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 31 May 2009

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, Bird alert, May 31, 2009





Bullock's Oriole at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert

To eport 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 May 31, 2009:
"Rare bird alert-Western Kingbird"
A Western Kingbird was seen near the creek at French Creek.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo.
The morning was sunny and warm. Eighteen birders saw and heard thirty-two species of birds.
The morning was filled with the sounds of birds including a Cassin's Vireo, Orange-crown Warblers, Townsend's Warblers, Wilson's Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Hammond's Flycatchers, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Swainson's Thrush, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeaks and Winter Wren. We saw a nest cavity with three young Pileated Woodpecker chicks and watched as a male Pileated Woodpecker fed the hungry chicks.
Eighteen birders heard and saw the following thirty-two species of birds.
Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Mallard, Rufous Hummingbird,
Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Glaucious-winged Gull, Common Raven, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Black Swift, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Cassin's Vireo, Orange-crown Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler,Hammond's Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Western Tanager, Red-winged Blackbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, and
Pine Siskin.

Saturday May 30:
A Ringed Turtle Dove was seen in the 1600 block of Casper's Way in Nanaimo.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets were spotted at Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.

Friday May 29:
A Ringed Turtle-Dove was spotted sitting on the top of the Diadora tree near Piper's Lagoon in Nanaimo.

A Killdeer was spotted near the Navy League Building in Nanaimo.

Tuesday May 26:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River
Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with periods of rain. The walk
started out with the sighting of a flock of Black and Vaux's Swifts hawking insects high in the sky. A flock of twelve Bald Eagles gave us a secular sight high up in the sky, riding the thermos . We saw and heard both Willow Flycatchers and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher throughout the morning walk. There was a Yellow Warbler gleaning insects on a tall bush near the path. A flock of Brant Geese flew into the Estuary from the Strait.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-six species of birds:
Canada Goose, Brant, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Black Swift, Vaux's Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling, Bohemian Waxwing, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, House Sparrow.

A female Red Crossbill was seen at a feeder along Johnstone Road in French Creek.

Sunday May 24:
A Green Heron was seen at the Chase River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Wednesday May 20:
Nine Caspian Terns were seen at Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.

Monday May 18:
"Rare bird alert-Hudsonian Godwit"
A Hudsonian Godwit was seen at the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

A Blue-winged Teal was seen at the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

A pair of Wood Ducks was seen at the 6 metre tree stump across from the viewing platform at the Hemer Marsh pond in Cedar. The female was going in and out of the hole near the top of the stump, the male sitting on top a foot or so higher.

Saturday May 16:
Over six Red Crossbills were seen in the 3500 block of Wiltshire Drive in Nanaimo.

Wednesday May 13:
A Brown Pelican was seen off Maude Point in Nanoose Bay and another one was seen off shore at Campbell River.

Tuesday May 12:
A Mourning Dove was seen in the 700 block of Bradbury Avenue in Parksville.

An Anna's Hummingbird was seen along the Englishman River Road in Errington.

Monday May 11:
" Rare bird alert-Western Kingbird"
A Western Kingbird was seen along Payne Road near the Comox Airport in Comox.

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 June 11, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday June 22, 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 June 02, 2009 will be going to the Lot Ten 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 at the end of Kinkade Road on the Forest side of Highway 19a at about 9:20 a.m.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on June 07 will be going to Morden Colliery Provincial Park in south Nanaimo. Meet at the Bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at Morden Colliery Provincial Park off Highway one and Morden Road at about 9:30 a.m.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo,
British Columbia

Wednesday 27 May 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk, May 26, 2009




Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with periods of rain. The walk started out with the sighting of a flock of Black and Vaux's Swifts hawking insects high in the sky. A flock of twelve Bald Eagles gave us a spectular sight high up in the sky, riding the thermos . We saw and heard both Willow Flycatchers and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher throughout the morning walk. There was a Yellow Warbler gleaning insects on a tall bush near the path. A flock of Brant Geese flew into the Estuary from the Strait.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-six species of birds:
Canada Goose
Brant
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Common Loon
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Black Swift
Vaux's Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
European Starling
Bohemian Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
House Sparrow

Sunday 24 May 2009

Tuesday Bird Walk, May 26, 2009

The Tuesday bird walk on May 26 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 corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:15 a.m.

Wednesday 20 May 2009

HUDSONIAN GODWIT





Hudsonian Godwit at the Englishman River Estuary: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Tuesday May 19
The Hudsonian Godwit seen yesterday (May 18) at the Englishman Estuary was relocated at Rathtrevor tonight. I got to see it just as it was getting dark. It was about 2/3 of the way over to Craig Bay, right on the tideline. It was with a Black-bellied Plover, which was the only other shorebird there.

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 12, 2009




Pacific-slope Flycatcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Beaver Ponds at Nanoose Bay. The morning was sunny but quite cool. Eighteen birders saw and heard thirty-six species of birds.
Among the highlight was the sighting of a Red-tailed Hawk soaring with Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures high up in the sky. A Black-throated Gray Warbler was low in the bushes giving us all great looks as he gleaned insects and sang for a long time. A Townsend's Warbler put in a quick appearance after the Black-throated Gray Warbler left our view. We spotted a Pacific-slope Flycatcher on a perch high up in a snag. We watched as he flew back and forth, flycatching.

Eighteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species of birds:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
California Quail
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Band-tailed Pigeon
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

Monday 11 May 2009

Nanaimo bird alert, May 10, 2009





MacGillivray's 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 May 10, 2009:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. The morning was sunny and warm. Twenty-two birders saw and heard fifty species of birds.
Highlights of the morning included the sighting of a Barn Swallow, Warbling Vireo, Orange-crown Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hammond's Flycatcher and Pacific-slope Flycatchers.
Twenty-two birders heard and saw the following fifty-one species of birds: Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Vaux's Swift, Bushtit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, California Quail, Varied Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Warbling Vireo, Orange-crown Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hammond's Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, White-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Western Tanager, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch and House Sparrow.

Saturday May 09:
Several Whimbrel were spotted at the tideline, feeding as the tide was coming in, at Nanoose Bay.

Red Crossbills were seen at garden feeders just north of the Little Qualicum River north of Qualicum Beach.

Thursday May 07:
Two Caspian Terns were spotted flying over Cowichan Bay.

A pair of Mallards are visiting feeders in the 5500 block of Ventura Drive in Nanaimo.

Wednesday May 06:
A Varied Thrush was spotted at the Pryde Vista Golf Course in Nanaimo.

A Hermit Thrush was seen forging around a backyard along Honeysuckle Terrace near the Hospital in Nanaimo.

A Ruddy Turnstone and three Semipalmated Plovers were seen at Columbia Beach, on the gravel bar across from the Pebble Beach townhouses.


Tuesday May 05:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning started out with rain and actually turned quite nice about half way through the morning. The highlights included the sighting of a Black-throated Gray Warbler. We had followed the singing of it for about an hour until we were rewarded with the sight of it quite low in the
bushes for us to have some great looks. A Purple Finch put on a spectacular courting display for us as he tried to impress a female Purple Finch at the top of a snag. His wings quickly fluttering and the feathers on his head were all puffed out. Obviously he was impressive to her--at the end of the display they went beak to beak, hovering above the snag! He certainly impressed us, as well, with his display.
Six birders saw and heard the following twenty-eight species of birds:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, California Quail, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Hutton's Vireo, Northwestern Crow,
Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.

Two Caspian Terns were seen roosting on a gravel bar along with eleven Black Oystercatchers, eight California Gulls, four Mew Gulls and a Ring-billed Gull at Columbia Beach.

Over 200 Bonaparte's Gulls were seen in the small bay to the right of the parking
area at the marina at French Creek.

Monday May 04:
Fifteen America Goldfinch, twelve Pine Siskins, one Mourning Dove, eight Band-tailed Pigeons, one Lincoln's Sparrow, one Gold-crowned Sparrow, one White-crowned Sparrow, one Spotted Towhee, two Northern Flickers, two Pileated Woodpecker, one Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brewer's Blackbirds and a Sharp-shinned Hawk were seen in a yard in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

Sunday May 03:
Two male Blue-winged Teal were seen on the mud flats at San Pareil side of the Englishman Estuary 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 May 14, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Guest speaker Tony Ransom will give a slide presentation of his recent trip
to the Galapagos Islands.
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday May 25, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Guest Speaker Cam Finlay, biologist, coordinator of humming bird banders, will share his research into Rufous and Anna's Hummingbirds of Vancouver Island.
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 May 12, 2009 will be going to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay.
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 about 100 meters past the fourway stop along Powerpoint Road in Nanoose Bay ( From highway 19 turn onto Northwest Bay Road at the Petro Canada Gas Station. Turn right onto Powerpoint Road--the first right turn after crossing the second set of railway tracks on Northwest Bay Road) Follow Powerpoint Road to the four way stop. Proceed about 100 meters and turn left into the parking area at the spit rail fence. We will meet there at about 9:20 a.m.

Please call the store at 250-390-3669 for the location of the Tuesday Birdwalk on May 19.

*******************************************************
There will be no Sunday Bird Walk on May 17.

Call the store at 250-390-3669 re the May 24 Sunday bird walk.

*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo,
British Columbia.

Great-horned Owl Chick




Great-horned Owl Chick at Errington: Patrick Walshe Photo.

www.coastalrevelations.com

Patrick Walshe, Registered Professional Biologist

Coastal Revelations Nature Tours

1-866-954-0110 (Toll Free in Canada / United States)
1-250-954-0110
Box 445, Errington, BC, V0R 1V0

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 05, 2009



Purple Finch: Mike Ashbee Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning started out with rain and actually turned quite nice about half way through the morning. The highlights included
the sighting of a Black-throated Gray Warbler. We had followed the singing of it for about an hour until we were rewarded with the sight of it quite low in the bushes for us to have some great looks. A Purple Finch put on a spectacular courting display for us as he tried to impress a female Purple Finch at the top of a snag. His wings quickly fluttering and the feathers on his head were all puffed out. Obviously he was impressive to her--at the end of the display they went beak to beak, hovering above the snag! He certainly impressed us, as well, with his display.
Six birders saw and heard the following twenty-eight species of birds:
Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Mallard
California Quail
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Hutton's Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch

Sunday 3 May 2009

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island-- bird alert, May 03, 2009



Purple Martins at Nanoose Bay: 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 May 03, 2009:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny windy. Fifteen birders saw and heard forty-five species of birds.
Highlights of the morning included the sighting of a Vaux's Swift, several Yellow Warblers and Marsh Wrens. Common Yellow-throats were singing throughout the morning. Fifteen birders heard and saw the following forty-five species of birds:
Turkey Vulture, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Rufous Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Purple Martin, Vaux's Swift, Rock Pigeon, Bushtit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren, Brown Creeper, California Quail, Great Blue Heron, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crown Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch and House Sparrow.

Friday May 01:
A Mourning Dove was feeding in a backyard in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

Ten Yellow-rumped Warblers, including a female with nesting material, were seen high-up in the big leaf maple trees at the corner straight down from Shelly Road at the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

A Townsend's Solitaire was seen in tall conifer trees on the left side of the trail, about halfway between Mills Road and the Viewing tower at the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

Thursday April 30:
Canada Geese Goslings were seen in Duncan and Cedar.

American Goldfinch were seen along Uplands Drive near Emerald Drive in Nanaimo.

Thirty Evening Grosbeaks were seen in Erminskin Park in Parksville.

House Wrens, an American Kestrel and Purple Martins were seen in the Rivers Edge subdivision along Kaye Road in Parksville.

Tuesday April 28:
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 plumage 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 and House Sparrow.

A Swainson's Thrush and two Golden-crowned Sparrows were seen in 5300 block of Hammond Bay Road.

Purple Martins were seen at the Nanoose Bay Flats on the nest boxes on the pilings across from the Rest Area off highway 19.

Sunday April 26:
A Yellow Warbler was seen at Somenos Marsh. An Osprey was feeding on a fish at the Golf Driving Range near the marsh.

An Osprey was spotted on the Osprey nest platform at Buttertubs in Nanaimo.

Twenty Purple Martins were seen at the Marina at Deep Bay.

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
Guest speaker Tony Ransom will give a slide presentation of his recent trip
to the Galapagos Islands.
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday May 25, 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 May 05, 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 Despard Avenue in Parksville at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on May 10, will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or under the hydro lines on Normarel Drive (off Highway 19 and Superior Road) at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo,
British Columbia.