Subject: Okanagan Valley (BC) Rare Bird Alert - Feb 12 update
Date: Feb 12 19:26:41 2004
From: Chris Charlesworth - c_charlesworth23 at hotmail.com


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


Sightings for Thursday, February 12 - 8:00 PM update.


Featured bird is:

GREAT GRAY OWL (Kelowna)

Other birds mentioned include:

Mew Gull
Western Meadowlark
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER
Prairie Falcon
GYRFALCON
Northern Saw-whet Owl
HERMIT THRUSH
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Virginia Rail
Northern Pygmy-Owl
White-winged Crossbill
Spotted Towhee
Common Redpoll
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
Wood Duck
Western Bluebird
Cedar Waxwing
Townsend's Solitaire


Sightings for February 12

The GREAT GRAY OWL was again seen along Mission Ck in Kelowna (CC,SA). It
was seen along the N. side of the creek, half-way between the viewing
platform and Casorso Road. If you don't find the bird along the creek,
continue to the viewing platform, turn left and walk past the port-a-potty
into the open meadow. Search the trees surrounding the meadow for the owl.

At the intersection of Lindley Rd and Old Vernon Road in Kelowna, 3 WESTERN
MEADOWLARKS were found (CC,m.ob).

On Feb 11, an adult and a first winter MEW GULL were at the McDonald's at
the intersection of Hwy 33 and Hollywood Road in Kelowna (CC).


Sightings for February 10

In Kelowna, a PRAIRIE FALCON was seen near the S. end of the airport along
Bulman Road (TF). A PRAIRIE FALCON was also noted soaring over the
traditional location at the "throne" N. of Osoyoos (CC,RT).

The wintering GYRFALCON was again seen at the Marshall's Feedlot in Kelowna
(HV).

Along Mill Creek, in Kelowna, a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was found roosting
(HV). The bird was 200 ft. N. of Fenwick Road. Also in this area were 2
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS (HV).

A flock of 30 COMMON REDPOLLS were found feeding in a birch tree near the
end of Miller Road in the June Springs area of Kelowna (JC).

In the boreal forest along Shuttleworth Ck Road, E. of Okanagan Falls, a
female WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was found at km 21.5 (CC,RT).

The HERMIT THRUSH was again seen along the Esplanade Trails, behind the
Penticton Yacht Club (RT).

Along River Road, N. of Oliver, a VIRGINIA RAIL was heard at Hack's Pond and
a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL allowed close approach (CC,RT). Also along the road was
a male SPOTTED TOWHEE (CC,RT).

Although most of Osoyoos Lake is frozen, waterfowl are gathering on small
open areas at the N. end of the lake, where there were 2 RED-BREASTED
MERGANSERS, a male and a female (CC,RT).


Sightings for February 8

The GREAT GRAY OWL was seen again today along Mission Ck in Kelowna (m.ob).
In a nearby pond 12 WOOD DUCKS were reported (RT).

In Penticton, a HERMIT THRUSH was seen along the Esplanade Trails behind the
Penticton Yacht Club (CC,CoC). Also in this area were 2 YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLERS and a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE were seen (CC,CoC). Along the water
front at the yacht club were 50 CEDAR WAXWINGS and 15 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS
(CC,CoC).

One of the first winter MEW GULLS that have frequented the Kelowna
Waterfront this winter was seen at Rotary Beach, along Lakeshore Road (RT).

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


Observer Initials: CC - Chris Charlesworth; HV - Hank Vanderpol; TF - Trevor
Forder; CoC - Connor Charlesworth; RT - Ryan Tomlinson; JC - Janice Casling;
SA - Scott Alexander.

If you have any questions about Okanagan birding call Chris Charlesworth, in
Kelowna at (250) 718-0335, Dick Cannings, in Penticton, at (250) 496-4019,
and Phil Gehlen, in Vernon at (250) 542-8053.

This update has been sponsored by the TUMBLEWEED NATURE STORE at 67 Front
Street in Penticton.

CHRIS CHARLESWORTH
AVOCET TOURS
725 RICHARDS ROAD
KELOWNA, BC, CANADA
V1X 2X5
(250) 718-0335
C_CHARLESWORTH at AVOCETTOURS.COM
WWW.AVOCETTOURS.COM

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