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

Sightings for Monday, February 24th - 8:00 PM update

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

Featured birds include:

SNOW GOOSE (Vernon)
DUNLIN (Vernon)

Other birds mentioned:

Gray Partridge
Tundra Swan
YELLOW-BILLED LOON
PACIFIC LOON
Boreal Owl
Northern Goshawk
Common Loon
Chukar
American Tree Sparrow
Red-breasted Merganser
Western Bluebird
Mew Gull
Trumpeter Swan
Wilson's Snipe
Virginia Rail
Western Meadowlark
Merlin
Boreal Chickadee
Gray Jay
Pine Grosbeak
Barred Owl
Great Horned Owl
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Western Screech-Owl
Say's Phoebe
SNOW BUNTING
Canvasback


Sightings for Feb 24

The LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, now believed to be in second year plumage, was
again at the mouth of Vernon Ck, in the Okanagan Landing area of Vernon
(TF,JV). An early morning arrival is required to see this bird.

At the Head of the Lake in Vernon, an immature SNOW GOOSE and a DUNLIN were
seen from the trailer park (TF,JV). Also in that area, a small number of
GRAY PARTRIDGE were again seen in the Desert Cove community.

Six TUNDRA SWANS were on Duck Lake, N. of Kelowna (JM).


Sightings for Feb 23

A YELLOW-BILLED LOON was discovered at the N. end of Osoyoos Lake. The bird,
which was associating with 2 COMMON LOONS was seen from a lookout on Black
Sage Road (CC,DCa,RCa).

At Haynes Point Park, in Osoyoos, at least 4 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were
seen (CC,RCa,DCa).

Spring arrivals at the "Throne" north of Osoyoos, included a WESTERN
MEADOWLARK and WESTERN BLUEBIRDS (CC,RCa,DCa).

Along the McLean Ck Road, near Okanagan Falls, a WESTERN SCREECH-OWL was
heard, while in the high elevation forests E. of Okanagan Falls, BOREAL,
NORTHERN SAW-WHET, GREAT HORNED, BARRED and NORTHERN-PYGMY OWLS were heard
(CC,DCa,RCa). The BOREAL OWL was at Rabbit Lake, which is at km 22 on the
Shuttleworth Ck Rd, while the BARRED OWL called at km 15 on the Venner
Meadows Road.

At km 23 on Shuttleworth Ck Road, 2 BOREAL CHICKADEES, a GRAY JAY and some
PINE GROSBEAKS were in the woods (CC,RCa,DCa).

CHUKARS were heard and seen at both the Throne and at the Vaseux Cliffs
(CC,DCa,RCa), while up to 5 VIRGINIA RAILS were heard at Hack's Pond on
River Rd, N. of Oliver (CC,RCa,DCa).

Very unusual in the valley, the RICHARDSON'S race of MERLIN, normally found
on the prairies, was along Orchard Grove Road, off Black Sage Road, S. of
Oliver (CC,DCa,RCa).

In Kelowna, at least 2 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were in the weedy fields
behind Thomson-Brook Ponds (CC,RCa,DCa), and a WILSON'S SNIPE was flushed
from the water's edge here on the 21st (DW,DK,BT).

In Vernon, a PACIFIC LOON was discovered on Okanagan Lake at Paddlewheel
Park (CG,PG), while on the 22nd, one was at the Maude Roxby Bird Sanctuary
in Kelowna (CC).

At the McCulloch Cross Country Ski trails, S. of Kelowna a RUFFED GROUSE was
encounted along the trails on the 22nd (DW), while a NORTHERN GOSHAWK made
an evening visit to the Black Road area of Kelowna (TF).


Sightings for Feb 20

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

At Kinsmen Park in Kelowna, an immature MEW GULL and an immature TRUMPETER
SWAN were seen (BC).

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).


Observers - CC - Chris Charlesworth; DCa - Dick Cannings; RCa - Russell
Cannings; JB - Joanne Beaulieu; SM - Sue McGregor; DK - Don Knox; BT -
Brenda Thomson; TF - Trevor Forder; BC - Bill Cutfield; DW - Don Wilson; CG
- Calvin Gehlen; PG - Phil Gehlen; JV - John Vooys; JM - James McGregor.

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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