This is the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Rare Bird Alert
(250)491-7738.

Sightings for Monday, October 14th - 8:30 PM update

** RARE BIRD ALERT for RED PHALAROPE (Salmon Arm) and CLARK'S GREBE (Vernon)

Featured birds include:

PACIFIC LOON (Summerland)
SURF SCOTER (Vernon)
PARASITIC JAEGER (Kelowna)
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Salmon Arm)
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Salmon Arm)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Salmon Arm)
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Salmon Arm)

Other birds mentioned:

Clark's Nutcracker
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Evening Grosbeak
Northern Pygmy Owl
Lapland Longspur
Eared Grebe
Western Bluebird
Western Grebe
Snow Bunting
Ruddy Duck
Rock Wren
Canyon Wren
Virginia Rail
Northern Shoveler
American Dipper
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye


Sightings for October 14

In Salmon Arm, an imm. RED PHALAROPE was seen from the dog park at the foot
of Narcisse Road (DC,CC,RM). The bird was a considerable distance from the
park, so you will need to walk N. on the compacted mudflats for a decent
look. Also, two FRANKLIN'S GULLS and two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were
seen here (DC,CC,RM). Three juv. AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and 1 BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVER were seen from the pier in Salmon Arm (DC,CC,RM).

In Vernon, a CLARK'S GREBE was with 6 WESTERN GREBES on Swan Lake
(CC,RM,CS). These birds were seen from the trailer park on the SE shore of
the lake.

An imm. SURF SCOTER and an EARED GREBE were on McKay's Reservoir and a
LAPLAND LONGSPUR was heard overhead at Rose's Pond on the Vernon Commonage
(CC,CS,RM). A flock of 7 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were seen on the commonage, near
McKay's Reservoir as well (CC,RM,CS).

In Kelowna, the imm. PARASITIC JAEGER was again seen as it chased gulls at
the Maude Roxby Bird Sanctuary (CC,RM). The bird was first discovered on Oct
10.

The ecological reserve behind the Summerland Research Station had
WHITE-BREASTED, RED-BREASTED and PYGMY NUTHATCHES, as well as a calling
NORTHERN PYGMY OWL, 5 EVENING GROSBEAKS and numerous CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS
(LRo).

On Oct 13th, a PACIFIC LOON was seen flying past Crescent Beach, on
Lakeshore Rd, in Summerland (fide LRo).


Sightings for October 13

The immature PARASITIC JAEGER was relocated along Okanagan Lake, in Kelowna,
as it chased gulls at City Park (CG). This bird was first seen at the Maude
Roxby Bird Sanctuary on October 10.

In Vernon, a SNOW BUNTING was found in Kekuli Provincial Park (TF). The bird
was along the Grassland Trail which parallels Hwy 97.


Sightings for October 12

In Penticton, an adult basic plumage PACIFIC LOON was found on Okanagan
Lake, at the SS Sicamous (LRo). Thirteen NORTHERN SHOVELERS were seen at the
Penticton Marina, on Okanagan Lake (LRo).

Two RUDDY DUCKS were at Green Lake, S. of Okanagan Falls, and at Mahoney
Lake was a ROCK WREN (LRo). A single CANYON WREN was reported at the Vaseux
Cliffs (LRo).

At Hack's Pond on River Road, N. of Oliver, was a VIRGINIA RAIL, while at
the Okanagan Falls Campground, AMERICAN DIPPER, COMMON GOLDENEYE and
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE were seen (LRo).


Observers: CC - Chris Charlesworth; LRo - Laurie Rockwell; TF - Trevor
Forder; CG - Calvin Gehlen; DC - Don Cecile; RM - Richard Mooney; CS - Chris
Siddle.


If you have any questions about Okanagan Valley birding, contact Chris
Charlesworth, in Kelowna at (250)-718-0335, Dick Cannings in Penticton at
(250) 496-4019, or Phil Gehlen in Vernon at (250) 542-8053.

This update has been sponsored by the TUMBLEWEED NATURE STORE at 67 Front
Street in Penticton.

Thanks for calling the bird alert and happy birding.

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