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

Sunday 30 May 2010

Nanaimo bird report, May 30, 2010


MacGillivray's Warbler:Ralph Hocken photo

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Report 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 30, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville.
The morning was cloudy with light rain throughout the morning. A Black-throated Gray Warbler was singing from a perch high up in a tall tree. We watched several Western Tanagers gleaning insects low down on trees. A Pacific-sloped Flycatcher sang from a low perch near the marsh. We had great looks at a MacGillivray's Warbler singing from a high perch. Over twenty Black Swifts were hawking insects high overhead.
Twenty-one birders, including a birder from England, saw and heard the following forty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Band-tailed Pigeon, California Quail, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Black Swift, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Marsh Wren, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-headed Grosbeak, Swainson's Thrush, European Starling, American Robin, MacGillivray's Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Grey Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bushtit, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

Saturday May 29:
Two pairs of Wilson Warblers and Yellow Warblers were at a pond along Pintail Drive in the Eaglecrest area of Qualicum Beach.

A Lazuli Bunting was seen singing in a small bush near the big Oak tree at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen in a backyard near Green Lake.

Friday May 28:
Sixteen Blue-winged Teal and one Cinnamon Teal were seen at the Holden Creek side of the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

A male Black-headed Grosbeak is visiting feeders in the 600 block of Turner Road in Parksville.

Thursday May 27:
A female Bullock's Oriole was spotted at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Wednesday May 26:
A Lazuli Bunting seen again today in a backyard along Despard Avenue in Parksville.

A Eurasian Collared Dove was seen in the 100 block of Bird Sanctuary Drive in Nanaimo.

Tuesday May 25:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay. The morning started with light showers and calm wind but cleared up as the morning progressed. We had great looks at a Hairy Woodpecker near the top of a snag. We heard an Olive-sided Flycatcher, a Willow Flycatcher, several Pacific-slope Flycatchers and a Cassin's Vireo singing throughout the morning. We heard a Yellow Warbler, Townsend's Warbler and a Black-headed Grosbeak singing from high up in the canopy. We managed close looks at several Orange-crowned Warblers, several Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Black-throated Gray Warbler and a Wilson's Warbler.
Seven birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species of birds;
Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Band-tailed Pigeon, Black Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee,
Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

A Lazuli Bunting seen in a backyard along Despard Avenue in Parksville.

Monday May 24:
"Rare Bird Alert-Snowy Plover"
A Snowy Plover was seen at Long Beach in Pacific Rim Park.
The Snowy Plover is usually seen along the west coast of the United States.

Two Wandering Tattlers, three Whimbrel and a Pacific-golden Plover were seen at Long Beach in Pacific Rim Park.

A Ringed Turtle Dove was seen in the 2000 block of Cedar Road in Cedar.

A Western Tanager is visiting a yard near Lost Lake 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
Guest Speaker--Joe Crichton will lead us, via his wonderful photos, on a bird-watching journey to the Tropics.
Monday May 31, 2010 @ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists Meetings will resume in September, 2010
**********************************
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 01, 2010 will be going to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions
playground at 9 A.M. or at the parking area near Tuan Road and Industrial Way in Parksville at about 9:20 A.M.
*****************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on June 06, 2010 will be going to McGregor Marsh in Nanaimo.
We will meet at The Backyard Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or just off Rutherford Road across from the Quilted Duck at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.3669
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 25, 2010


Orange-crowned Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay. The morning started with light showers and calm wind but cleared up as the morning progressed. We had great looks at a Hairy Woodpecker near the top of a snag. We heard an Olive-sided Flycatcher, a Willow Flycatcher, several Pacific-slope Flycatchers and a Cassin's Vireo singing throughout the morning. We heard a Yellow Warbler, Townsend's Warbler and a Black-headed Grosbeak singing from high up in the canopy. We managed close looks at several Orange-crowned Warblers, several Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Black-throated Gray Warbler and a Wilson's Warbler.

Seven birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species of birds;
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Band-tailed Pigeon
Black Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Hairy Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

Sunday 23 May 2010

Nanaimo bird report, May 23, 2010


Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Report 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 23, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo.
The morning was cloudy with rain throughout the morning. We watched a Yellow-rumped Warbler gathering nesting material from the bottom of a tall fir tree. Over twenty Black Swifts and a Vaux's Swift were hawking insects high overhead. We watched a Warbling Vireo gleaning insects high in a Maple Tree.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following thirty-nine species of birds:
Canada Geese, Turkey Vulture, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Northern Flicker, Rufous Hummingbird, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-green
Swallow, Barn Swallow, Vaux's Swift, Black Swift, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, European Starling, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Brown-headed Cowbird, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.

An albino House Finch and several Band-tailed Pigeons were seen in a backyard in the Diver Lake area of Nanaimo.

American Goldfinch, Violet-Green Swallows and a very vocal Wilson's Warbler was inspecting the fruit trees in a backyard along Lancashire Avenue in Nanaimo.

Pacific Loon, Canada Goose, Mallard, Great Scaup, Great Blue Heron, Semipalmated Plover,
Greater Yellowlegs, Glaucous-winged Gull, Thayer's Gull, Mew Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Bald Eagle,
Rock Pigeon, Barn Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Northwestern Crow, Purple Martin, Northern Flicker,
Bewicks Wren, American Robin, Swainson's Thrush, European Starling, Common Yellowthroat,
Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Mute Swan were seen at the Campbell River Estuary in Campbell River.

Saturday May 22:
A Warbling Vireo was seen at Legacy Marsh in Upper Lantzville.

Friday May 21:
Several Western Tanagers were seen in a garden along Pintail Drive in the Eaglecrest area of Qualicum Beach.

Thursday May 20:
American Goldfinch, Purple and House Finch, White-crown and Golden-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson Warblers, Dark-eyed Junco Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtits, Fox and Song Sparrows Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Anna's Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird are all visiting a backyard along Doehle Avenue in Parksville.

A male Cassin's Finch was seen on sundeck railing in the 100 block of Cheryl Place in Nanaimo.

Wednesday May 19:
A White-throated Sparrow is visiting a backyard in the 100 block of Green Lake Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday May 18:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning started out with rain for the first hour but the rest of the morning was dry and pleasant.
The highlights included a close up look at a very colorful Western Tanager. The morning was full of bird songs with Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Swainson's Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak and American Robin entertaining us through out the morning. We had a quick glance at a Western Wood-Pewee as it flew after prey. There was a large flock of Black Swift high up in the sky hawking insects.
Thirteen birders including visitors from Vancouver, Texas and Florida saw and heard the following forty species of birds.
Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Black Swift, Vaux's Swift, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.

Monday May 17:
A Western Kingbird was seen along the white fence of the art Gallery, at the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side in Parksville.

Sunday May 16:
A first year Glaucous Gull was seen at the Millstone Estuary in downtown Nanaimo.

Western Tanagers and male and female Black-headed Grosbeaks were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Fox Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, a Golden-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhees, American Goldfinches, Barn, Northern rough-winged, Tree and Violet-green Swallows, Purple Martins, Mallards, Common Mergansers, Canada Geese, Bald Eagle, Northwest Crows, American Robins, European Starlings, several Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers feeding along the edge of the Nanaimo River by the parking lot at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

A Sora Rail was singing in the marsh at the end of Schooner Cove Drive in Nanoose 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
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Guest Speaker--Joe Crichton will lead us, via his wonderful photos, on a bird-watching journey to the Tropics.
Monday May 31, 2010 @ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday June 10, 2010 @ 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 Sunday Bird Walk on May 30, 2010 will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville.
We meet at The Backyard Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or under the hydro lines along Normarel Drive off Superior Road at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on May 25, 2010 will be going to the Beaver Ponds at Nanoose Bay.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions
playground at 9 A.M. or at the parking area about 100 feet past the four way stop at Powder Point and Anchor Drive in Nanoose Bay at about 9:20 A.M.
**************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.3669
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Parksville/ Qualicum beach Tuesday bird walk, May 18, 2010


Western Tanager: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning started out with rain for the first hour but the rest of the morning was dry and pleasant.
The highlights included a close up look at a very colourful Western Tanager. The morning was full of bird songs with Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Swainson's Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak and American Robin entertaining us through out the morning. We had a quick glance at a Western Wood-Pewee as it flew after prey. There was a large flock of Black Swift high up in the sky hawking insects.

Thirteen birders including visitors from Vancouver, Texas and Florida saw and heard the following forty species of birds.
Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Black Swift
Vaux's Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Western Wood-Pewee
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 16 May 2010

Nanaimo bird report, May 16, 2010


Virginia Rail: Chris Stevens Photo.


NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

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

**********************VESPER SPARROWS ********************************
On Wednesday, May 19, the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust and the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team will be leading a walk to view (and hear) the Coastal Vesper Sparrow, one of Canada’s most endangered bird species. The walk will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Park and Ride on Cedar Road, just east of Island Highway, south of the Nanaimo airport. From there they will double and triple up to drive to the site, which has only limited roadside parking. Please phone (250) 714-1990 or email norm@nalt.bc.ca to let us know if you plan to join us.
***************************************************************************************

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 16, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Morden Colliery Park in south Nanaimo
The morning was sunny and calm.
Ten birders saw and heard the following thirty four species of birds:
Canada Geese, Wood Duck, Spotted Sandpiper, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Rufous Hummingbird, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Black Swift, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, European Starling, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.

A Wilson's Warbler, Anna's Hummingbird, Violet-green Swallow, Chipping Sparrow, Chickadee, Berwick's Wren, Northern Flicker, Red Crossbill and a Northern Rough -winged Swallow were seen from a backyard in the 2100 of Lancashire Avenue in Nanaimo.

Saturday May 15:
Three Mourning Doves were seen in a yard in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

A pair of Peregrine Falcons nesting in a wooded area near Hammond Bay and Brickyard Roads in Nanaimo.

Friday May 14:
A Virginia Rail, Black-headed Grosbeak, Common Yellowthroat, American Goldfinch, a Ring-necked Pheasant, a Red-winged Blackbird, a Great-blue Heron and a Bald Eagle were seen off of Hirst Avenue and Renz Road, near the edge of the marsh in the mudflat area, in Parksville.

Four American Pipits were seen from the deck area at Neck Point in Nanaimo.

Two Ospreys were seen on top of the nesting post at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo

Monday May 10:
American Goldfinch were singing from a Holly Tree at Sea Otter in Nanoose Bay.

Sunday May 09:
A Western Tanager, sixteen Band-tailed Pigeons, Pine Siskins, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhees, Downy Woodpeckers and Rufous Hummingbirds are visiting a backyard along Fairview Way in Duncan.

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
Guest Speaker--Joe Crichton will lead us, via his wonderful photos, on a bird-watching journey to the Tropics.
Monday May 31, 2010 @ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday June 10, 2010 @ 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 Sunday Bird Walk on May 23, 2010 will be going to Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo
We meet at The Backyard Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary off Nanaimo Lakes Road at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on May 18, 2010 will be going to the Springwood Park in Parksville.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions
playground at 9 A.M. or at the west end of Despard Avenue at about 9:15 A.M.
**************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.3669
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Sunday 9 May 2010

Nanaimo bird report, May 09, 2010


Indigo Bunting: Eric Demers Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Report 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 09, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo
The morning was sunny with light winds.
The highlight of the morning was hearing and seeing a great number of Yellow Warblers through out the morning. We were entertained by a Black-headed Grosbeak singing from a tall Elm Tree at the start of the walk. We had a fleeing glance of what we thought to be a Bullock's Oriole as it flew away from the top of a tall tree. Bullock's Orioles have nested at the Marsh for the past 12 years.
Twenty birders, including visitors from Saskatoon, Germany and Oxford, England saw and heard the following forty-nine species birds:
Turkey Vulture, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Glaucous-winged Gull, Osprey, Merlin, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Purple Martin, Vaux's Swift, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rock Pigeon, Bushtit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren, Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Great Blue Heron, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crown Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch and House Sparrow.

Saturday May 08:
A Ringed Turtle Dove was seen near Rutherford School in north Nanaimo.

Two Red-tailed Hawks were spotted chasing two Bald Eagles above Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo

Nineteen Black Oystercatchers and ten Bonaparte's Gulls were seen on the beach at Qualicum Beach.

A Black-headed Grosbeak was visiting feeders in the 7400 block of Lantzvillle Road in Lantzville.

An Anna's Hummingbird had a shower as the homeowner was watering the garden with a garden hose in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

"Rare bird alert - Indigo Bunting"
A second year male Indigo Bunting, along with Whimbrels, Western Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, Dunlins and Semipalmated Plovers, was seen at the Tofino Mudflats near the Clayoquot-Orca Resort Lodge in Tofino. The Bunting flew by and perched briefly in some alders along the shore. The Indigo Bunting is usually found in the eastern and southern United States.

Wednesday May 05:
A Cedar Waxwing was seen in a yard in the 5400 block of Altavista Drive in Nanaimo.

Tuesday May 04:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was clear but cool with a light wind.
We heard and saw two Pacific-slope Flycatchers high up in a Big Leaf Maple Tree. Barn Swallows and Violet-green Swallows flew just above the grasses over the estuary. We saw a Bushtit fly out of it's sock shaped nest. There was a Greater Yellowlegs moving along the shore of the Englishman River as a Common Merganser lazily floated by. We heard a Ring-necked Pheasant and saw a California Quail on the trail. A Belted Kingfisher hovered over the Estuary and then plunged into the water and then flew away with a fish. We spotted a Barred Owl perched high up in a tall Ash Tree above the trail
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species of birds:
Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser,
Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ring-necked Pheasant, California Quail, Pacific Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Greater Yellowlegs, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Barred Owl, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher,
Northern Flicker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Hutton's Vireo, Northwestern Crow,
Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren,
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, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Red Crossbill.

Monday May 03:
Two Wilson's Warblers, American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, White and Gold- crowned Sparrows are visiting a backyard and feeders along Foxtail Avenue in Parksville.

A possible Black Chinned Hummingbird is feeding at feeders in the 6600 block of Vallyview Drive in Nanaimo.

Monday April 26:
A Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen in the 1700 block of Loat 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
Guest Speaker-- Dr. John Gunton will speak on volcanoes, earthquakes and other geo-hazards in the Georgia Basin
Thursday May 13, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday May 24, 2010 @ 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 Sunday Bird Walk on May 16, 2010 will be going to Morden Colliery in south Nanaimo.
We meet at The Backyard Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Morden Road at Morden Colliery at about 9:30 A.M.
*******************************************************
**PLEASE NOTE--THERE WILL NOT BE A TUESDAY BIRD WALK ON MAY 11, 2010**
The Tuesday bird walks will resume on May 18, 2010.
*****************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on May 18, 2010 will be going to the Springwood Park in Parksville.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions
playground at 9 A.M. or at the west end of Despard Avenue at about 9:15 A.M.
**************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.3669
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 4 May 2010

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 04, 2010


California Quail: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was clear but cool with a light wind.
We heard and saw two Pacific-slope Flycatchers high up in a Big Leaf Maple Tree. Barn Swallows and Violet-green Swallows flew just above the grasses over the estuary. We saw a Bushtit fly out of it's sock shaped nest. There was a Greater Yellowlegs moving along the shore of the Englishman River as a Common Merganser lazily floated by. We heard a Ring-necked Pheasant and saw a California Quail on the trail. A Belted Kingfisher hovered over the Estuary and then plunged into the water and then flew away with a fish. We spotted a Barred Owl perched high up in a tall Ash Tree above the trail.

Seventeen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species of birds:
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Mallard
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Pacific Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Greater Yellowlegs
Mew Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Barred Owl
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Hutton's Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
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
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 2 May 2010

Nanaimo bird report, May 02, 2010


Orange-crowned Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Report 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 02, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
The morning was cloudy but mostly calm with a light rain shower at the end of the walk.
A flock of Dunlin, Western and Least Sandpipers landed on a log on the mudflats giving us good looks. Several flocks of Brant Geese flew past. We saw Bufflehead, Harlequin Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Pacific Loon, Common Loon on the Strait of Georgia.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species:
Canada Goose, Brant, Mallard, Bufflehead, Harlequin Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Great Blue Heron, Killdeer,Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Winter Wren, Varied Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, Red Crossbills, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.

Saturday May 01:
A Ruffed Grouse, a Sooty Grouse and a Black-headed Grosbeak were seen on the Westwood Ridges Trails in Nanaimo.

Thursday April 29:
Two Sharp-shinned Hawks were spotted over Mills Street near the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

An American Kestrel was perched on the hydro line along highway 19, overlooking the Ugly Dwarf Meadows at Nanoose Bay.

Wednesday April 28:
Ten male and female American Goldfinches are visiting feeders along Remora Place in Nanoose.

Tuesday April 27:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Lot Ten, along the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy with few rain showers but the wind was calm. We spotted a Merlin chasing a Bald Eagle off it's perch at our meeting place at Parksville Bay. At Lot Ten a Red-breasted Sapsucker flew into our view and landed on a tall snag. We heard several Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Cassin's Vireos and a Hutton's Vireo during the morning. We saw and heard Orange-crowned Warblers, a Yellow-rumped Warbler and Black-throated Gray Warblers gleaning insects high up in the Big Maple Trees. A Turkey Vulture and a Sharp-shinned Hawk circled high above us at the end of the walk.
Thirteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species of birds.
Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Merganser, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin.

Monday April 26:
Rare bird alert-"Say's Phoebe"
A Say's Phoebe was seen on driftwood stump down from Mills Street on the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The Phoebe was seen for about thirty minutes as it hawked insects and returned to it's perch on one of several driftwood stumps. The stumps are not far from the Surfside RV Park in the meadow area of the estuary down from Mills Street in Parksville.

Two Ringed Turtle-Doves were seen in a backyard along Piper Crescent in Nanaimo.

120 Least Sandpipers, twelve Western Sandpipers, one Dunlin, two Greater Yellowlegs, one Spotted Sandpiper, an American Pipit and a Northern Harrier were seen at the Holden Creek side of the Nanaimo River Estuary.

Sunday April 25:
A Yellow Warbler was spotted visiting a backyard along Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

A Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen along Loat Street in Nanaimo.

Saturday April 24:
Four Greater Yellowlegs were seen at the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.

Thirty Black Oystercatchers were seen at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler was spotted visiting suet feeders in the 300 block of Stevenson Point in Nanaimo.

Friday April 23:
Four Golden-crowned Sparrows and American Goldfinch were seen along Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

Wednesday April 20:
A Townsend's Solitaire was seen along Price Road 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
Guest Speaker-- Dr. John Gunton will speak on volcanoes, earthquakes and other geo-hazards in the Georgia Basin
Thursday May 13, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday May 24, 2010 @ 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 04, 2010 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions
playground at 9 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road on the oceanside of highway 19a at about 9:15 A.M.
**************************************************
**PLEASE NOTE--THERE WILL NOT BE A TUESDAY BIRD WALK ON MAY 11, 2010**
The Tuesday bird walks will resume on May 18, 2010.
*****************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on May 09, 2010 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
We meet at The Backyard Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at the end of Buttertubs Drive off Bowen Road at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.3669
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com