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 29 March 2009

NANAIMO BIRD ALERT, March 29, 2009


Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken Photo


The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert

To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029

Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on this site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birds of British Columbia:
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html

International Birdwatching Guides
http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday March 29, 2009:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny with a brisk wind from the west. Among the highlights of the morning were a Northern Shrike, Hutton's Vireo and several Ruby-crowned Kinglets singing their song very close to us on the trail. There were several long lines of Surf Scoters, Bufflehead, Long-tailed Ducks, Black and White-winged Scoters heading up the Strait of Georgia. Eleven birders saw and head the following fifty-two species of birds:
Canada Goose, Brant, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Shrike, Killdeer, Dunlin, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Red Breasted Nuthatch, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hutton's Vireo, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Friday March 27:
A Wilson's Snipe, Ring-necked Pheasant, Violet-green Swallows and two Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen at the Cottonwood Golf Course in south Nanaimo.

150 Trumpeter Swans were seen in a field beside the Cottonwood Golf Course in south Nanaimo.

A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a feeder on Homestead Way in Ladysmith.

A Pileated Woodpecker was seen at a suet feeder in Qualicum Beach.

Thursday March 26:
"Rare bird alert--Black-throated Blue Warbler "
A Black-throated Blue Warbler was photographed along the rocks at Helliwell Park on the northeastern end of Hornby Island.

Wednesday March 25:
Four Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen and head at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

A Rufous Hummingbird was spotted along Northumberland Avenue in Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 24:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Parksville Bay in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and the winds turned quite strong as the morning progressed. Twenty birders saw and heard thirty-three species of birds.
Among the highlights of the morning were about 2000 Brant Geese feeding in the Bay. Further out there were huge rafts of Greater Scaup, Surf Scoters, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Long-tailed Ducks. There were Northern Pintail Ducks, two Eurasian Wigeon and one Gadwall among the American Wigeon near the gravel bar. A flock of Dunlin flew onto a smaller gravel bar with one Black-bellied Plover and two Black Oystercatchers. A Bald Eagle passed over the gravel bar and the Ducks, Geese and Gulls lifted creating a spectacular sight and unforgettable sound.
Twenty birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species of birds.
Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon,
Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter,
White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon,
Brandt's Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover,
Black Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, European Starling and
White-crowned Sparrow.

A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at feeders in the 4100 block of Gulfview Drive in Nanaimo.

Monday March 23:
A pair of Varied Thrush are visiting the feeders in the 7100 block of Aulds Road in north Nanaimo.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen in Cedar.

Sunday March 22:
Two Turkey Vultures were seen above Nanoose flats in Nanoose Bay.

Friday March 20:
Three Turkey Vultures were spotted above the Osprey nest near Fourth Street 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
Thursday April 09, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Tony Ransom will give a slide presentation of his recent trip
to the Galapagos Islands.
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday April 27, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Speaker will be Dr. McAdie a wildlife veterinarian.
Topic: Vancouver Island marmot project update.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go
to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach
Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around
the Oceanside area.
**************************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on March 31, 2009 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's
Playground at 9:00 A.M. Or at the main parking area at Rathtrevor Provincial Park at about 9:15 A.M. ( Please note there is a fee for parking)
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on April 05, 2009, will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or meet at the parking area at the end of Raines Road at about 9:30 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Friday 27 March 2009

"RARE BIRD ALERT--BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER


Black-throated Blue Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The bird store received this report from Hornby Island on Thursday March 26, 2009

I wish to report the sighting of a black-throated blue warbler earlier
this week in Helliwell Park. It was photographed in a rocky area near the sea.

Tuesday 24 March 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, March 24, 2009


Brant: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Parksville Bay in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and the winds turned quite strong as the morning progressed. Twenty birders saw and heard thirty-three species of birds.
Among the highlights of the morning were about 2000 Brant Geese feeding in the Bay. Further out there were huge rafts of Greater Scaup, Surf Scoters, Bufflehead, Common
Goldeneye and Long-tailed Ducks. There were Northern Pintail Ducks, two Eurasian Wigeon and one Gadwall among the American Wigeon near the gravel bar. A flock of Dunlin flew onto a smaller gravel bar with one Black-bellied Plover and two Black Oystercatchers. A Bald Eagle passed over the gravel bar and the Ducks, Geese and Gulls lifted creating a spectacular sight and unforgettable sound.

Twenty birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species of birds.
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Gadwall
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
European Starling
White-crowned Sparrow

Sunday 22 March 2009



Yellow-rumped Warbler: John Purves Photo

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert

To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029

Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on this site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birds of British Columbia:
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html

International Birdwatching Guides
http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday March 22, 2009
"Rare bird alert-Common Redpoll"
Two Common Redpolls were seen at feeders in the 6900 block of Lancewood Avenue in Lantzville.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point in Nanaimo.
The morning was cloudy with sunny periods. A brisk west wind kept us moving rather quickly (for birdwatchers!).
Highlights of the morning included the sighting of a Violet-green Swallow and an Anna's Hummingbird perched at the top of a fir tree at the beginning of the walk. We saw a feeding frenzy of a large flock of Gulls and eight Bald Eagles far offshore. Two Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen on the Alder Trees near the parking lot at the end of the walk.

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty species of birds:
Canada Goose, Pacific Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Buffhead, Harlequin Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Anna's Hummingbird, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, California Quail, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Varied Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Violet-green Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bushtits, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, House Finch, Pine Siskin and Dark-eyed Junco.

Saturday March 21:
A Peregrine Falcon was spotted along Cameo Drive in Gabriola Island.

A male Rufous Hummingbird was seen at feeders along Cross Road in Nanoose Bay.

A Peregrine Falcon was seen along Sun Valley Drive in Nanaimo.

A Red-tailed Hawk, a Greater Yellowlegs and a flock of fifty Violet-green Swallows were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Friday March 20:
A male Rufous Hummingbird was seen visiting feeders along Lancewood Avenue and along Winchelsea Place in Lantzville.

Thursday March 19:
A Rufous Hummingbird was spotted at a feeder on Gabriola Island.

A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a feeder at Parklands Place in Lantzville.

Wednesday March 18:
A Rufous Hummingbird was spotted at feeders in the 2900 block of Thomas Street in Nanaimo.

A Varied Thrush was seen in a yard off Maple Bay Road in Duncan.

Tuesday March 17:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was clear and sunny with cloudy periods but the winds were calm. Seventeen birders saw and heard forty-eight species of birds.
At the meeting spot at the Community Park in Parksville Bay there were tens of thousands of Sea Ducks in a huge raft just past the gravel bar near Surfside R.V Park.
At the Viewing Tower in Qualicum Beach four Black Oystercatchers, one Black Turnstone and California, Mew, Glaucous-wing and Herring Gulls were roosting near shore. Further out we saw Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, Barrow's Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Mergansers and thousands of Gulls in very large rafts.
We spotted four Eurasian Wigeon, twenty Trumpeter Swans and large flocks of Gulls at the Little Qualicum River. Just as we were leaving four Brant Geese flew in.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species of birds.
Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon,
Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, 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, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull,
Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher,
Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling,
Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Two Varied Thrush were seen in a garden just north of the Little Qualicum River north of Qualicum Beach.

Sunday March 15:
A male Eurasian Green-winged Teal was spotted just off the beach near the parking lot at Cowichan Bay.

Varied Thrush were seen in north Nanaimo at the Applecross Apartments and just off Bay Street 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
Monday March 23, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Speaker Ian Gartshaw, a passionate advocate of sustainable energy, will offer

practical, down-to-earth solutions.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday April 09, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go
to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach
Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around
the Oceanside area.
**************************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on March 24, 2009 will be going to Parksville Bay in Parksville.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's
Playground at 9:00 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on March 29, 2009, will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or meet at the parking area at the end of Shelly Road ( on the oceanside of Highway 19a )at about 9:30 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Tuesday 17 March 2009

Parksville/ Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, March 17, 2009


Belted Kingfisher: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was clear and sunny with cloudy periods but the winds were calm. Seventeen birders saw and heard forty-eight species of birds.
At the meeting spot at the Community Park in Parksville Bay there were tens of thousands of Sea Ducks in a huge raft just past the gravel bar near Surfside R.V Park.
At the Viewing Tower in Qualicum Beach four Black Oystercatchers, one Black Turnstone and California, Mew, Glaucous-wing and Herring Gulls were roosting near shore. Further out we saw Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, Barrow's Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Mergansers and thousands of Gulls in very large rafts.

We spotted four Eurasian Wigeon, twenty Trumpeter Swans and large flocks of Gulls at the Little Qualicum River. Just as we were leaving four Brant Geese flew in.


Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species of birds.

Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
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
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Sunday 15 March 2009

NANAIMO BIRD ALERT, March 15, 2009



Slaty-backed Gull at Deep Bay: Mike Ashbee Photo.

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert
**************************************************
JOHN BRIGHTON 1941-2009
It is with great sadness that we want to let you know that John
Brighton suddenly passed away on March 01,2009. We will all remember
him with fondness for his friendship, his competitive spirit and his sense of humour.
We will miss you, John.

A celebration of John's life will be held at Knox United Church, 345 Pym Street, Parksville (250-248-3927) Monday March 30, at 1:00 p.m.

****************************************************
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029

Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on this site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birds of British Columbia:
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html

International Birdwatching Guides
http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday March 15, 2009:
Evening Grosbeaks were seen in the 500 block of Temple Street in Parksville.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point in Nanaimo.
It was winter storm morning with pounding surf, snow, hail and showers.
Eight very dedicated birders saw and heard the following twenty species of birds:
Brandt's Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Buffhead, Barrow's Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

Saturday March 14:
A Barred Owl was seen along Stewart Avenue and at Sharman Park off Metral Drive in Nanaimo.

Friday March 13:
A Cooper's Hawk was spotted chasing a Golden-crown Sparrow in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

A first winter Iceland Gull was seen in with the other gulls on the High School playing fields in Duncan.

Thursday March 12:
A Varied Thrush was spotted in yard along View Street in south Nanaimo.

Wednesday March 11:
An Anna's Hummingbird was feeding on winter jasmine in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

Fourteen Bald Eagles, four Great Blue Herons and thousands of Gulls were seen along the tide line at Deep Bay looking towards Denman Island.

A hugh raft (about one Kilometer long) of Seabirds was seen off Qualicum Bay,

Tuesday March 10:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville.
The morning was clear and sunny but the winds were strong and brisk. Sixteen birders saw and heard forty-eight species of birds.
At the meeting spot at the Community Park in Parksville Bay there were at least 2,000 Brant Geese, large rafts of Greater Scaup, Surf Scoters, Common Goldeneye and Barrow's Goldeneye and thousands upon thousands of Gulls.
At the Englishman Estuary one Turkey Vulture flew overhead and two Pelagic Cormorant flew low over the water. A Bewick's Wren gave us great close looks as he called from the top of a short bush. Several Golden-crowned Kinglets and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet moved through the trees. A Varied Thrush perched on a tree branch for us to see. We saw several White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows just off the road on the way back to the cars. Bald Eagles were everywhere!
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species of birds.
Canada Goose, Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye,
Common Merganser, California Quail, Horned Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Mew Gull,
Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow,
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

Monday March 09:
California, Glaucous-winged, Glaucous, Thayer's and Mew Gulls by the thousands were seen at Parksville Bay Community Park in Parksville. Near the shore at Parksville Bay, there were also over 1000 Brant feeding on the spawn and lifting each time a Bald Eagle came over the area.

A Cooper's Hawk was spotted at the end of Jinglepot Road in Nanaimo.

Sunday March 08:
"Rare bird alert-Slaty-backed Gull"
A Slaty-backed Gull was seen in with the thousands of Glaucous-winged Gulls, Thayer's Gulls, California Gulls, Glaucous Gulls, Mew Gulls and Herring Gulls at Deep Bay.

Twelve Orcas (Killer Whales) were seen off shore at Neck Point 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
Monday March 23, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Speaker Ian Gartshaw, a passionate advocate of sustainable energy, will offer practical, down-to-earth solutions.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday April 09, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go
to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach
Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around
the Oceanside area.
**************************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on March 17, 2009 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's
Playground at 9:00 A.M. Or meet at the Viewing Tower off Highway 19A and garrett Road at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on March 22, 2009, will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or meet at the parking lot at Neck Point Park
off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Tuesday 10 March 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach(oceanside) Tuesday bird walk, March 10, 2009



Green-winged Teal: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville.
The morning was clear and sunny but the winds were strong and brisk. Sixteen birders saw and heard forty-eight species of birds.
At the meeting spot at the Community Park in Parksville Bay there were at least 2,000 Brant Geese, large rafts of Greater Scaup, Surf Scoters, Common Goldeneye and Barrow's Goldeneye and thousands upon thousands of Gulls.
At the Englishman Estuary one Turkey Vulture flew overhead and two Pelagic Cormorant flew low over the water. A Bewick's Wren gave us great close looks as he called from the top of a short bush. Several Golden-crowned Kinglets and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet moved through the trees. A Varied Thrush perched on a tree branch for us to see. We saw several White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows just off the road on the way back to the cars. Bald Eagles were everywhere!

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species of birds.
Canada Goose
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
California Quail
Horned Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Mew Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

Sunday 8 March 2009

NANAIMO BIRD ALERT, March 08, 2009




Bonaparte's Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert

To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029

Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on this site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birds of British Columbia:
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html

International Birdwatching Guides
http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday March 08, 2009
The Sunday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was partly cloudy with strong cold winds. Seven dedicated birders saw and heard the following thirty-seven species of birds:
Trumpeter Swan, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Red-throated Loons, Canada Goose, Brant, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Horned Grebe, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, American Wigeon, Eurasian Wigeon, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Merganser, Pigeon Guillemot, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Mew Gull, California Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, American Robin, European Starling and Red-winged Blackbird.

Saturday March 07:
A Northern Pygmy Owl was seen and head near the Animal Pound along Nanaimo Lakes Road in South Nanaimo.

Thousands of Gulls were gathering around about twenty fishing boats near the Breakwater at French Creek as the Herring spawn begins.

Friday March 06:
Two Merlins were seen over the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

Thursday March 05:
A Turkey Vulture was spotted above Despard Avenue at Highway 4A in Parksville.

Wednesday March 04:
An American Bittern was seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo feeding in the rushes by the cycle stopgate on the Golf Course side of the Marsh.

Over fifty Violet-green Swallows were seen hawking insects over flooded fields north of Herd Road (off of Highway 1, North of Duncan).

Two Common Nighthawks were spotted over Third Street near the swimming pool in Central Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 03:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The misty morning was cloudy with rain but the winds were calm.
Among the highlights were flocks of Brant Geese and Surf Scoters in long lines moving up the Strait of Georgia. A flock of about 100 Dunlin flew down the Strait. Two Eurasian Wigeon, Greater Scaup, Gadwall and Green-winged Teal were feeding on the Estuary.
Eighteen wet birders saw and heard the following forty-one species of birds.
Canada Goose, Brant, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard,
Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye,
Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe,
Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Dunlin, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull,
California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

A Townsend's Warbler was spotted along Furn Road in Cedar.

A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers, a male Ring-necked Pheasant, Steller's Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brewers Blackbirds, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Flickers and mature Bald Eagle are visiting a yard along Virginia Road in Coombs.

Monday March 02:
"Rare bird alert--Harris's Sparrow"
A Harris's Sparrow was seen and photographed in the 7300 block of Lantzville Road in Lantzville. The Harris's Sparrow is normally seen east of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba during the summer and they winter in Southern Central United State

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
Jim Crist will speak about "Nuclear Energy: Why Not?".
Thursday March 12, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday March 23, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go
to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach
Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around
the Oceanside area.
**************************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on March 10, 2009 will be going to the Plummer Road
side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's
Playground at 9:00 A.M. Or meet at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:10 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on March 15, 2009, will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or meet at the parking lot at Neck Point Park off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Tuesday 3 March 2009

John Brighton

It is with great sadness that we want to let you know that John
Brighton suddenly passed away on March 01,2009. We will all remember
him with fondness for his competitive spirit and his sense of humour.
"If it is near a house it is a House Finch, otherwise it is a Purple
Finch".

We will miss you, John.

Colin, Denise, Carol, Norma, Carlo, Marilynne and Neil

Parksville/Qualicum Beach (Oceanside) Tuesday bird walk, March 03.09






Common Merganser: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville.
The misty morning was cloudy with rain but the winds were calm.
Among the highlights were flocks of Brant Geese and Surf Scoters in long lines moving up the Strait of Georgia. A flock of about 100 Dunlin flew down the Strait. Two Eurasian Wigeon, Greater Scaup, Gadwall and Green-winged Teal were feeding on the Estuary.

Eighteen wet birders saw and heard the following forty species of birds.
Canada Goose
Brant
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Sunday 1 March 2009



Cedar Waxwing: Ralph Hocken Photo

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert

To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029
******************************************************************
***A Notice From Ralph Hocken***

My hard drive crashed,and I lost all the addresses in my address
book. I had a list of over 100 people that I sent bird pictures to. If
you were on that list, or would like to be on the list, send me an email
to: ralphhocken@ shaw.ca

Cheers,Ralph Hocken
Lantzville,BC
***********************************************************

Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on this site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birds of British Columbia:
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html

International Birdwatching Guides
http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday March 01, 2009:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with light showers but nine birders saw and heard the following thirty-seven species birds:
Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, American Coot, California Quail, Glaucous-winged Gull, Red-tailed Hawk, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco and House Sparrows.

A pair of Townsend's Warblers are visiting feeders in the 6000 block of Forest Crescent in Nanaimo.

Saturday February 28:
A Townsend's Warbler was spotted eating sunflower chips in the 3200 block of Douglas Street in Chemainus.

Purple Finch and Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders in the 200 block of Dawkins lane in Nanaimo.

Thursday February 26:
A Varied Thrush and a Northern Flicker are visiting feeders in the 400 block of Stirling Avenue in Nanaimo.

A Varied Thrush was spotted in a backyard in the 1100 block of Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.

A Yellow Shafted Northern Flicker was seen at feeders in the 2600 block of Kevin Drive in Nanaimo.

Wednesday February 25:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser,
California Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Coot, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing,
Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow were seen at Buttertubs Marsh In Nanaimo.

A young Anna's Hummingbird was sighted in the East Wellington area of Nanaimo.

Tuesday February 24:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach. Eighteen birders saw and heard forty-four species of birds. The morning was clear with sunny periods and the winds were calm. We had good a view across the Strait of Georgia with our spotting scopes. Long lines of Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters and Greater Scaup were heading up the Strait. Long-tailed Ducks, Harlequin Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Mergansers, two Horned Grebes and two Barrow's Goldeneye spent most of the morning just off-shore. A large flock of Common Murres headed up the Strait and there were several Common Murres resting on the water a long way from shore. Thousands of Gulls streamed overhead, heading up island, all morning.
Two Black-bellied Plovers and a Killdeer were feeding near the gravel bar. We saw large flocks of California Gulls, Mew Gulls, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and a few Ring-billed Gulls roosting on the leeward side of the gravel bar. We watched a White-crown Sparrow sing from the top of a bush. As we were leaving the parking area at the end of the walk we spotted a Merlin attempt to catch a small bird.
Eighteen birders found the following forty-four species of birds.
Canada Goose, Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, 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, Double-crested Cormorant,
Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher,
Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Rock Pigeon, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers are visiting feeders in the 4700 block of Spirit Place in Nanaimo.

Monday February 23:
A Northern Shrike was seen perched high up in a Weeping Willow Tree by the Cat Stream in the 600 block of Beaconsfield Road in Nanaimo.

A Small flock of Cedar Waxwings were seen feeding on the Hawthorne berries at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Saturday February 21:
Two American Goldfinch were seen in a yard in the 500 block of Temple Street in Parksville.

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
Thursday March 12, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday March 23, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go
to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach
Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around
the Oceanside area.
**************************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on March 03, 2009 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's
Playground at 9:00 A.M. Or meet at the end of Shelly Road (on the oceanside of Highway 19a) about 9:10 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on March 08, 2009, will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or meet at the Viewing Tower at Highway 19a and Garrett Road in Qualicum Beach at about 9:30 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo