This is the Vancouver Bird Alert for Thursday, February 8th - Evening Update

The RARE BIRD ALERT continues for the BRAMBLING

Species mentioned ( * new to update):

* ARCTIC LOON [Nanaimo]
* American Bittern [Colony Farm]
Greater White-fronted Goose [Vancouver]
* Redhead [Abbotsford]
Ring-necked Duck [Colony Farm, Maplewood]
* Northern Goshawk [South Surrey]
* American Kestrel [Deltaport Way - Delta]
Long-billed Dowitcher [Richmond]
* Short-eared Owl [Chilliwack, Colony Farm]
Northern Pygmy-Owl [Chilliwack, Maplewood]
Northern Shrike [Maplewood]
* VESPER SPARROW [Chilliwack]
* Lapland Longspur [Chilliwack]
* Western Meadowlark [Chilliwack]
HOODED ORIOLE [No. 3 Rd. & Jones - Richmond]
BRAMBLING [1961 Berkley Ave, North Vancouver]

Sightings for Thursday, February 8th

The BRAMBLING was again seen all day at 1961 Berkley Ave., North Vancouver.
However due to snow accumulation the bird has now moved to feeders on the
right side of the yard. Birders are permitted to enter the property via a
gate on the right side of the house which allows access to view the
backyard.

Wednesday, February 7

An ARCTIC LOON was reported from the north Nanaimo area near its border with
Lantzville. For full details on how to find this bird, please call the
Nanaimo Rare Bird Alert at (250)390-3029.

The following birds were all reported from the Chilliwack area...The
overwintering VESPER SPARROW was re-located in the vicinity of Kennedy Rd
and Hwy 7, a NORTHERN PYGMY OWL was seen along Elkview Rd and a large field
at Prairie Central & Banford Rd contained 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS, 4 WESTERN
MEADOWLARKS and up to 25 LAPLAND LONGSPURS. The latter are now reported to
be moving into breeding plumage.

Tuesday, February 6

The BRAMBLING was again at its home on Berkley Ave, North Vancouver; a
NORTHERN GOSHAWK was hunting by the roadside at 24th Ave and 172nd St, South
Surrey and an American Kestrel was seen on an overpass on Deltaport Way.

The wetlands on the Port Coquitlam side of Colony Farms provided the
following species: An AMERICAN BITTERN, 6 SHORT-EARED OWLS and 3 RING-NECKED
DUCKS.

Of interest, though outside of our checklist area, was the sighting of a
pair of REDHEADS at Willband Creek Park, Abbotsford. Willband can be
accessed from Bateman Rd at Highway 11.

Monday, February 5

The BRAMBLING was at 1961 Berkley Ave., North Vancouver throughout the day.
The NORTHERN PYGMY OWL continued to be seen west of the trail in the
northwest area of Maplewood and the NORTHERN SHRIKE was again at the west
marsh.

6 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were at the foot of Rogers St, Vancouver.

7 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were on tidal flats beneath a viewing platform
along River Rd, Richmond, west of Lynas Lane.

Sunday, February 4

The HOODED ORIOLE was at 7620 No. 3 Rd, Richmond and birders are reminded to
remain on the sidewalk on Jones Rd when viewing the two feeders. The
BRAMBLING was again seen at 1961 Berkley Ave., North Vancouver.

Thank you and good birding!

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Please remember to also report your sightings to the Vancouver Bird Alert at
(604)737-3074.

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