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


Sightings for Sunday, March 7 - 9:00 PM update

Featured birds include:

ICELAND GULL (Vernon)
ROCK WREN (Summerland)


Other birds mentioned include:

Say's Phoebe
Northern Goshawk
Northern Shrike
Western Screech-Owl
American Tree Sparrow
Gray Partridge
Cassin's Finch
GYRFALCON
Tree Swallow
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Snow Bunting
Canada Goose
Mountain Bluebird
Bohemian Waxwing
Horned Lark
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
Mew Gull


Sightings for March 7

A first winter ICELAND GULL was at the mouth of Vernon Ck in Okanagan
Landing (CS). Also in Vernon, an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK was in the Desert
Cove Community at the Head of the Lake (CS).

The WESTERN SCREECH-OWL was again seen along Mission Ck upstream from K.L.O
Road in Kelowna (EC). Walk about 50 yards beyond the first bench and look
for a woodpecker cavity on the W. side of the path. The owl has been using
this cavity as a roost site.

In Summerland, a ROCK WREN, SAY'S PHOEBE and an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE were
observed at the research station on March 6 (LR).

On March 5, in the South Okanagan, CASSIN'S FINCHES, GRAY PARTRIDGE and
AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were reported along White Lake Road (fide BM).


Sightings for March 4

Near Vernon, up to 200 GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES were reported approx 1 km
S. of the Kal Lake Lookout on the Old Okanagan Highway (PL,m.ob).

After a brief absence, the wintering GYRFALCON was again seen at Marshall's
Feedlot in Kelowna (TF,RM,EF). The feedlot is along Hwy 97 at McCurdy Road.

In Winfield, 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were in a small wetland along Wood
Bottom Road (PL).

The first TREE SWALLOW was seen over Okanagan Lake, in Kelowna, at Gyro Park
(HV).

A SAY'S PHOEBE was flitting along the shore at Gellatly Bay in Westbank on
March 3 (EF).


Sightings for March 2

A return visit to the Black Mountain grasslands again produced the 60 SNOW
BUNTINGS, a HORNED LARK, 2 male MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS and 60 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS
(HV). Park at the intersection of Swainson and Treetop roads on the Rutland
Bench. Walk through the gate and follow the powerlines N. for approx. 1 km.
Please respect private property.

A nocturnal walk along Mission Ck produced the WESTERN SCREECH-OWL, just
upstream from K.L.O Road (CC,RM). The bird was calling in the woodlot just
beyond the first bench.

Along Beaver Lake Road, E. of Winfield, two NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS were
heard; one was at km 6 and one was at km 7 (CC,RM).

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was with CANADA GEESE in the field along
Benvoulin Road, opposite Munson's Road (HV).

In the birches along Booth Road, off Anderson Road in Ellison, 4 COMMON
REDPOLLS and a PINE SISKIN were found (CC,RT).

A first year MEW GULL was at Rotary Marsh in downtown Kelowna (CC,RT).

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


Observer Initials: CC - Chris Charlesworth; TF - Trevor Forder; RM -
Richard Mooney; EC - Eileen Chappel; RT - Ryan Tomlinson; HV - Hank
Vanderpol; PL - Pam Laing; EF - Elke Fischer; BM - Bob Mackay; LR - Laurie
Rockwell; CS - Chris Siddle.

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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