This is the Victoria Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, July 22nd at 10:30 p.m.
Compiled by Bruce Whittington.

Wednesday, July 22
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**RARE BIRD ALERT**On July 22 a birder visiting Sidney Spit Provincial Park
on Sidney Island observed a BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. A convincing
description was given, but because there was only one previous record for
the checklist area confirmation of this sighting is important. The bird
was seen foraging in what was thought to be a mountain ash at the far end
of the Loop Trail from the dock area near the large open grassy field.
Birders should be careful to avoid identifying more likely black and white
species such as Black-throated Gray Warbler. As with any rarity, photos
would be welcome. Access to Sidney Island is by private boat or via the
foot passenger ferry which leaves from the foot of Beacon Avenue in Sidney
on the hour from 9 to 5 weekdays and 10 to 7 on the weekends. The return
fare is $9.

A family of Northern Orioles is still at 9350 Cresswell Road in North
Saanich. The birdbath is apparently a big hit there.

Monday, July 20
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A boat party to the Chain Islands and Chatham and Discovery Islands off Oak
Bay turned up a nice array of shorebirds with a Wandering Tattler, Ruddy
and Black Turnstones, Semipalmated Sandpiper and many Semipalmated Plover.

Shorebird migration continues with a variety of species being seen in
suitable habitat. Reports from the last week or so include:
Wandering Tattler at Ogden Point
Ruddy Turnstone at Clover Point
Sanderling at Harling Point
Semipalmated Plover on the beach east of Ogden Point
A variety of species at Esquimalt Lagoon and Whitty's Lagoon.

To report the sighting of a rare bird and to summon other birders to
confirm the sighting call Bruce Whittington at 652-1529 or the Goodwills at
382-9652.

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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.

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

Good Birding!