Subject: RBA Vancouver, BC - Tues Oct 23/01


This is the Vancouver Bird Alert for Tuesday, October 23rd, evening update

The featured birds are: BROWN PELICAN, SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER & TRUMPETER
SWAN

* * * *

Sightings for TUESDAY, October 23:

Strong coastal winds brought an unexpected winter adult BROWN PELICAN to
waters beneath the Burrard Bridge, Vancouver. For the best vantage point,
birders should visit Vanier Park and look out towards Second Beach.

300 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and a juvenile HUDSONIAN GODWIT were in a
flooded field on the West side of Highway 17, just North of 34B St.

Up to 2 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPERS and 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERs were at Iona in
the NW Pond taking shelter on the NW side. Also at Iona, the AMERICAN
KESTREL was in the vicinity of the washroom building.

2 TRUMPETER SWANS were seen at Blackie Spit, in the bay just to the north
of the spit; also at Blackie was a WESTERN MEADOWLARK.

The GREAT EGRET could still be found on Westham Island Rd in the large
slough near the first bend in the road after crossing the bridge.

MONDAY, October 22:

The only report was of a GREAT HORNED OWL spotted at Montrose Park,
Burnaby.

SUNDAY, October 21:

The SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER was seen again at Iona in the NE Pond and later
at the NW Pond. Also in the NW Pond were 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.

In a wet field on Highway 17, near the Deltaport Way turn-off were 4 RED
KNOTS, 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 200 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and good numbers of
DUNLIN as well as WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS. Close by in another field
seen from the Highway 17 on-ramp from Deltaport Way were a further 2 RED
KNOTS and 30 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS.

Seen along Hornby Drive,between 104 St & the railtracks to the east, were
over 800 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, a PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER and 2 RED KNOTS.

3 HEERMANN's GULLS and 12 COMMON MURRES were in a large group of PACIFIC
LOONS close to shore at Point Roberts.

There was a report from Blackie Spit of a TOWNSEND's SOLITAIRE and a
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH; however, exact details of their location were not
provided.

A HORNED LARK was at Boundary Bay RP.

SATURDAY, October 20:

Of interest from the Seattle area was the sighting of a NORTHERN HOBBY
found in the morning and viewed for several hours from the South Beach Trail
at Discovery Park. For further updates contact the Washington BirdBox at
(206)281-9172.

A HUDSONIAN GODWIT was observed at the foot of 112 St during a falling tide
and a SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER was discovered in a flooded field on the west
side of Highway 17, just north of the turn-off to Roberts Bank.

Another SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER and a PECTORAL SANDPIPER were still at the NE
Pond at Iona however, a PEREGRINE FALCON in hot pursuit later drove the
birds across to the SE Pond.

The GREAT EGRET was again seen on Westham Island. To look for this bird,
after crossing the Westham Island Bridge find the large slough just before
the first bend in the road.

2 HERMIT THRUSHES were seen along the Cleveland Trail at Pacific Spirit RP
and a single bird was at the Friendship Garden Park, New Westminster.

5 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS were on the south side of the Tsawwassen Causeway.

A VIRGINIA RAIL and a BARN OWL were at Colony Farm.

The MUTE SWAN could still be found at Richmond's Terra Nova Nature Area;
nearby were 3 PEREGRINE FALCONS.

There were 7 MARBLED GODWITS remaining just south of the border at Blaine,
Washington. Also seen in the area was a late YELLOW WARBLER.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen at Boundary Bay RP and at Point Roberts were
another NORTHERN SHRIKE and an OSPREY.

At the foot of 34 St in the Brunswick Pt area, there was an AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER and 4 RED KNOTS, of which one was still in full breeding
plumage.

* * * * *

PLEASE remember to report your sightings to the Vancouver Bird Alert at
(604)737-3074. Thank you and good birding!

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

end transcript

----- Original Message -----
From: Prue or Bernie <hawkowl2000 at yahoo.ca>

Larry Cowan
Port Coquitlam, BC
lawrencecowan at shaw.ca