This is the Vancouver, B.C. Bird Alert for Friday, August 28th, 11:15 pm
update.

Featured birds:

Great Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Hight-Heron
Tufted Duck
Osprey
Peregrine Falcon
Willet
Long-billed Curlew
Black Turnstone
Surfbird
Baird's Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Wilson's Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Franklin's Gull
Western Gull
CASSIN'S AUKLET
XANTUS'S HUMMINGBIRD
Pileated Woodpecker
EASTERN PHOEBE
Crested Myna
Northern Waterthrush
American Tree Sparrow
CLAY-COLOURED SPARROW
Lincoln's Sparrow

Information on the XANTUS' HUMMINGBIRD follows the sightings.

Sightings for Friday, August 28th

A male TUFTED DUCK was reported from the outer pond at Iona. From the inner
pond were 7 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS and an OSPREY was seen over the Fraser
River.

Thursday, August 27th

TWO GREEN HERONS have been frequenting the display pond at Ambleside for
several days.

The NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was observed on the island in the outer pond at
Iona. Also present on the inner ponds was a STILT SANDPIPER.

Wednesday, August 26th

An EASTERN PHOEBE was discovered along Sea Island's Grover Rd. in the 2nd
group of trees past the dike gate parking area west of the Arthur Laing
Bridge.

A CASSIN'S AUKLET was sighted off Crescent Beach offshore from the second
house south of the foot of Sullivan. It is far enough offshore that a scope
is required. At nearby Blackie Spit were a LONG-BILLED CURLEW and an
immature FRANKLIN'S GULL.

In front of the large house between 88th & 96th on Boundary Bay were a
WESTERN GULL, 1 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE and 2 STILT SANDPIPERS.

The NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was again observed at Iona. The bird is best seen
in the early morning or near dusk. It is frequenting the Islands between
the 2 outer ponds.

Seen at Trinity Western Univ. were 3 GREEN HERON, 2 adlts & a juv.

Tuesday, August 25th

Two immature CLAY-COLOURED SPARROWS were reported from Iona. One in
brambles at the west end of the NW pond and another along Canfor Point
which is located east of the Treatment Facility along the gravel road
paralleling the river. A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was seen along the fence line
separating the outer & inner ponds. Observed from the tip of the Jetty were
4 SURFBIRDS and a BLACK TURNSTONE.

A pair of PILEATED WOODPECKERS were reported from Surrey's Hawthorne Park.

An possible AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was seen at the Reifel Refuge.
Confirmation of this sighting is desired.

Monday, August 24th

A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was seen at Iona. A GREAT EGRET, presumably the same
bird seen at various locations over the last week was seen on the Iona
foreshore.

The Reifel Refuge reported a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS, and a
BLACK CROWNED NIGHT-HERON.

On Boundary Bay between 88th & 96th were 2 STILT SANDPIPERS, 2 BAIRD'S
SANDPIPERS, and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE.

Another WILSON'S PHALAROPE was reported from Beach Grove.

The WILLET was observed at the base of the Tsawwassen Jetty.

Recent Vancouver locations for CRESTED MYNAS are Burrard & 2nd, Wylie &
2nd, Hudson and Marine and the south end of the Cambie St. Bridge

The female XANTUS' HUMMINGBIRD continues to be seen daily in Gibsons
although less frequently. Birders must phone ahead to arrange a time to
visit. Please call Lynn between 8:00 & 8:30 AM, Monday to Saturday at
604-886-3338. At other times if you wish to leave your number, Lynn will
return your call collect. There will be no Sunday calls or visits accepted

Directions to see the XANTUS'S HUMMINGBIRD are as foillows : from the
Langdale Ferry follow Hwy. 101 towards Gibsons. With a Wendy's / Tim
Hortons on your right, turn left at the next intersection which is Pratt.
Follow Pratt to it's end at Gower Point Rd. Turn right onto Gower which
winds its way to Ocean Beach. Follow Ocean Beach to 2nd St. Turn right &
proceed to the top of the hill. Turn left and park at the "Y" junction.
Walk up the paved drive on your right..

These directions are available on the Vancouver Natural History web site at
<www.naturalhistory.bc.ca/VNHS>

If you have a query about Vancouver birds or birding, please call

John 274-8777
Larry 942-0931

or visit the VNHS web site at <www.naturalhistory.bc.ca/VNHS

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