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

Sightings for Monday, June 2 - 9:00 PM update


The Featured Birds Include:

CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE (Kelowna)
BARRED OWL (Kelowna)

Other birds mentioned:

Northern Pygmy-Owl
Blue Grouse
Long-billed Curlew
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
American White Pelican
Northern Goshawk
American Redstart
Yellow-breasted Chat
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Veery
Common Poorwill
Spruce Grouse
Gray Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
SAGE THRASHER
Grasshopper Sparrow
Black-backed Woodpecker
Williamson's Sapsucker
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
Three-toed Woodpecker


Sightings for June 2

It seems birders have overlooked the abundance of CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES
in the Joe Rich area E. of Kelowna. Today, 17 were found in the wet cedar
forests along Philpott Rd and Three Forks Road, which follow the Mission Ck
valley (CC). The birds were noted between 940 and 1100 meters elevation.
Nesting behavior was observed. A NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL was along Philpott Rd at
km 4 (CC).

On the grasslands on the S. side of Black Mountain, E. of Kelowna, a
LONG-BILLED CURLEW was heard calling (CC).

The Okanagan Mountain Park Bird Count was held on May 31st. Along the
Boulder Trail was a BARRED OWL, a NORTHERN PYMGY-OWL and a BLUE GROUSE
(CC,JC,m.ob).


Sightings for May 29

Seen flying near the N. end of Osoyoos Lake was a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
(fide.BL). On the 28th, ten AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were feeding near the N.
end of Osoyoos Lake (CC,BD,WD).

Also on the 28, a singing male AMERICAN REDSTART was at the S. end of the E.
dyke near Road 22 (CC). Also here were two VEERY (CC).

Numerous YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS and the resident BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
have been reliable at River Road, N. of Oliver (CC,m.ob).

A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was seen singing on territory on the hillside NW. of
White Lake, in the South Okanagan (CC,m.ob). Near the lake was a calling
LONG-BILLED CURLEW (CC).

Although the SAGE THRASHER seen on the 26th could not be relocated at White
Lake, two possible SAGE THRASHERS were at Haynes Lease Ecological Reserve,
N. of Osoyoos on the 29 (fide.BL).

On the evening of the 27th, 2 COMMON POORWILLS were heard on the road to
Kilpoola Lake, W. of Osoyoos (CC,BD,WD).

LEAST FLYCATCHERS were noted along the Twin Lakes Road and at two locations
along the river channel, S. of Road 22 (CC,m.ob) and GRAY FLYCATCHERS were
at their traditional location along McKinney Road, E. of Oliver at km 10
(CC,BD,WD).

At km 15 on the Venner Meadows Road, E. of Okanagan Falls were two BARRED
OWLS calling in broad daylight. Attracted by the comotion the owls were
making was an adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK (CC). At km 15.2 a female BLACK-BACKED
WOODPECKER was seen at km 13.5 a male WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was observed
(CC). On the 28th, a female SPRUCE GROUSE was seen feeding on spruce needles
at km 14 (BD,WD).


Sightings for May 26th

At White Lake, near Okanagan Falls, a SAGE THRASHER was discovered this
afternoon (GW,m.ob). It was on the W. side of the road, 1.3 km S. of the
White Lk Rd / Twin Lakes Road intersection.

Along River Road, N. of Oliver, a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT and a BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD were reported (JO).

Another WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was seen on the 25th N. of Osoyoos. It was on
the west side of Black Sage Road, a short distance S. of Road 22 (JF).

Along the Big White Rd, E. of Kelowna, 3 THREE-TOED WOODPECKERS were found
(CC,BD,WD). Take Hwy 33 E. from Kelowna to the Big White Rd turnoff. After a
short distance you will cross a cattleguard. The birds were excavating nest
holes on the right hand side of the road, right where it takes a sharp
hairpin turn.


------------------------------

Observers: CC - Chris Charlesworth; JO - Jason Osterhold; GW - Gwynneth
Wilson; JF - Jamie Fenneman; BD - Brent Diakow; WD - Wayne Diakow; BL -
Barry Lancaster; JC - Janice Casling; MC - Mike Casling.


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
St, in Penticton.

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

_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail