Birders,

I led an overnight field trip to the South Okanagan in search of owls on the
16 / 17 of March. There were 11 people in total who congregated at the IGA
in Okanagan Falls on the morning of the 16th. We avoided rain showers for
much of the day, but the wind and rain did prevail in the end.

March 16

We began in Okanagan Falls at 10:30 AM and made our first brief stop at the
falls shortly thereafter. The usual AMERICAN DIPPERS, BARROW'S GOLDENEYES
and COMMON GOLDENEYES were seen easily. We then continued up the winding
Green Lake Road and found a calling NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL near Mahoney Lake.
Other highlights along the road included large flocks of VIOLET-GREEN
SWALLOWS, some calling WHITE-BREASTED and PYGMY NUTHATCHES, SAY'S PHEOBES,
WESTERN BLUEBIRDS and a single RED CROSSBILL.

Our route then took us through the sage-covered hills of White Lake. We
found many WESTERN and MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS, an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE, a
number of NORTHERN HARRIERS and a GOLDEN EAGLE.

At Vaseux Lake, despite the wind and cold, we did hear a CANYON WREN and saw
an assortment of ducks on the lake.

Next stop was River Road, where we briefly saw and heard a SPOTTED TOWHEE.
At Hac's Pond there were at least 4 VIRGINIA RAILS, 2 of which we actually
saw! The big flock of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS was scoured near the farm yard
at the S. end of River Road, but no rarities could be extracted.

Road 22 was quiet, but there were TREE SWALLOWS and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS
foraging over the fields.

After dinner we set off owling but soon had to give up due to rain, wind and
fog. An unfortunate occurrence on an owling trip indeed! So, we played cards
at the motel and looked at old photographs.

March 17

Breakfast was at 7 AM and once finished we made our way up the Shuttleworth
Road, E. of Okanagan Falls. At km 6 we found at least 2 VARIED THRUSHES. Km
7 produced many HAIRY WOODPECKERS and a single DOWNY WOODPECKER, but no
uncommon peckerwoods. Venner Meadows Road was again very quiet, with a few
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES and a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. At km 25 back on
Shuttleworth we finally found 3 BOREAL CHICKADEES that provided good views,
as well as a small flock of GRAY JAYS.

Lunch was enjoyed at the Tim Horton's (yes, again!) in Osoyoos. We checked
Osoyoos Lake for birds, but came up with only HORNED GREBES. Road 22 was
again fairly quiet. We drove along the W. dyke, N. of Road 22 and walked
through the first woodlot. I decided to bushwack through some particularly
dense tangles and was rewarded with a LONG-EARED OWL. Unfortunately it could
not be refound for the group, despite a very good attempt. Along the S. end
of Black Sage Road we found a small flock of AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS (lifer
for one).

The trip total was 81 species.

Sincerely,

Chris Charlesworth
Avocet Tours
725 Richards Road
Kelowna, BC
V1X 2X5
Phone (250) 718-0335
Fax (250) 765-6019
Email tours at avocettours.com
Website: www.avocettours.com