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.

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Parksville/ Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 28, 2009


Bald Eagles: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny with a stiff wind coming off the water. The highlights included the sighting of four Pacific Loons in breeding plumage and several flocks of Brant Geese. A single Surf Scoter and a Black Scoter flew by heading up the Strait of Georgia. We spotted a Glaucous Gull in strikingly white Spring plummage sitting on a far gravel bar. Over 100 Green-winged Teal, Least Sandpipers, Western Sandpipers and one Greater Yellowlegs were on the mud flats. Rufous Hummingbirds entertained us all morning with their courting dives. Orange-crowned Warblers perched and sang their song. Spring has arrived!!
Twenty-four birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species of birds:
Canada Goose
Brant
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Winter Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

Monday 27 April 2009

Nanaimo bird alert, April 25, 2009


Red Crossbill: Mike Ashbee 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:
htt

p://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 April 26, 2009:
Five White Fronted Geese were seen on the estuary of the Little Qualicum River
in Qualicum Beach.

The Sunday bird walk went to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny but windy. Sixteen birders saw and heard thirty-eight species of birds.
Highlights of the morning included the sighting of a Townsend's Warbler high up in a tree. A Hermit Thrush was seen near the waterfall gleaning insects along the large rocks by the water. We watched a Barred Owl perched on a snag and singing it's "Who Cooks for You" song over and over again. There was a reply from another Barred Owl further in the forest.
We saw and heard the following species of birds: Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Mallard, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Rufous Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crown Kinglet, Brown Creeper, California Quail, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cassin's Vireo, Orange-crown Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.


Saturday April 25:
Four Golden-Crowned Sparrows were seen in a backyard along Dogwood Drive in Ladysmith.

American Goldfinch and Golden-crowned Sparrows were seen visiting feeders along El Verno Drive on Garbolia Island.

Friday April 24:
A Lincoln Sparrow is visiting feeders in a backyard in the 5300 block of Hammond Bay Road in north Nanaimo.

Twenty Evening Grosbeaks were seen visiting feeders along Whalebone Road on Gabrolia Island.

Thursday April 23:
Black-headed Grosbeaks, White-crowned Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, American Goldfinch, Orange-crowned Warblers, Rufous Hummingbirds and eight California Quail are visiting a backyard along Lancewood Avenue in Lantzville.

Wednesday April 22:
A Wilson's Snipe was seen in the marsh near the Jinglepot entrance corner at Buttertubs Marsh.

American Goldfinch, Gold-crowned Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows were seen in the 200 block of Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

Over twelve Gold-crowned Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows and a large flock of Pine Siskins were seen in the 1600 block of Bowen Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday April 21:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm. Twenty birders saw and heard forty-nine species of birds.
As we started our walk we were greeted by the loud "WHO COOKS FOR YOU" as a Barred Owl sang out. The highlights of the morning included a sighting of Black-throated Gray Warbler high up in the tops of the tall maple trees and a Hermit Thrush perched on a tree at eye level for all of us to get a good look at. Not far from the viewing tower we discovered an American Kestrel perched at the top of a tree. The Kestrel flew from the tree and hovered over the field and then returned to his perch three times as we watched in awe. We saw a Northern Shrike, a Chipping Sparrow and a Savannah Sparrow. As we finished the walk the Barred Owl again sang out "WHO COOKS FOR YOU".
Twenty birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species of birds
Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, California Quail,
Common Loon, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Kestrel, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,
Band-tailed Pigeon, Barred Owl, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Shrike, Hutton's Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow,
Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.

White-crowned Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows and a Red Crossbill were seen at feeders in Columbia Beach.


Sunday April 19:
A Hermit Thrush was seen in a backyard in the 5300 block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

Saturday April 18:
550 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen heading northwest high over Ladysmith.

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 April 27, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Speaker will be Dr. McAdie a wildlife veterinarian.
Topic: Vancouver Island Marmot project update.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday May 14, 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 April 28, 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 at the parking area at the corner of Plummer Road
and Shorewood Drive in Parksville at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on May 03, will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area off Bowen Road at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************

Tuesday 21 April 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 21, 2009



Bushtit: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm. Twenty birders saw and heard forty-nine species of birds.
as we started our walk we were greeted by the loud "WHO COOKS FOR YOU" as a Barred Owl sang out. The highlights of the morning included a sighting of Black-throated Gray Warbler high up in the tops of the tall maple trees and a Hermit Thrush perched on a tree at eye level for all of us to get a good look at. Not far from the viewing tower we discovered an American Kestrel perched at the top of a tree. The Kestrel flew from the tree and hovered over the field and then returned to his perch three times as we watched in awe. We saw a Northern Shrike, a Chipping Sparrow and a Savannah Sparrow. As we finished the walk the Barred Owl again sang out "WHO COOKS FOR YOU".

Twenty birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species of birds
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
California Quail
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
American Kestrel
Killdeer
Wilson's Snipe
Mew Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Barred Owl
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
Hutton's Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch

Monday 20 April 2009

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, bird alert, April 19, 2009



Black-throated Grey Warbler: 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 April 19, 2009:
The Sunday bird walk went to Legacy Marsh in Upper Lantzville. The morning was cloudy and very windy. Sixteen birders found thirty-seven species of birds. Among the highlights were a Black-throated Grey Warbler, singing and gleaning insects high up in the trees. A Wilson's Snipe put in a quick appearance before disappearing in the underbrush. Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers and many Ruby-crowned Kinglets were with us all morning.
Sixteen birders found the following thirty-seven species of birds:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Ringed-neck Duck, Bufflehead, California Quail, Wilson's Snipe, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Cassin's Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Black-throated Grey Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin.

Six California Quail were seen in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

A pair of Northern Shovelers, a Lincoln's Sparrow and a Common Yellow-throat were seen off Viking Way at French Creek.

Friday April 17:
A Common Yellowthroat was seen and head at the pond by the Forestry Museum in Duncan.

Thursday April 16:
120 Sandhill Cranes were seen flying north over Mt. Washington.

A Townsend's Solitaire was seen eating berries on the groundcover in a yard in the 4000 block of Rock City Road in Nanaimo.

Ten Anna's Hummingbirds and Rufous Hummingbirds are visiting feeders at the same time along St Catherine's Avenue on Garbolia Island.

Wednesday April 15:
A Sooty Grouse was hooting and showing his breast patch at Mt. Washington and 130 Sandhill Cranes were seen high over the Jutland Ski Trail.

Tuesday April 14:
A Golden Eagle was seen above the Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

Two Sooty Grouse were seen along the Westwood Ridge Trail in Nanaimo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. Eighteen birders saw and heard twenty-eight species of birds. The morning was sunny but very windy. Among the highlights was a Mourning Dove that flew past fast at the start of the walk. We saw and heard Purple Finch and Orange-crowned Warblers all morning. Two male American Goldfinch in breeding plumage stood out in the brown bushes. Several male Rufous Hummingbirds were perched high in trees showing their iridescent throat.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following twenty-eight species of birds: Mallard, California Quail, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Mourning Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.

Monday April 13:
A Mourning Dove was seen above Ermineskin Avenue in Parksville.

Sunday April 12:
A Cooper's Hawk and three Rufous Hummingbirds were visiting feeders in a yard in Upper Lantzville.

Thursday April 09:
A male Snow Bunting was seen on the shore below the Helliwell Park bluffs on 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
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday May 14, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
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 April 21, 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 at the parking area at the end of Shelly Road (oceanside of Shelly Road off highway 19a) in Parksville at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on April 19, will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the main parking area off Bowen Road at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 14, 2009



Rufous Hummingbird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. Eighteen birders saw and head twenty-eight species of birds. The morning was sunny and very windy.
Among the highlights a Mourning Dove flew past fast at the start of the walk, we saw and heard Purple Finch and Orange-crowned Warblers all morning. Two male American Goldfinch in breeding plummage stood out in the brown bushes. Several male Rufous Hummingbirds were perched high in trees showing their irediscent throat.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following twenty-eight species of birds
Mallard
California Quail
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Mourning Dove
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

Sunday 12 April 2009

NANAIMO BIRD ALERT, APRIL 12, 2009



Osprey: 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.

Friday April 10:
An Eurasian Collared Dove was seen at the end of Kaye Road south of Parksville.

An Osprey was spotted south of Highway 19 near Colliery Dam in Nanaimo.

Tuesday April 07:
Two Orange-crowned Warblers were seen in the Nanaimo River Bridge area of the Island Highway south of Nanaimo.

A mixed flock of fifteen to twenty Violet-green Swallows and Tree Swallows were seen at the Purple Martin colony site in Ladysmith Harbour in Ladysmith.

A male Rufous Hummingbird has been visiting feeders along Eaglefield Place in Nanoose Bay.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and the winds were calm. Seventeen birders saw and heard twenty-nine species of birds. Among the highlights of the morning were two Orange-crowned Warblers singing as we entered the trail. A Cooper's Hawk flew by very quickly. We saw a female Pileated Woodpecker excavating a nest cavity in a tall snag. Later we noticed a male Pileated Woodpecker near the same nest cavity. The Orange-crowned Warblers put in an appearance for us to see and hear them again at the end of the morning.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following twenty-nine species of birds:
Ring-necked Pheasant, California Quail, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk,
Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow,
Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.

Monday April 06:
"Rare bird alert-Western Kingbird"
A Western Kingbird was seen in a garden along the beach at the end of Tweedhope Road in Lantzville.

A Pine Grosbeak was seen along Lorne Place in Nanaimo.

A male Rufous Hummingbird is visiting a backyard feeder on Lantzville Road in Lantzville.

Rufous Hummingbirds, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhees, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Steller's Jays, Red-breasted Nuthatches and American Goldfinch are visiting feeders in a backyard in Errington.

Both Rufous and Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders and Violet-green Swallows were seen overhead in the 4100 block of Gulfview Drive,.

Sunday April 05:
A Golden-crowned Kinglet was observed attacking a window in one of the cottages at the Tigh Na Mara Resort in Parksville.

A male Rufous Hummingbird has been visiting a backyard feeder on Lantzville Road in Lantzville.

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 April 27, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Speaker will be Dr. McAdie a wildlife veterinarian.
Topic: Vancouver Island marmot project update.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday May 14, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on 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 April 14, 2009 will be going to the Top Bridge Trail 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 parking area along Industrial Way near Tuan Road (opposite Resort Way) in Parksville at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on April 19, will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the Hydro right of way on Normarel Drive off Superior Road and Highway 19 at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo.

Wednesday 8 April 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 07, 2009


Orange-crowned Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and the winds were calm. Seventeen birders saw and heard twenty-nine species of birds.
Among the highlights of the morning were two Orange-crowned Warblers singing as we entered the trail. A Cooper's Hawk flew by very quickly. We saw a female Pileated Woodpecker excavating a nest cavity in a tall snag. Later we noticed a male Pileated Woodpecker near the same nest cavity. The Orange-crowned Warblers put in an appearance for us to see and hear them again at the end of the morning.

Seventeen birders saw and heard the following twenty-nine species of birds:
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Rufous Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

Sunday 5 April 2009

NANAIMO BIRD ALERT, APRIL 05, 2009



Savannah Sparrow: 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 April 05, 2009:
A Mountain Bluebird was spotted near the Rockinghorse Pub in Nanoose Bay.

A Mourning Dove was seen along Northwest Bay Road near Craig Bay in Parksville.

The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was sunny with a calm winds. Among the highlight of the morning was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet gleaning insects from the big Oak Tree. We saw and heard Savannah Sparrows all morning long. Two Wilson's Snipe flew into view for a quick glance.
Sixteen birders saw and head the following thirty-one species of birds:
Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Common Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergangers, Buffhead, Common Goldeneye, American Wigeon, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Turkey Vulture, Wilson's Snipe. Lesser Yellowlegs, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallows, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Juncos, Red-winged Blackbird and Purple Finch.

Friday April 03:
A male and female Rufous Hummingbird have been seen at feeders in the back yard and Anna's Hummingbirds have been visiting feeders in the front yard in the 200 block of Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo

Wednesday April 01:
A Rufous Hummingbird was seen visiting feeders in the 600 block of Fawcett Road in Cedar.

Tuesday March 31:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny with cloudy periods and the winds were brisk from the west.
Five birders saw and heard thirty-eight species of birds.
Among the highlights of the walk were about 1000 Brant Geese flying in and out of Rathtrevor Beach all morning. Long lines of Surf Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks flew over the white caps and roaring seas, heading up the Strait of Georgia. We saw Black-bellied Plovers and Dunlin crouched close to the tideline protected from the wind and surf. Eight Turkey Vultures flew over us, a Rufous Hummingbird looked down on us from the top of a bush and a Hutton's Vireo sang from the bushes on the field near the old farmhouse. As we entered the parking area at the end of the walk we spotted a Yellow-rumped Warbler calling from a low bush.
Five birders saw and heard the following thirty-eight species of birds.
Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter,
White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Loon,
Double-crested Cormorant, , Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover,
Dunlin, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rufous Hummingbird,
Northern Flicker, Hutton's Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.

Four Violet-Green Swallows were seen over Cedar Road in Cedar.

Monday March 30:
A male Rufus Hummingbird has arrived at feeders on Monterey Drive off Jinglepot Road in Nanaimo.

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

A Red-breasted Sapsucker was spotted along Biggs Road near the Deerwood area in north Nanaimo.

Sunday March 29:
A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a backyard feeder in the Sandpiper area of French Creek.

Male and female Rufous Hummingbirds are visiting feeders along Seablush Drive in Nanoose.

Anna's Hummingbirds are nesting and a pair of Northern Flickers are getting ready to nest in the 2300 block of Marlborough Drive in Nanaimo.

A Rufus Hummingbirds and Anna's Hummingbirds visiting feeder in Ramora Place 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
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The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday April 09, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Guest Speaker Michelle Deakin will give a talk on the importance of eelgrass
habitat.
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
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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
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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 April 07, 2009 will be going to Springwood 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 west end of Despaird Avenue at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
There will be no Sunday Bird Walk on April 12, 2009. Happy Easter!
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume on April 19, 2009
*******************************************************
Brant Festival Nature Walk at Buttertubs Marsh,
Miner's Cottage, Jingle Pot Road and Third Street in Nanaimo.
April 11, 2009, meet at 9:30 a.m. Walk starts at 10:00a.m.
Leader Bill Merilees
A $5 donation is requested.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Wednesday 1 April 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, March 31, 2009



Fox Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny with cloudy periods and the winds were brisk from the west.
Five birders saw and heard thirty-eight species of birds.
Among the highlights of the walk were about 1000 Brant Geese flying in and out of Rathtrevor Beach all morning. Long lines of Surf Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks flew over the white caps and roaring seas, heading up the Strait of Georgia. We saw Black-bellied Plovers and Dunlin crouched close to the tideline protected from the wind and surf. Eight Turkey Vultures flew over us, a Rufous Hummingbird looked down on us from the top of a bush and a Hutton's Vireo sang from the bushes on the field near the old farmhouse. As we entered the parking area at the end of the walk we spotted a Yellow-rumped Warbler calling from a low bush.


Five birders saw and heard the following thirty-eight species of birds.
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Hutton's Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin