Category Archives: Class Aves

Melanitta perspicillata: Surf Scoter–Race Rocks Taxonomy

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ntscotersit

Surf scoter,  Melanitta perspicillata at Race Rocks photo by Nick Townley

ntscoterfly

Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata in flight

surfscoterSurf Scoters are often sighted off the shores of Taylor beach in the fall (see http://metchosinmarine.ca/gf/?p=3080 ) but only show up at Race Rocks occasionally .. see the Christmas Bird Count records: The first photographic record we have was taken in November, 2014 by Ecoguardian Nick Townley.

RMfeb42009surfscoterPM

This photo was taken by Ecoguardian Ryan Murphy in 2009 but was probably in outer Pedder Bay where they are frequently found.

 

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Merginae
Genus: Melanitta
Species: M. perspicillata

Surf Scoter range

Winter and Summer range of surf scoter: from seaduck ventures page

An excellent reference on the surf scoter with an image of the range can be found on the seaduck ventures page

 

 

 

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taxonomyicon Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Dec 2014, Nick Townley

 

Charadrius vociferus: Killdeer–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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rm07910killdeer

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus photo by Ryan Murphy, 2010.

ASkilldeer

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus photo by Anne Stewart, Oct 2014

Link to other posts on this website about Killdeers

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Sub-Phylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Charadriidae
Subfamily Charadriinae
Genus Charadrius
Species vociferus
Common Name: Killdeer

Other Members of the Class Aves at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

 2014, Garry Fletcher

 


Anthus rubescens: (American Pipit ) –The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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raisasept292010amerpipit

Raisa Mirza in the fall of 2010 took this image of an American Pipit at Race Rocks.

Raisasept222010americanpipit

Raisa Mirza in the fall of 2010 took this image of an American Pipit at Race Rocks.

8 individuals of this  species were recorded on the  VNHS Field Trip, Sept 27 2014.

DanielleD-Amerpipet

Photo of American Pipit by Daniel;e Donecke on the VNHS FIeld Trip, Sept 2014

 

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Anthus
Species: A. rubescens

Other Members of the Class Aves at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

Oct 30, 2012 –Garry Fletcher

Chen caerulescens : Snow Goose –Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Snow Goose

Lesser Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae
Subfamily  Anserinae
Genus Chen
Species caerulescens
Common Name: Snow Goose or Blue Goose

 

This is the first observation and photo we have of a snow goose at  Race Rocks. Ecoguardian Courtney Edwards took this photo on April 21, 2014. These geese migrate in great numbers through the lower mainland area at this time of year.

Bucephala albeola: Bufflehead, Race Rocks Taxonomy

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bufflehead-female-ce30mar13

Bufflehead , Bucephala albeola photographed near Great Race Rocks March 30, 2014 by Courtney Edwards,

buffleheadmaleandfemales

Bufflehead male and females.

Classification:
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Merginae
Genus: Bucephala
Species: albeola
Common Name:Bufflehead

 

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Male Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola photo by Ryan Murphy

We normally see Buffleheads throughout the winter months feeding in bays and along beaches on the shores of Metchosin. The males are much more obvious from their contrasting black and white plumage. This is the first observation we have had in the Race Rocks waters.

Other Members of the Class Aves at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

March, 2014–Garry Fletcher

Cathartes aura: Turkey vulture

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Alex Fletcher took this picture of a turkey vulture and included it in the Race Rocks Log of . We occasionally see Turkey Vultures at Race Rocks, rarely landed but often wheeling in the air. In October when migrating, they gather at this southern end of Vancouver Island, working up on the thermals until they have enough altitude and the conditions are right to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Carol Slater noted in The Daily Log, Thursday, March 28, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 8.1 ºC »» Min. 6.0 ºC »» Reset 7.1 ºC »» Rain 2.6 mm
MARINE LIFE: 4 Bald Eagles – 3 mature, only one pair of Geese today. Another wet and windy day but did have some visitors of note-just before noon 4 Turkey Vultures landed on the ridge just west of the Learning Centre. The other birds were somewhat wary but did not try to drive away the big vultures as they do with the eagles.The geese were very curious and waddled over to have a look all the time waving their necks back and forth.
Unfortunately by the time the geese made their way from the flagpole to where the vultures were, they had taken off towards Bentinck Island.Turkey Vultures often land here during the fall migration but this is the first time I can remember seeing them in the spring.The small elephant seal is still hauled out on the ramp,it’s nose just 3 metres from the boat house door, quite comfortable and unconcerned with us passing by even just inches away.

Other references to turkey vulture sightings may be found here:

CLASSIFICATION:
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Cathartiformes
Family:Cathartidae
Genus Cathartes
Species aura
Common Name: Turkey Vulture

 

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. 

Anas carolinensis: Green-winged Teal: The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Green-winged teals: Photo by Alex Fletcher

Green-winged teals: Photo by Alex Fletcher, Dec 12, 2014. Alex noted that they seem to come after the heavy rains as they did last year.

Below  is the first set of image taken of Anas carolinensis, the green-winged Teal at Race Rocks.

greenwingedteal1The male plumage shows up in this picture .

Ecoguardian Alex Fletcher took this first set of images of green-winged teal ducks at Race Rocks in December 2012. 

 

These ducks are common over on Vancouver Island but we have never recorded them out here before.

 

greenwingedteal2

Duck scratch

greenwingedteal4female-1

I suspect it was because there were many freshwater ponds on the lawns with the heavy rains recently on the island.

Classification:
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum :Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus Anas
Species caroliniensis
Common Name: Green-winged teal.

 

 

 

 

 

On January 13, 2018 Ecoguardian Laas Parnell records  an new sighting in her log.

 

 

 

 

Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image Gallery Index:

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, staff and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College and website viewers on our remote cameras on the internet. Dec. 18, 2012– Alex Fletcher

Anas platyrhynchos: Mallard Duck–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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pbdec15mallards

Pam Birley from England took this first set of images of mallard ducks at Race Rocks with the remote camera today. Over on Vancouver Island it is a very common duck but has never been recorded out here before.

This is the first image taken of this species at Race Rocks. Pam said in her e-mail “Not too exciting but never seen them before at RR.  A group of 6 Mallards in a rock pool along the NE shore.  Seemed to be one breeding male and I believe the others were all female.  Light very poor but have enhanced the pics as best I could.”.

 

 

 

Domain: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anas
Species platyrhynchos
Common Name: Mallard Duck

Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, staff and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College and website viewers on our remote cameras on the internet. 15 Dec. 2012–Pam Birley

Hydroprogne caspia: Caspian Tern–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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mikercaspianternjune112012
Mike Robinson, the Lester Pearson College Ecoguardian at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, reported in the Race Rocks log on Caspian Terns and provided this picture.
This is the first image taken of this species at Race Rocks June 10, 2012.

Mike  commented :” I have noticed several (2-6) Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) in the area for a month or so. They have proven very challenging to photograph but I got a couple good shots this afternoon. It is the world’s largest tern with a length of 48–56 cm, a wingspan of 127–140 cm. The global population is about 50,000 pairs. They have a distinguishing croak that sounds a bit like a Great Blue Heron.”
Domain:  Eukarya
Kingdom:  Animalia
Phylum:  Chordata
Subphylum:  Vertebrata
Class:  Aves
Order:  Charadriiformes
Family:  Sternidae
Genus:  Hydroprogne
Species:  caspia (Pallus, 1770)
Common Name: Caspian Tern

Global Status: G5 (Nov 1996)
Provincial Status: S3B (Nov 2011)
BC List: Blue
COSEWIC Status: Not at Risk (May 1999)
SARA Schedule:
General Status Canada: 3 – Sensitive (2005)
Migratory Bird Convention Act: Y
Return to the Race Rocks taxonomy and image gallery

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, staff and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College   June 10,2012 -Mike Robinson

 

 

Phalaropus fulicarius:red phalarope–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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This is the first image taken of this species at Race Rocks  March 2012

 

 

I was on the docks at Race Rocks when I saw this small phalarope which I thought was the red-necked version. A viewer pointed out that it had a grey back and a thick bill. Therefore it is the “Red” phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius. It turns out that all the others we have seen in that same area by the docks in the past have been the red phalarope,  Phalaropus lobatus  which have a brown marked back  This is their winter non-breeding plumage so none of the colourful plumage of the breeding season shows up.  (Garry Fletcher)

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae
Genus Phalaropus
Species fulicarius Linnaeus 1758
Common Name: Red Phalarope
Garry Fletcher