RBA: GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL in Penticton, Vernon, and Kelowna - Dec 6/23-April 15/24

At 11:40 am on Dec 6- 2023, Chris Charlesworth and Ryan Tomlinson found a first year Great Black-backed Gull on the beach of Okanagan Lake in Penticton. The bird was sitting on the beach with 1 second-year Lesser Black-backed Gull directly across from the Spanish Villa Resort.

Map to location HERE

The bird continued in Penticton on Dec 12th and has been viewed by multiple observers.

On Dec 14/23-Jan 1/24 and January 4, 7, 9-10/24 the bird continued at the mouth of Vernon Creek on Okanagan Lake HERE. On Dec 20th it was seen at MacKay Reservoir in Vernon. On January 2 & 3/24 it was seen on the dock at Maude-Roxby Bird Sanctuary in Kelowna, and on January 6 it was seen at Bredin Pond at the Kelowna Landfill.

On January 18-24, the bird was seen on the dock at Maude-Roxby Bird Sanctuary in Kelowna.

On Jan 25-April 15th, the bird was seen back at the mouth of Vernon Creek and Kin Beach in Vernon on Okanagan Lake in Vernon.

This is the 4th confirmed photographed record for BC.

Great Black-backed Gull in Penticton - Photos: Chris Charlesworth