Victoria Rare Bird Alert for Saturday, February 20 at 9:45 p.m.
Compiled by Bryan Gates. Transcribed by Virginia Jessop.


Feature Birds
----------------
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
SAY'S PHOEBE


Saturday, February 20

A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was on the north slope of Mt. Tolmie in Saanich.
Look near the pink house that borders the park on the north-east side.

The SAY'S PHOEBE continues at the Goodyear Tire store on the Island Highway
about 4 km north of Duncan. The bird has been there through much of the
winter.

A SPOTTED SANDPIPER was at Moses Point in North Saanich.

Off Moses Point were 10 or more BARROW'S GOLDENEYES.

2 WESTERN GULLS were at Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood.

3 or more good plumaged WESTERN GULLS and an adult CALIFORNIA GULL were
with many THAYER'S GULLS at Clover Point in Victoria.


Friday, February 19

A BARRED OWL was seen in the early evening on Neil Street near Haultain in
Oak Bay.

2 GREAT HORNED OWLS were at their usual nesting place in the tall firs
south of Jennings' Lane, which is south of the south end of Elk Lake in
Saanich.

An AMERICAN BITTERN was at the golf driving range on Beverly Street in
Duncan, as was a brown phase GYRFALCON.

2 WHIMBRELS were at Cattle Point in Oak Bay.


Thursday, February 18

7 WOOD DUCKS were at Cuthbert Holmes Park in Saanich.


**Spring arrivals to watch for in the next few days include the TREE
SWALLOWS, possibly VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, and possibly a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
or two. More HUTTON'S VIREOS should begin singing in the next week as
well. Generally birding should begin to pick up. Get out and enjoy
yourself and call the Victoria Bird Alert at (250) 592-3381 to report what
you see.

Kevin Slagboom
Webmaster

Birding in BC
http://birding.bc.ca
Tel: (250) 658-0940