This is the Vancouver Bird Alert for Friday, February 2nd - Evening Update

The Rare Bird Alert continues for the BRAMBLING

The Featured Bird is BARN SWALLOW

There is an important announcement before tonight's update: Birders
searching for the HOODED ORIOLE are asked to respect the following change in
arrangements: After nearly a month of welcoming birders into their yard at
7620 No. 3 Rd, Richmond, the homeowners have withdrawn the privilege for now
but suggest that birders may still watch for the Oriole from the sidewalk on
Jones Rd. Both feeders are easily viewed from this vantage point.

Species mentioned ( * new to update):

* American Bittern [Reifel]
* Trumpeter Swan [Delta]
* Tundra Swan [Delta]
Northern Goshawk [Reifel, Maplewood]
Rock Sandpiper [Iona Jetty]
Western Sandpiper [Iona Jetty]
Long-billed Dowitcher [Iona]
Glaucous Gull [Burns Drive, 72nd]
Western Gull [Iona Jetty, Burns Drive]
Long-eared Owl [Richmond]
SNOWY OWL [Sea Island]
* Northern Saw-whet Owl [Reifel]
* Hutton's Vireo [Reifel]
* Barn Swallow [Westham Island]
Crested Myna [Wylie & 2nd]
Yellow-rumped Warbler [Iona]
HOODED ORIOLE [No. 3 Rd. & Jones - Richmond]
BRAMBLING [1961 Berkley Ave, North Vancouver]

Sightings for Friday, February 2nd

The BRAMBLING was again seen throughout the day at 1961 Berkley Ave., North
Vancouver. The homeowners are allowing birders onto their property via a
gate on the right side of the house. This allows access to the backyard. The
bird, which is easily spooked, is being seen on the grass below the feeder
on the left side of the yard.

2 overwintering BARN SWALLOWS were seen over the Westham Island Bridge.

2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS were at Reifel along with a HUTTON'S VIREO, an AMERICAN
BITTERN and a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL.

The SNOWY OWL was again viewed from Iona along the Vancouver Airport
foreshore and a WESTERN GULL was seen from the jetty. Up to 6,000 SCOTERS,
mostly 'SURFS,' have amassed at Iona and these should be 'scoped for EIDERS.
Also at Iona, the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was again present in the SE corner
of the SW Pond.

Thursday, February 1

The HOODED ORIOLE was present at 7620 No 3 Rd, Richmond and The BRAMBLING
was seen again at 1961 Berkley Ave, North Vancouver.

3 adult WESTERN GULLS and an adult GLAUCOUS GULL were spotted in the gull
roost along Burns Drive, Delta. A second GLAUCOUS GULL was observed south of
Highway 10, between 80th and 72nd St.

2 CRESTED MYNAS were in the vicinity of 1st Ave and Wylie St, Vancouver.

A total of 6 LONG-EARED OWLS were counted at a roost in Terra Nova Park in
west Richmond.

964 TRUMPETER SWANS were counted in the Delta area and 8 TUNDRA SWANS were
near the Vancouver dump.

Wednesday, January 31

The BRAMBLING was again at 1961 Berkley Ave, North Vancouver.

The SNOWY OWL, previously reported several times from the Airport foreshore
near Iona, was again seen on the foreshore just north of the location where
the approach lights extend into the water. Observed at the SW pond at Iona
were a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER & a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. Seen from the Iona
jetty were a ROCK SANDPIPER, and 5 WESTERN SANDPIPERS. Up to 5,000 Scoters
can now be seen at the end of the Iona jetty.

An adult GLAUCOUS GULL was seen in a large gull roost along 72nd in Delta.

Tuesday, January 30

The BRAMBLING was again seen in the backyard of 1961 Berkley Ave. North
Vancouver.

An adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen not far from the bridge at Maplewood.

Monday, January 29

The BRAMBLING was seen for most of the day in the backyard of 1961 Berkley
Ave, North Vancouver.

The HOODED ORIOLE continued at Jones & No. 3 Rd. in Richmond and 3 adult
WESTERN GULLS were discovered in the large gull roost along Burns Drive in
Delta.

Thank you and good birding!

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