6 – 0), Blackpoll Warbler (742 – 229), Blue Grosbeak (2 – 0), Blue Jay (355 – 916), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (3 – 0), Blue-headed Vireo (201 – 49), Blue-winged Teal (5,113 – 11,033), Bobolink (572 – 83), Bohemian Waxwing (3,213 – 236), Bonaparte's Gull (11,758 – 948), Boreal Chickadee (1,075 – 1,679), Boreal Owl (191 – 803), Brambling (107 – 72), Brandt's Cormorant (7,259 – 9,397), Brant (7,467 – 8,520), Brewer's Blackbird (7,511 – 1,199), Brewer’s Sparrow (484 – 1), Bristle-thighed Curlew (2 – 4), Broad-winged Hawk (21 – 118), Brown Creeper (3,450 – 6,335), Brown Pelican (61 – 116), Brown Thrasher (32 – 0), Broad-tailed Hummingbird (2 – 0), Brown-headed Cowbird (5,752 – 6,506), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (113 – 8), Bufflehead (14,410 – 24,798), Buller’s Shearwater (74 – 71), Bullock's Oriole (1,740 – 1,198), Burrowing Owl (462 – 1,228), Bushtit (2,924 – 4,758), Cackling Goose (416 – 596), California Gull (4,707 – 555), California Quail (10,819 – 6,398), Calliope Hummingbird (1,568 – 341), Canada Goose (22,490 – 25,816), Canada Warbler (127 – 2), Canvasback (5,576 – 8,268), Canyon Wren (400 – 0), Cape May Warbler (59 – 1), Caspian Tern (713 – 3,533), Cassin's Auklet (1,113 – 19), Cassin's Finch (1,975 – 144), Cassin's Vireo (2,102 – 5,526), Cattle Egret (476 – 513), Cedar Waxwing (3,767 – 2,572), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (6,201 – 9,789), Chestnut-collared Longspur (6 – 0), Chestnut-sided Warbler (36 – 0), Chipping Sparrow (5,263 – 2,561), Chukar (1,665 – 4), Cinnamon Teal (3,692 – 6,651), Clark's Grebe (6 – 9,049), Clark's Nutcracker (2,523 – 3,206),

   
· A large database, spanning many decades, is required to understand the irruptive movements of Clark’s Nutcracker, and perhaps its relationship to cone crops of various species of trees. 

Clay-colored Sparrow (586 – 239), Cliff Swallow (3,456 – 4,463), Common Eider (2 – 2), Common Goldeneye (10,745 – 15,488), Common Grackle (275 – 11,091), Common Loon (11,438 – 26,951), Common Merganser (13,668 – 14,289), Common Moorhen (1 – 0), Common Murre (5,483 – 1,316), Common Nighthawk (4,929 – 3,182), Common Poorwill (384 – 92), Common Raven (10,762 – 16,674), Common Redpoll (1,631 – 435), Common Tern (1,819 – 208), Common Yellowthroat (4,659 – 7,558), Connecticut Warbler (72 – 3), Cooper's Hawk (3,317 – 6,637), Costa’s Hummingbird (5 – 0), Crested Auklet (1 – 7), Crested Caracara (1 – 1), Crested Myna (1,564 – 418), Curlew Sandpiper (11 – 2), Dark-eyed Junco (18,077 – 6,665), Dickcissel (6 – 0), Double-crested Cormorant (7,510 – 12,679), Downy Woodpecker (7,422 – 4,970), Dunlin (4,127 – 2,551), Dusky Flycatcher (945 – 1,093), Dusky Grouse (911 – 129), Dusky Thrush (2 – 0), Eared Grebe (4,747 – 6,212), Eastern Kingbird (2,673 – 9,317), Eastern Phoebe (174 –300), Eastern Yellow Wagtail (3 – 0), Elegant Tern (8 – 10), Emperor Goose (249 – 213), Eurasian Collared-Dove (0 – 459), Eurasian Kestrel (1 – 0), Eurasian Wigeon (1,731 – 2,691), European Starling (11,298 – 2,133), Evening Grosbeak (6,844 – 1,662), Far Eastern Curlew (1 – 0), Ferruginous Hawk (18 – 1), Flammulated Owl (109 – 1,074), Flesh-footed Shearwater (91 – 93), Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel (1,056 – 1,070), Forster's Tern (172 – 14,597), Fox Sparrow (5,829 – 4,058), Franklin's Gull (1,057 – 394), Fulvous Whistling-Duck (1 – 1), Gadwall (8,156 – 14,295), Garganey (4 – 4), Glaucous Gull (843 – 316), Glaucous-winged Gull (21,534 – 17,446), Golden Eagle (2,102 – 404), Golden-crowned Kinglet (6,980 – 3,454), Golden-crowned Sparrow (4,540 – 3,701), Grasshopper Sparrow (107 – 0), Gray Catbird (1,365 – 598), Gray Flycatcher (50 – 50), Gray Jay (3,484 – 5,713), Gray Kingbird (1 – 0), Gray Partridge (1,329 – 2,712), Gray-cheeked Thrush (68 – 0), Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (977 – 77), Great Blue Heron (22,750 – 29,432), Great Crested Flycatcher (1 – 0), Great Egret (77 – 155), Great Knot (2 – 0), Great Gray Owl (531 – 1,061), Great Horned Owl (3,129 – 11,573), Great-tailed Grackle (2 – 293), Greater Scaup (8,883 – 12,077),

   
· The recent decline in numbers of Greater Scaup in North America is of concern to ornithologists and conservationists.

Greater Sage-Grouse (1 – 2), Greater White-fronted Goose (2,567 – 3,476), Greater Yellowlegs (9,761 – 2,527), Green Heron (1,379 – 3,408), Green-tailed Towhee (5 – 0), Green-winged Teal (14,128 – 17,988), Gyrfalcon (981 – 499), Hairy Woodpecker (5,304 – 6,764), Hammond's Flycatcher (1,650 – 4,557), Harlequin Duck (8,494 – 13,267), Harris's Sparrow (820 – 436), Heermann's Gull (2,351 – 600), Hermit Thrush (3,605 – 2,178), Hermit Warbler (3 – 0), Herring Gull (8,426 – 4,128), Hoary Redpoll (254 – 0), Hooded Merganser (6,713 – 12,903), Hooded Oriole (6 – 1), Hooded Warbler (2 – 0), Horned Grebe (7,945 – 27,900), Horned Lark (2,340 – 2,826), Horned Puffin (229 – 0), House Finch (6,921 – 6,351), House Sparrow (4,799 – 6,765), House Wren (1,598 – 3,645), Hudsonian Godwit (183 – 265), Hutton's Vireo (1,492 – 3,653), Iceland Gull (1 – 151), Indigo Bunting (66 – 0), Ivory Gull (4 – 0), Killdeer (17,749 – 10,524), King Eider (31 –103), Kittlitz’s Murrelet (1 – 0), Lapland Longspur (1,209 – 269), Lark Bunting (17 – 1), Lark Sparrow (491 – 63), Laughing Gull (1 – 0), Laysan Albatross (15 – 19), Lazuli Bunting (1,592 – 189), Le Conte's Sparrow (136 – 161), Leach's Storm-Petrel (669 – 806), Least Bittern (2 – 3), Least Flycatcher (794 – 1,205), Least Sandpiper (5,092 – 853), Least Tern (1 – 0), Lesser Goldfinch (5 – 2), Lesser Scaup (6,422 – 11,379), Lesser Yellowlegs (4,539 – 1,074), Lesser Black-backed Gull (0 – 104), Lewis's Woodpecker (2,117 – 64), Lincoln's Sparrow (3,550 – 2,211), Little Blue Heron (1 – 3), Little Gull (38 – 81), Little Stint (1 – 2), Loggerhead Shrike (115 – 0), Long-billed Curlew (1,129 –239), Long-billed Dowitcher (2,844 – 692),

   
· Databases for shorebirds, including Long-billed Dowitcher, are slow to develop because many species do not breed in British Columbia and visit the province only as passage migrants.

Long-eared Owl (1,151 – 1,044), Long-tailed Duck (4,911 – 6,295), Long-tailed Jaeger (162 – 4), MacGillivray's Warbler (1,986 – 1,698), Magnificent Frigatebird (1 – 14), Magnolia Warbler (352 – 81), Mallard (24,520 –29,669), Mandarin Duck (0 – 25), Manx Shearwater (2 – 0), Marbled Godwit (386 – 225), Marbled Murrelet (6,592 – 459), Marsh Wren (2,570 – 11,381), McCowan’s Longspur (3 – 0), McKay’s Bunting (1 – 0), Merlin (3,559 – 2,606), Mew Gull (12,466 – 936), Mongolian Plover (1 – 0), Mottled Petrel (1 – 2), Mountain Bluebird (3,767 – 772), Mountain Chickadee (3,170 – 4,772), Mountain Quail (38 – 0), Mountain Plover (1 – 0), Mourning Dove (10,038 – 4,691), Mourning Warbler (84 – 2), Murphy’s Petrel (5 – 0), Mute Swan (2,640 – 5,292), Nashville Warbler (1,227 – 4,508), Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow (61 – 33), Northern Flicker (18,073 – 5,537), Northern Fulmar (1,073 – 1,741), Northern Goshawk (2,187 – 109), Northern Harrier (9,402 – 6,180), Northern Hawk Owl (616 – 4,866), Northern Mockingbird (242 – 520), Northern Parula (2 – 5), Northern Pintail (12,233 – 14,017), Northern Pygmy-Owl (1,576 – 2,531), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (3,268 – 8,154), Northern Saw-whet Owl (1,172 – 1,478), Northern Bobwhite (24 – 0), Northern Shoveler (7,451 – 15,006), Northern Shrike (3,532 – 786), Northern Waterthrush (1,591 – 873), Northern Wheatear (1 – 0), Northwestern Crow (7,904 – 9,388), Olive-sided Flycatcher (2,637 – 6,425), Orange-crowned Warbler (6,877 – 3,385), Orchard Oriole (1 – 0), Oriental Turtle-Dove (1 – 0), Osprey (11,484 – 6,495), Ovenbird (219 – 50), Pacific Golden-Plover (27 – 0), Pacific Loon (3,676 – 4,701), Pacific Wren (7,372 – 12,775), Pacific-slope Flycatcher (2,816 – 5,927), Painted Bunting (17 – 0), Painted Redstart (1 – 0), Palm Warbler (213 – 115), Parasitic Jaeger (1,669 – 110), Pectoral Sandpiper (2,497 – 279), Pelagic Cormorant (9,694 – 13,410), Peregrine Falcon (4,466 – 1,996), Philadelphia Vireo (74 – 2), Pied-billed Grebe (3,673 – 17,393), Pigeon Guillemot (5,474 – 726), Pileated Woodpecker (4,436 – 5,809), Pine Grosbeak (2,779 – 1,726), Pine Siskin (10,664 – 4,210),

   
· Databases for some species like Pine Siskin, no matter how large they are, are difficult to interpret because of the nomadic nature of the species.

Pink-footed Shearwater (207 – 211), Pomarine Jaeger (144 – 4), Prairie Falcon (241 – 17), Prairie Warbler (2 – 0), Purple Finch (3,527 – 3,141), Purple Martin (509 – 1,264), Pygmy Nuthatch (1,186 – 45), Red Crossbill (5,379 – 6,852), Red Knot (275 – 71), Red Phalarope (182 – 30), Red-breasted Merganser (4,853 – 6,680), Red-breasted Nuthatch (7,203 – 6,623), Red-breasted Sapsucker (1,724 – 3,219), Red-eyed Vireo (2,212 – 306), Red-naped Sapsucker (1,174 – 283), Red-necked Grebe (11,687 – 18,508), Red-necked Phalarope (2,101 – 398), Red-necked Stint (4 – 2), Red-tailed Hawk (13,653 – 7,062), Red-tailed Tropicbird (1 – 0), Red-throated Loon (4,606 – 7,814), Red-throated Pipit (3 – 0), Red-winged Blackbird (8,873 – 6,996), Redhead (6,455 – 9,529), Rhinoceros Auklet (5,399 – 952), Ring-billed Gull (5,496 – 224), Ring-necked Duck (5,532 – 25,381), Ring-necked Pheasant (10,588 – 2,442), Rock Pigeon (7,994 – 4,240), Rock Ptarmigan (169 – 0), Rock Sandpiper (1,800 – 87), Rock Wren (516 – 222), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (263 – 81), Ross's Goose (126 – 133), Ross’s Gull (1 – 0), Rough-legged Hawk (2,709 – 836), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (5,897 – 1,949), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (6 – 0), Ruddy Duck (6,108 – 11,997), Ruddy Turnstone (1,072 – 338), Ruff (51 – 92), Ruffed Grouse (9,004 – 4,453), Rufous Hummingbird (10,309 – 13,838), Rustic Bunting (3 – 16), Rusty Blackbird (1,346 – 1,023), Sabine's Gull (329 – 7), Sage Sparrow (6 – 0), Sage Thrasher (188 – 173), Sanderling (3,723 – 706), Sandhill Crane (2,469 – 977), Savannah Sparrow (7,666 – 2,955), Say's Phoebe (1,336 – 7,100), Scarlet Tanager (1 – 0), Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (24 – 30), Semipalmated Plover (4,224 – 1,614), Semipalmated Sandpiper (797 – 683), Sharp-shinned Hawk (3,542 – 1,166), Sharp-tailed Grouse (864 – 925), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (270 – 129), Short-billed Dowitcher (1,890 – 369), Short-eared Owl (3,315 – 16,254), Short-tailed Albatross (1 – 1), Short-tailed Shearwater (119 – 123), Siberian Accentor (1 – 0), Sky Lark (1,159 – 3,031), Slaty-backed Gull (2 – 60), Smew (3 – 3), Smith’s Longspur (67 – 0), Snow Bunting (1,374 – 393), Snow Goose (4,716 – 5,606), Snowy Egret (6 – 7), Snowy Owl (1,886 – 25,517), Snowy Plover (9 – 1), Solitary Sandpiper (1,460 –373), Song Sparrow (17,591 – 10,186), Sooty Grouse (1,411 – 3,070), Sooty Shearwater (1,848 – 1,854), Sora (1,067 – 4,394), South Polar Skua (46 – 0), Spectacled Eider (1 – 0), Spoon-billed Sandpiper (1 – 0), Spotted Owl (81 – 0), Spotted Redshank (4 – 0), Spotted Sandpiper (10,816 – 6,055), Spotted Towhee (8,304 – 9,593), Sprague’s Pipit (4 – 0), Spruce Grouse (4,775 – 1,183), Steller’s Eider (4 – 4), Steller's Jay (10,417 – 17,239), Stilt Sandpiper (269 – 29), Surf Scoter (12,829 – 15,790), Surfbird (2,652 – 1,711), Swainson's Hawk (454 – 315), Swainson's Thrush (6,914 – 2,722), Swamp Sparrow (326 – 120), Temminck’s Stint (1 – 0), Tennessee Warbler (315 – 278), Terek Sandpiper (1 – 0), Thayer's Gull (4,653 – 914),

   
· Over the past several decades, the status, distribution and numbers of Thayer’s Gull in the province has been better defined.

Thick-billed Kingbird (1 – 1), Thick-billed Murre (18 – 0), Townsend's Solitaire (3,344 – 1,342), Townsend's Warbler (3,807 – 2,411), Tree Swallow (5,670 – 12,772), Tropical Kingbird (51 – 51), Trumpeter Swan (8,332 – 11,776), Tufted Duck (88 – 209), Tufted Puffin (1,749 – 32), Tundra Swan (4,685 – 5,360), Turkey Vulture (2,781 – 4,738), Upland Sandpiper (76 – 46), Varied Thrush (9,105 – 4,302), Vaux's Swift (2,161 – 1,918), Veery (1,097 – 6), Vesper Sparrow (2,063 – 912), Violet-green Swallow (8,922 – 17,184), Virginia Rail (814 – 5,806), Wandering Tattler (2,671 – 366), Warbling Vireo (2,932 – 3,802), Western Bluebird (1,435 – 42), Western Grebe (14,527 – 17,972), Western Gull (1,553 – 31), Western Kingbird (2,055 – 6,345), Western Meadowlark (6,311 – 710), Western Sandpiper (5,102 – 1,050), Western Screech-Owl (1,377 – 5,863), Western Scrub-Jay (2 – 0), Western Tanager (4,275 – 1,272), Western Wood-Pewee (3,530 – 5,105), Whimbrel (1,876 – 804), White Wagtail (1 – 0), White-breasted Nuthatch (1,045 – 189), White-crowned Sparrow (8,444 – 3,121), White-faced Ibis (6 – 23), White-headed Woodpecker (224 – 1), White-tailed Kite (3 – 0), White-rumped Sandpiper (35 – 1), White-tailed Kite (1 – 0), White-tailed Ptarmigan (566 – 2,117), White-throated Sparrow (1,736 – 689), White-throated Swift (553 – 85), White-winged Crossbill (933 – 33), White-winged Dove (1 – 0), White-winged Scoter (10,201 – 12,591), Whooper Swan (2 – 0), Whooping Crane (5 – 4), Wild Turkey (653 – 184), Willet (80 – 48), Williamson’s Sapsucker (198 – 71), Willow Flycatcher (749 – 3,062), Willow Ptarmigan (600 – 184),

   
· In the near future, efforts will be directed to updating the bird database for alpine species including Willow Ptarmigan.

Wilson's Phalarope (1,718 – 1,255), Wilson's Snipe (4,425 –2,709), Wilson's Warbler (4,799 – 1,352), Wood Duck (4,347 – 6,956), Wood Sandpiper (2 – 0), Wood Stork (1 – 1), Xantus’s Murrelet (1 – 0), Yellow Rail (4 – 16), Yellow Warbler (5,884 – 4,857), Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (80 – 80), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (151 – 128), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (22 – 2), Yellow-billed Loon (365 – 1,169), Yellow-breasted Chat (324 – 2), Yellow-headed Blackbird (2,149 – 11,032), Yellow-rumped Warbler (10,633 – 3,046), Yellow-throated Warbler (1 – 0), and Xantus’s Hummingbird (1 – 0).

Total bird species: January 2008 through June 2011 – 484. 
Total bird records: January 2008 through June 2011 - 1,648,085. 

2011: Top 10 bird species (January 1 through June 30) – Black Tern (19,425), Glaucous-winged Gull (16,639), Barrow’s Goldeneye (13,656), Common Grackle (11,091), American Dipper (10,559), Black Oystercatcher (10,531), Yellow-headed Blackbird (9,539), American Bittern (8,450), American Avocet (5,198), and Arctic Tern (4,256).

   
· Data entry during the first half of 2011 for Glaucous-winged Gull more than doubled the existing number of records for the ubiquitous species. 

2010: Top 10 bird species – Mallard (23,128), Great Blue Heron (21,964), Canada Goose (20,927), American Wigeon (16,222), Western Grebe (15,629), Snowy Owl (15,006), Bufflehead (13,335), Green-winged Teal (12,827), Common Merganser (12,424), and Surf Scoter (12,102).

2009: Top 10 bird species – Anna’s Hummingbird (21,921), Barn Owl (11,060), Snowy Owl (10,153), Barred Owl (8,163), Short-eared Owl (7,813), Pied-billed Grebe (3,673/6,104), Rufous Hummingbird (6,491), Common Loon (5,717), Clark’s Grebe (5,634), and Song Sparrow (4,991).

2008: Top 10 bird species – Anna’s Hummingbird (22,201), Horned Grebe (15,994), Forster’s Tern (11,690), Ring-necked Duck (10,005), Short-eared Owl (8,263), Barred Owl (8,168), Common Loon (8,153), Pacific Wren (8,000), Great Horned Owl (7,415), and Barn Owl (7,008). 

Mammals

American Badger (336), American Black Bear (484), American Marten (43), American Mink (378), American Pika (403), Arctic Ground Squirrel (46), Beaver (1,464), Big Brown Bat (109), Bighorn Sheep (922), Bison (223), Black Rat (13), Blue Whale (2), Bobcat (15), Bushy-tailed Woodrat (190), California Myotis (7), California Sea Lion (233), Caribou (41), Canada Lynx (12), Coast Mole (45), Columbian Ground Squirrel (1,368),

   
· As time permits, historical dates of emergence and hibernation are being extracted from historical diaries for Columbian Ground Squirrel. 

Cougar (13), Coyote (1,799), Deer Mouse (2,104), Douglas’ Squirrel (428), Dusky Shrew (87), Eastern Grey Squirrel (2,421), Elk (400), Ermine (18), Fisher (9), Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (262), Gray Whale (111), Grey Wolf (33), Grizzly Bear (41), Harbour Porpoise (28), Harbour Seal (829), Hoary Marmot (291), House Mouse (1), Humpback Whale (11), Killer Whale (45), Least Chipmunk (73), Little Brown Myotis (12), Least Weasel (16), Long-tailed Vole (64), Long-tailed Weasel (6), Meadow Jumping Mouse (37), Meadow Vole (4,377), Minke Whale (3), Mountain Beaver (9), Mountain Cottontail (2), Mountain Goat (182), Moose (301), Mule Deer (2,118), Muskrat (1,448), North American Opossum (675), Northern Elephant Seal (13), Northern Flying Squirrel (1,584), Northern Bog Lemming (1), Northern Fur Seal (8), Northern Raccoon (1,142), Northern River Otter (723), Northern Sea Lion (434), Norway Rat (1,120), Pacific Jumping Mouse (64), Pacific Water Shrew (14), Pacific White-sided Dolphin (9), Porcupine (47), Red Fox (369), Red Squirrel (4,314), Sea Otter (33), Silver-haired Bat (14), Snowshoe Hare (298), Sperm Whale (9), Striped Skunk (735), Thinhorn Sheep (123), Townsend’s Mole (80), Townsend’s Vole (2,682), Trowbridge’s Shrew (325), Vagrant Shrew (1,159), Vancouver Island Marmot (222), Water Vole (3), Western Spotted Skunk (12), Water Shrew (6), White-tailed Deer (1,544), Woodchuck (143), Wolverine (3), Yellow-bellied Marmot (1,108), and Yellow-pine Chipmunk (955).
 
Total mammal species: January 2008 through June 2011 – 87.
Total mammal records: January 2008 through June 2011 – 43,884.

Summary of Amphibian, Reptile, Bird and Mammal Electronic Databases: January 2008 through June 2011

Total species - 597; Total records - 1,717,073.

British Columbia Locations

Our wildlife databases contain comprehensive information for geographical place names that refer to specific locations and geographic features listed in the official The Gazetteer of British Columbia. This standard reference identifies a particular location and eliminates the problem when same places are called different things by different people. It also clarifies the location of places with the same names that are widely separated such as “Blue Lake”, “Deer Lake”, “Loon Lake”, “Lost Lake” and “Summit Lake.”

   
· There are at least 12 official “Lost Lakes” in British Columbia. This photo of “Lost Lake” is a local name for a small lake near Goodlow in the North Peace River region of the province.

Besides the official place name, there may be many additional sites that further refine the specific location of an animal, each of which is identified by a UTM co-ordinate. The latter system also pinpoints favoured wildlife watching locations with popular local names such as “Arctic Loon Lake”, “Dowitcher Pond”, “Turtle Marsh”, “Mission Flats”, and “Dick’s Meadow” that are not officially recognized.

While thousands of specific locations are included in the databases, the 10 sites listed below for the three and a half-year period January 2008 through June 2011 indicate where some of the data entry effort for a particular year has been focused.

2011: Top 10 locations (January through June) – Swan Lake (Saanich) (12,308), Swan Lake (Vernon) (6,152), Leach Lake (4,729), Westwick Lakes (4,718), Duck Lake (Creston) (4,217), Phillips Lake (4,042), Esquimalt Lagoon (3,628), Cecil Lake (3,568), Race Rocks (3,172), and McKinley River (3,059).

   
· A significant dataset for wetland birds from Phillips Lake, near Squilax in the southcentral interior, was a welcome addition to the location database.

2010: Top 10 locations – Victoria (35,204), Boundary Bay (18,858), Iona Island (13,002), Esquimalt Lagoon (9,173), Reifel Island (7,444), Swan Lake (Vernon) (5,217), Williams Lake (4,856), Vaseux Lake (3,396), Creston (2,999), and Fort St. John (2,815).

2009: Top 10 locations – Kelowna (22,647), Metchosin (17,662), Bridal Falls (14,465), Rolley Lake (14,002), Nulki Lake (11,815), Cloverdale (8,762), Esquimalt Lagoon (8,432), Reifel Island (8,392), Iona Island (7,729), and Swan Lake (Saanich) (7,303).

2008: Top 10 locations – Christina Lake (33,208), Tetana Lake (15,831), Bridal Falls (15,443), Duck Lake (Creston) (10,221), Lac Le Jeune (8,177), Reifel Island (8,072), Middle Quinsam Lake (7,535), Metchosin (7,449), Victoria (7,308), and Harrison Hot Springs (6,554).


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BC Nest Record Scheme Report Update

   

The 56^th annual nesting report has been published and mailed to contributors.

In 2010, confirmed breeding for 25,404 nests and/or broods were received for 239 species, which was the second-highest number of breeding records ever received for the BCNRS. Of these, 13,287 records (52%) were for the 2010 season and the remaining 12,117 records were transferred from historical sources. A total of 401 names are included in the report of which 272 people participated in 2010 season.

There are many range extensions, information on early and late breeding dates, and noteworthy species information since the publication of The Birds of British Columbia. Three new species including Pacific Wren, Greater Sage-Grouse, and Parasitic Jaeger were added bringing the provincial total to 315 breeding species.

Long-term monitoring and inventory projects are summarized for “Colonial-Nesting Marine Birds”, ”Colonial-Nesting Fresh-Water Birds”, “Colonial-Nesting Terrestrial Birds”, “Nesting Birds of Prey”, and “Nest Box Trails”. Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism is discussed for the 32 host species reported.

Eleven of the 104 pages are dedicated to “Notes from the Field.” These are heart-wrenching and heart-warming stories of personal experiences individuals have had in their encounters with birds during the breeding season.

The report ends with five appendices to aid field observers in “Plumage Development of Young Waterfowl”, “Guide to Timing of Visits to Nests of Songbirds”, “Stages of Nestling Songbird Growth”, “Correct Terminology for Ages of Birds”, and “Monitoring Cavity Nesting Birds”

Participant profiles for G. Allen Poynter and Janne Perrin are featured on the inside covers.


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Dr. Ian McTaggart-Cowan Memorial Publication

   

The first draft for the Ian McTaggart-Cowan memorial book has been completed and the external review process has started. Dr. Spencer G. Sealy, Dr. Alton S. Harestad, and Peter Ommundsen have offered to review the entire manuscript. This trio brings professional expertise to the project, a long association with Ian, and provides a balance of human experiences that is required for the editorial process.

Dr. Cowan provided support and advice as a committee member during Spencer’s PhD thesis at UBC. Over the years that followed, Spencer has been influenced greatly by Ian’s contributions to wildlife research and conservation and even today, as a professor at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, his ornithological research has a touch of Cowan’s early influence. Spencer recently completed his term as editor of The Auk, the quarterly journal of the American Ornithologists’ Union.

Alton, who received his PhD at UBC, recently retired as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC. Dr. Cowan was a member of his Msc committee. Over the years, Dr. Cowan encouraged Alton’s study and love of mammalogy.

Dr. Cowan was Peter’s supervisor for his Master of Science thesis on the early growth of the Columbia Black-tailed Deer. Peter was employed for 32 years with the wildlife and environmental science programs at Selkirk College in Castlegar, BC and was inspired by the teaching skills of Ian McTaggart-Cowan.

For the first time in a year, consistency is being brought to each chapter by comments from the reviewers and compilers which is the necessary final stage in developing a manuscript ready for publication.

While the review process is underway, time is being spent to obtain archival photographs and complete the many odds-and-ends that are associated with compiling and writing a memorial book.


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Recent Changes to Common and Scientific Names 
                                     for 
 British Columbia Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds

The common [English] and scientific names of living organisms are constantly changing as research by taxonomists show different relationships between plants and animals. While common names are often given by local people, and can be confusing, scientific names are unique throughout the world.

   
· Terrestrial Gartersnake with Clingfish. Over half of all amphibians and reptiles in BC have recently had changes in their common and/or scientific names.

As new information becomes available, some names are changed and periodically scientists update their findings. In North America, herpetologists and ornithologists are well organized and from time to time publish significant changes to common and scientific names as stand alone circulars or supplements to other major books. While some changes may create controversy and discussion among taxonomists, a standard reference is required for everyone involved in publishing, research, and conservation issues.

Two recent publications have summarized changes in the standard names of amphibians, reptiles, and birds, some of which affect species in British Columbia. These are listed below.  

Amphibians and Reptiles

The sixth edition of “Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with Comments Regarding Confidence in our Understanding” has been issued by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) as Herpetological Circular No. 37. The 84 page publication includes new taxa described since previous publications and any taxonomic changes that have led to name changes, both English [Common] and scientific.

   
· The names of some species, like the Columbia Spotted Frog (Rana luteiventris), were not changed.

It is available from SSAR, Publications Secretary, Breck Bartholomew, PO Box 58517, Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0517.

Twenty-three of the 42 species (55%) of amphibians and reptiles known to occur in British Columbia have some change in their common [English] and/or scientific name. Names for current recognized subspecies are also listed.

Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas)
All North American toads have been removed from the Genus Bufo to Genus Anaxyrus. The common name remains the same.

   
· Western Toad. The scientific name has been changed from Bufo boreas to Anaxyrus boreas.

American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
Formerly called Bullfrog with scientific name Rana catesbeiana.

   
· American Bullfrog. The common and scientific names have been changed from Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)
Formerly in the Genus Rana; common name remains the same.
Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)
Formerly in the Genus Rana; common name remains the same.

   
· Northern Leopard Frog. The scientific name now becomes Lithobates pipiens. 

Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)
Formerly in the Genus Rana and species sylvatica; common name remains the same.

   
· Wood Frog. The scientific name has been changed from Rana sylvatica to Lithobates sylvaticus. 

Northern Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla)
Formerly in the Genus Hyla and named Pacific Treefrog.

   
· Northern Pacific Treefrog. The common and scientific name has been changed from Pacific Treefrog (Hyla regilla). 

Northern Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora)
Formerly named Red-legged Frog; subspecies status (e.g., Northern Red-legged Frog, Rana aurora aurora) undetermined.

   
· The Red-legged Frog is now called Northern Red-legged Frog.

Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana)
Formerly named Great Basin Spadefoot Toad.
Northwestern Salamander (Ambystoma gracile)
No subspecies (e.g., Brown Salamander, Ambystoma gracile gracile and British Columbia Salamander, Ambystoma gracile decorticatum) are recognized.
Barred Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium)
Formerly the species tigrinum and named Tiger Salamander. Subspecies common name remains the same [i.e, Blotcher Tiger Salamander]; scientific name changed to Ambystoma mavortium melanostictum.
Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa)
No subspecies (e.g., Northern Rough-skinned Newt, Taricha granulosa granulosa) are recognized.

   
· Both common and scientific names remained the same but no subspecies is now recognized.

Pygmy Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglasii)
Formerly called Pigmy Short-horned Lizard.

       
· Pygmy Short-horned Lizard. First part of common name was changed from Pigmy. Field sketch by Glenn R. Ryder, Osoyoos, BC, 22 June 1957; the first confirmed BC record since the late 1800s (see Wildlife Afield 3:9-14, 2006). 

Western Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus)
Formerly in the Genus Eumeces.
Northern Rubber Boa (Charina bottae)
Formerly named Rubber Boa. No subspecies are recognized.

           
· Northern Rubber Boa. The common name was changed from Rubber Boa.  

North American Racer (Coluber constrictor)
Formerly named Racer.
Desert Nightsnake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea)
Previously considered Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata). Single subspecies in British Columbia now named Northern Desert Nightsnake [Night Snake] (Hypsiglena chlorophaea deserticola).
Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer)
Formerly named Gopher Snake.

       
· Gophersnake. The common name was changed from two separate words Gopher Snake.

Terrestrial Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans)
Formerly named Western [Terrestrial] Garter Snake. Scientific name remains. Common name for single subspecies recognized in British Columbia is now Wandering Gartersnake.
Northwestern Gartersnake (Thamnophis ordinoides) 
Formerly named Northwestern Garter Snake.
Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) 
Formerly named Common Garter Snake. The three subspecies recognized in British Columbia all have a single word for the second part of their common name (i.e., Gartersnake).

       
· Common Gartersnake. Formerly all three species had separate words for garter snake.

Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata)
Formerly in the Genus Clemmys. No subspecies are recognized.
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Formerly named Green Turtle.
Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Formerly named Common Snapping Turtle..

Checklist of British Columbia Amphibians and Reptiles

Forty two species of amphibians and reptiles are native, or have been introduced, to British Columbia. These species, highlighted in bold below, include 22 species of amphibians and 20 species of reptiles. Also listed are standard common and scientific names for subspecies officially recognized to occur in the province.
North American Toads
Western Toad - Anaxyrus boreas
Boreal Toad – Anaxyrus boreas boreas
Tailed Frogs
Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog - Ascaphus montanus
Coastal Tailed Frog - Ascaphus truei
American Water Frogs
American Bullfrog - Lithobates catesbeianus
Green Frog - Lithobates clamitans
Northern Leopard Frog - Lithobates pipiens
Wood Frog - Lithobates sylvaticus
Chorus Frogs
Boreal Chorus Frog - Pseudacris maculata
Northern Pacific Treefrog - Pseudacris regilla
Brown Frogs
Northern Red-legged Frog - Rana aura
Columbia Spotted Frog - Rana luteiventris
Oregon Spotted Frog - Rana pretiosa
North American Spadefoots
Great Basin Spadefoot - Spea intermontana
Mole Salamanders
Northwestern Salamander - Ambystoma gracile
Barred Tiger Salamander - Ambystoma mavortium
Blotched Tiger Salamander - Ambystoma mavortium melanostictum
Climbing Salamanders
Wandering Salamander - Aneides vagrans
Pacific Giant Salamanders
Coastal Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon tenebrosus
Ensatinas
Ensatina - Ensatina eschscholtzii
Oregon Ensatina - Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonensis
Brook Salamanders
Long-toed Salamander - Ambystoma macrodactylum
Woodland Salamanders
Western Red-backed Salamander - Plethodon vehiculum
Couer d’Alene Salamander - Plethodon idahoensis
Pacific Newts
Rough-skinned Newt - Taricha granulosa
Alligator Lizards
Northern Alligator Lizard - Elgaria coerulea
Northwestern Alligator Lizard - Elgaria coerulea principis
Horned Lizards
Pygmy Short-horned Lizard - Phrynosoma douglasii
Wall Lizards
Common Wall Lizard - Podarcis muralis
Toothy Skinks
Western Skink- Plestiodon skiltonianus
Skilton’s Skink - Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus
Rubber Boas
Northern Rubber Boa - Charina bottae
North American Racers
North American Racer - Coluber constrictor
Western Yellow-bellied Racer - Coluber constrictor mormon
Sharp-tailed Snakes
Sharp-tailed Snake - Contia tenuis
Rattlesnakes
Western Rattlesnake - Crotalus oreganus
Northern Pacific Rattlesnake - Crotalus oreganus oreganus
North American Nightsnakes
Desert Nightsnake - Hypsiglena chlorophaea
Northern Desert Nightsnake - Hypsiglena chlorophaea deserticola 
Gopher Snakes
Gophersnake - Pituophis catenifer
Pacific Gopher Snake - Pituophis catenifer catenifer
Great Basin Gopher Snake - Pituophis catenifer deserticola
North American Gartersnakes
Terrestrial Gartersnake - Thamnophis elegans
Wandering Gartersnake - Thamnophis elegans vagrans 
Northwestern Gartersnake – Thamnophis ordinoides
Common Gartersnake - Thamnophis sirtalis
Valley Gartersnake - Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi
Red-sided Gartersnake - Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Puget Sound Gartersnake - Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii 
Western Pond Turtles
Western Pond Turtle - Actinemys marmorata
Green Sea Turtles
Green Sea Turtle - Chelonia mydas
Snapping Turtles
Snapping Turtle - Chelydra serpentina
Painted Turtles
Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta
Western Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta bellii
Leatherback Sea Turtles
Leatherback Sea Turtle - Dermochelys coriacea
Sliders
Pond Slider - Trachemys scripta
Red-eared Slider - Trachemys scripta elegans
Asiatic Turtles
Asiatic (Chinese) Turtle - Chinemys reevesi 

Birds

The American Ornithologists’ Union has a North American Checklist Committee that periodically publishes changes in the common [English] and scientific names of North American birds as a result of new research findings. The committee of 12 members has recently issued their latest supplement Fifty-First Supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-List of North American Birds (see Auk 127(3):726-744, 2010). Some changes that affect birds in British Columbia are listed below.

Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferous)
This former single species has now been split into two separate species based mainly on DNA analysis and vocalization sonograms: Eastern Whip-poor-will (C. vociferous) and Mexican Whip-poor-will (C. arizonae).

       
· The remains (wing and tail) of the Whip-poor-will found dead near Ucluelet, Vancouver Island, on 5 November 2001 (see Wildlife Afield 3(1):16-17, 2006) will have to be examined by ornithologists to determine its species status.

Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes )
This former single species has now been split into two separate species based mainly on differences in vocalization, plumage, and lack of hybridization: an “eastern” species Winter Wren (T. hiemalis) and a “western” species Pacific Wren (T. pacificus). The former only reaches British Columbia in the northeastern part of the province. The latter is widespread elsewhere. So, we have gained a new species.

                 
· Pacific Wren. This new species occurs throughout British Columbia except in the northeast.
 
Black Scoter (Melanitta americana)
The North American bird is now considered a separate species from the European Common Scoter (M. nigra) and gets the new species name americana.
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)
Genus name has changed from Vermivora to Oreothlypis.
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 
Genus name has changed from Vermivora to Oreothlypis.

       
· Orange-crowned Warbler. Scientific name has been changed from Vermivora celata to Oreothlypis celata. 

Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)
Genus name has changed from Vermivora to Oreothlypis.
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)
Genus name has changed from Seiurus to Parkesia.
McCown’s Longspur (Rhynchophanes mccownii)
Genus name has changed from Calcarius to Rhynchophanes.


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