This is the Okanagan Valley (BC) Rare Bird Alert sponsored by Avocet Tours.
To report a rare bird sightings please call Chris Charlesworth at (250)
718-0335 and leave a message.
Sightings for Friday, December 29 - 9:00 PM update
Featured Birds include:
MEW GULL (Kelowna)
ICELAND GULL (Kelowna)
GLAUCOUS GULL (Penticton)
GYRFALCON (Kelowna)
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Summerland)
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Kelowna)
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW (Kelowna)
Other species mentioned:
Trumpeter Swan
Wilson's Snipe
Short-eared Owl
Wild Turkey
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Northern Saw-Whet Owl
Golden Eagle
Cackling Goose
BEWICK'S WREN
EURASIAN WIGEON
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
BLUE JAY
SWAMP SPARROW
RUSTY BLACKBIRD
American Wigeon
Dusky Grouse
Spruce Grouse
Black-backed Woodpecker
Hermit Thrush
Canyon Wren
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Clark's Nutcracker
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Horned Lark
Pine Grosbeak
Cassin's Finch
Snow Bunting
Common Redpoll
Sightings for December 29
In Kelowna, a GYRFALCON was seen along Bulman Road in the Ellison area
(CC,RT).
At the Chichester Bird Sanctuary in Kelowna, 2 WILSON'S SNIPE and a VIRGINIA
RAIL were seen at the E. end of the sanctuary (CC,RT).
The ad. MEW GULL was at the Macdonal's at the corner of Hwy 33 and Hollywood
Road in Rutland (CC,RT).
At the Maude Roxby Bird Sanctuary an adult Kumlein's ICELAND GULL was seen
and a banded adult TRUMPETER SWAN was resting on the sand bar (CC,RT).
At 755 Stremel Road, the imm. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues (CC,RT), and
two imm. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS were in the overgrown apple orchard on
McKenzie Road just E. of Gibson Road on the Rutland Bench (CC,RT). Also here
were two AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS (RT).
The new location of Marshall's Feedlot can be nicely viewed from Lakha Road
in Ellison. Many blackbirds were present and an imm. GOLDEN EAGLE perched on
posts eyeing up nearby ducks (CC,RT).
The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD continues at 12820 Wright Ave in Summerland as of
Dec 29 (LRo).
In Penticton an adult GLAUCOUS GULL and 13 CACKLING GEESE were on the
Okanagan Lake Beach near the big peach (RC).
The Vaseux Lake CBC was held on Dec 27 with an unofficial total of 89 spcies
tallied. Highlights included a SHORT-EARED OWL at the S. gate near White
Lake, 2 WILD TURKEYS behind the observatory at White Lake, two roosting
NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS; one along the Vaseux Lk boardwalk and one in the
woods behind Tickleberry's in Okanagan Falls, and an AMERICAN THREE-TOED
WOODPECKER along Shuttleworth Ck Rd E. of Ok Falls (fide DC,RC).
Sightings for December 27
Good numbers of forest birds were seen within the first 10 kilometers of the
Bear Lake Forest Service Road on December 26, including 20+ CASSIN'S
FINCHES, numerous PINE GROSBEAKS, 30+ COMMON REDPOLLS, 30+ CLARK'S
NUTCRACKERS and a CANYON WREN at the cliff at km 1 (CC,RT).
On the 26 of December, the BLUE JAY was again seen along Smithson Drive off
Clifton Road in Kelowna (GW,LR).
On December 26 an adult GLAUCOUS GULL was amongst hundreds of gulls in Mud
Bay at the Maude Roxby Bird Sanctuary in Kelowna on December 26 (CC,RT).
Also here were 7 CACKLING GEESE (CC,RT).
On December 26 an adult MEW GULL was at the Rotary Marshes in Kelowna
(CC,RT).
On December 24, the GYRFALCON was seen sitting on a pole at the N. end of
Marshall's Feedlot (or what's left of it) at the intersection of MCCurdy Rd
and Hwy 97 in Kelowna (CC).
A male EURASIAN WIGEON (also seen on the Penticton CBC on Dec 17 - LRo) was
with a small flock of AMERICAN WIGEON at Powell Beach in Summerland on Dec
21 (DC,RC).
Last reported on December 21, the wintering NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD continues
at 12820 Wright Avenue in Summerland (RC,DC). This bird was also seen on the
Penticton CBC.
Discovered on the Kelowna CBC on December 16 (DCe,DC,RC,m.ob) a BEWICK'S
WREN was last seen on December 21 at Summerhill Winery (RT,DW,CS,MF,m.ob).
From the entrance to the winery you can park and walk up along the edge of
the vineyard and hedgerow to the S. where the wren has been seen multiple
times. It has also been seen amongst the pallets along the road that
continues straight on from the entrance to the winery.
On December 18, a SWAMP SPARROW was seen amongst the tussocks and drowned
willows just S. of the bridge on the Polson Park Trail in Vernon (CS,GD).
On December 17 both Penticton and Vernon held their CBCs. Penticton ended
with 110 species and Vernon with 94. The highlights in Vernon included a
HERMIT THRUSH along the Polson Park Trail and an ICELAND GULL at the Mouth
of Vernon Ck (DCe). In Penticton highlights included a 2nd year LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL at the peach on the Okanagan Lake Beach (DC), 17 DUSKY
GROUSE and 2 SPRUCE GROUSE along the lower reaches of the Reservoir Road E.
of Penticton (DB), 2 HORNED LARKS and 4 SNOW BUNTINGS were at the summit of
Munson Mountain (MB), and 19 CACKLING GEESE were in Naramata (RC).
The Kelowna CBC was held on December 16 with 110 species recorded.
Highlights included an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and 3 seperate ICELAND
GULLS at the Kelowna Landfill (MF). Also at the landfill amongst hundreds of
blackbirds was a RUSTY BLACKBIRD and a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (MF).
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was at the spring in Scenic Canyon along Mission Ck
(CC) and another was in the S. Mission area (DC,RC,DCe).
An imm. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues at 755 Stremel Road in Rutland
(coming to feeder) - CC. Call Chris Charlesworth at 718-0335 to arrange to
see bird which is still coming to feeder as of Dec 27.
A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was seen at km 2 on the Gillard ck Forest Service
Road S. of Kelowna (DCe), two BLUE JAYS were reported; one on Oliver Court
in the Hall Road area (Lk) and one on Smithson Drive in the Glenmore area
(fide EC).
A GYRFALCON made a pass overhead on Barnaby Road in the S. Mission area
(DW,JL).
In Westbank a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was seen near Gellatly Bay (HB).
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES were seen on the Lake Country, Kelowna, Penticton
and Vernon counts as a mini-invasion of this species appears to be underway.
-----------------------------------
Observers: CC - Chris Charlesworth; RT - Ryan Tomlinson; DW - Don Wilson; JL
- Judy Latta; DC - Dick Cannings; RC - Russ Cannings; DCe - Don Cecile; CS -
Chris Siddle; MF - Mike Force; GD - Gary Davidson; HB - Howard Braun; EC -
Eileen Chappell; LK - Linda Knowles; MB - Michael Bezener; DB - Doug Brown;
LR - Lesley Robertson; GW - Gwynneth Wilson; LRo - Laurie Rockwell;
If you have questions about Okanagan birding call Chris Charlesworth, in
Kelowna at (250-718-0335), Dick Cannings in Naramata at (250-496-4019).
Chris Charlesworth
725 Richards Road
Kelowna, BC
V1X 2X5
Canada
Phone (250) 718-0335
Fax (250) 765-6019
To report a rare bird sightings please call Chris Charlesworth at (250)
718-0335 and leave a message.
Sightings for Friday, December 29 - 9:00 PM update
Featured Birds include:
MEW GULL (Kelowna)
ICELAND GULL (Kelowna)
GLAUCOUS GULL (Penticton)
GYRFALCON (Kelowna)
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Summerland)
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Kelowna)
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW (Kelowna)
Other species mentioned:
Trumpeter Swan
Wilson's Snipe
Short-eared Owl
Wild Turkey
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Northern Saw-Whet Owl
Golden Eagle
Cackling Goose
BEWICK'S WREN
EURASIAN WIGEON
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
BLUE JAY
SWAMP SPARROW
RUSTY BLACKBIRD
American Wigeon
Dusky Grouse
Spruce Grouse
Black-backed Woodpecker
Hermit Thrush
Canyon Wren
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Clark's Nutcracker
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Horned Lark
Pine Grosbeak
Cassin's Finch
Snow Bunting
Common Redpoll
Sightings for December 29
In Kelowna, a GYRFALCON was seen along Bulman Road in the Ellison area
(CC,RT).
At the Chichester Bird Sanctuary in Kelowna, 2 WILSON'S SNIPE and a VIRGINIA
RAIL were seen at the E. end of the sanctuary (CC,RT).
The ad. MEW GULL was at the Macdonal's at the corner of Hwy 33 and Hollywood
Road in Rutland (CC,RT).
At the Maude Roxby Bird Sanctuary an adult Kumlein's ICELAND GULL was seen
and a banded adult TRUMPETER SWAN was resting on the sand bar (CC,RT).
At 755 Stremel Road, the imm. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues (CC,RT), and
two imm. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS were in the overgrown apple orchard on
McKenzie Road just E. of Gibson Road on the Rutland Bench (CC,RT). Also here
were two AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS (RT).
The new location of Marshall's Feedlot can be nicely viewed from Lakha Road
in Ellison. Many blackbirds were present and an imm. GOLDEN EAGLE perched on
posts eyeing up nearby ducks (CC,RT).
The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD continues at 12820 Wright Ave in Summerland as of
Dec 29 (LRo).
In Penticton an adult GLAUCOUS GULL and 13 CACKLING GEESE were on the
Okanagan Lake Beach near the big peach (RC).
The Vaseux Lake CBC was held on Dec 27 with an unofficial total of 89 spcies
tallied. Highlights included a SHORT-EARED OWL at the S. gate near White
Lake, 2 WILD TURKEYS behind the observatory at White Lake, two roosting
NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS; one along the Vaseux Lk boardwalk and one in the
woods behind Tickleberry's in Okanagan Falls, and an AMERICAN THREE-TOED
WOODPECKER along Shuttleworth Ck Rd E. of Ok Falls (fide DC,RC).
Sightings for December 27
Good numbers of forest birds were seen within the first 10 kilometers of the
Bear Lake Forest Service Road on December 26, including 20+ CASSIN'S
FINCHES, numerous PINE GROSBEAKS, 30+ COMMON REDPOLLS, 30+ CLARK'S
NUTCRACKERS and a CANYON WREN at the cliff at km 1 (CC,RT).
On the 26 of December, the BLUE JAY was again seen along Smithson Drive off
Clifton Road in Kelowna (GW,LR).
On December 26 an adult GLAUCOUS GULL was amongst hundreds of gulls in Mud
Bay at the Maude Roxby Bird Sanctuary in Kelowna on December 26 (CC,RT).
Also here were 7 CACKLING GEESE (CC,RT).
On December 26 an adult MEW GULL was at the Rotary Marshes in Kelowna
(CC,RT).
On December 24, the GYRFALCON was seen sitting on a pole at the N. end of
Marshall's Feedlot (or what's left of it) at the intersection of MCCurdy Rd
and Hwy 97 in Kelowna (CC).
A male EURASIAN WIGEON (also seen on the Penticton CBC on Dec 17 - LRo) was
with a small flock of AMERICAN WIGEON at Powell Beach in Summerland on Dec
21 (DC,RC).
Last reported on December 21, the wintering NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD continues
at 12820 Wright Avenue in Summerland (RC,DC). This bird was also seen on the
Penticton CBC.
Discovered on the Kelowna CBC on December 16 (DCe,DC,RC,m.ob) a BEWICK'S
WREN was last seen on December 21 at Summerhill Winery (RT,DW,CS,MF,m.ob).
From the entrance to the winery you can park and walk up along the edge of
the vineyard and hedgerow to the S. where the wren has been seen multiple
times. It has also been seen amongst the pallets along the road that
continues straight on from the entrance to the winery.
On December 18, a SWAMP SPARROW was seen amongst the tussocks and drowned
willows just S. of the bridge on the Polson Park Trail in Vernon (CS,GD).
On December 17 both Penticton and Vernon held their CBCs. Penticton ended
with 110 species and Vernon with 94. The highlights in Vernon included a
HERMIT THRUSH along the Polson Park Trail and an ICELAND GULL at the Mouth
of Vernon Ck (DCe). In Penticton highlights included a 2nd year LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL at the peach on the Okanagan Lake Beach (DC), 17 DUSKY
GROUSE and 2 SPRUCE GROUSE along the lower reaches of the Reservoir Road E.
of Penticton (DB), 2 HORNED LARKS and 4 SNOW BUNTINGS were at the summit of
Munson Mountain (MB), and 19 CACKLING GEESE were in Naramata (RC).
The Kelowna CBC was held on December 16 with 110 species recorded.
Highlights included an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and 3 seperate ICELAND
GULLS at the Kelowna Landfill (MF). Also at the landfill amongst hundreds of
blackbirds was a RUSTY BLACKBIRD and a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (MF).
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was at the spring in Scenic Canyon along Mission Ck
(CC) and another was in the S. Mission area (DC,RC,DCe).
An imm. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues at 755 Stremel Road in Rutland
(coming to feeder) - CC. Call Chris Charlesworth at 718-0335 to arrange to
see bird which is still coming to feeder as of Dec 27.
A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was seen at km 2 on the Gillard ck Forest Service
Road S. of Kelowna (DCe), two BLUE JAYS were reported; one on Oliver Court
in the Hall Road area (Lk) and one on Smithson Drive in the Glenmore area
(fide EC).
A GYRFALCON made a pass overhead on Barnaby Road in the S. Mission area
(DW,JL).
In Westbank a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was seen near Gellatly Bay (HB).
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES were seen on the Lake Country, Kelowna, Penticton
and Vernon counts as a mini-invasion of this species appears to be underway.
-----------------------------------
Observers: CC - Chris Charlesworth; RT - Ryan Tomlinson; DW - Don Wilson; JL
- Judy Latta; DC - Dick Cannings; RC - Russ Cannings; DCe - Don Cecile; CS -
Chris Siddle; MF - Mike Force; GD - Gary Davidson; HB - Howard Braun; EC -
Eileen Chappell; LK - Linda Knowles; MB - Michael Bezener; DB - Doug Brown;
LR - Lesley Robertson; GW - Gwynneth Wilson; LRo - Laurie Rockwell;
If you have questions about Okanagan birding call Chris Charlesworth, in
Kelowna at (250-718-0335), Dick Cannings in Naramata at (250-496-4019).
Chris Charlesworth
725 Richards Road
Kelowna, BC
V1X 2X5
Canada
Phone (250) 718-0335
Fax (250) 765-6019