Subject: RBA Vancouver, BC -- Dec. 21/01
Date: Dec 21 21:56:01 2001
From: lawrencecowan at shaw.ca - lawrencecowan at shaw.ca


This is the Vancouver Bird Alert for Friday, December 21st evening
update.

The rare bird alert continues for the IVORY GULL.

Species noted:

Yellow-billed Loon [Roberts Bank]
Black-crowned Night Heron [Reifel]
Eurasian Wigeon [Roberts Bank]
Cinnamon Teal [Reifel]
Ring-necked Duck [Surrey]
American Kestrel [Delta]
Black Oystercatcher [West Vancouver, Tsawwassen Jetty]
Willet [Tsawwassen Jetty]
Surfbird [West Vancouver]
IVORY GULL [Robert's Bank Jetty]
Heermann's Gull [White Rock]
Barred Owl [Reifel]
Crested Myna [Wylie & 2nd Vancouver]
Swamp Sparrow [Reifel]
Snow Bunting [Tsawwassen Jetty]
Western Meadowlark [Blackie Spit]

Sightings for Friday, December 21st

The IVORY GULL was seen today perched on the Seaspan tugboat dock at
Roberts Bank. The dock itself is actually an old, somewhat rusty
barge connected to the shore by a catwalk. On the end of this barge
is the word "FOAM" in yellow spray paint. The directions to find the
bird are as follows. Drive down the south side of the Roberts Bank
Jetty to the far end where the road ends in a parking lot where you
can park. At this point you will see the tugboat dock as previously
described. Birders should note that the bird at times is difficult
to see due to its habit of roosting low and close to objects on this
dock. It also goes for walks to areas not visible from shore.

Thursday, December 20th

The IVORY was seen by many on the tugboat dock at Roberts Bank.

Birders heading out to see the Ivory Gull should watch for the
AMERICAN KESTREL hanging out at Deltaport Way & 41B.

Two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS, a SWAMP SPARROW and 8 CINNAMON TEAL
were reported from the Reifel Refuge and in Vancouver near Wylie &
2nd were 2 CRESTED MYNAS.

The HEERMANN'S GULL was again seen near the base of the White Rock
Pier.

Wednesday, December 19th

The IVORY GULL was reported for most of the day and into the evening
at its Roberts Bank location.

The HEERMANN'S GULL was seen at White Rock.

On a boat survey around West Vancouver's Bird & Grebe Islets 70 BLACK
OYSTERCATCHERS and 350 SURFBIRDS were observed.

Tuesday, December 18th

The IVORY GULL was reported for most of the day at its present
location.

Also seen at this location amongst a large raft of AMERICAN WIGEON
were 41 male EURASIAN WIGEON. An AMERICAN KESTREL was sighted near
the intersection of Deltaport Way & 41B.

Sighted on a drive along the Tsawwassen Jetty were 2 SNOW BUNTINGS, 2
BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and the WILLET.

Monday, December 17th

The IVORY GULL was not observed Monday but a possible immature YELLOW-
BILLED LOON was found near the small bay at the far SW corner of the
Roberts Bank Jetty.

Reported from the Reifel Refuge were 14 CINNAMON TEAL, 2 BLACK-
CROWNED NIGHT HERONS and a BARRED OWL.

On the monthly shoreline survey of Mud Bay the only birds of note
were 2 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS at Blackie Spit.

24 RING-NECKED DUCKS were observed on a pond found along the
Semiahmoo Trail, which is located south of 32nd & west of 148th in
south Surrey.

Two CRESTED MYNAS were seen at their now usual haunt of Wylie & 2nd
in Vancouver. Please report any sightings of CRESTED MYNAS in the
Vancouver Area.

Thank you for calling the Vancouver Bird Alert & good birding. If you
would like to leave a message please stay on the line for
instructions.

END TRANSCRIPT

Visit the Vancouver Natural History Society's website at:
www.naturalhistory.bc.ca