Dave is a naturalist and photographer based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. His passion for birds began after a season guiding zodiac boat tours in Haida Gwaii, BC. Since then he has volunteered with several bird research projects including Laskeek Bay Conservation Society’s ancient murrelet study at Limestone Island, and SFU’s remote Triangle Island research station. His interest in nature and birding led to over 10 years of seasonal work as a heritage interpreter with BC Parks, Parks Canada and a number of NGOs with a focus on environmental education as well as travel throughout Central America. He now has a "real" job teaching in the Comox Valley.   Dave's blog can be found at Island Nature , follow him on Twitter at @BCNatureTweets

Meet the Kinglets

Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)

One of the benefits of teaching at a rural school on Vancouver Island is the daily lunch time walks. The country roads are bordered with hedgerows and there is usually good birding. I always keep an eye open for unusual birds birds and every now and then something turns up. …

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The Ultimate West Coast Pelagic Tour

Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes)

If you’re looking for the ultimate in pelagic birding tours in British Columbia, WildResearch’s annual pelagic trip out to La Pérouse Bank has to be on your “to do” list. At the end of the day, this 7 hour off shore tour is nothing short of “shear” birding and wildlife …

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Bring Back the Bluebird

Male Western Bluebird

Every now and then a western or a mountain bluebird makes an appearance here in the Comox Valley during the winter and early spring. A single mountain bluebird turned up at YQQ in April, 2012 and two more turned up on the Comox Valley Nature May, 2011 spring bird count. …

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Citrine Wagtail Continues in the Comox Valley

Citrine Wagtail - George Bowron

It’s not often that one sees a once in a lifetime “life bird” like the citrine wagtail (Motacilla citreola) that showed up way back in November, 2012 alongside an unremarkable farm field road on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Found by local Comox Valley birder Dave Routledge, this second North American and …

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Chez Elderberry

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Posted by Dave Ingram – Vancouver Island, British Columbia. We’ve finally got around to putting our suet feeders up for the winter and are starting to enjoy the regulars once again. We’ve been a bit reluctant because of the cat problem on the street- our next door neighbours have an …

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