Subject: Okanagan Valley (BC) Rare Bird Alert - August 15 update
Date: Aug 15 21:17:32 2003
From: Chris Charlesworth - c_charlesworth23 at hotmail.com


This is the Okanagan Valley (BC) Rare Bird Alert (250-491-7738).


Sightings for Friday, August 15 - 9:30 PM update.

The Featured Birds Include:

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (Vaseux & Summerland)
STILT SANDPIPER (Vernon)

Other birds mentioned include:

Spruce Grouse
White-winged Crossbill
Blue Grouse
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
Sandhill Crane
RUSTY BLACKBIRD
Semipalmated Plover
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Three-toed Woodpecker
Boreal Chickadee
Pine Grosbeak
Baird's Sandpiper
Wilson's Phalarope
Pectoral Sandpiper


Sightings for August 15

A juv. STILT SANDPIPER was found at the S. end of the Mackay's Reservoir on
the Vernon Commonage this morning (CC,CS).

On the 14th, twelve AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen flying S. over Vaseux
Lake in the AM (CC,RT). In the afternoon, three were seen flying N. over
Trout Ck Point in Summerland (CC,RT).

Also on the 14th, E. of Vernon, on Silver Star Mountain, a female SPRUCE
GROUSE and three BLUE GROUSE were seen near the Sovereign Lakes (CS).
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS also continue to be seen in the Sovereign Lakes area
(CS).


Sightings for August 13

An adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen in the marshes N. of Vaseux Lake
in the South Okanagan (DC). This is most likely the same bird reported on
July 10. To access this spot, take the Green Lake Road, past the Okanagan
Falls Campground. Continue along the road until it you see a small parking
area on the left beside the river. This is roughly where the road begins to
turn away from the river. Walk S. along the river dyke almost as far as you
can go and search the marshes and birches for the night-heron.


Sightings for August 11

A female RUSTY BLACKBIRD was at Doreen Lake, on the plateau, E. of Winfield
(CC). To get to the area take Beaver Lake Road for 16 km and turn N. on the
Dee Lake Road. Continue approx 16 km to Doreen Lake. The blackbird was
foraging along the edge of the sedge meadow just before the road into the
campsites. Also on Dee Lake Road was a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, numerous BOREAL
CHICKADEES, 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, 2 THREE-TOED WOODPECKERS and 2 PINE
GROSBEAKS (CC).

On Beaver Lake Road, a female BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD was at km 6.5 near
the creek bed and a BLUE GROUSE was at km 8 (CC).

At Rawlings Lake, near Lumby, 4 SANDHILL CRANES were in the field on the S.
side of the lake. There were two adults and 2 young (CC,JL). Two BAIRD'S
SANDPIPERS were also at Rawlings (CC).

A SEMIPALMATED PLOVER was on the mudflats at the S. end of Duck Lake, N. of
Kelowna (CC) and a PECTORAL SANDPIPER and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE were at
Mackay's Reservoir on the Vernon Commonage (CC).


----------------------------------------------------------


Observer Initials: CC - Chris Charlesworth; RT - Ryan Tomlinson; JL - Judy
Latta; DC - Dick Cannings; 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.


CHRIS CHARLESWORTH
AVOCET TOURS
725 RICHARDS ROAD
KELOWNA, BC, CANADA
V1X 2X5
WWW.AVOCETTOURS.COM
C_CHARLESWORTH at AVOCETTOURS.COM

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