Tweeters,



This message is forwarded with permission from Pete Davidson. Note: the
Alaksen NWA (National Wildlife Area) is located right next door to the
Reifel Bird Sanctuary, which many of you have visited.



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net







From: bcvanbirds at yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcvanbirds at yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of houbaropsis
Sent: January-18-10 8:07 PM
To: bcvanbirds at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bcvanbirds] update & images ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE Alaksen NWA





Hi All

The juv/1W ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE wasn't seen again after 1345, but there is
an excellent chance it is still in the extensive area of suitable habitat at
Alaksen NWA, which is open weekdays 7.30am - 4.10pm, and the adjacent Reifel
Sanctuary. Note, it seems rather wary, and didn't appear comfortable with
people approaching within 30-40m or so. Found by Christopher Di Corrado
around 1300 in the alders on the south side of the slough opposite the
visitors car park, it moved along the entrance road, perching in the mid
canopy and tops of trees, and was last seen at ~1345 flying along Robertson
Road towards the black gates at the entrance. It was searched for
intermittently between then and 4.15pm, but wasn't refound either in the
area it had been seen in, or along the Reifel entrance road.

I've posted four poor images of the bird, taken thru' my bins with a point
n' shoot, which show most of the key identification features. They are in
the Photos section in the folder Pete Davidson.

Don't be put off by tomorrow's forecast - this bird may well need 20 or 30
pairs of eyes to be relocated, unless we're lucky and it settles into a
pattern like today. Please park in the visitors car park and report to the
reception. Note, cellphone coverage at Alaksen isn't great, but bring your
phone anyway.

Cheers!

Pete Davidson

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