This is the Vancouver Natural History Society's Bird Alert for Monday,
October 13th, sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited, with stores in
Vancouver and North Vancouver.

Rare Bird Alert for a BLUE JAY.

Featured bird is AMERICAN AVOCET.

Sightings for October 13

A BLUE JAY was reported from the 100 to 300 block of W 18th St. in North
Vancouver. The bird is travelling with flock of a dozen Steller's Jays.
The bird is visiting feeders along this 3-block area and has apparently been
present for close to 2 weeks. It is said to be very vocal aiding in it's
location.

Three AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen in the late afternoon about 50m upstream
from the mouth of the Serpentine River.

In Stanley Park near the Stone Bridge was 1 & possibly a second
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. Also observed at this location was an
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.

Reported from Reifel amongst the now 1000's of Snow Geese were 2 BLUE PHASE
SNOW GEESE. Also reported were 7 LESSER YELLOWLEGS.

At the end of 34th in Delta were 18 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and in over
flight near 34th & 33A was a GOLDEN-PLOVER of undetermined species. Three
TURKEY VULTURES were seen over the Roberts Bank Jetty. At the base of the
Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty was the WILLET and along the Jetty were 3 BLACK
OYSTERCATCHERS. Four MARBLED GODWITS were present at the Compensation
Lagoon.

October 12

An EMPEROR GOOSE was seen in overflight with a small flock of Snow Geese
near the intersection of 72nd & 36th Ave. in Delta. The birds did not land
and were heading in an Easterly direction.

A dark immature GYRFALCON was seen hunting in the fields near Delta Port Way
& Arthur Dr. At the base of the Roberts Bank Jetty on the south side were 2
PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVERS. A flock of 18 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were in a
field near 34th & 33A in Delta.

Seven MUTE SWANS were seen near the Westham Island Bridge. Reported from
Reifel were 30 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, 1 STILT SANDPIPER and 7,000 SNOW
GEESE.

October 11

Seven TURKEY VULTURES were seen over Jericho Park in Vancouver and a further
15 were seen near Burns Dr. & 72nd in Delta. Four SANDHILL CRANES were seen
in a field off 64th between Hwy 99 & River Rd.

On Boundary Bay near the Mansion were 3 STILT SANDPIPERS, a RED KNOT, and a
LESSER YELLOWLEGS.

A PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER was seen in a field near 34th & 33A. At the end on
34th in the stubble field were 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS.

Reported from Reifel were 2 PEREGRINES and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.

October 10

The NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW at Viaduct Flats in Victoria was still
being observed. For further details call the Victoria Bird Alert at
250-592-3381.

Observed at Lighthouse Marine Park at Point Roberts Washington were 10
HEERMANN'S GULLS, and 2 PARASITIC JAEGERS. Also near the market area were a
late WESTERN TANAGER and a MERLIN.

Thank you for calling the Vancouver Bird Alert & good birding.

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

Larry Cowan
Port Coquitlam, BC
Lawrencecowan at shaw.ca