Tweeters,



Some of you may be aware that, from October 22 to 30, a first-year
RED-BACKED SHRIKE, the first record for continental North America, was
present in Powell River, British Columbia. (The only previous N.A. record
was on St. Lawrence Island in 2017). This location is on the mainland coast
of B.C., less than 100 miles north of Vancouver. The Powell River shrike was
discovered by local birder Iwan Van Veen, and was seen and photographed
during its 9-day stay by dozens of B.C. birders. Although identification of
Red-backed Shrikes can be tricky, because of confusion with or hybridization
with similar species such as Turkestan (Red-tailed) Shrike and Brown Shrike,
several I.D. experts have confirmed that it was a Red-backed Shrike.



We are disappointed that that the Covid-19 crisis, and consequent border
closure, has made it impossible for most Americans to visit Canada. In
normal times, we would have expected hundreds of U.S. birders to visit
Powell River to see the shrike.



However, the bird was last seen on October 30th, and if it is still alive,
chances are that is has continued to migrate to the southward. Red-backed
Shrikes winter almost entirely in Africa south of the Equator, and Powell
River is a long, long way north of the Equator!



So this is a heads-up to Washington State birders to be on the lookout for
the shrike in case it shows up in your backyard. If it does, this would be a
really nice addition to the state list!



Several photos of the Red-backed Shrike can be seen on the B.C. Rare Bird
Alert webpage at this URL:

http://bcbirdalert.blogspot.com



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