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

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,March 29, 2011


Mountain Bluebird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary on the Shelly Road side. The morning was cloudy with light winds. We heard a Red-breasted Sapsucker tapping on a tree near the parking area at the start of the walk but were not able to spot it. However, we did see it near the end of the walk as we neared the parking area when it flew and perched on a snag not far from us. The big highlight of the morning was the sighting of a Mountain Bluebird. We spotted the Bluebird perched in a short shrub in the meadows and watched it for about 30 minutes as it hawked insects and returned to it's perch. We also saw a Northern Shrike perched on a snag close to the R.V. Park behind the meadows. Two Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen--one flying over the Englishman River and another on the bushes along the bank of the river.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose
Brant
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Rock Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Mountain Bluebird
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch

Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, March 27, 2011


Bonaparte's Gull Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

"GO BIRDING—EXPLORE NATURE"

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

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

Sunday March 27, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with strong winds. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of massive numbers of the following Gulls--Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls, Herring Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls. An Anna’s Hummingbird was perched on top of a shrub giving us great looks.

Twenty birders saw and heard the following sixty species of birds:
Canada Goose, Brant, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Harlequin Duck, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Brandt’s Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Killdeer, Dunlin, California Quail, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtit, Pacific Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and Purple Finch.

Saturday March 26:
One female Pine Grosbeak was seen perched on top of a fir tree near Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.

Over one hundred Trumpeter Swans were spotted flying over the Morningstar ponds in Parksville.

An Osprey was seen on a high tree branch down the public access trail off Stevenson Point Road in Nanaimo.

A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a feeder in the 100 block of Gulfview Drive in Nanaimo.

Thursday March 24:
Turkey Vultures were seen over the Ugly Dwarf Meadows near the ESSO Station at Nanoose Bay.

Wednesday March 23:
Violet-green Swallows, Tree Swallows and Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen at the Morningstar Ponds in Parksville.

A pair of American Goldfinch were visiting feeders along Gerald Street in Nanoose Bay,

Tuesday March 22:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Parksville Bay and Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with sunny periods and the wind was calm for most of the morning. Ten Trumpeter Swan's flew over heading up island. Hundreds of Brant Geese flew in and landed near the tide line. Thousands upon thousands of Gulls were along the shoreline for most of the morning. We were able to closely observe Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls, two Herring Gulls, a Western Gull, and a Glaucous Gull. We saw thousands of Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck , Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Barrow's Goldeneye in a hugh moving raft off Parksville Bay.

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species of birds:
Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter,
White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon,
Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco.

A Red-tailed Hawk was seen soaring over the Chase River overpass on Highway 19 in Nanaimo.

Two Bewick’s Wrens, one Varied Thrush and a flock of Pine Siskins were visiting a backyard feeder in the 2700 block of Neyland Road in Nanaimo.

Monday March 21:
Over fifteen Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

The resident Short-eared Owl, three Northern Harriers, a small flock of Tree Swallows, a Western Meadowlark and a Lincoln's Sparrow were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

A Common Teal, a flock of Green-wing Teal, twelve Northern Shovellers, Northern Pintail, a Lesser Scaup, Mallards, Canada Geese and American Wigeon were seen on Quesnell Lake.

A very large mixed flock of Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows were hawking insects over the back stretch of Quesnell Lake.

Sunday March 20:
Five California Quail were visiting a backyard in the 2800 block of Skrimshire Road in Shawnigan Lake.

Monday March 14:
A Saw-whet owl was spotted in yard on Benson View, near Witchcraft Lake in Nanaimo.

**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday March 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
Guest Speaker-Bill Merilees will speak on Mega herbs of Sub-Antarctic.

Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, April 14, 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 March 29, 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, April 03, 2011 will be going to Neck Point in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the parking lot at Neck Point off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20A.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@...
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com



Big Day for the Brant – 2011 Birding Competition

For the 18th year a Big Day competition will be held to crown the teams that can see the most species of birds in one day.
WHERE: Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC.
WHEN: Saturday April 9, 2011 from 4:30am to 3:00pm.
WHO: Teams of 3 to 5 in both Green and Motorized Categories. Novice, Intermediate, Experienced & young birders all welcomed.
PRIZES: Awards Presentations immediately following at Deez Bar & Grill, Qualicum Beach.
COST: $10 cash per person at the door.
HOW: TO REGISTER, contact RHYS HARRISON rhysharrison@shaw.ca or (250) 248-5305 with team names, category & experience level.
PROCEEDS: To the BRANT WILDLIFE FESTIVAL.
DETAILS: Instructions, Map, Checklist & Suggested Hotspots will be emailed to Team Members on registration.
EXTRAS:
Space may be limited so register early.
Singles & Couples are encouraged to enter and will be helped to form a team.
Several special prize categories have been added this year.

Monday 28 March 2011

Tuesday bird walk, March 29, 2011


Bonapart's Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday Bird Walk on March 29, 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 main parking lot at end of Shelly Road on the Oceanside of highway 19a at about 9:15A.M.

Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,March 22, 2011


Greater Scaup in flight: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Parksville Bay and Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with sunny periods and the wind was calm for most of the morning. Ten Trumpeter Swan's flew over heading up island. Hundreds of Brant Geese flew in and landed near the tide line. Thousands upon thousands of Gulls were along the shoreline for most of the morning. We were able to closely observe Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls, two Herring Gulls, a Western Gull, and a Glaucous Gull. We saw thousands of Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck , Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Barrow's Goldeneye in a hugh moving raft off Parksville Bay.

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species of birds:
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Black Oystercatcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous Gull
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 20 March 2011

Nanaimo bird report, March 20, 2011


Short-eared Owl: Ralph Hocken Photo.


NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

"GO BIRDING—EXPLORE NATURE"

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

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

Sunday March 20, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary. The morning was cloudy with sunny periods and strong winds. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of a Golden Eagle in with Bald Eagles on the ground not far from us. We saw a Short-eared Owl and a Northern Harrier hunting low over the Estuary.
Thirteen birders saw and heard the following twenty four species of birds:
Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Common Mergansers, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Tree Swallows, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Juncos and American Goldfinch.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen in a backyard along Andover Road in Nanoose Bay.

Four Evening Grosbeaks were seen feeding on a Big-leaf Maple Tree on Protection Island.

Saturday March 19:
A Downy Woodpecker is visiting a suet feeder in a backyard in the 5900 block of Tweedsmuir Crescent in Nanaimo.

A Cooper’s Hawk was seen perched in a tree above a bird feeder in a backyard along Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

A Great Horned Owl was seen along Linley Road in Nanaimo.

Thursday March 17:

The first Rufous Hummingbird of the season is visiting a feeder along Fawcett Road in Cedar.

Tree and Violet-green Swallows, a Barn Swallow, Gadwall and a Northern Harrier were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

A Rufous Hummingbird is visiting feeders along Sandpiper Place in Nanaimo.

Wednesday March 16:
Eight Trumpeter Swans and thirty Canada Geese were spotted flying north over the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 15:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach and Parksville Bay. A West Coast Winter Storm greeted us for the morning. The surf was up and strong winds and heavy rain were with us all morning. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of one Bonaparte's Gull at the start of the walk. Hundreds of gulls, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters were seen further off shore heading down the Strait of Georgia. We spotted three Eurasian Collared Doves perched in a tree along Admiral Tryon Blvd. Thousands upon thousands of Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoter,
Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye and Brant formed a massive moving raft offshore from the hovercraft landing pad at Parksville Beach.

"A NATURAL PHENOMENON!!"

Five very wet birders saw and heard the following forty-one species of birds.
Canada Geese, Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye,
Red-breasted Merganser, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin,
Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull,
Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and House Finch.

Sunday March 13:
Rufous Hummingbirds are visiting feeders near Wembley Road and Yellow brick Road in Parksville.

Two Great Horned Owls were seen at Yellow Point Park in Cedar.
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday March 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
Guest Speaker-Bill Merilees will speak on Mega Herbs of Sub-Antarctic.
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, April 14, 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 March 22, 2011 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park 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 main parking lot at Rathtrevor Provincial Park. at about 9:15A.M.
Please note there is a parking fee.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, March 27, 2011 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive 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@...
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com


Big Day for the Brant – 2011 Birding Competition

For the 18th year a Big Day competition will be held to crown the teams that can see the most species of birds in one day.
WHERE: Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC.
WHEN: Saturday April 9, 2011 from 4:30am to 3:00pm.
WHO: Teams of 3 to 5 in both Green and Motorized Categories. Novice, Intermediate, Experienced & young birders all welcomed.
PRIZES: Awards Presentations immediately following at Deez Bar & Grill, Qualicum Beach.
COST: $10 cash per person at the door.
HOW: TO REGISTER, contact RHYS HARRISON rhysharrison@shaw.ca or (250) 248-5305 with team names, category & experience level.
PROCEEDS: To the BRANT WILDLIFE FESTIVAL.
DETAILS: Instructions, Map, Checklist & Suggested Hotspots will be emailed to Team Members on registration.
EXTRAS:
Space may be limited so register early.
Singles & Couples are encouraged to enter and will be helped to form a team.
Several special prize categories have been added this year.

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,March 15, 2011



Top Photo--Winter Storm Watch birders: Marie Sprandel Photo.
Bottom Photo--Brant in flight: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach and Parksville Bay. A West Coast Winter Storm greeted us for the morning. The surf was up and strong winds and heavy rain were with us all morning. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of one Bonaparte's Gull at the start of the walk. Hundreds of gulls, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters were seen further off shore heading down the Strait of Georgia. We spotted three Eurasian Collared Doves perched in a tree along Admiral Tryon Blvd. Thousands upon thousands of Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoter,
Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye and Brant formed a massive moving raft offshore from the hovercraft landing pad at Parksville Beach.
"A NATURAL PHENOMENON!!"

Five very wet birders saw and heard the following forty-one species of birds.
Canada Goose
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 13 March 2011

Nanaimo bird report, March 13, 2011


Rufous Hummingbird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

"GO BIRDING—EXPLORE NATURE"

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

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

Sunday March 13, 2011:
Due to the weather, the Sunday bird walk to the Nanaimo River Estuary was postponed until March 20th.

Saturday March 12:
A Rufous Hummingbird was spotted near Dover Bay and Dickinson Road in north Nanaimo.


Friday March 11:
Hundreds of Long-tailed Ducks, Greater Scaup, Surf, Black and White-winged Scoters were in a raft not far from shore at Columbia Beach. There were thousands of gulls along the shoreline at Columbia Beach. The annual Herring Spawn has begun!

About thousand Brant were seen lifting from the tideline and then settling down again off Johnstone Road near French Creek.

A Rufous Hummingbird was visiting feeders in the College Heights area of Nanaimo.

Thursday March 10:
Two Barred Owls were calling from a tree top at the Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 08:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary near Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy with a brisk wind and a bit of sun throughout the morning.
Gulls flew overhead all morning. We saw over four hundred Brant Geese near shore at the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones were also along the shoreline. Red-throated Loons, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes were further offshore. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was perched along the Little Qualicum River at the estuary on a tall snag giving us great looks. A large raft of Surf Scoters, Black Scoters, White-winged Scoters and Greater Scaup were seen near the gravel bar.

Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds.
Canada Goose, Brant, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon,
Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup,
Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot,
Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling and Red-winged Blackbird.

An American Kestrel was seen along the Yellowpoint Road near the Crow & Gate Pub in Cedar.

An American Pipit was spotted at Morrell Circle and Nanaimo Lane near Morrell Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

Friday March 04:
A small flock of Red Crossbills were spotted flying above the houses along the 800 block of Harewood Mines Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 02:
Four Red Crossbills were seen in the trees at the junction of the Island Highway and Harewood Mines Road.
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday March 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
Guest Speaker-Bill Merilees will speak on Mega Herbs of Sub-Antarctic.
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, April 14, 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 March 15, 2011 will be going to Columbia 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 parking area along Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:20A.M. (Turn off Highway 19a at Columbia Drive on the Oceanside of the highway go to Admiral Tryon Blvd. Turn right go about 100 yards and turn left into the parking area.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, March 20, 2011 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at 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@...
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com


Big Day for The Brant – 2011 Birding Competition

For the 18th year a Big Day competition will be held to crown the teams that can see the most species of birds in one day.
WHERE: Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC.
WHEN: Saturday April 9, 2011 from 4:30am to 3:00pm.
WHO: Teams of 3 to 5 in both Green and Motorized Categories. Novice, Intermediate, Experienced & young birders all welcomed.
PRIZES: Awards Presentations immediately following at Deez Bar & Grill, Qualicum Beach.
COST: $10 cash per person at the door.
HOW: TO REGISTER, contact RHYS HARRISON rhysharrison@shaw.ca or (250) 248-5305 with team names, category & experience level.
PROCEEDS: To the BRANT WILDLIFE FESTIVAL.
DETAILS: Instructions, Map, Checklist & Suggested Hotspots will be emailed to Team Members on registration.
EXTRAS:
Space may be limited so register early.
Singles & Couples are encouraged to enter and will be helped to form a team.
Several special prize categories have been added this year.

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,March 08, 2011


White-winged Scoter: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary near Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy with a brisk wind and a bit of sun throughout the morning.
Gulls flew overhead all morning. We saw over four hundred Brant Geese near shore at the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones were also along the shoreline. Red-throated Loons, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes were further offshore. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was perched along the Little Qualicum River at the estuary on a tall snag giving us great looks. A large raft of Surf Scoters, Black Scoters, White-winged Scoters and Greater Scaup were seen near the gravel bar.

Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds.
Canada Goose
Brant
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
European Starling
Red-winged Blackbird

Good birding!
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 6 March 2011

Nanaimo bird report, March 06, 2011


Hooded Merganser: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

"GO BIRDING—EXPLORE NATURE"

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

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

Sunday March 06, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and cool, with light rain. The sun did come out for part of the morning. The bird songs of spring highlighted the morning---the Marsh Wrens, Song Sparrows, Bushtits, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Anna's Hummingbirds American Robins, Varied Thrush, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Goldfinch and Chestnut-backed Chickadees were singing throughout the morning.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following thirty-eight species of birds: Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Bufflehead, American Wigeon, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Anna's Hummingbird, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch and House Sparrows

Saturday March 04:
Seven Evening Grosbeaks were seen in a tall maple tree along Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 01:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.
The morning was cool and cloudy, but the rain held off. We were fortunate enough to see a large flock of Evening Grosbeak high in the trees near the parking area. As well, there was a Northern Shrike spotted sitting atop a tree in the meadow area.
Special thanks to John for leading the walk and to Rhonda for the tally.
Ten birders identified the following forty-four species of birds: Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Long-tailed Duck, Common Murre, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Shrike, Glaucous-winged Gull, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Mew Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, North-western Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, Stellar Jay,
Song Sparrow and House Finch.

A possible female Western Tanager was seen on sun-deck rail this morning and later seen in a Dogwood tree across the parking lot at the west end of Dingwall Street area in Duncan.

Sunday February 27:
A pair of Golden-crowned Sparrows were seen visiting feeders along Meridian Way in Parksville.

An American Kestrel was spotted on hydro lines and a White Albino Raven was perched in a tree along Headquarters Road just north of Bridges crossroad near Oyster River.

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Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, March 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
Guest Speaker Ron Tanasichuk, will be sharing results from the Neptune Project: "The Biology of Herring & Salmon Population Fluctuations in Southern BC".
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Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting
Monday March 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 March 08, 2011 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary. 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 viewing platform near Garrett Road and highway 19a at about 9:20A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, March 13, 2011 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at end of Raines Road at about 9: 30 A.M.
Remember that the clocks spring ahead an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday Morning!
*******************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins

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


Big Day for The Brant – 2011 Birding Competition

For the 18th year a Big Day competition will be held to crown the teams that can see the most species of birds in one day.
WHERE: Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC.
WHEN: Saturday April 9, 2011 from 4:30am to 3:00pm.
WHO: Teams of 3 to 5 in both Green and Motorized Categories. Novice, Intermediate, Experienced & young birders all welcomed.
PRIZES: Awards Presentations immediately following at Deez Bar & Grill, Qualicum Beach.
COST: $10 cash per person at the door.
HOW: TO REGISTER, contact RHYS HARRISON rhysharrison@shaw.ca or (250) 248-5305 with team names, category & experience level.
PROCEEDS: To the BRANT WILDLIFE FESTIVAL.
DETAILS: Instructions, Map, Checklist & Suggested Hotspots will be emailed to Team Members on registration.
EXTRAS:
Space may be limited so register early.
Singles & Couples are encouraged to enter and will be helped to form a team.
Several special prize categories have been added this year.

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,March 01, 2011


Red-breasted Merganser: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

The morning was cool and cloudy, but the rain held off. We were fortunate enough to see a large flock of Evening Grosbeak high in the trees near the parking area. As well, there was a Northern Shrike spotted sitting atop a tree in the meadow area.
Special thanks to John for leading the walk and to Rhonda for the tally.

Ten birders identified the following forty-four species of birds:
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Long-tailed Duck
Common Murre
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Northern Shrike
Glaucous-winged Gull
Thayer's Gull
California Gull
Mew Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northewestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Evening Grosbeak
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Dark-eyed Junco
Spotted Towheee
Red-winged Blackbird
Stellar Jay
Song Sparrow
House Finch