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

Sightings for Thursday, May 29 - 9:30 PM update


The Featured Birds Include:

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Osoyoos)
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (Osoyoos)
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (Ok Falls)
AMERICAN REDSTART (Osoyoos)

Other birds mentioned:

Yellow-breasted Chat
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Long-billed Curlew
Veery
Common Poorwill
Spruce Grouse
Gray Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
SAGE THRASHER
Grasshopper Sparrow
Black-backed Woodpecker
Williamson's Sapsucker
Barred Owl
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
Three-toed Woodpecker
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD
White-winged Scoter
Black Tern


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 Osoyoos (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.


Sightings for May 25th

N. of Osoyoos, a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was discovered on the W. side of Black
Sage Road, 100 meters N. of Meadowlark Road (RC,DC,MH). The bird was singing
in the patch of wild sagebrush habitat, near the Burrowing Owl Information
Kiosk.

A singing LEAST FLYCATCHER was in the woods on the E. side of the river
channel at the bridge on Road 22 (DC,RC,MH).

In Vernon, two WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were on Swan Lake at Meadowlark Lane
(CS). Three BLACK TERNS were at Rose's Pond, on the Vernon Commonage (CS).

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

Observers: CC - Chris Charlesworth; CS - Chris Siddle; DC - Dick Cannings;
RC - Russell Cannings; MH - Margaret Holm; JO - Jason Osterhold; GW -
Gwynneth Wilson; JF - Jamie Fenneman; BD - Brent Diakow; WD - Wayne Diakow;
BL - Barry Lancaster;


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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