Birders,

Richard Mooney and I birded along Beaver Lake Rd and Vernon Commonage today.
The cloudy, cool weather was good for birding. Richard got a few more lifers
and I got to document some nests and broods in the area.

Beaver Lake Road (runs E. of Winfield, from Hwy 97).

Our first stop was on the grasslands at km 3. Here Richard was thrilled to
see his first male LAZULI BUNTING. It was singing from the top of a rose
bush near the road side. Other nice birds here included a calling PILEATED
WOODPECKER, 3 VESPER SPARROWS, an EASTERN KINGBIRD, 2 flying VAUX'S SWIFTS,
a male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE and 9 TURKEY VULTURES soaring on thermals.

The aspens at km 6 are always great. Today they were good again with 3
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKERS, a DOWNY WOODPECKER, a male MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, a
HOUSE WREN, 2 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, a DUSKY FLYCATCHER, a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE
and a female AMERICAN KESTREL.

A pygmy-owl imitation at km 9 produced RED CROSSBILL, CHIPPING SPARROW,
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, WARBLING VIREO, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, TOWNSEND'S
WARBLER, WESTERN TANAGER, CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET.

The woods near the cattleguard at km 10 were excellent. We walked in along
an old roadway, finding an AMERICAN ROBIN nest with 4 eggs along the path.
Stating to Richard that "this looked like excellent Barred Owl country, I
let out a Barred Owl call... no response. We found HAMMOND'S and DUSKY
FLYCATCHER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, DARK-EYED JUNCO, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET
and CASSIN'S VIREO for the list. Just as we turned back to head to the van a
BARRED OWL called in the woods. We walked in and soon after found the owl
perched overhead in a tree. As we scrambled to get a better look at the owl,
we flushed a female RUFFED GROUSE and 7 tiny chicks! The grouse gave us
amazing views, strutting right in front of us, calling constantly to the
chicks. At just that moment a second BARRED OWL flew in. The two sat on a
branch and dueted for 20 minutes! A lifer for Richard. To finish things off
3 PILeATED WOODPECKERS came shooting in to investigage the comotion.

Vernon Commonage

Our first stop was along Bailey Road, where we quickly heard the
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT singing on the hillside. After a few moments of
searching we saw the bird! Great bird in the N. end of the valley. Also at
the same spot was a LEAST FLYCATCHER and a WILLOW FLYCATCHER.

At Bailey Pond the highlight was a pair of SAY'S PHOEBES feeding near a
barn. There were 2 BUFFLEHEADS, a GADWALL, 4 RUDDY DUCKS, a BARROW'S
GOLDENEYE, 2 BLUE-WINGED TEAL and some MALLARDS on the pond. The small
wetland along the W. end of Commonage Road produced another stunning lifer
for Richard, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS. The marsh was full of about 20-25
pairs.

After a brief stop at Rose's Pond where there were nesting COMMON GOLDENEYE
and KILLDEER as well as CINNAMON and GREEN-WINGED TEAL, the next stop was at
the corner of Bench Row Rd and Commonage Road. We got out of the van and
immediately heard a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. After a few minutes we figured
there were at least 6 Clay-coloreds singing there. We managed a great look
at two of the birds also. Over the ridge to the east were two SWAINSON'S
HAWKS, 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 4 TURKEY VULTURES an immature BALD EAGLE and many
COMMON RAVENS.

We then briefly checked MacKay's Reservoir, and saw little there. A quick
check of Thompson Lake revealed another nesting COMMON GOLDENEYE.
Interesting because BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, which were also there, should be the
more regular nesting species. On the hillside above the lake an OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHER sang and we got it in the scope...another lifer for Richard. I
found a HAIRY WOODPECKER nest beside the road in an old aspen snag, a good
find. A quick stop at a small pond to the W. of Thompson Lk produced a
single BARROW'S GOLDENEYE chick with a female.

On the way home we made a brief stop in at Kopje Regional Park, in Carr's
Landing, where we viewed Jim Grant Island, home to the valley's only gull
colony. There were numerous CALIFORNIA GULLS and RING-BILLED GULLS, with
fewer numbers of HERRING GULLS. At least two pairs of adult GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULLS were there, as well as a hybrid third year bird....most likely GWGU X
Western Gull. We headed home and were satisfied with our day.

Chris Charlesworth
Avocet Tours
725 Richards Road
Kelowna, BC
V1X 2X5 Canada
www.avocettours.com

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