This is the Vancouver Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for
Monday, November 24th, sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited,
with stores in Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Surrey. The RBA phone
number is (604) 737-3074.

The featured bird is WESTERN SCRUB-JAY.


Sightings for November 24th

The WESTERN SCRUB-JAY was again reported from 4126 River Road West in
Ladner (Delta). Birders are welcome to enter the backyard of the
property by keeping on the left side of the house. The home owner asks
that
birders not crowd the bird feeder area, as the jay can be somewhat
timid. Look for it in the various trees on the property or even in
shrubs across the street.

At the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, the following birds were
reported: 1 WESTERN TANAGER, 2 SWAMP SPARROWS, 1 HUTTON'S VIREO, 2
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS and a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL.

An adult WESTERN GULL was found in the short grass fields on the south
end of 96th Street, Delta. Also here was the immature GYRFALCON.


Sightings for November 23rd

The juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER was again present in
the grass field along 36th Ave near 72nd Street, Delta

At the mouth of the Serpentine River on Mud Bay, Surrey, about 100
metres east of the railway trestle, were 3 AMERICAN AVOCETS.

The immature GYRFALCON was again reported from the Boundary Bay
foreshore, Delta, between 88th Street and 72nd Street.

At the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, the immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK and
the 2 SWAMP SPARROWS were again reported.


Sightings for November 22nd

The adult winter-plumaged SLATY-BACKED GULL was again present in the
Vancouver Landfill in Burns Bog, Delta-- an area off-limits to the
public. Birders should watch for this bird in the surrounding fields
in Delta.

A very late juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER was found in the grass field
near the corner of 72nd Street along 36th Ave. At the foot of 72nd
Street, the following birds were reported: 4 SHORT-EARED OWLS, 1
NORTHERN SHRIKE, 1 WESTERN MEADOWLARK, 1 MERLIN and 1 PEREGRINE
FALCON.

The dark gray phase immature GYRFALCON was reported both along 96th
Street and at 112th Street and Highway 10.

The WILLET and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS were reported along the south side
of the Tsawwassen ferry jetty, Delta. There were still 4 MARBLED
GODWITS at the compensation lagoon on the north side of the jetty

At the Reifel Refuge was 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK and 1 HERMIT THRUSH.

The BLUE JAY was again reported from 850 W. 19th Street in North
Vancouver.


Sightings for November 21st

There was no relocation of the male BRAMBLING seen at a front yard
feeder at 4140 Golf Drive in North Vancouver. The bird was seen in
the company of 6-8 DARK-EYED JUNCOS and could easily still be in the
area.

The GREEN HERON was again reported from the big pond at the Noon's
Creek Hatchery in Port Moody.

A ROCK PTARMIGAN was discovered while the observer was
snowshoeing on a back country trail on Grouse Mountain in an area
called Dam Mountain.

The following birds were all reported from the Reifel Bird Sanctuary,
Delta: 1 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, 2 SWAMP SPARROWS, 2 SANDHILL
CRANES, and a very late WESTERN TANAGER.



Thank you for calling the Vancouver Rare Bird Alert, and good birding.
This report was recorded and transcribed by Rick Toochin, and
forwarded by Wayne Weber.

END TRANSCRIPT

For further information on birding in the Vancouver area log onto the
Vancouver Natural History Society's web site at
www.naturalhistory.bc.ca