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


Sightings for Sunday, August 24 - 11:00 PM update.


The Featured Birds Include:

GREAT EGRET (Vaseux)
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Osoyoos)
PRAIRIE FALCON (Kelowna)

Other birds mentioned include:

Pileated Woodpecker
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
STILT SANDPIPER
FRANKLIN'S GULL
Peregrine Falcon
Barred Owl
Northern Pygmy-Owl
American White Pelican
Sandhill Crane
Common Poorwill
Rock Wren
White-throated Swift
Evening Grosbeak
Golden Eagle
Western Sandpiper
Boreal Chickadee
Three-toed Woodpecker
White-winged Crossbill
Pine Grosbeak
Spruce Grouse
Blue Grouse


Sightings for August 24

A pair of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen on the NE shore of Osoyoos
Lake, in the South Okanagan on the 24 (TD).

On the 21st, a GREAT EGRET was seen near the banding station in the marshes
at the N. end of Vaseux Lake, in the South Okanagan (LH,GH,SO).

In Kelowna, on the 21st, a PRAIRIE FALCON was seen flying over Robert Lake,
which is completely dry (CC).

A pair of PILEATED WOODPECKERS, most likely trying to escape thick smoke in
the area, was seen at the N. end of Duck Lake, in Kelowna on the 21st (SM).


Sightings for August 18

The adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was again seen in the marshes north of
Vaseux Lake on the 17 (AB). Walk the dyke from Green Lake Road, S. to Vaseux
Lake in the early morning for the best opportunity to see this bird.

Along Dee Lake Road at Lost Lake, E. of Winfield, were 3 THREE-TOED
WOODPECKERS, 2 PINE GROSBEAKS and 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS (CC,CoC,RT).

A BARRED OWL responded to calls at km 10.5 on Beaver Lake Road, E. of
Winfield, as did a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL at km 13 (CC,CoC,RT).

Two WESTERN SANDPIPERS were at Mackay's Reservoir on the Vernon Commonage
(CC,CoC,RT).

On the 17, a juv. PEREGRINE FALCON was seen, being harassed by a GOLDEN
EAGLE at Alki Lake in Kelowna (RT).

A high count of 11 STILT SANDPIPERS was made along the Salmon Arm Foreshore
on the 17 (DCe). Also seen was an adult FRANKLIN'S GULL (DCe).

Six BOREAL CHICKADEES and a THREE-TOED WOODPECKER were seen along Postill
Lake Road, E. of Kelowna, about 1 km W. of the lake (TF).

A hike up Rattlesnake Mountain, NW of Summerland, produced 2 COMMON
POORWILLS, 2 ROCK WRENS, WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS and EVENING GROSBEAKS (LR).

Thirteen SANDHILL CRANES were at Mahoney Lake, near OK Falls on the 17 (ED)
and 4, including 2 adults and 2 young were at Rawlings Lake, near Lumby on
the 18 (CC,CoC,RT). Please remember that Mahoney Lake is an ecological
reserve and should only be viewed from the road.


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).


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Observer Initials: CC - Chris Charlesworth; RT - Ryan Tomlinson; CS - Chris
Siddle; LR - Laurie Rockwell; TF - Trevor Forder; CoC - Connor Charlesworth;
AB - Andy Bezener; DCe - Don Cecile; ED - Eva Durance; LH - Lee Horn; GH -
Gaye Horn; SO - Steve Ogle; SM - Sue McGregor; TD - Trevor Dyck;


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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