This is the Victoria Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, June 17 at 11:30 p.m.

Feature Birds
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CASPIAN TERNS
TUFTED PUFFINS
SANDHILL CRANES
EASTERN KINGBIRD

Wednesday, June 17
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 SANDHILL CRANES were in the field just off Island View Rd. near McEwen
Rd. The birds could not be relocated at a later time, but they may still
be in the area. It is presumed that these birds are dispersals from a
small breeding population in the lower mainland.

A male Blue-winged Teal was at Viaduct Flats. Also there were a male and
female Wood Duck, several Pied-billed Grebes with young, a male Ring-necked
Duck, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, and a Sora was heard calling there at the
Interurban entrance site.

A Willow Flycatcher was along Viaduct Avenue, and one was at the base of
Broadcast Hill close to Glendale Lodge, which is at the end of Markham Drive.

Evening Grosbeaks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Western Tanagers, Red-breasted
Sapsuckers and many other species continue to visit the acreage at 4655
Kerryview Drive, which is off Petworth Drive in the Prospect Lake area.
Birders are welcome to visit this bird haven at any time.

Out of Town, and EASTERN KINGBIRD (a first record for the Naniamo Area) was
seen at the Lindsey Road Marsh, off of White road in Cedar, just south of
Nanaimo.

Tuesday, June 16
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 CASPIAN TERNS were at Holland Point.

Sunday, June 14
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 CASPIAN TERNS were at Esquimalt Lagoon.

14 Heermann's Gulls were also at Esquimalt Lagoon.

A TUFTED PUFFIN was off Seabird Point. Although TUFTED PUFFIN are rare in
this area, they are most easily seen off Clover Point in July and August,
where 1 or 2 will often fly by. Occasionally, they can be seen on the
water just off Clover Point. However, patience and a long wait are usually
in order.

Also on Sunday, Skylarks were heard singing at the Victoria Airport. They
are more easily seen at the end of Canora Rd.

Out of town, the female Xantus's Hummingbird remains in the Gibsons area,
where it is now feeding at a different feeder from where it was last
winter. Call Lynn at (604) 886-3338 to make arrangements to see this bird.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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 & Vancouver 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.
Additions by K. Slagboom]

Good Birding!