This is the VANCOUVER BIRD ALERT for Thursday, Nov. 30, 2000, 11 p.m.
edition.

Next, a personal note: This is my last Bird Alert update as part of the
regular team rotation. After 5+ years, it is time to step down. It has been
a privilege and an education to serve the Vancouver Natural History Society
as part of the Bird Alert team. Thank you for your support. (Jo Ann
MacKenzie)

Species mentioned:

American Bittern [Reifel]
Brant - Gray-bellied [BB Regional Park]
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK [Tsawwassen Jetty]
Redhead [Reifel]
Tufted Duck [Reifel, Iona]
Ring-necked Duck [Reifel]
Northern Goshawk [Iona, Reifel]
American Kestrel [Roberts Bank]
Black Oystercatcher [Stanley Park, Tsawwassen Jetty]
Willet [Tsawwassen Jetty]
Black Turnstone [Stanley Park]
Rock Sandpiper [Stanley Park]
Short-eared Owl [Iona Jetty]
SNOWY OWL [Vancouver Airport, 96th- BB]
American Dipper [Stanley Park]
Wilson's Warbler [south Vancouver]
Snow Bunting [Tsawwassen Jetty]
COMMON GRACKLE [south Vancouver]
Common Redpoll [south Vancouver]

Feature Bird is NORTHERN GOSHAWK.

Sightings Thursday, November 30

An immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK was on Iona Island, in the woodlot near the
sewage treatment plant's main entrance. A SHORT-EARED OWL was on the south
jetty at the pumphouse.

The AMERICAN DIPPER was again in Stanley Park's Beaver Lake Creek, and a
ROCK SANDPIPER was along the seawall with BLACK TURNSTONES, SANDERLING and a
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER.

On the south side of the Tsawwassen jetty were the WILLET and 3 SNOW
BUNTINGS, while the AMERICAN BLACK DUCK was on the compensation lagoon.

The Reifel Refuge TUFTED DUCK, present Nov. 23, 24, and 25, has not been
reported since.

The COMMON GRACKLE, found on Nov. 27 in the vicinity of W. 52nd and
Blenheim, in the Southlands area, has not been relocated.

Wednesday, Nov. 29:

An adult male SNOWY OWL was at the southwest tip of the Vancouver airport
property in the early morning. At sunset, it flew toward Lulu Island.

The AMERICAN DIPPER was in Stanley Park's Beaver Creek.

Tuesday, Nov. 28, late report:

In Boundary Bay Regional Park, at the east end of 12 Ave., Tsawwassen, a
flock of 550 BRANT contained 1 of the gray-bellied form. Four BLACK
OYSTERCATCHERS and the WILLET were on the south side of the Tsawwassen ferry
jetty.

Monday, November 27

A male COMMON GRACKLE was in a horse pasture in the vicinity of W. 52nd and
Blenheim, in the Southlands area of south Vancouver. Anyone attempting to
relocate this bird is asked to remember to be mindful of, and respectful of,
private property. Still in Southlands, a late male WILSON'S WARBLER was near
the foot of Carrington. To reach this location, take Blenheim St. south from
Southwest Marine Drive. Turn right on Celtic Ave, then left on Carrington.
Park in the small parking area on the left. Walk across the road to the
beginning of a trail, and search the thick vegetation along the road edge.
The warbler was associating with a large mixed flock of Kinglets and
chickadees. The first COMMON REDPOLL of the winter was with PINE SISKINS,
west of the foot of Carrington, about 100 m along the trail which runs
between the North Arm of the Fraser River, and the Point Grey Golf Club
fence.

Sunday, Nov. 26:

The female AMERICAN KESTREL was along Deltaport Way, near the first
overpass. The WILLET, 6 SNOW BUNTINGS, and 1 BLACK OYSTERCATCHER were again
on the south side of the Tsawwassen jetty.

Saturday, November 25

Two TUFTED DUCKS were seen; an immature female at Iona's Outer Pond, and an
immature male at Reifel Refuge. Also at Reifel were the adult NORTHERN
GOSHAWK, 1 REDHEAD, 1 RING-NECKED DUCK, and an AMERICAN BITTERN along the
west dyke.

A SNOWY OWL was on the Boundary Bay foreshore, east of the foot of 96 St.

At Stanley Park, 3 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS were at Ferguson Point, and an
AMERICAN DIPPER returned to Beaver Creek.

END TRANSCRIPT

I would like to add my personal thanks to Jo Ann for her hard work over this
5+ years as an Alert Operator. She will be missed.

Larry Cowan

To report a sighting to the Bird Alert, call (604) 737-3074. Visit the
Vancouver Natural History Society's website at: www.naturalhistory.bc.ca.