Victoria Rare Bird Alert for Monday, February 8 at 10:45 p.m.
Compiled by Bryan Gates. Transcribed by Virginia Jessop.

Feature Bird
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GYRFALCON


Monday, February 8

A GYRFALCON, described as being of a brown form spent much of the day at or
near the golf driving range on Beverly Street in Duncan. Watch for this
rather rare northern visitor to this area anywhere in the Somenos Marsh
area or perhaps in Cowichan Bay near Duncan.

3 immature SNOW GEESE remain at Somenos Marsh.

A HERMIT THRUSH was on the grounds at Government House in Victoria.


Sunday, February 7

A BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was at Whitty's Lagoon in Metchosin.

Among 17 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE on Martindale Flats in Central Saanich
was a large dark individual believed to be of the Taiga sub-species, a form
presumably not often seen here in the west. Confirmation or other opinions
on this bird would be appreciated, especially given the degree of splitting
of species that prevails now as further DNA studies are undertaken. Perhaps
a split among the sub-species of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE may be
proposed some day.

13 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were at Whitty's Lagoon in Metchosin.

A SAY'S PHOEBE, rather rare here in the winter, remains at the Goodyear
Tire store on the Island Highway, about 2 1/2 miles north of Duncan.

An immature RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, one of two that has been present much of
the winter, remained in the snow near Parksville, B.C.

A dark-mantled GULL still remains unidentified in the Duncan area. Watch
for this bird early in the mornings or perhaps on the weekend at the
schoolyard on Boll Road off Colkey Road in Duncan. To find this area turn
left off the Island Highway just after passing under the pedestrian
overpass which is on the south side of Duncan.

The identity of an immature SAPSUCKER in the Nanaimo area is still
uncertain. It could be a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, rare on Vancouver
Island. When confirmation is received, details will be reported here.

Recent sightings on the lower mainland include an adult ICELAND GULL on
68th St. and 60th Ave. in Delta. A ROSS' GOOSE is still on Comeau Lake in
Coquitlam. A SLATY-BACKED GULL and a GLAUCOUS GULL on Burns Drive in Delta.
A GYRFALCON west of 52nd and Highway 17 in Delta. For details on some of
these lower mainland birds call the Vancouver Bird Alert at (604) 737-3074.

Pleasant birding!




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