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

Sightings for Thursday, February 20th - 10:30 PM update

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

Featured birds include:

SAY'S PHOEBE (Osoyoos)
SNOW BUNTING (Kelowna)

Other birds mentioned:

Canvasback
LONG-TAILED DUCK
GLAUCOUS GULL
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
SWAMP SPARROW
Western Bluebird
Tundra Swan
Glaucous-winged Gull
Thayer's Gull
DUNLIN
Great Horned Owl
American Robin
Gray Partridge


Sightings for Feb 20

At the mouth of Vernon Ck, in the Okanagan Landing area of Vernon, the first
winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was again seen in the early AM (TF).

One of the first true signs of spring, a SAY'S PHOEBE was observed along the
lower reaches of Kilpoola Road, W. of Osoyoos (fide DCa).

Three CANVASBACKS (2 males and a female) were on an almost ice-free Duck
Lake, N. of Kelowna on the 19th (SM).

On the 18th, a flock of 16 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen on the Black Mountain
grasslands E. of Kelowna (JB). The exact location from which to see these
birds can be obtained by phoning Joanne at (250) 765-6998. If you are not
able to hike in to the area and you wish to look in the general vicinity,
travel E. from Kelowna on Hwy 33 and scan the extensive grassland habitat
along the hwy between the Black Mountain subdivision and the Goudie Road
turnoff.


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).


Observers - CC - Chris Charlesworth; DW - Don Wilson; DC - Don Cecile; CS -
Chris Siddle; PB - Peter Blokker; DB - Denise Brownlie; JW - John Woodworth,
ST - Scott Thompson; BC - Bill Cutfield; DCa - Dick Cannings; RCa - Russell
Cannings; JB - Joanne Beaulieu; SM - Sue McGregor; TF - Trevor Forder.

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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