Subject: RBA Vancouver, BC. December 27/00
Date: Dec 27 22:18:35 2000
From: Larry Cowan - lawrencecowan at home.com


This is the Vancouver Bird Alert for Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000: Evening
Update.

The feature birds are SLATY-BACKED GULL and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER

Species mentioned:

Greater White-fronted Goose [Sea Island]
Northern Goshawk [Reifel]
Rough-legged Hawk [Sea Island]
Spotted Sandpiper [Reifel]
SLATY-BACKED GULL [Burns Dive - Delta]
Barred Owl [Reifel]
Northern Saw-whet Owl [Reifel]
Ash-throated Flycatcher [Reifel]
Northern Shrike [Sea Island]
Orange-crowned Warbler [Iona]
Yellow-rumped Warbler [Iona]
Harris's Sparrow [72nd & 36th - Delta]
Rusty Blackbird [Westham Is.]

Sightings for Wednesday, Dec. 27:

The adult winter plumaged SLATY-BACKED GULL was again present with
many other gulls in the fields along Burns Drive and the north end of 96th
St
in Delta. The "mystery 2nd year gull" was not seen today. This bird could be
possibly a "Vega" Herring Gull or a Slaty-backed Gull. Confirmation is still
desired and photographs are highly requested. If anyone sees this bird
could they please phone the bird alert immediately. Thank-you!

At Iona Island today an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was discovered
in the Ivy Bushes directly across from the sign-in book. In the Southeast
Pond were 6 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS.

At nearby Sea Island along Ferguson Rd. the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED
GOOSE was seen with many Canada Geese. Also here was an
adult NORTHERN SHRIKE and a light phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.

At 72nd St and 36th Ave in Boundary Bay was an immature HARRIS' SPARROW
seen with a large flock of White-crowned Sparrows.

The winter plumaged female RUSTY BLACKBIRD was again present at midday
outside
the Reifel Refuge along Westham Island Rd. and Robertson Rd. with a large
mixed flock of Blackbirds. At the Reifel Refuge both the immature and adult
NORTHERN GOSHAWKS were seen. There was no relocation of the ASH-THROATED
FLYCATCHER today.

Tuesday, Dec. 26:

The adult winter plumaged SLATY-BACKED GULL was present in the fields along
Burns Drive in Delta. Also present was a bird that was either a possible 2nd
year
"Vega" Herring Gull or Slaty-backed Gull. Since both birds are very hard to
identify,
the observers request photographs be taken and any further sightings be
phoned
into the bird alert immediately. Thank-you!

On Westham Island along Westham Island Rd. and the corner of Robertson Rd.
the female RUSTY BLACKBIRD was seen again at midday with a large mixed flock
of Blackbirds. At the Reifel Refuge the immature ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER
was present. This time on the main entrance road in the morning near the
Coast Guard Access Rd. This is the same area where the BARRED OWL is
located.
Other species at the Refuge include:
1 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL
1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK-adult
& 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER seen in the ditch and fields along the East Dyke
Trail.

END TRANSCRIPT

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