2010: A Year in Review

Well it's over now. Time to reflect! I've checked the list a couple times and things seem to be in order. 373 species seen [355 self-found]including the American Black-Ducks of Yellow Point (which Mike Toochin also tallied), and the freshly split Winter/Pacific Wrens. I also counted Cackling Goose, Dusky Grouse, and Eurasian Collared-Dove which were not on the checklist when Mike and Sharon did their big year-- on the other hand, Crested Myna has disappeared since then.

In addition to the full species, I also attempted to rack up various subspecies that could possibly warrant splits in the future. These include:

-"Aleutian" Cackling Goose

-Both "Taiga" and "Franklin's" Spruce Grouse

-The laingi subspecies of Goshawk (Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island)

-"Harlan's" (Red-tailed) Hawk

-"Richardson's" Merlin (east of the Rockies)

-The southern wymani (nominate) race of Western Gull. A single adult was observed near Tofino that was distinctly darker than typical occidentalis Western Gulls. Photos were taken--hopefully we can follow up on this in due time.

-brooksi subspecies of Northern Saw-whet Owl (Haida Gwaii)

-picoideus subspecies of Hairy Woodpecker (Haida Gwaii)

-carlottae subspecies of Steller's Jay (Haida Gwaii)

-ruficapilla (Eastern) subspecies of Nashville Warbler (1 seen near Dawson Ck)

-Both "Myrtle" and "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warblers

-Red, Sooty, and Slate-coloured Fox Sparrows... and a few mixes!?

-carlottae subspecies of Pine Grosbeak (Haida Gwaii)

-at least 4 types of Red Crossbill

***And a couple key types that I missed:

-Common Teal (Eurasian form of Green-winged Teal, split by the BOU)
-"Eastern" White-breasted Nuthatch (Peace/Central Interior)
-"Timberline" Brewer's Sparrow

Some of you will notice that I have a "MISSED" page up (links for all pages are near the top of the main/Home page). By looking at those misses (plus a bunch of others since around 410 species were seen by all in BC in 2010), I think it would be possible to get 380 in a year. This would require absolute dedication, sound planning, and lots of luck. Finding a way to get further offshore (i.e. 100 nautical mile range) would also help!