Birders,

Myself, my brother Connor and Ryan Tomlinson scoured the South Okanagan
today in search of some of the recently reported goodies from the area. The
sunshine was spectacular, but the wind was rather relentless and cold.

We departed Kelowna just after 6 AM and arrived at White Lake Road by about
7:30. The main highlight along White Lake Road was sighting two male
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS, my earliest ever! Just S. of White Lake at the
cattleguard there were 2 BROWN CREEPERS and a PILEATED WOODPECKER. Our path
then took us down Green Lake Road where we made regular stops tallying an
imm male SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 2 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and many PYGMY
NUTHATCHES, and a singing CANYON WREN, which was a lifer for Connor. At
Okanagan Falls we counted 5 AMERICAN DIPPERS and a near adult BALD EAGLE.

Vaseux Lake was fairly productive. At the cliffs we had 3 CANYON WRENS
singing and showing quite nicely. The lake had 10 TRUMPETER SWANS and an
assortment of waterfowl and different ages of HERRING GULLS. River Road was
good. We easily found was the male SPOTTED TOWHEE at the traditional
hummingbird spot. At the end of River Road where it meets up with Secrest
Road we scanned through a large flock of WHITE-CROWNED and SONG SPARROWS and
were excited to find a LINCOLN'S SPARROW!

A short drive down Sawmill Road for geese provided us with 5 KILLDEER in the
fields, but no geese. Six AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were enticed into view
along the S. end of Black Sage Road. At the N. end of Deadman's Lake we
found a SAY'S PHOEBE sallying out to catch bugs from an irrigation wheel.
Haynes Point in Osoyoos was quiet, but we added an adult GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULL.

Our days total was 60, not bad.

Sincerely,

Chris Charlesworth