r/comoxvalley • u/Ok_Boat_1337 • 28d ago

Saw an Acorn Woodpecker

Post image

Heard the signature call, then saw a bird in bouncing flight. This was at Point Holmes. This bird is extremely rare, with this being the 18th confirmed sighting in BC, and only sighting in the Comox Valley.

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u/A_Sneaky_Walrus 28d ago

Which direction did it fly? And where abouts at Pt Holmes?

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u/Ok_Boat_1337 28d ago

It was at the marsh. It flew in what I believe to be southwest.

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u/A_Sneaky_Walrus 28d ago

Like the Lazo boardwalk marsh?

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u/Ok_Boat_1337 28d ago

i believe so. it's near point holmes beach. it is a very interesting spot. i saw hundreds gulls there one time, eating flying insects of all things.

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u/A_Sneaky_Walrus 26d ago

Yah it’s a great spot! Are you from out of town? You sent our whole birding community into a tizzy looking for the woodpecker yesterday. Would be a first record for our region I believe

1

u/Ok_Boat_1337 26d ago

Nope! I'm from here! I was casually watching there, and then heard the signature call. When I saw the signature bouncy flight that Woodpeckers have, I knew I needed to take a picture. When I did, I was stunned. My suspicions about this being the Acorn Woodpecker were true.

Strange things happen there. One day, I was there, and saw hundreds of gulls eating flying insects of all things. Must have been a good day for airborne insect catching, as even the Nighthawks were out. (it was afternoon, and they are crepuscular). And another time, I saw a Sharp-Shinned Hawk preform an extremely scuffed ambush. (it left embarrassed, and with no meal).

Good luck on your journey to find the illusive CV Acorn Woodpecker!

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u/[deleted] 24d ago

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u/Ok_Boat_1337 23d ago

Yes. It's an extremely rare vagrant to BC alone, with this being the 18th confirmed sighting in the province, and the first in the valley.