This is the Vancouver Bird Alert for Saturday June 8th, evening update,
sponsored in part by the Wild Birds Unlimited stores in Vancouver and North
Vancouver.

Rare bird alert for a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, a male DICKCISSEL near Sechelt
and near Victoria a SNOWY EGRET.

Sightings for Saturday June 8

A male DICKCISSEL in breeding plumage was again observed for most of the day
in a back yard at 1576 Mission Rd. near Davis Bay. Mission Rd. is appox 20
km from the Gibsons Ferry Terminal on the Sunshine Coast Hwy (#101). The
homeowners welcome you to view this bird in their backyard. Please respect
this privilege. Parking is limited. Please make sure you are not hindering
local traffic.

The YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was again present at the bend of Neaves Rd. south
of Grant Narrows RP. It appears to have been cooperative today giving many
birders good views. Also at this location were 3 EASTERN KINGBIRDS, a
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, CHIPPING SPARROW and 2 GRAY CATBIRDS.

At Grant Narrows were 2 CHIPPING SPARROWS with one being seen frequently on
the trail 100m or so along the nature dike. Also seen at the Narrows were 2
EASTERN KINGBIRDS, 5 MUTE SWANS, 1 TRUMPETER SWAN, and 10 AMERICAN PIPITS in
over flight.

Four TURKEY VULTURES were seen on the ground near a farm on the west side of
Neaves Road north of McNeill Rd. with another seen over Neaves bend.

At Maplewood CA were 8 PURPLE MARTINS.

Two SANDHILL CRANES were seen near the Mansion on Boundary Bay.

Two GREAT HORNED OWLS were reported from Beach Grove Park in Tsawwassen.

For several weeks a PEREGRINE FALCON has been frequenting a highrise
apartment building at 1850 Rosser Ave. in Burnaby. This a reddish building
west of Brentwood Mall. The bird has been perching on the lights on the
south side of the building.

Out in ABBOTSFORD was a singing LAZULI BUNTING 1 ? km south of Vye St. on
Whatcom Rd. Also near Thickson & Wells Line Road was a singing HOUSE WREN.

Out of town near Victoria was a SNOWY EGRET seen at Craigflower Creek. It
has been seen both East and West of the Helmckin Road bridge the past 4
days. It is most
likely the same bird seen at Quick's Bottom on last Sunday and Monday. For
further details call the Victoria Alert at 250-592-3381.

Friday, June 7

The male DICKCISSEL was observed in a back yard at 1576 Mission Rd. near
Davis Bay on the Sunshine Coast.

There were possibly 2 YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS at the Neaves Rd. bend.

At Grant Narrows were a female PINE GROSBEAK, a CHIPPING SPARROW, 4 EASTERN
KINGBIRDS, 3 BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, 5 MUTE SWANS and a TRUMPETER SWAN.

Reported from Maplewood CA was a SNOW GOOSE amongst a flock of Canada's.

Thursday, June 6

A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was observed and heard from the Pitt River dike at
the Neaves Rd. bend. Also here were a GRAY CATBIRD & an EASTERN KINGBIRD. A
kilometre south of this location on Neaves Rd. was an AMERICAN BITTERN.

A total of 28 TURKEY VULTURES were seen in overflight of the 6900 block of
Bradner Rd. in Abbotsford.

At the Compensation Lagoon on the Tsawwassen Jetty were 7 WHIMBREL and 2
BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS.

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.

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For further information on birding in the Vancouver area log onto the
Vancouver Natural History Society's web site at www.naturalhistory.bc.ca