This is the Victoria Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, July 9th, 10:30 p.m.

Feature Birds
-----------------
SANDHILL CRANE
RED-EYED VIREO
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE

**First, an urgent request: a high-powered scope of 60 or more power is
needed to read bands on Purple Martins. The need is immediate. If you can
assist please call Cam Finlay at 479-9833.

Thursday, July 9th
-----------------------
A group of more than 30 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen feeding at about 7:30
p.m. over Brentwood Bay.

2 SANDHILL CRANES were still at Martindale Flats north of Martindale Road
at about 6:30 p.m.

2 other SANDHILL CRANES were seen in the afternoon circling high over
Playfair Park and then later on were seen to take off in a southerly
direction. These are more than likely 2 different Cranes from the other 2
which have been at Martindale Flats for the past 2 weeks.

Also today at Cordova Spit were 30 Least and Western Sandpipers, one
Semi-palmated Sandpiper and 3 Spotted Sandpipers.

Wednesday, July 8th
--------------------------
At Cowichan Bay were 3 Semi-palmated Sandpipers and a mixed flock of about
100 Least and Western Sandpipers.

At the base of Cowichan Bay Dock Road were 2 singing RED-EYED VIREOS and
just north, along the Doman Dyke was a singing BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.

A Green Heron was at the Forest Museum pond.

At 4655 Kerryview Drive was a male EVENING GROSBEAK feeding a young. Also
there are Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Pileated Woodpeckers and many other
species of interest. Visitors are welcome.

Tuesday, July 7th
----------------------
2 Red-breasted Sapsuckers were at the east end of Tugwell Lake.

2 Short-billed Dowitchers at King's Pond at the end of Ascot Drive.

A WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE was singing on Christmas Hill. Enter from Woodall
Drive. There could be a nesting pair there as0 2 to 3 years ago a pair of
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES nested in that area.

Monday, July 6th
---------------------
9 Brant flew past Ten Mile Point and 8 Heermann's Gulls were on rocks near
Cadboro Point off White Rock Avenue.

A late report was received of a completely ALBINO HUMMINGBIRD seen briefly
at a feeder but not seen since. Although Albino Hummingbirds are very
rare, they do occur.
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To report sightings of Interest, call the Victoria RBA Hotline at (250)
592-3381 and leave you NAME & TELEPHONE NUMBER plus a brief message
discribing the birds you saw. Or you may email: boom at islandnet.com and
submit your report.

To summon those who can confirm a rare species, call Brian Gates at (250)
598-7899 or the Goodwills' at (250) 382-9652.

Latest Victoria RBA reports are available on the web at:
Birding in British Columbia:
http://www.islandnet.com/~boom/birding/bc-home.htm

[Original Taped Message by Hank Vanderpol. Transcribed by Virginia Jessop.]

Good Birding!

Kevin Slagboom, Web Manager -- Tel: 1-250-658-0940
Birding in British Columbia
http://www.islandnet.com/~boom/birding/bc-home.htm
'Drop by and Contribute your Trip Reports! -- We'd love to read them.'