Tweeters,

Ryan Tomlinson and I had a great day of birding in the Kelowna / Vernon area
of the Okanagan Valley, BC, today. The weather conditions were ideal and the
birds were very active, making for a very enjoyable day.


Great-tailed Grackle 1 male. Has been in Kelowna for almost two years. Today
he was perched on top of the Chinese Laundry sign at Cooper Rd and Hwy 97.

Mew Gull 2 first year birds. Have been present all winter at the MacDonald's
at Hwy 33 and Hollywood Road.


Philpott Road (E. of Kelowna off Hwy 33)

Chestnut-backed Chickadee 4. This is the only location in the valley that
this species can be found with regularity.

Northern Pygmy Owl 1
Pine Grosbeak 2

Evening Grosbeak 20. This species has been difficult to find this winter.
The flock on Philpott Road has been the only reliable flock around.

Brown Creeper 1


McCulloch Road (E. of Kelowna, off Hwy 33)

White-winged Crossbill 20. Birds were calling, singing and feeding in
spruces along the road near the intersection with Hwy 33. One bird, an
immature male, was hit by a car and was dead on the road. I picked it up and
noticed it was still not stiff and was very warm. I looked in the bill and
the snow the bird was eating was still in there! Must have just died.

Red Crossbill 3
Gray Jay 3
Brown Creeper 2
Common Redpoll 5

HOARY REDPOLL 1 male. Bird was at a feeder with COREs at the Nordic Cross
Country Ski area. The flanks were incredibly clear. Only two very faint,
whispy streaks were seen on the sides. The undertail was clean white, with a
single hairline streak present.

Many raptors were seen on the Vernon Commonage:

Red-tailed Hawk 16 (including a "Harlan's" race)
Rough-legged Hawk 7
Bald Eagle 5

Head of the Lake (Vernon)

Gray Partridge 2 (male and female) feeding in trailer park!
Northern Pintail 3 (possibly first migrants)

That's all,

Chris Charlesworth
Kelowna, BC, Canada


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