This is the Vancouver Natural History Society's Bird Alert for Monday, December 6th, sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited, with stores in Vancouver and North Vancouver.


The Rare Bird Alert continues for the McKAY'S BUNTING.

Sightings for Monday, December 06

The McKAY'S BUNTING was again seen on the Iona South Jetty at around 12:45 PM. It was travelling with a small group of Snow Buntings. The flock was seen about 200m past the second shelter. The bird was observed for about 5 minutes before the group flew off towards the North Jetty. The group was initially sighted flying in from the general direction of the airport.

The road killed Boreal Owl reported yesterday from Langley turned out to be a Northern Saw-whet Owl once it was dried & cleaned.

Sunday, December 05

A McKAY'S BUNTING was seen near the tip of the Iona South Jetty at around 11:00 AM.

Seen at Brunswick Point were 2 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, a CATTLE EGRET, 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS and 4 SNOWY OWLS.

Reported from the Reifel Refuge were a GOLDEN EAGLE, 2-3 MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES, 10 to 15 COMMON REDPOLLS, 2 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON and 4 SANDHILL CRANES.

Observed along the Roberts Bank Jetty was a RUDDY TURNSTONE.

In a Langley flooded field near 208th & 102B Ave. was a CINNAMON TEAL.


A juvenile NORTHERN GOSHAWK was sighted at Maplewood CA near observation station #16.

Saturday, December 4

At Blackie Spit were a LONG-BILLED CURLEW and 6 MARBLED GODWITS.

Friday, December 3

Reported from Blackie Spit were a LONG-BILLED CURLEW, 6 MARBLED GODWITS, 8 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, & 26 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. Near the Community Gardens was a CEDAR WAXWING.

Thursday, December 02

Reported from the Reifel Refuge were a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, & 40 COMMON REDPOLLS.

Observed at nearby Brunswick Point were 5 SNOWY OWLS, a GREAT HORNED OWL, 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, a SWAMP SPARROW & a SNOW BUNTING.

Two COMMON REDPOLLS were seen at the feeding station at Maplewood.

Thank you for calling the Vancouver Bird Alert & good birding

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


Larry Cowan

Pitt Meadows, BC

Lawrencecowan at shaw.ca