ML644377204

Observation details

MEGA!!!! I was scoping for shearwaters at the end of the jetty when I heard a sparrow like flight call from somewhere behind me. I didn’t recognize the call so I turned around to watch a small bird dropped into the grass and weeds about 10 feet back from the end of the pier. I brought my binos up and watched the bird move through the dense weeds very much acting like a Savanah Sparrow. Suddenly the birds head came into view and I immediately thought LITTLE BUNTING. I switched to my camera and managed to snap a few photos of the bird. At this point I’d seen the eye ring combined with the the rufous cheeks, black crown with rufous top of crown. Having never seen a little bunting before but being familiar with the species through study I felt pretty confident it was a Little Bunting before I even had a chance to check any reference material or look over the photos. After about 45 seconds to 1 minute the bird took off and flew south aiming for Gibsons. I watched it over the water until it disappeared maybe a km away. 1st confirmed record for Canada. After last months OBPI I thought it would be a long time before (if ever) I came across another national first. I am further convinced we live in a simulation.