Subject: Okanagan Valley (BC) Rare Bird Alert - Feb 23 update
Date: Feb 23 21:57:39 2004
From: Chris Charlesworth - c_charlesworth23 at hotmail.com


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


Sightings for Monday, February 23 - 10:00 PM update.


Featured bird is:

GYRFALCON (Kelowna)
LAPLAND LONGSPUR (Kelowna)

Other birds mentioned include:

SNOW GOOSE
Northern Pintail
White-winged Crossbill
Great Horned Owl
Northern Shrike
Pine Grosbeak
Golden Eagle
Thayer's Gull
California Gull
Wood Duck
Wilson's Snipe
Trumpeter Swan


Sightings for February 23

The GYRFALCON continues at Marshall's Feedlot, in Kelowna, along Hwy 97 at
McCurdy Road (JV).

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was found on the rocks along the outer trail at the
Rotary Marshes in downtown Kelowna (JV).


Sightings for February 22

A lone SNOW GOOSE was reported at the N. end of Osoyoos Lake (TF).

Along Road 22 were the first migrant NORTHERN PINTAILS (TF). There were 8 in
total.


Sightings for February 21

Along Postill Lake Road NE. of Kelowna, two groups of WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS were noted in the upper elevation forest (TF). One group,
consisting of about 40 birds, was seen near the first clearcut encountered
along the road, while the next group was near the second clearcut. Also
along Postil Lk Road, 2 GOLDEN EAGLES were feeding on a deer carcass along
the lower reaches of the road (TF).

A small pond along Mission Ck, upstream from Casorso Road, in Kelowna,
housed a female WOOD DUCK and a WILSON'S SNIPE (CC). To get to the pond park
behind Charles Garnier Church and walk SE. into the woods. Cross a small
bridge and you'll see the pond to your left.

Gulls are beginning to move into the region on their spring migration. An
influx of CALIFORNIA GULLS has been noted at Rotary Beach in Kelowna, where
there were also two adult THAYER'S GULLS (CC).

On Feb 20 a flock of six TRUMPETER SWANS were seen in flight over Duck Lake
in the N. end of Kelowna (JM).

On Feb 19, a GREAT HORNED OWL was found in the tree farm on Bench Row Road
on the Vernon Commonage (CC,RM). Two more GREAT HORNEDS were found roosting
in the grove of aspens along Bailey Road, approx 300 meters from Hwy 97
(CC,RM). That location is also on the Vernon Commonage. An adult NORTHERN
SHRIKE was noted there as well (CC,RM).

Off Commonage Road, SW. of Vernon, up to 8 PINE GROSBEAKS were along
Hereford Road (CC,RM).

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


Observer Initials: CC - Chris Charlesworth; TF - Trevor Forder; RM -
Richard Mooney; JM - James
McGregor; JV - John Vooys.

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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