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The bat fauna of northwestern Canada remains poorly known, principally owing to a lack of dedicated surveys across this vast region. To better assess the diversity of bats in the region, we compiled records from several acoustic survey projects and capture sessions whose purpose was to inventory bats in Yukon and northwestern British Columbia (BC) from 2013 to 2018. During our surveys we obtained the 1st apparent acoustic records for Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis), Californian Myotis (M. californicus), Long-eared Myotis (M. evotis), Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) and Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis) from this region. We also captured 2 Long-eared Myotis in northwestern BC. Additionally, our surveys provided range extensions of Northern Myotis (M. septentrionalis), Long-legged Myotis (M. volans), and Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus). Finally, by deploying bat detectors in late autumn, and in some cases throughout the winter, we provide data about seasonal patterns for bat activity in some locations, revealing that bats in northwestern BC may be active as late as 29 October and emerge as early as 30 March, a pattern similar to that observed in southern BC. By combining data from several disparate surveys, conducted for different reasons by different researchers, we were able to provide a fuller picture of the bat fauna of this vast region. Our data provides further evidence that the bat fauna of northwestern Canada is richer than previously documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) are piscivores, and observations of them preying on non-fish species are rare. I observed an Osprey preying on a Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus) that was swimming in the Sikanni Chief River in northeastern British Columbia. This is one of few reports of an Osprey preying on a small mammal, and it provides further evidence that Osprey may prey on such species as the opportunity arises. This observation also points to the apparent vulnerability of small rodents to novel predators while they are swimming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most species of bats (Chiroptera) are nocturnal, and diurnal activity is only occasionally reported. I observed a Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) flying along a lakeshore in the Okanagan Valley of southcentral British Columbia, Canada, in mid-afternoon. The Spotted Bat flew along the shoreline and drank from the lake. During the course of its flight, the Spotted Bat was attacked by a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), but it escaped. This is the first reported observation of a Spotted Bat active during the daytime. It is also the first reported observation of attempted prédation of a bat by a Belted Kingfisher. It is not known how prevalent daytime activity is in Spotted Bats, but this observation supports the hypothesis that prédation risk may be high for bats that are active during the day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]