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

Sightings for Tuesday, February 18th - 7:30 PM update

Featured birds include:

LONG-TAILED DUCK (Osoyoos)
GLAUCOUS GULL (Kelowna)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Penticton)
SWAMP SPARROW (Osoyoos)

Other birds mentioned:

Western Bluebird
Tundra Swan
Glaucous-winged Gull
Thayer's Gull
DUNLIN
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
Great Horned Owl
American Robin
Gray Partridge
Boreal Chickadee
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Bohemian Waxwing
Pine Grosbeak
Ruffed Grouse
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE


Sightings for Feb 18

North of Osoyoos, a SWAMP SPARROW was seen south of Road 22 along the dyke
on the E. side of the Okanagan River (BC).

A pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were seen on the Beaver Lake Road grasslands, E.
of Winfield, presumably prospecting for a nest site (ST).

On the 17th of Feb, 12 TUNDRA SWANS were reported on Okanagan Lake, in
Kelowna, at Poplar Point (JW) and at Kinsmen Park in Kelowna there were 6
THAYER'S GULLS, 5 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS and a GLAUCOUS GULL (BC).

In a late report for Feb 15, a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was seen along the
Esplanade Trails near the Penticton Yacht Club and the LONG-TAILED DUCK was
again at the Osoyoos Sewage Lagoons (DCa,RCa).


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).


Observers - CC - Chris Charlesworth; DW - Don Wilson; DC - Don Cecile; CP -
Cheri Pillsbury; CS - Chris Siddle; PB - Peter Blokker; DB - Denise
Brownlie; JW - John Woodworth, ST - Scott Thompson; BC - BIll Cutfield; DCa
- Dick Cannings; RCa - Russell Cannings.

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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