Subject: Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Date: Sep 29 12:36:41 2003
From: Chris Charlesworth - c_charlesworth23 at hotmail.com


Birders,

This morning I went to Doreen Wierenga's house here in Kelowna to try and
get an ID on the grosbeak that's been visiting her feeder for the past
couple of days. After about an hour of waiting the bird finally appeared. It
fed on the sunflower plants in the corner of her yard. The buffy breast,
with limited streaking indicated the bird was either a winter female
Black-headed or a first year male Rose-breasted. I waited patiently for the
bird to lift its wings and reveal the color of the coverts (Black-headeds
have yellowish underwing coverts and Rose-breasted pink). I was quite
excited because even without the bird raising its wings I could make out a
small sliver of pink on the upper flank. When it finally fluttered its
wings, bright pink was shown and the bird was confirmed a first year male
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. The home owners are permitting birders just today
(Sept 29). The address is 395 Mallach Road in Rutland. Park on the road and
walk around the right hand side of the house, through the gate and onto the
sundeck. Again, only visit today.

Chris Charlesworth
Kelowna,BC

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