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

Sightings for Saturday, February 15th - 8:00 PM update

**RARE BIRD ALERT continues for LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Vernon)

Featured birds include:

DUNLIN (Vernon)

Other birds mentioned:

Great Horned Owl
American Robin
Gray Partridge
Boreal Chickadee
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Bohemian Waxwing
Pine Grosbeak
Ruffed Grouse
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW
HARRIS' SPARROW
Mallard
Western Meadowlark
Wood Duck


Sightings for Feb 15

The first winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was again at the Mouth of Vernon
Ck in the Okanagan Landing area of Vernon (CC,DW,DC,CS,PB). The bird seems
to vanish every morning after 9 AM.

At the Head of the Lake, near Vernon, a DUNLIN was seen (CC,CS,DW). This
bird was first reported on Feb 13 (BC,m.ob) and was still present. It can be
seen from the lake access at the trailer park at Head of the Lake.

Six GRAY PARTRIDGE were seen feeding in the field beside the clubhouse at
the Desert Cove community at the Head of the Lake in Vernon (CC,CS,DW).

A GREAT HORNED OWL was on the Vernon Commonage, in the first grove of aspens
that flank both sides of Bailey Road, when approached from Hwy 97 (DW,CC).

Signs of spring are already appearing; AMERICAN ROBINS were singing as if on
territory along Mission Ck, upstream from Casorso Road, in Kelowna, on
Valentines Day (DB).


Sightings for Feb 12

The first winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continues at the Mouth of Vernon
Ck in the Okanagan Landing area of Vernon (DC).

E. of Kelowna, along the Big White Road, 5 km from Hwy 33 a BOREAL CHICKADEE
was found (CC,CP).

Along McCulloch Road, S. of Kelowna, two female PINE GROSBEAKS and a RUFFED
GROUSE were seen (CC,CP).

An adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was with large numbers of CANADA GEESE
at Munson's Pond in Kelowna (CC,CP).

The male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE was again at the intersection of Hwy 97 and
Cooper Road in Kelowna (CC,CP).

Seventy BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were along Lakeshore Road, in Kelowna's Mission
area, near the intersection of Avery Road (CC,CP).


Sightings for Feb 11

The first winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was again present at the mouth of
Vernon Ck, in the Okanagan Landing area of Vernon on Feb 10 (DC).

A HARRIS' SPARROW was discovered on Kelowna's Westside, in the bushes at the
Sunnyside entrance to Kalamoir Park (EF).

The female WOOD DUCK was seen with MALLARDS at the Fascieux Ck Wetlands on
Casorso Road in Kelowna (CC).

On the 10th, 5 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were in the weedy field behind
Thomson-Brook Pond, S. of Mission Ck, on Gordon Drive in Kelowna (CC,DW).

Three WESTERN MEADOWLARKS were at the traditional wintering location in a
horse pasture along Old Vernon Road, at Lindley Road in Kelowna's Ellison
area on the 9th (TF).


Observers - BC - Bill Cutfield; CC - Chris Charlesworth; DW - Don Wilson;
DC - Don Cecile; GW - Gwynneth Wilson; Elke Fischer; CP - Cheri Pillsbury;
CS - Chris Siddle; PB - Peter Blokker; DB - Denise Brownlie.

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

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

Thanks for calling the bird alert and happy birding.

TRANSCRIBED BY:

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

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