This is the Vancouver Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for
February 6th, sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited, with stores
in Vancouver and North Vancouver. This message was updated
at 5:00 PM on February 7th. The RBA telephone number is
(604) 737-3074.



RARE BIRD ALERTS continue in Washington State for a WHOOPER
SWAN near Conway (last reported Feb. 1), a KING EIDER at the
Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine (last reported Jan. 26), a THICK-BILLED
MURRE at Point No Point (last reported Feb. 1), and a SLATY-
BACKED GULL in Renton (last reported Feb. 3).
Please see the Tweeters E-mail group recent archives at
http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/TWET.html , or phone the
Washington State BirdBox at (206) 281-9172, for the latest
updates and directions to these birds.

Also on Vancouver Island, RARE BIRD ALERT for a TUFTED DUCK
at Kings Pond, Victoria from February 1 to 4. Phone the Victoria
RBA (250-592-3381) for updates.


Sightings for Tuesday, February 6th

Along the Boundary Bay dyke in Delta between 64th and 72nd
Streets, 2 SNOWY OWLS, 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS, and
3 drake EURASIAN WIGEON were seen, although observations
were hampered by fog.


Sightings for Monday, February 5th

Three SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen in scattered locations north
of Boundary Bay in Delta, and 2 EURASIAN WIGEON along 72nd Street.


Sightings for Sunday, February 4th

An AMERICAN DIPPER was reported from the beluga pool at
the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park, Vancouver.


Sightings for Saturday, February 3rd

A pair of REDHEADS were seen at Surrey Lake, off 152nd Street
north of 72nd Avenue in Surrey.

A season-high total of 7 SNOWY OWLS were seen, all close
together on the golf course at the foot of 72nd Street in Delta.
Nearby were 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS and 2 ROUGH-LEGGED
HAWKS.

One EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was at 3706 88th Street in
Delta (near Boundary Bay), and a MARBLED GODWIT was at
the foot of 112th Street.

24 TUNDRA SWANS, a high count this winter, were with
TRUMPETER SWANS along 68th Street near 60th Avenue in
Delta.

Four GLAUCOUS GULLS, all second and third-winter birds, were
seen at scattered localities in Delta.


Sightings for Friday, February 2nd

Two PINE GROSBEAKS were seen at 6011 Alta Court in Richmond,
near the Richmond Hospital.

At the fishing pier in Blaine, WA were an EARED GREBE and
an adult WESTERN GULL.

At least 250 TRUMPETER SWANS were in one flock near the
intersection of Highway 91 and Highway 10 in Delta.


Sightings for Thursday, February 1st

A GYRFALCON and a PEREGRINE FALCON were seen along the
waterfront in White Rock.

A flock of 20 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the Maplewood
Conservation Area in North Vancouver.

Six CALIFORNIA GULLS, scarce and local in winter, were at
and near Trout Lake in John Hendry Park, Vancouver.

Two PEREGRINE FALCONS were reported on the Port Mann
bridge over the Fraser River between Surrey and Coquitlam, a
regular roosting spot.


Sightings for Wednesday, January 31st

Three SNOWY OWLS were seen fairly close together on the golf course
at the south foot of 72nd Street in Delta. They are best viewed from
the walking trail on the Boundary Bay dyke.

Two EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were still present near the
foot of 88th Street in Delta.

Four PINE GROSBEAKS were seen in the former residential area
north of the Boundary Bay airport in Delta.


Sightings for Tuesday, January 30th

An immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK was near Fuller Slough
at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta.

Four SNOWY OWLS were present on the golf course at the foot of
72nd Street, Delta.

Three GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen at Iona
Island, Richmond, and two CACKLING GEESE were seen on
nearby Sea Island under the Dinsmore Channel bridge.

Along the Boundary Bay dyke in Delta west of 88th Street were
2 SAVANNAH SPARROWS and 2 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS.


No reports for Monday, January 29th


Sightings for Sunday, January 28th

130 SANDERLINGS were observed at Boundary Bay Regional Park,
Delta.

Five PINE GROSBEAKS were observed again along 64th St near
28th Ave, Delta.

Two ROCK SANDPIPERS and 3 SURFBIRDS were observed
at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal near Berth 1, Delta. The WILLET
was also seen near the base of the ferry jetty on the south side.

A first winter GLAUCOUS GULL was seen along 36th Avenue between
72nd and 64th Streets, also in Delta.

At and near the Reifel Bird Sanctuary were a BARN OWL, a NORTHERN
SAW-WHET OWL, and 4 GREAT HORNED OWLS.


Sightings for Saturday, January 27th

The WILLET continues at the base of Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty

An AMERICAN AVOCET was observed across from Blackie Spit
at the mouth of the Nicomekl River in Surrey.

Sightings at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, included a NORTHERN
GOSHAWK, 3 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, a SWAMP SPARROW,
and 2 AMERICAN BITTERNS. Two MUTE SWANS were near the
Westham Island bridge.

Four SNOWY OWLS were seen on the golf course east of the south
foot of 72nd Street in Delta.


Sightings for Friday, January 26th

25 COMMON REDPOLLS were present at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary.

An immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen along 36th Avenue
near 72nd Street in Delta.


Sightings for Thursday, January 25th

At least 10 PINE GROSBEAKS were observed and others were heard
along Allen Road in the Lynn Creek area of North Vancouver.


Sightings for Wednesday, January 24th

The wintering AMERICAN AVOCET was still present at the mouth of
the Serpentine River, viewed from Mud Bay Park in Surrey.



If you have any questions about birds or birding in the Vancouver
area, please call Peter at 604-736-0991, Viveka at 604-531-3401,
or Larry at 604-465-1402. Thank you for calling the Vancouver
Rare Bird Alert, and good birding.



Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net