Although Sibley states this bird is common, it is found in Vancouver in very small numbers in late September and October during migration. This is an exciting find for me in early October, 2009, particularly since it is the first bird that I was able to photograph after my road bicycle accident on August 20th! And in order to get this, my friend,Tak Shibata, accompanied me very slowly on the 1.5 km trek along the South Jetty at Iona Beach, BC, and found it for me. In truth, the long 3 km hike was a bit too much too soon, but it was really worth it!

I went back again 12 days later and found a different bird shown in the first three photographs. Note the darker chest of the new bird. A very windy day with marginal light, but this one did go up from the ground twice.

The last picture is yet another bird which I flushed when returning on my bicycle and it landed on this withered flowering bush. I had but a few seconds to capture this unusual off-the-ground perch. I had purchased the Cotton Carrier strap for my gear and without it, there is no doubt I would not have been quick enough.