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.

Monday 31 January 2011

2010 Sunday bird walks


Eurasian Wigeon: Ralph Hocken Photo.

During 2010, the Sunday bird walks went to the following sites: Little Qualicum River Estuary, Englishman River Estuary, Neck Point, Buttertubs Marsh, Nanoose Bay, Beck Creek, Nanaimo River Estuary, Columbia Beach, French Creek, Rathtrevor Provincial Park, Morrell Park, Legacy Marsh, Bowen Park, Lot Ten, Morden Park, McGregor Marsh, Linley Valley, Beaver Ponds, Springwood Park, Ladysmith Harbour,

We saw and heard the following one hundred and forty-eight species of birds during 2010:
Greater White-fronted Goose
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Harlequin Duck
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Lesser Scaup
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Pied-billed Grebe
Eared Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Merlin
Northern Harrier
Barred Owl
Turkey Vulture
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Killdeer
Virginia Rail
Wilson's Snipe
Dunlin
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Black Oystercatcher
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Surfbird
Sanderling
American Coot
Northern Shrike
Bonaparte's Gull
Herring Gull
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Marbled Murrelet
Pigeon Guillemot
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Purple Martin
Bank Swallow
Black Swift
Vaux's Swift
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hammond's Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Cassin's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Purple Finch
Common Redpoll
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Red Crossbill
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Sunday 30 January 2011

Nanaimo bird report, January 30, 2011


Cedar Waxwing: Ryan Cathers, Photo.

“GO BIRDING- EXPLORE NATURE”

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

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

"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
A Grey Catbird is still visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

Sunday January 30, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Buttertubs Marsh. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing a Barn Swallow. We saw large numbers of Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees and Fox Sparrows on the path around the marsh. Ten Hooded Mergansers were swimming and diving on the water. We had great close views of seven Cedar Waxwings feeding on Hawthorn Berry bushes.


Twenty-one birders saw and heard the following forty-two species of birds: Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, American Coot, Glaucous-winged Gull, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, Rock Pigeon, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Barn Swallow, Cedar Waxwing, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Brown Creeper, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco and House Sparrow

A Barn Swallow was seen in a backyard in the 600 block of Prideaux Street of Nanaimo.

Twelve Trumpeter Swans were seen at Piper’s lagoon in Nanaimo.

Saturday, January 29:
"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
A Grey Catbird is still visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

A Sharp-shinned Hawk was spotted in a backyard in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

Friday, January 29:
Two Anna’s Hummingbirds, Varied Thrush and Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Alderwood Drive in Port Alberni.

Thursday, January 28:
Thirty Evening Grosbeaks were seen coming to feeders in upper Lantzville.

Tuesday January 25:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning was cloudy and the winds were calm until near the end of the walk when the winds pickup and the fog moved in. We spotted a Greater Scaup and a Lesser Scaup not far from shore. Ten Long-tailed Ducks were just offshore at the point. The White-winged Scoters were the most numerous of the Scoters although we did see Surf Scoter and Black Scoters on the water. A flock of Dunlin flew by offshore.

Ten birders saw and heard the following forty-six species of birds:
Canada goose, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan American Wigeon, Mallard. Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye,
Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrow.

Monday, January 24:
Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard and Green-winged Teal were seen on the Mud Flats at the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Rhinoceros Auklet, Common Murre, Pacific Loons. Common Loons, Red-throated Loons and Common Loons, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Horned Grebe, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant and Pelagic Cormorant, were spotted on the Strait of Georgia from Madonna Point.

Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser , Red-breasted Merganser, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Pacific Loons were seen on the Strait of Georgia from the Point at Beachcomber.

Sunday January 23:
A Cooper’s Hawk was seen on backyard lawn in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

Saturday January 15:
A pair of Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders in the 2500 block of Glenayr Crescent 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
**********************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, February 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting
Monday February 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in 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 February 01, 2011 will be going to Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side. We will meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the Lions Playground at 9 A.M. or at corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9: 10 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, February 06, 2011 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the end of Raines Road at about 9:30 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

“LINKS”

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

Birding in Central and South America:
www.wildbirdtours.ca


Identify backyard birds:
National Geographic Bird Identifier Site
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

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/

Nanaimo bird report, January 30, 2011

“GO BIRDING- EXPLORE NATURE”

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

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

"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
A Grey Catbird is still visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

Sunday January 30, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Buttertubs Marsh. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing a Barn Swallow. We saw large numbers of Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees and Fox Sparrows on the path around the marsh. Ten Hooded Mergansers were swimming and diving on the water. We had great close views of seven Cedar Waxwings feeding on Hawthorn Berry bushes.


Twenty-one birders saw and heard the following forty-two species of birds: Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, American Coot, Glaucous-winged Gull, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, Rock Pigeon, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Barn Swallow, Cedar Waxwing, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Brown Creeper, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco and House Sparrow

A Barn Swallow was seen in a backyard in the 600 block of Prideaux Street of Nanaimo.

Twelve Trumpeter Swans were seen at Piper’s lagoon in Nanaimo.

Saturday, January 29:
"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
A Grey Catbird is still visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

A Sharp-shinned Hawk was spotted in a backyard in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

Friday, January 29:
Two Anna’s Hummingbirds, Varied Thrush and Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Alderwood Drive in Port Alberni.

Thursday, January 28:
Thirty Evening Grosbeaks were seen coming to feeders in upper Lantzville.

Tuesday January 25:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning was cloudy and the winds were calm until near the end of the walk when the winds pickup and the fog moved in. We spotted a Greater Scaup and a Lesser Scaup not far from shore. Ten Long-tailed Ducks were just offshore at the point. The White-winged Scoters were the most numerous of the Scoters although we did see Surf Scoter and Black Scoters on the water. A flock of Dunlin flew by offshore.

Ten birders saw and heard the following forty-six species of birds:
Canada goose, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan American Wigeon, Mallard. Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye,
Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrow.

Monday, January 24:
Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard and Green-winged Teal were seen on the Mud Flats at the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Rhinoceros Auklet, Common Murre, Pacific Loons. Common Loons, Red-throated Loons and Common Loons, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Horned Grebe, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant and Pelagic Cormorant, were spotted on the Strait of Georgia from Madonna Point.

Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser , Red-breasted Merganser, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Pacific Loons were seen on the Strait of Georgia from the Point at Beachcomber.

Sunday January 23:
A Cooper’s Hawk was seen on backyard lawn in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

Saturday January 15:
A pair of Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders in the 2500 block of Glenayr Crescent 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
**********************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, February 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting
Monday February 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in 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 February 01, 2011 will be going to Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side. We will meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the Lions Playground at 9 A.M. or at corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9: 10 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, February 06, 2011 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the end of Raines Road at about 9:30 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

“LINKS”

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

Birding in Central and South America:
www.wildbirdtours.ca


Identify backyard birds:
National Geographic Bird Identifier Site
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

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/

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,January 252011


Long-tailed Ducks and Surf Scoters: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning was cloudy and the winds were calm until near the end of the walk when the winds pickup and the fog moved in. We spotted a Greater Scaup and a Lesser Scaup not far from shore. Ten Long-tailed Ducks were just offshore at the point. The White-winged Scoters were the most numerous of the Scoters although we did see Surf Scoter and Black Scoters on the water. A flock of Dunlin flew by offshore.

Ten birders saw and heard the following forty-six species of birds:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black Oystercatcher
Dunlin
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Rock Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Monday 24 January 2011

Birding on the Strait Of Georgia

Hi birders, I was out with John Purves birding this afternoon, January 24, we saw the following :

Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard and Green-winged Teal were seen on the Mud Flats at the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Common Goldeneye,Rhinoceros Auklet, Common Murre, Pacific Loons. Common Loons, Red-throated Loons and Common Loons, Surf Scoter,
Bufflehead, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Horned Grebe, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant and Pelagic Cormorant, were spotted on the Strait of Georgia from Madonna Point.


Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser , Red-breasted Merganser, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Common Murre,
Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Pacific Loons were seen on the Strait of Georgia from the Point at Beachcomber.

Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 23 January 2011

Nanaimo bird report, January 23, 2011

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

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

Birding in Central and South America:
www.wildbirdtours.ca

Identify backyard birds:
National Geographic Bird Identifier Site
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

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, the species and location of your sighting.

Sunday January 23, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with calm winds. The Strait of Georgia was calm.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-two species of birds:
Canada Goose, Brant, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Belted Kingfisher , American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brown Creeper, Red-winged Blackbird and House Finch.

‘Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird and a Red-breasted Sapsucker were seen along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in Nanaimo.

Saturday, January 22:
"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
A Grey Catbird is visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

Tuesday January 18:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary north of Qualicum Beach. Light showers, but calm winds and calm seas were with us throughout the morning. The highlights included seeing a Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatchers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin from the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. A large flock of Bushtits swarmed the Rose Bushes at the Estuary. Rafts of Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, over 300 Black Scoters, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye were just off shore. Further offshore there were thousands upon thousands of Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot and Marbled Murrelet in a huge raft as far as we could see in the scope.
Eight birders saw and heard the following thirty-seven species of birds:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Belted Kingfisher, Northwestern Crow, Bushtit, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow and Red-winged Blackbird.


Black Scoter: Ralph Hocken Photo.

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 meeting
Monday January 24, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
January is Members' night with photos, stories and a raffle.
**********************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, February 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
**********************************
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 January 25, 2011 will be going to Deep Bay. We will meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the Lions Playground at 9 A.M. or at the parking area at the marina at about 9: 35 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on January 30, 2011 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at parking lot off Bowen Road at Buttertubs Marsh at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,January 18, 2011


Black Scoter: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary north of Qualicum Beach. Light showers, but calm winds and calm seas were with us throughout the morning. The highlights included seeing a Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatchers, Black Turnstones and
Dunlin from the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. A large flock of Bushtits swarmed the Rose Bushes at the Estuary. Rafts of Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, over 300 Black Scoters, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye were just off shore. Further offshore there were thousands upon thousands of Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot and Marbled Murrelet in a huge raft as far as we could see in the scope.

Eight birders saw and heard the following thiry-seven species of birds:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet
Belted Kingfisher
Northwestern Crow
Bushtit
European Starling
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird

Sunday 16 January 2011

Nanaimo bird report, January 16, 2011


Fox Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

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

Birding in Central and South America:
www.wildbirdtours.ca

Identify backyard birds:
National Geographic Bird Identifier Site
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

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, the species and location of your sighting.

Sunday January 16, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point in Nanaimo. The morning was a mixed bag of showers and sunshine.
Nine birders saw the following twenty-five species of birds:
Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser,
Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon,Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant,
Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet,
European Starling, Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

Saturday, January 15:
"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumond Road near Eyelash Road in Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
A Grey Catbird is visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

Evening Grosbeaks and Varied Thrush are visiting backyard feeders in the 2500 block of Glenayr Crescent in Nanaimo.

Wednesday January 12:
Ten Trumpeter Swans were seen on the marsh at Hemer Provincial Park in Cedar.

An Albino American Robin was spotted in the parking lot at the end of Hemer Road in Hemer Provincial Park.

Tuesday January 11:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. The morning was cloudy and cool but the wind was calm. The Strait of Georgia was also very calm near shore, but choppy further off shore. Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were up high in the trees. We saw large numbers of Song Sparrows. We spotted three Western Meadowlarks and Killdeer feeding on a gravel bar in the river. Hundreds of Common Murre and Pacific Loons were moving down the Strait of Georgia. The Peregrine Falcon was perched in it's usual tree top snag. Near the end of the walk a flock of over fifteen Evening Grosbeak flew into the top of a Alder Tree giving us great views.
Nine birders saw and heard the following fifty-six species of birds.
Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye,
Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon,
Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron,
Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Killdeer, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull ,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Downy Woodpecker,
Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin,
Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco,
Evening Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird and
House Finch.

Fifty Surfbirds were talking and foraging on the rocks at the "point" at Neck Point Park 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 meeting
Monday January 24, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
January is Members' night with photos, stories and a raffle.
**********************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, February 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
**********************************
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 January 18, 2011 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the Lions Playground at 9 A.M. or at the viewing platform at Highway 19A and Garrett Road at about 9: 20 A.M.

*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on January 23, 2011 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road on the Oceanside of Highway 19A at about 9:30 A.M.

*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Surfbirds


Surfbirds: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,
Fifty Surfbirds were talking and foraging on the rocks at the "point" in Neck Point Park in Nanaimo,this afternoon January 12, 2011.

Goodbirding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,January 11, 2011


Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. The morning was cloudy and cool but the wind was calm. The Strait of Georgia was also very calm near shore, but choppy further off shore. Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were up high in the trees. We saw large numbers of Song Sparrows. We spotted three Western Meadowlarks and Killdeer feeding on a gravel bar in the river. Hundreds of Common Murre and Pacific Loons were moving down the Strait of Georgia. The Peregrine Falcon was perched in it's usual tree top snag. Near the end of the walk a flock of over fifteen Evening Grosbeak flew into the top of a Alder Tree giving us great views.

Nine birders saw and heard the following fifty-six species of birds.
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Killdeer
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Evening Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Monday 10 January 2011

RARE BIRD ALERT: GRAY CATBIRD


Grey Catbird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

A Gray Catbird has been seen visiting a backyard suet feeder today January 10. The location is on the corner of Carlton road between Marie and Heather place in Nanaimo B.C. This sighting has been confirmed by 2 other birders. The bird has been seen in the area for at least the last 2 weeks.
For more information please contact the store.
Good birding Colin.

Sunday 9 January 2011

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT JANUARY 09/2011


Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

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

Birding in Central and South America:
www.wildbirdtours.ca

Identify backyard birds:
National Geographic Bird Identifier Site
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

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, the species and location of your sighting.

Sunday January 09, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. The day was clear, sunny and
relatively warm given a couple of inches of fresh snow.
Four determined birders saw the following 27 species of birds:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Barrow's
Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant,
Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,
Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, American Robin, European Starling,
Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and
Red-winged Blackbird.
Thanks, Graham!

Saturday January 08:
A flock of Golden-crowned Kinglet were seen in a yard along Dickson Road in
Nanaimo.

Monday, January 24th
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumond Road near Eyelash Road in
Nanaimo.

A Barred Owl was seen at Morel Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

An Anna's Hummingbird is visiting feeders along Morrel Circle in Nanaimo.

Two Evening Grosbeak were seen visiting feeders along Meridian Way in
Parksville.

Friday January 07:
A Northern Shrike was spotted as it perched on a Cherry Tree in the 100
block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

Two Bald Eagle on and near Osprey nest near Highway 19 and Chase River.

A Barred Owl was calling in Colliery Dam Park and was heard from Harewood
Mines Road side in Nanaimo.

Two Peregrine Falcon were mobbing a Red-tailed Hawk over the Cottonwood
Golf Course in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday January 04:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The
morning was cool, but not too windy and the rain held off until 11:30. The
highlights of the morning included seeing two Hermit Thrush along the
forest edge. We watched a large flock of Golden-crowned Kinglet and
Ruby-crowned Kinglet quickly moving and feeding through the forest.
We saw over three hundred Dunlin feeding along the shoreline and then
suddenly fly up in a cloud to find another spot along the shore.
It was a good morning of birding as eleven birders including two visitors
from Manitoba, saw and heard the following forty-one species of birds:
Canada Goose, Brant, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter,
Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser,
Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked
Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald
Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper,
Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song
Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Pine Siskin.

A Sharp-shinned Hawk was seen sitting on a fence in the 5400 block of
Altavista Drive in North Nanaimo. A Downy Woodpecker was keeping perfectly
still on the hidden side of a garden post while the Hawk sat on the fence.
When the Hawk moved to a different spot, the Woodpecker shifted over
slightly to maintain his hiding position.

Monday January 03:
A Virginia Rail was seen feeding and searching for food for over four
minutes, out in the open about seven feet away from two birders in the
Richardson Creek area of Cinnabar Valley in south 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
**********************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, January 13th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road,
AGM & Members Night.
Keynote presentation by Don Lawseth and Kari Nelson: "Wildlife in Various
Biogeoclimatic Zones of Australia"
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting
Monday January 24, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
January is Members' night with photos, stories and a raffle.
**********************************
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 January 11, 2011 will be going to the Shelly Road
side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at the
Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of 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.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on January 16, 2011 will be going to Neck Point Park.
We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or the parking area at Neck
Point Park at 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Northern Mockingbird


Northern Mockingbird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

A Northern Mockingbird is still being seen along Doumont Road near Eyelash Road, close to Brennan Lake in north Nanaimo.

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,January 04, 2011


Dunlin and Black-bellied Plovers:Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cool, but not too windy and the rain held off until 11:30. The highlights of the morning included seeing two Hermit Thrushes along the forest edge. We watched a large flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets quickly moving and feeding through the forest.
We saw over three hundred Dunlin feeding along the shoreline and then suddenly fly up in a cloud to find another spot along the shore.
It was a good morning of birding as eleven birders including two visitors from Manitoba, saw and heard the following forty-one species of birds:
Canada Goose
Brant
American Wigeon
Northern Pintail
Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Pine Siskin

Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 2 January 2011

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT JANUARY 02/2011


Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Ralph Hocken Photo.


NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

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

Birding in Central and South America:
www.wildbirdtours.ca

Identify backyard birds:
National Geographic Bird Identifier Site
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

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, the species and location of your sighting.

Sunday January 02, 2011:
The Rough-legged Hawk is still in the same area as reported on January 01. The Hawk was seen this morning just off Corfield Avenue & south of Despard perched in a tall tree.

The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumond Road near Eyelash Road in Nanaimo.

Saturday January 01:
A Rough-legged Hawk landed on the top of a snag-topped tree along Corfield Avenue, just off Despard in Parksville.

Evening Grosbeaks are visiting backyard feeders at Butler and Corfield in Parksville.

A Varied Thrush, an American Goldfinch, a large number of Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Flickers, European Starlings, Spotted Towhees, a large flock of Bushtits, a Song Sparrow and a Fox Sparrow are daily visitors at feeders in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

Friday December 31:
Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpeckers, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtits and a Townsend’s Warbler are visiting feeders along Garry Oaks in Nanoose Bay for the past week.

Over thirty Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders in a back yard along Loat Street in Nanaimo.

Wednesday December 29:
Fourteen Evening Grosbeaks, three Varied Thrush, one Golden-crowned Kinglet, Anna's Hummingbird and a Cooper's Hawk are visiting a backyard along Doehle Avenue in Parksville.

Eight California Quail, six Varied Thrush, many Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhees, six Northern Flickers, ten Stellar Jays and two Chestnut-backed Chickadees are visiting feeders in the 1300 block of Lanyon Drive in Parksville.

One Greater White-fronted Goose was spotted in with about 500 Canada Geese, browsing at the Nanaimo Cemetery near Howard Avenue and Bowen Road in Nanaimo.

An Anna's hummingbird has been visiting feeders along Newdale Place in Nanaimo.


Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count took place on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010 under sunny skies with very low temperatures and high winds.
Overall, the count was very successful, although, many individual teams felt as
though there was a large drop in numbers in their area due to the severe winds
and bitter cold. Graeme Ellis et al. from Protection Island did head out in
their small boat to survey the harbour but the Pacific Traveler skippered by
Doug Henderson, unfortunately yet understandably, never left the dock. Doug and
his wife Eveline Stokkink take birders out every year to survey the waters of
Georgia Strait, for which we are always hugely grateful, but this year it simply
wasn't safe. Hopefully next year we will get out again and pick up some of those
alcids we missed this year.
The most noticeable change this year, I would have to say, was the absolute
dearth of finches. Very low numbers of even the usually abundant House Finch
and Pine Siskin were recorded, and Red Crossbill and American Goldfinch were
absent altogether. The wind can be blamed for the low numbers of House Finches
perhaps, but the total lack of crossbills must have to do with some larger
trend. They must be following the cone crops to some other locale this winter.
Making comment about other trends with birds this year is difficult due to the
very high winds on count day. Most passerine species were keeping an extremely low profile so as not to be swept away. The only Great Blue Heron observed in my count area of Nanaimo Harbour/Chase River Estuary, where there are usually at least half a dozen, was holding on to a log for dear life near the west arm of the Nanaimo River and visibly leaning into the wind, beak first. It was rather comical. And viewing seabirds was made tremendously difficult by the very choppy waters and whipping wind that threatened to smash scopes on the ground if you didn't hold on!
TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS were observed on Gabriola Island and at Bruce Cousens and Charlene Lee's feeder on Hammond Bay Road. Bruce had an exceptional feeder count submission, adding two new species to the count: LINCOLN'S SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. Well done, Bruce!
Margie Bryant et al. who surveyed the area around Brannen Lake had staked out a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road. Apparently, the bird has been frequenting that area for about a month. Northern Mockingbirds are known to set up shop for the winter and stay a while, but I think this is firstone, or at least the first in a long time, to be recorded on the Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count. Thanks for keeping your eye on this character and bagging another species for the count, Margie and team!
Karl Ricker and Jim Wisnia turned up a couple interesting species around Piper's
Lagoon, as they often do, again this year. Karl managed to spot a dark phase
PARASITIC JAEGER flying by the beach, and when Jim noticed a flock of shorebirds the lagoon later in the day and went in for closer inspection they found what they believe to be a PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER among a flock of Dunlin. If anyone is in the area please have a look for these birds. Further confirmation would be greatly appreciated!

Other interesting sightings include: a RUDDY DUCK spotted by Steve Baillie, Kim
Goldberg, and Karen Mullen at Quennell Lake; Neil Bourne, Ann Thompson, and Eric Grundman spotted the only SURFBIRDS seen this year on Brandon Island (or was it Jesse?) and the only YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER recorded at the Nanaimo Golf Course.
EVENING GROSBEAKS continue to be spotted at feeders throughout the count circle, which is a special treat for many backyard birders this year.

TOTAL SPECIES RECORDED ON COUNT DAY: 113

Thanks again to everyone who participated with a special thanks to Brian Simmons and Ann Thompson for stepping up to take over organizing duties next year. It's been a rewarding 5 years for me as compiler and now I'm off to start some new adventures as a teacher!
Cheers!
Carlo Pavan


Tuesday December 28:
An American Coot was seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

A Snow Bunting was seen at the point at Deep Bay.

Seven Trumpeter Swans were spotted flying over Meridian Way in Parksville.

A Varied Thrush is visiting suet feeders on an apartment balcony along Boundary Crescent in Nanaimo.

Monday December 27:
A Belted Kingfisher was seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

A female Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen in a backyard in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo and four Trumpeter Swans and a Bald Eagle were seen flying over the yard.

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
**********************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, January 13th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road,
AGM & Members Night.
Keynote presentation by Don Lawseth and Kari Nelson: "Wildlife in Various Biogeoclimatic Zones of Australia"
**********************************
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 January 04, 2011 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park. We will meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the Lions Playground at 9 A.M. or at the main parking area at Rathtrevor Provincial Park at about 9: 15 A.M.--"Please note there is a parking fee at Rathtrevor Park"!
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walks will be going to Nanoose Bay on January 09, 2011,
We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or the parking area behind the Church Camp (off Nanoose Beach Road and Highway 19) at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Saturday 1 January 2011

Rough-legged Hawk

A Rough-legged Hawk was spotted landing near the top of a snag-topped tree along Corfield Avenue, just off Despard in Parksville, this afternoon, January 01, 2011.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia