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


Sightings for Thursday, March 11 - 10:30 PM update

Featured birds include:

EURASIAN WIGEON (Penticton)
WESTERN SCREECH-OWL (Kelowna)


Other birds mentioned include:

Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Chukar
Northern Pintail
ICELAND GULL
Rock Wren
Say's Phoebe
Northern Goshawk
Northern Shrike
American Tree Sparrow
Gray Partridge
Cassin's Finch
GYRFALCON
Tree Swallow
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH


Sightings for March 11

A male EURASIAN WIGEON was found in Penticton at the Sicamous with a large
number of AMERICAN WIGEON on March 9 (LR).

Large numbers of NORTHERN PINTAILS have been migrating through the region
over the last week, with approx 200 at Robert Lake in Kelowna (LRo) and up
to 59 off Sun-Oka Beach near Summerland (LRock).

The WESTERN SCREECH-OWL continues to be seen at its roost along Mission Ck,
upstream from K.L.O Road in Kelowna (CC,CS,m.ob). From the bridge walk
upstream to the first bench, and proceed a further 50 yards. On the right
hand side of the path is a downed cottonwood and in the tree behind it, over
half way up you can see the owl roosting in an old woodpecker cavity. I had
erroneously reported this cavity to be the W. or left hand side of the path.
At the same location was a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET on March 9 (RM). A second
WESTERN SCREECH-OWL was being mobbed by STELLER'S JAYS at the Woodhaven
Nature Conservancy on Raymer Road in Kelowna (CC,CS).

On Monday, March 15, up to 3 calling CHUKAR were at the Elkink Ranch, W. of
Osoyoos on Hwy 3 (CC).


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 E. 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).

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


Observer Initials: CC - Chris Charlesworth; TF - Trevor Forder; RM -
Richard Mooney; EC - Eileen Chappel; HV - Hank Vanderpol; PL - Pam Laing; EF
- Elke Fischer; BM - Bob Mackay; LRock - Laurie Rockwell; CS - Chris Siddle;
LRo - Lesley Robertson;

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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