Birders,



Things are hopping in and around the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta, BC.
About noon today, a NORTHERN HAWK OWL was found along Westham Island Road,
the main access road to Reifel, about 2 km beyond the Westham Island bridge
(right where the road makes a 90-degree turn to the left). The owl killed a
vole, and was very easy to see in treetops and atop a chain-link fence on
the south side of the road. When I left about 1:30 PM, it was still
entertaining about 10 appreciative birders and photographers. Thanks to
Roger Foxall and Cathie Barron, who found this bird and promptly sounded the
alarm.



Also, at the Alaksen National Wildlife Area (next door to Reifel), a
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was present today for the third day in a row, along a
split-rail fence right next to the Canadian Wildlife Service offices, where
it was spotted on Tuesday by Pete Davidson. It has been highly visible and
easily photographed. This is the first winter record of a chat for
Vancouver, and I believe for BC. The Alaksen NWA is open to visitors from
7:30 to 4:00 on weekdays only; birders are welcome, but should sign in at
the office and park cars in the marked visitors' parking area, separate from
the CWS staff parking lot.



The winter has started off with a bang-- wonder what will be next?



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net