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


Sightings for Saturday, January 31 - 7:00 PM update.

The Featured Birds Include:

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Osoyoos)
MEW GULL (Kelowna)
GYRFALCON (Kelowna)
PRAIRIE FALCON (Oliver)
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW (Kelowna)

Other birds mentioned include:

Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Evening Grosbeak
Northern Shrike
Golden Eagle
Canyon Wren
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Glaucous Gull
Boreal Chickadee
Pine Grosbeak
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Three-toed Woodpecker
Northern Harrier


Sightings for January 31

At the Marshall's Feedlot, along the W. side of Hwy 97 at McCurdy Road in
Kelowna, the gray-phase GYRFALCON continues (CS,RM). A possible GYRFALCON
was also seen over Walburn Road in the Belgo area of Kelowna (PH).

An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was at the Rotary Marshes in downtown Kelowna, and
nearby at Sutherland Park was a first year MEW GULL (CS,RM).

Along Philpott Road, off Hwy 33, E. of Kelowna, 30 EVENING GROSBEAKS and a
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE were found at approx. km 4 (CS,RM). Along Hwy 33,
just E. of the Black Mountain subdivision, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was reported
(CS,RM).

A male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was seen on Osoyoos Lake from Haynes Point
(HV,TF).

Four CANYON WRENS were at the Vaseux Cliffs, on the E. side of Vaseux Lake
(HV,TF).

At the Southern Plus Feedlot in Oliver, a PRAIRIE FALCON was hunting pigeons
and other birds, and along Black Sage Road a second year GOLDEN EAGLE and a
NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL were noteworthy (HV,TF).

A NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL was also reported on Jan 24, along Glenrosa Road in
Westbank on a powerline (RV).


Sightings for January 28

The gray-morph GYRFALCON was seen by persistent observers at the Marshall's
Feedlot in Kelowna on January 27 (CP,TF,RJ,HV). Interestingly, a GYRFALCON,
most likely the same individual was seen earlier in the day on 27 near the
Kelowna Airport (HV).

On January 28, 5 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS were again seen at their winter outpost
in the horse corall at the intersection of Lindley Rd and Old Vernon Roads
in the Ellison area of Kelowna (TF).


Sightings for January 25

A female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was found, in Vernon on Okanagan Lake at
Okanagan Landing (CS).

SE. of Kelowna, a male THREE-TOED WOODPECKER and a flock of approx. 30
COMMON REDPOLLS were found along McCulloch Road, near it's junction with Hwy
33 (CC,CP). At nearby Idabel Lake, 3 BOREAL CHICKADEES were found (CC,CP).

On Jan 22, a trip to Vaseux Lake produced 46 TRUMPETER SWANS and 5 TUNDRA
SWANS (GW,m.ob). Also noted in the South Okanagan was a male NORTHERN
HARRIER along White Lake Road (GW,m.ob).

The adult GLAUCOUS GULL continues at Rotary Beach, along Lakeshore Road, in
Kelowna (CC,CP).

On Jan 24, the GYRFALCON was briefly seen at the Marshall's Feedlot in
Kelowna (TF). The feedlot is located along the W. side of Hwy 97, just S. of
McCurdy Road.

On Jan 20, a flock of 200 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were noted along McCulloch
Road, between Hwy 33 and the cross country ski trails (HV). Also noted in
this area was a THREE-TOED WOODPECKER and 6 PINE GROSBEAKS (HV).

Along Philpott Road, off Hwy 33, E. of Kelowna, 3 CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES
and 26 EVENING GROSBEAKS were noted near the green mailboxes at km 4 (HV).

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


Observer Initials: CC - Chris Charlesworth; RM - Richard Mooney; CS - Chris
Siddle; HV - Hank Vanderpol; TF - Trevor Forder; GW - Gwynneth Wilson; JM -
James MacGregor; RJ - Randy Jones; CP - Cheri Pillsbury; PH - Paddy Hann; RV
- Rick Varjassy.

If you have any questions about Okanagan Valley birding, contact Chris
Charlesworth, in Kelowna, at (250) 718-0335, Dick Cannings, in Penticton, at
(250) 496-4019, or 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
WWW.AVOCETTOURS.COM
C_CHARLESWORTH at AVOCETTOURS.COM

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