Citrine Wagtail update, November 20

The Citrine is still being seen in Courtenay in the same location as of November 20 at about 12:45 p.m.

 

 

 

                            Citrine Wagtail: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

Marilynne and I went up to Courtenay to see the Citrine Wagtail. We met birders from Vancouver, Calgary, California and the Sunshine Coast who helped us find the bird in the grass. It was feeding in the grass just past some trees. We spotted the Wagtail bobbing it’s tail continually and moving in the tall grass giving us only quick views. We lost sight of the bird and headed back to the car—wet and cold, but happy! Paul and Rhonda drove up and we headed back down the dirt track. We couldn’t spot the bird in the area that we had previously seen it, so we walked up the road towards to some brush piles. The Wagtail flew over us showing this long tail and singing as he passed overhead. He landed out of sight near the piles of brush. The rain started pelting down and a strong wind was blowing so we headed back to our warm, dry cars.

 

The Citrine Wagtail is a small songbird that breeds in north central Asia and winters in South and Southeast Asia. Until now there have been no confirmed sightings of the bird in Canada and only one other in North America, when it was spotted in Mississippi in 1992.

Directions to specific location: From Courtenay, cross the 17th St bridge (Courtenay River). Turn right onto Comox Road (Dyke Rd) until the Pumping Station on the right hand side of the road. There is a dirt road across the road with a For Sale sign on the left. Walk up the dirt road towards the steel chain blocking vehicle access. The Wagtail has been observed to the left of the steel chain. Please stay on the dirt track rather than going on the fields.