The Backyard's Weekly Bird Walk locations are found in the Backyard Bird Report at the very end of the most recent report. Any cancellations will be posted here by 8am the day of the walk. Our first bird walks of the year are going out on Sunday February 4th and Tuesday February 6th. Locations will be posted to our next Bird Report.

Sunday 30 December 2007

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER

Black-throated Blue Warbler

We, at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store, would like to thank you, Linda and Dudley, for opening your yard to the more than fifty birders who viewed this “spunky” little Warbler in the past week and one half.

Understandable, Linda and Dudley would like to get back to their normal pace of life and so have decided that New Years Day, Tuesday January 01, 2008, will be the last viewing day for birders to access their yard. What a great way to end a birding year—thank-you again!

If you have any questions, please contact the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at (250) 390-3669.

Nanaimo bird alert















Peregrine Falcon: Ralph Hocken Photo

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
or call the Bird Alert at 390-3029
Post your sightings on these sites:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages
Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday December 30:
The Black-throated Blue Warbler continues to visit the suet feeders in Nanoose Bay. For information call the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at (250)390-3669.
Red Crossbills were seen high in the fir trees near the Bird Store along Metral Drive in north Nanaimo.

Saturday December 29:
Canada Goose, Anna's Hummingbirds, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow,
Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Bushtits, American Robin,, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-Eyed Junco, House Finch, Pine Siskin, and House Sparrow along Lancashire Avenue in Nanaimo.
A Red-breasted Sapsucker was seen coming to a front yard in Cinnabar Valley in south Nanaimo

Friday December 28:
An immature Golden Eagle was spotted flying over Duncan.

Thursday December 27:
A Townsend's Warbler is coming to suet feeders along Boundary Crescent in
Nanaimo.
An American Kestrel was seen perched on the hydro line near the Ugly Dwarf
Meadows in Nanoose Bay.
A Cackling Goose was seen in among the Canada Geese at Parksville Community
Park.

Wednesday December 26:
A Great-horned Owl was spotted along Viking Way in Columbia Beach.
A male Anna's Hummingbird is feeding along Colbourne Drive in Nanaimo.
A Great-horned Owl was heard along Andrea Crescent in Upper Lantzville

Monday December 24:
The Black Throated Blue Warbler along with Northern Flickers, Downy
Woodpecker, Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhees and Red-breasted Nuthatch are coming to suet feeders in Nanoose Bay. For more information and access please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at 1(250) 390-3669.
A Peregrine Falcon was spotted high on a snag at the Nanaimo Golf Course.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday January 28, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume on January 16, 2008
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Friday 28 December 2007

BLACK-THROATED WARBLER

















Black-throated Warbler at Nanoose Bay: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Black-throated Warbler continues to visit the suet feeders in the 2400 block of Cross Road in Nanoose Bay. The propery owners are welcoming birders to their yard after 9:30 am.
Call the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at(250)390-3669 for directions to the property.

Monday 24 December 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS BIRDING NEW YEAR!

FROM THE GANG AT THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE.

COLIN, DENISE, MARILYNNE AND NEIL














BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER at Nanoose Bay: Ralph Hocken photo

RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER"
A Black Throated Blue Warbler along with Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpecker, Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhees and Red-breasted Nuthatch are coming to suet feeders in the 2400 block of Cross Road near the library in Nanoose Bay. For more information and access please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at 1(250) 390-3669

Sunday 23 December 2007

Nanaimo bird alert















Greater White-fronted Geese at Parksville: John Purves Photo.

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
or call the Bird Alert at 390-3029
Post your sightings on these sites:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages
"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in the Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count, contact--

The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.
Sunday December 23:
RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER"
A Black Throated Blue Warbler, along with Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpecker,
Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted
Towhees and Red-breasted Nuthatch are coming to suet feeders in the 2400
block of Cross Road near the library in Nanoose Bay. For more information and access please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at (250) 390-3669
A Chukar was seen near the airport at Qualicum Beach.
Saturday December 22:
RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER"
A Black Throated Blue Warbler is coming to feeders in the 2400 block of Cross
Road near the library in Nanoose Bay.
A Merlin, a Downy Woodpecker, a Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Juncos and
Chestnut Chickadees are visiting a backyard along Garibaldi Drive in Nanaimo.
Red Crossbills were seen at the top of Fir Trees near the Bird Store off Metral Drive in north Nanaimo.
A flock of American Pipits were heard as they flew over the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store in Nanaimo.
Friday December 21:
A Barred Owl was seen in the Hospital area in Nanaimo.
Twenty Cackling Geese were seen in with a large flock of Canada Geese at
Somenos Marsh in Duncan.
Two Varied Thrush were seen in Shelly Creek Park behind Farrell Drive in
Parksville.

Thursday December 20:
A Downy Woodpecker is visiting suet feeders in the 2000 block of Cedar Road in
Cedar.
Tuesday December 18:
A Sandhill Crane was seen along Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.
Two Greater White-fronted Geese and a Cackling Goose were seen at the
Parksville community center at Parksville Bay.
A White-throated Sparrow was seen near Green Lake in north Nanaimo.

Monday December 17:
A Double-crested Cormorant was seen on a log at Westwood Lake in Nanaimo.
A Downy Woodpecker was seen at Longwood Estates in Nanaimo.
For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday January 28, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED WARBLER

Sunday December 23:
RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER"
A Black Throated Blue Warbler along with Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpecker, Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhees and Red-breasted Nuthatch are coming to suet feeders in the 2400 block of Cross Road near the library in Nanoose Bay. For more information and access please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at 1(250) 390-3669




Monday 17 December 2007

SANDHILL CRANE

This Sandhill Crane has been seen in the Pipers Lagoon area(off Hammond Bay Road) for the past week.

Sunday 16 December 2007

Nanaimo bird alert














Barred Owl at Buttertubs:
Robin Bodnaruk Photo

Cedar Waxwing: Ralph Hocken Photo

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
or call the Bird Alert at 390-3029
Post your sightings on these sites:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages
"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in the Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count, contact--

The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday December 16:
Two Great Horned Owls were seen in the 1100 block of Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.

Saturday December 15:
A Townsend's Warbler was seen visiting suet feeders in the Seabreeze Mobile Home Park near Beck Creek along Maki Road in south Nanaimo.
A Sandhill Crane was seen at the corner of Kite Way and Osprey Lookout in Nanaimo.
Twelve Northern Fulmars, four of which were the northern sub-species white phase, rare in this area were seen off Gordon's Beach near Sooke.

Friday December 14:
RARE BIRD ALERT "PARAKEET AUKLET"
A PARAKEET AUKLET was seen in with a large flock of Common Murres, Ancient
Murrelets, Rhinoceros Auklets and Pigeon Guillemots at Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew. Take the trail down to Botanical Beach, follow the trail down the hill to the washrooms take the fork in the trail to the left, walk down the stairs go to
the water. Please do not get too close to the water as large waves come into the lower areas and can sweep a person out to sea in seconds.
A Barred Owl was calling in the Colliery Dam Park off Harewoods Minds Road in
Nanaimo.

Thursday December 13:
A Sandhill Crane was spotted eating bugs along Overlook Drive in Nanaimo
.
Wednesday December 12:
A Townsend's Warbler was seen at suet feeders along Kenwill Drive in north Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 11:
A winter plumage Yellow-billed Loon, two Barrow's Goldeneye, two Horned
Grebes, a Common Merganser, two Bufflehead and a Pied-billed Grebe were seen at the Schooners Cove Marina in Nanoose Bay. The Loon was seen about ten feet from the road looking towards the boat basin.
A Eurasian Wigeon was seen on the golf driving range in Duncan.

Monday December 10:
Two Great Horned Owls were seen in the 1100 block of Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.

Sunday December 09:
A Barred Owl was seen near the north parking lot at Buttertubs Marsh in
Nanaimo.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday January 28, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Tuesday 11 December 2007

YELLOW-BILLED LOON

















Yellow-billed Loon at Schooners Cove: Photo by Ralph Hocken

A winter plumage Yellow-billed Loon was seen at the Schooner Cove Marina at Nanoose Bay.
The Loon was seen just off the road looking towards the boats in the Marina.
Also there were a pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes, two Horned Grebes, a Common Merganser, two Bufflehead and a Pied-billed Grebe.

"SANDHILL CRANE"
A Sandhill Crane was seen at the sharp turn of Hammond Bay Road just up from Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo today.

Sunday 9 December 2007

Nanaimo bird alert















Cedar Waxwing: Photo by Ralph Hocken

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
or call the Bird Alert at 390-3029
Post your sightings on these sites:
"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in one or all of the Christmas Bird Counts, contact the following people:

Nanoose Bay Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2007
Contact-Rhys Harrison at
rhysharrison@shaw.ca
*******************************
Parksville--Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count
December 16, 2007
Contact- Sandra Gray at
saninerr@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday December 09, 2007:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Among the highlights were the sighting of a Merlin chasing a large flock of Pine Siskins, one Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tall fir tree and, at the end of the walk, we saw eight Cedar Waxwings in a berry tree next to the Bowen Road entrance. Eleven birders found the following thirty species: Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Red-tailed Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Rock Pigeon, Northwestern Crow, Steller's Jay, Bewick's Wren, Red-winged Blackbird, American Robin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, California Quail, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrows.

Saturday December 08:
A Townsend's Warbler, a Wilson's Snipe, a Lincoln's Sparrow and a flock of Cedar Waxwings were seen in the woods at French Creek.

Friday December 07:
A Common Murre was seen at Stones Marina next to the Muddy Waters Pub in downtown Nanaimo.

Thursday December 06:
OUT OF TOWN "RARE BIRD ALERT" COOK'S PETREL
A Cook's Petrel was found on a front porch in Lilllooet in the Coast Mountains on the mainland. The Cook's Petrel nests on Islands near New Zealand in the south Pacific.

Wednesday December 05:
Two Varied Thrush were seen at a ground feeder in Boat Harbour in Cedar.

Tuesday December 04:
An American Kestrel was seen at the top of a tree at the Ugly Dwarf Meadows in Nanoose Bay.
A Silver Pheasant was seen off Bayshore Drive towards the Ocean in Nanaimo.
A Wilson's Snipe was spotted in the field near the Recreation Centre in Duncan
Monday December 03:
Seven Northern Flickers, including a yellow-shafted Northern Flicker, along with Song Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and Spotted Towhees were seen along East Wellington Road in south Nanaimo.

Sunday December 02:
A Townsend's Warbler was spotted in the trees at French Creek.
For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday January 28, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
There will be no Sunday Bird Walk on December 16, 2007.
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Sunday 2 December 2007















Anna's Hummingbird: Photo by Carol Ryan


To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Bird Alert --390-3029---
Post your sightings on this site--
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in one or all of the Christmas Bird Counts, contact the following people:

Nanoose Bay Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2007
Contact-Rhys Harrison at
rhysharrison@shaw.ca
*******************************
Parksville--Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count
December 16, 2007
Contact- Sandra Gray at
saninerr@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday December 02, 2007:

The Sunday bird walk was cancelled.

Saturday December 01:
An Anna's Hummingbird is visiting feeders along Victoria Road in south Nanaimo.
An albino Dark-eyed Junco was seen in with other Dark-eyed Juncos along Mill Road near Westwood Lake in Nanaimo.
Ten Trumpeter Swans were seen over Parksville heading south west.
A Sandhill Crane landed in an empty lot along Bayshore Drive in north Nanaimo.

Friday November 30:
"RARE BIRD ALERT" TROPICAL KINGBIRD
A Tropical Kingbird seen at 11:00 am to-day in the 7700 block of Anderson Drive on Hornby Island. The Kingbird was eating berries from a bush.

Wednesday November 28:
It was a typical fall day at the Englishman River Estuary with windy, cool and a light shower conditions. Eleven birders braved the elements and identified the following thirty-six species:
Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Surf, White-winged and Black Scoters, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's and Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted and Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, Northern Shrike, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbills, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday, December, 2007@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday December 13, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
There will be no Wednesday Bird Walk on December 05. The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 09, 2007, will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the parking area off Bowen Road at about 9:20 a.m.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Friday 30 November 2007

TROPICAL KINGBIRD SIGHTING

Another TROPICAL KINGBIRD has been sighted on Hornby Island. The bird was seen feeding on red berries in a garden on Anderson Drive, Hornby Island. No picture as of yet but hopefully one will taken.
Any confirmation would be appreciated.
Good birding!

Wednesday 28 November 2007

WEDNESDAY BIRDWALK NOVEMBER 28

It was a typical fall day at the Englishman River Estuary with windy, cool and a light shower conditions. 11 birders braved the elements and identified 36 species:
Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Surf, White-winged and Black Scoters, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's and Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted and Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, Northern Shrike, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbills, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch.
Good birding.

Sunday 25 November 2007

Nanaimo bird alert















Taking flight at Lantzville: Photo by Ralph Hocken


To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Bird Alert --390-3029---
Post your sightings on this site--
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages
Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.
"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in one or all of the Christmas Bird Counts, contact the following people:
Nanoose Bay Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2007
Contact-Rhys Harrison at
rhysharrison@shaw.ca
*******************************
Parksville--Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count
December 16, 2007
Contact- Sandra Gray at
saninerr@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************
Sunday November 25, 2007:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo. Among the
highlights were the sighting of a seven Western Meadowlarks and a Northern Shrike. We had some great views of a Short-eared Owl and a Northern Harrier flying right over us at the start of the walk.
Eighteen birders found the following forty-two species: Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Bufflehead,
Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Golden-eye, Red-breasted Merganser, Greater Scaup, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Greater Yellowlegs, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Shrike, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Western Meadowlark, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.

Friday November 23:
A Pileated Woodpecker is visiting a backyard suet feeder along Barrington Road
in Nanaimo.
A White-throated Sparrow was seen in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.
A Varied Thrush and a Hutton's Vireo were seen at Jingle Pot R.V. Park in Nanaimo.
Wednesday November 21:
The Wednesday Bird Walk went to Deep Bay today. Among the highlights were a large number
of Long-tailed Ducks--many of them very close to shore. Two Trumpeter Swans were in the marina and off shore, looking towards Denman Island, we saw large flocks of Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes as well as an Ancient Murrelet. From Nile Creek we saw a fishing boat with a huge mass of Gulls in a feeding frenzy along with a Common Murre and a Rhinoceros Auklet.
Eleven birders found the following forty-seven species:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe,
Red-necked Grebe, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Ancient Murrelet, Rhinoceros Auklet,
Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Ringed-necked Pheasant, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird ,Purple Finch, House Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.
An Anna's Hummingbird was seen in the 5400 block of Kenwill Drive in Nanaimo.
A MERLIN was seen in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

Sunday November 18:
OUT OF TOWN RARE BIRD ALERT "HARRIS'S SPARROW"
A first winter HARRIS'S SPARROW was seen at a feeder after a heavy rain storm in the 2300 block of Pacific Rim Highway at Ucluelet on the west side of Vancouver Island. The Harris's Sparrow usually spends the summer in the high Arctic and winters in the mid-western USA states.
For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday November 26, 2007@ 7:30 pm.
Stan Orchard will speak on "Bullfrog Control Programs"
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday December 13, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walk on November 28, 2007 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side
. Meet at the Visitor Centre in Parksville on Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road at 9 a.m. or at corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:10 a.m.
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 02, 2007, will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the parking area off Bowen Road at about 9:20 a.m.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Sunday 18 November 2007

Nanaimo bird alert















Bonapatre's Gulls at Columbia Beach: Photo by John Purves

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Bird Alert --390-3029---
Post your sightings on this site--
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages
Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in any or all of the counts, contact the following people---

Nanoose Bay Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2007
Contact-Rhys Harrison at
rhysharrison@shaw.ca
*******************************
Parksville--Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count
December 16, 2007
Contact- Sandra Gray at
saninerr@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************
Sunday November 18, 2007:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Among
the highlights were the sighting of a large flock of Pine Siskins and Red Crossbills and the resident Spotted Sandpiper was seen at Sunset Beach roosting on a log.
Seventeen birders found the following forty species: Mallard, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Harlequin Duck, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Oystercatchers, Black Turnstones, Bald Eagle, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Downey Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Spotted Towhee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin and Red Crossbill.
Saturday November 17:
A Blue Jay, an Eared Grebe and an immature Yellow-billed Loon were seen in Sooke.
An adult Clark's Grebe was seen offshore from the west coast road at the lookout area at Otter Point near Sooke.
Four Northern Pintail were seen at Westwood Lake in Nanaimo.
Friday November 16:
Rare Bird Alert " TROPICAL KINGBIRD"
A TROPICAL KINGBIRD was seen at about 2:00 p.m. at the Nanaimo River Estuary, Raines Road side.
The Kingbird was seen about 100 yards from the Viewing Tower looking towards Duke Point.
A Northern Shrike, a Northern Harrier, three Western Meadowlarks, a Wilson's Snipe, two Short-eared Owls hunting together and one TROPICAL KINGBIRD were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary, Raines Road side.
One Anna's Hummingbird was seen visiting feeders in the 3400 Block of Blackfoot Way in Nanaimo.
Thursday November 15:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch and Red Crossbill were seen at the Little Qualicum River Estuary just north of Qualicum Beach.
Wednesday November 14:
The Wednesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach. Among the highlights were several Long-tailed Ducks, a Red-throated Loon, over eighty Black Turnstones, Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes. Nine birders found the following thirty-five species: American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter,
White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and Pine Siskin.
An Anna's Hummingbird is visiting feeders in the 6500 block of Ptarmigan Way in Nanaimo and along Remora Place in Nanoose Bay.
Tuesday November 13:
Eighty Surfbirds were seen at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.
Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders in the 200 block of Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.
Monday November 12:
During the wind, rain and heavy sea's the following species were seen between Sooke and Jordan River, on the west side of Vancouver Island--
Twenty-one Brown Pelicans near Gordon's Beach
Northern Fulmars, Short-tailed Shearwaters and one Bullers Shearwater off the Strait of Juan de Fuca
One immature Black-legged Kittiwake and a Slaty-backed Gull at Jordan River.
A 3rd year Glaucous Gull at Whiffin Spit.
Snow Goose and Cackling Geese in Sooke.
Winter storms tend to take birds off their normal course.
Keep an eye out for unusual species during stormy weather. If you see anything unusual give us a call at the Bird Store.
Sunday November 11:
A female Long-tailed Duck was sighted about 100 metres offshore of Jacks Road in Lantzville.
Four Trumpeter Swans flew over Andrea Crescent in Lantzville.
A large flock of Northern Pintail Ducks were seen on the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
Thursday November 08:
An immature Tundra Swan was seen in the 7700 block of Anderson Drive, Whaling Station Bay, Hornby Island.
For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday November 26, 2007@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday December 13, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Stan Orchard will speak on "Bullfrog Control Programs"
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walk on November 21, 2007 will be going to Deep Bay. Meet at the Visitor Centre in Parksville on Highway 19A and Northwest
Bay Road at 9 a.m. or at the parking area at the Deep Bay Marina near the Grocery Store at about 9:40 a.m.
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 25, 2007, will be going to the Nanaimo River
Estuary.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the parking area at the end of Raines Road at about 9:30 a.m.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Wednesday 14 November 2007

Nanaimo bird alert















Slaty-backed Gull: Photo by Ralph Hocken


On November 12th, during the wind, rain and heavy seas, the following species were seen between Sooke and Jordan River, on the west side of Vancouver Island--

Twenty-one Brown Pelicans near Gordons Beach
Northern Fulmars, Short-tailed Shearwaters and one Bullers Shearwater off the Strait of Juan de Fuca
One immature Black-legged Kittiwake and a Slaty-backed Gull at Jordan River.
A 3rd year Glaucous Gull at Whiffin Spit.
Snow Goose and Cackling Geese in Sooke.

Winter storms tend to take birds off their normal course.
Keep an eye out for unusual species during stormy weather. If you see anything unusual give us a call at the Bird Store. 1-888-249-4145

Sunday 11 November 2007

Nanaimo bird alert














Dunlin: Photo by Ralph Hocken


To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Bird Alert --390-3029---
Post your sightings on this site--
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday November 11, 2007:
OUT OF TOWN RARE BIRD ALERT "IVORY GULL"
A Ivory Gull was seen at Matsqui Flats near Abbotsford on the lower mainland. The Ivory Gull winters in the Arctic Sea and is a casual visitor along the Atlantic Coast.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanoose Bay Estuary in Nanoose Bay. Among the highlights were the sighting of a Common Murre in the Bay, over three hundred White Scoters, an estimated 3000 Bushtits moving in a hugh cloud from bush to bush and four Dunlin landing close to shore.
Fourteen hardy birders found the following thirty-four species: Common Murre, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Dunlin, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, American Pippit, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Bushtit, Purple Finch, and Red Crossbill.

Saturday November 10:
OUT FOX TOWN RARE BIRD ALERT "ROSS'S, GULL"
This afternoon there was a non-breeding Adult Ross's Gull on Tachick Lake southwest of Vanderhoof (west of Prince George). The Ross's Gull is an Old World Arctic species that usually winters at sea.
Wednesday November 07:
The Wednesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach at French Creek.
The rain was with us for the walk short. We saw six species of gulls--Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull,California Gull, Thayer's Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull. We also saw a large number of Pacific Loons and shorebirds including Black-bellied Plovers,Black Oystercatchers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin.
Five wet birders still found twenty-six species: Canada Goose, American Wigeon,Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common
Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe,Red-necked Grebe, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow and House Finch
Tuesday November 06:
Two Great Horned Owls were seen along Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.
A Ringed-necked Pheasant and two flocks of Trumpeter Swans were seen near the Cottonwood Golf Course in south Nanaimo.
A Rough-legged Hawk was seen flying out from a perch near the Qualicum Beach exit on highway 19.

Ten Trumpeter Swans were seen flying over highway 19 near Courtenay.
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck,Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Merganser,Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northwestern Crow Common Raven, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren,
Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin were seen on the Lazo Marsh and the ocean at Comox.
Over thirty-six Dark-eyed Juncos, three Northern Flickers, a Spotted Towhee and six American Robins were seen in a yard along Cedar Road in Cedar.
Monday November 05:
A Wilson's Snipe was seen along Port Trail Drive near Buttertubs Marsh in
Nanaimo.
Anna's Hummingbirds have been seen in the 200 block of Dawkins Lane, in the
700 block of Aulds Road and in the 3300 block of Edgewater Drive in Nanaimo.
Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling,
Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin were seen around the edge of Morningstar Golf Course in French Creek.
Sunday November 04:
A juvenile Northern Shrike and four Red Crossbills were seen visiting feeders at
the top of Scarlet Hill Road area of Departure Bay in Nanaimo
Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders in the 7400 block of Aulds Road in
Lantzville.
RARE BIRD ALERT "HOODED WARBLER" The Hooded Warbler is normally found in the eastern USA during the summer and is fairly common in swamps, moist woodlands. It winters in southern Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean.
A Hooded Warbler was seen behind the John Hart Generating Station on the
Canyon View Trail in Campbell River at ~10:30 AM Sunday November 4, 2007. Bird Description: Male bright yellow face surrounded by continuous black throat bib, neck ring and cap on top of head and nape. Underparts bright yellow, back
olive greenish brown. White in tail visible when it moves. Listen for sharp chips.Location and Access: Park in BC Hydro Parking lot and walk west (toward the generating station) on the paved part of the Canyon View trail, across the front of the generating station and up the stairs and trail on the north side no further than the look-out over the penstocks. The bird was vocalizing and flitting around in a large patch of blackberry that is growing on the chain-link fence that separates the penstock/generating station yard from the treed area to the north.

Saturday November 03:
An Anna's Hummingbird is visiting Chinese Lantern Plants in the 5600 block of
Lost Lake Road in Nanaimo.
For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday November 26, 2007@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville.
**********************************
Parksville--Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count
December 16, 2007
Contact- Sandra Gray at
saninerr@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday December 13, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Nanoose Bay Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2007
Contact-Rhys Harrison at
rhysharrison@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walk on November 14, 2007 will be going to Columbia
Beach. Meet at the Visitor Centre in Parksville on Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road at 9 a.m. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Boulevard at about 9:20am. (Turn off highway 19a at Columbia Drive across from Windsor Plywood Store follow Columbia Drive to the "T" intersection turn right to the parking area on the left on Admiral Tryon Bld.)
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 18, 2007, will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo
.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the parking lot at Neck Point off Hammond Bay Road about 9:20 a.m.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Sunday 4 November 2007

Nanaimo bird alert















Horned Grebe: Photo by Ralph Hocken

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Bird Alert --390-3029---
Post your sightings on this site--
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday November 04, 2007:
RBA "HOODED WARBLER"
A Hooded Warbler was seen behind the John Hart Generating Station on the Canyon View Trail in Campbell River at ~10:30 AM Sunday November 4, 2007.
Bird Description: Male bright yellow face surrounded by continuous black throat bib, neck ring and cap on top of head and nape. Underparts bright yellow, back olive greenish brown. White in tail visible when it moves. Listen for sharp chips.
Location and Access: Park in BC Hydro Parking lot and walk west (toward the generating station) on the paved part of the Canyon View trail, across the front of the generating station and up the stairs and trail on the north side no further than the look-out over the penstocks. The bird was vocalizing and flitting around in a large patch of blackberry that is growing on the chain-link fence that separates the penstock/generating station yard from the treed area to the north.
RBA "TROPICAL KINGBIRD"
A Tropical Kingbird was seen on Martindale Flats in Victoria. The bird was flycatching from a dead snag near the new big mansion towards Mallard Drive on the north side of Martindale Road. The Tropical Kingbird is a Central American bird that is a rare, but regular visitor during fall and winter along the west coast of British Columbia.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary. Twenty-two birders
found the following forty-four species: Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Buffhead, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Dunlin, Spotted Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull Glaucous-winged Gull, American Robin, Belted Kingfisher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Brewer's Blackbird,Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Juncos, Spotted Towhee, House Finch and American Goldfinch.

Saturday November 03:
A Barred Owl was seen hunting near the Cat Stream off Beaconsfield Road in
Nanaimo.
A Trumpeter Swan was seen on a marsh near Cedar Road and Macmillan Road in Cedar.
Friday November 02:
A Yellow-billed Loon was seen at Otter Point, off the West Coast Road near Sooke. The Yellow-billed Loon breeds on tundra lakes and rivers in the high Arctic. They migrate for the winter down the west coast of Canada.
Thursday November 01:
A Great Horned Owl was calling at the Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.
A Barred Owl was seen along Owen Road in Lantzville.
Wednesday October 31:
The Wednesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road
side in Parksville. Among the highlights were eight Trumpeter Swans flying past the Art Gallery, one Eurasian Wigeon and first of the season's sighting of Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead.
Eleven birders found the following forty-eight species: Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Horned Grebe, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.
Anna's Hummingbirds were seen in the 6900 block of Rosalyn Avenue in Lantzville.
Two Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders in the 100 block of Southview Road in Powell River.
A White-throated Sparrow was seen feeding with Dark-eyed Juncos in a backyard on Andrea Crescent in Lantzville.
Tuesday October 30:
A Barred Owl landed on a deck railing and had his photo taken in the 5500 block
of Avro Way near Brannen Lake in Nanaimo.
Monday October 29:
A White-throated Sparrow (white striped form) was visiting a ground feeding area in the
5300 block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.
Anna's Hummingbirds were seen visiting feeders in the 4900 block of Bella Vista in Nanaimo.
Sunday October 28:
A juvenile Northern Shrike was photographed at the Nanoose Bay Estuary in
Nanoose Bay.
Saturday October 27:
An American Bittern was seen flying above Buttertubs east and west Marshes in
Nanaimo.

Thursday October 25:
A Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen in a pond at the Craig Bay area in Parksville.

or further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday November 08, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Speaker: Morgan Black, Topic: "Bats"
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Nanoose Bay Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2007
Contact-Rhys Harrison at
rhysharrison@shaw.ca
**********************************

Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday November 26, 2007@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville.
**********************************
Parksville--Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count
December 16, 2007
Contact- Sandra gray at
saninerr@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walk on November 07, 2007 will be going to Columbia
Beach.
Meet at the Visitor Centre in Parksville on Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road at 9 a.m. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Boulevard at about
9:20am. (Turn off highway 19a at Columbia Drive across from Windsor Plywood Store & follow Columbia Drive to the "T" intersection. Turn right to the parking area on the left off of Admiral Tryon Bld.)
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 11, 2007, will be going to the Nanoose
Estuary.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the parking area behind the Church Camp
(turn unto Arlington Road off Highway 19) about 9:20 a.m.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Sunday 28 October 2007

Nanaimo bird alert
















Heerman's Gull at the Little Qualicum Estuary: Photo by John Purves


To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
or call the Bird Alert at 390-3029
Post your sightings on this site--
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday October 28:
RBA "BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER"
A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen at Esquimalt Lagoon in Victoria. The bird was working the shrubs and trees at the far northwest end of the lagoon Road near the last three houses.
The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Seventeen birders found the following thirty-four species: Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, Hooded Merganser,American Coots, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Rock Pigeon, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut Chickadee, Bushtit, Bewick's Wren, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco and House Finch.
Friday October 26:
RBA" SNOW BUNTINGS"
A pair of Snow Buntings and Western Meadowlarks were seen at Seal Islets that are part
of the Tree Island Marine Park off-shore from Comox.
An Anna's Hummingbird was spotted looking at an empty feeder, this frosty
morning, in Cowichan Station, south of Duncan.
Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders in the 2800 block of Keighly Road in Nanaimo.
Wednesday October 24:
The Wednesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary just north of
Qualicum Beach. Among the highlights was the sightings of nine species of Gulls--Bonaparte's Gull, Heermann's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull and a Glaucous Gull. There was at least fifty Bald Eagles on the beach, perched in trees and soaring in the sky. We spotted a Peregrine Falcon racing up in the sky and then looking for a thermal to soar with Bald Eagles.
Nine birders found the following thirty species: Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck,
Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Killdeer, Bonaparte's Gull, Heermann's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven and Brewer's Blackbird.
A Red-breasted Sapsucker was seen at the Notch in Nanoose Bay.
Several Anna's Hummingbirds were seen in the 100 block of Nottington Drive and in the 3800 block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.
Tuesday October 23:
A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at feeders in the 5900 block of Breonna Drive in Nanaimo.
Monday October 22:
RBA--" RUSTIC BUNTING"
A RUSTIC BUNTING, an Eurasian species that normally winters in China and Japan was spotted at Whiffin Spit in Sooke.
A juvenile Yellow-billed Loon, a Lapland Longspur, three Savannah Sparrows,
three Western Meadowlarks, Song, Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows were seen in the same area at Whiffin Spit in Sooke.
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Dark-eyed Juncos, two Spotted Towhees, six
Band-tailed Pigeons, eight California Quail, many American Goldfinch, House and Purple Finch, two Red-breasted Nuthatches and an Anna's Hummingbird were spotted at a feeder in a yard near Boat Harbour near Cedar.
Three Anna's Hummingbird were seen at feeders in the 1100 block of 3rd Avenue in Ladysmith.
Sunday October 21:
An Anna's Hummingbird was seen coming to feeders in the 3700 block of Jingle
Pot Road in Nanaimo.
A large flock of Ring-necked Ducks were seen at Cottle Lake in Nanaimo.

Friday October 19:
Cedar Waxwing and a Sharp-shinned Hawk were seen in the 3600 block of
Sundown Drive in Nanaimo.
For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday November 08, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**************************
Nanoose Bay Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2007
Contact-Rhys Harrison at
rhysharrison@shaw.ca
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday November 26, 2007@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville.
****************************
Parksville--Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count
December 16, 2007
Contact- Sandra gray at
saninerr@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walk on October 31, 2007 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road side.
Meet at the Visitor Centre in Parksville on Highway 19A and Northwest Bay
Road at 9 a.m.
or at the end of Shelly Road (off Highway 19a on the ocean side) at about 9:10 am.
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 04, 2007, will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the Viewing Tower at highway 19a and Garnet Road along the waterfront in Qualicum Beach at about 9:30 a.m.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo