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

Sightings for Thursday, June 5 - 11:30 PM update

**RARE BIRD ALERT for LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (White Lk)

The Featured Birds Include:

CLARK'S GREBE (possible)
AMERICAN REDSTART (Vernon)


Other birds mentioned:

Sora
Virginia Rail
Clay-colored Sparrow
Lazuli Bunting
Least Flycatcher
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Blue Grouse
Long-billed Curlew
Barred Owl

** NOTE

I am sorry to inform you that birders will no longer be permitted to bird
from the trailer park access at the Head of the Lake in Vernon. As
unfortunate as this is, since the Head of the Lake has been a prime birding
spot for a hundred years, let's respect this request.

Sightings for June 5

A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was seen this morning along the Twin Lakes Road, near
White Lake in the South Okanagan (JB). Continue W. past the White Lk Rd
turnoff on the Twin Lakes Road, for a couple of km to some farm fields on
the left. The bird was seen in this general area.

A bird fitting the description of a CLARK'S GREBE was seen on Okanagan Lake,
between Vernon and Kelowna, at Jim Grant Island (GW,m.ob). This section of
lake can be viewed from Kopje Park, in the Carr's Landing area. Confirmation
on this sighting would be appreciated.

In Vernon, a first year male AMERICAN REDSTART was identified in the tree
farm on Bench Row Road (GW,m.ob). The bird was singing along the main
pathway through the trees, a short distance from the road.

Also in Vernon, numerous CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were on the Commonage
(GW,m.ob). A LEAST FLYCATCHER was also on the commonage, in an aspen grove
along Bailey Road (GW,m.ob).

In Kelowna, both VIRGINIA RAIL and SORA were found in the marsh behind St.
Charles Garnier Church on Benvoulin Road (GW,m.ob).


Sightings for June 3

A YELLOW-BILLED LOON was seen on Okanagan Lake, in Kelowna, from 4856
Lakeshore Road (KA,LR). The bird was present all morning, but vanished in
the afternoon.


Sightings for June 2

17 CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES were found in the wet cedar forests along
Philpott Rd and Three Forks Road, which follow the Belgo Ck and Mission Ck
valleys (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).


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

Observers: CC - Chris Charlesworth; JC - Janice Casling; MC - Mike Casling;
LR - Lesley Robertson; KA - Karin Arkinstall; GW - Gwynneth Wilson; JB -
James Bradley.


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

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