DARE TO BIRD

I just came back from birding with young birder Isaac in Kamloops when I got the text that a Loggerhead Shrike had been found at Hope Airport. This bird was present until saturday and I saw it on the wednesday. I went straight from Merritt and was there as fast as I could. This was a BC bird for me.hile I was there he was eating mice and beetles! These birds impale their prey and are severely declining in North America. I always find it odd that these birds don't occur in BC since they occur in nearby WA regularly. Loggerhead Shrike in Hope, BC - Photo: Melissa Hafting

I drove down to see a gorgeous male breeding plumage BTBW. It was at a private home with lovely owners. This was the 12th state record of this bird in WA! He flew right into the suet in front of me and perched briefly on this tree branch. This photo was published in the new book "The Birds of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest: A Complete Guide" by Richard Cannings, Tom Aversa, and Hal Opperman. You can buy it HERE After this I dipped on the nearby Brambling in Issaquah because I had to rush back to Vancouver, BC for an appointment. Black-throated Blue Warbler in Bothell, WA - Photo: Melissa Hafting