Eric Greenwood wrote:

>Also received an e-mail message "there's an oriole in Maple Ridge, at the
>216th dyke . . .". Anyone else seen an Oriole yet?

I, too, would like to hear of any arrivals of Bullock's Orioles (note
the new old name) here in Cascadia. If this is indeed an oriole, and a
spring migrant, it is a full 5 to 6 weeks ahead of schedule. Normal arrival
on southern Vancouver Island, and presumable in the Vancouver, BC area, is
the first week of May.

It seems more likely that this could be a bird that has managed to overwinter
somewhere in the Fraser Lowlands. We have at least one confirmed record of
this species spending a winter here on s. Vancouver Island -- a female at
North Saanich 3 years ago.

Now to find a vagrant Baltimore Oriole here on Vancouver Island. Are there
any records for coastal Washington?

Bryan Gates, Victoria bgates at assessment.env.gov.bc.ca
Victoria Rare Bird Alert (604) 592-3381