This is the Victoria Rare Bird Alert update for Monday, May 18th at
10:30 p.m.

Feature Birds
---------------------
WILSON'S PHALAROPE
RED KNOT
WILLET

Monday, May 18th
----------------
A male WILSON'S PHALAROPE was present at the Duncan sewage pond. A rare
migrant to this area, look for this species on any body of fresh water.

Also there were a male Ruddy Duck and several Wood Ducks.

A trip to Sidney Spit did not produce the hoped for TUFTED PUFFIN, but a
RED KNOT in breeding plumage was at the Spit, as were Black-bellied Plover
and another 28 Brant Geese.

Sunday, May 17th
----------------
A pair of REDHEADS were at King's Pond at the end of Ascot Drive, a rather
late record for this species.

31 Greater White-fronted Geese were on Martindale Flats.

Saturday, May 16th
------------------
A Hammond's Flycatcher and a Hairy Woodpecker were at 4655 Kerrieview
Drive, off Prospect Lake Road. Birders are welcome to visit this yard,
where over 50 species of birds may be seen in one day.

A REDHEAD was at Swan Lake.

20 Black Swift were over Mount Newton early in the morning.

EVENING GROSBEAKS were reported from several areas.

At Quick's Bottom were 2 invisible Virginia Rails.

At Viaduct Flats, all 3 species of Teal were present.

A Marbled Godwit was on the Victoria Golf Course with 13 Whimbrels.

A WILLET was reported and confirmed from Clover Point. This is one of
the few records for this species, which is rare in this area.

20 White-fronted Geese were still at Martindale Flats.

Thursday, May 14th
-------------------
9 PURPLE MARTINS were over Martindale Flats. A PURPLE MARTIN colony is
present in Esquimalt Harbour, occupying several nest boxes on pylons just
off the trailer court.

Wednesday, May 13th
-------------------
40 Brant Greese, 6 Pacific Loons and a black Scoter were at Island View
Beach.

A Solitary Sandpiper and 3 Short-billed Dowitchers were at Rithet's Bog.

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To report sightings of Interest, call (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 or Hank Vanderpol at 658-3482.

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,
additions by KS]

Good Birding!