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

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,February 28, 2012





















Golden-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a very cold strong wind coming from the snow capped mountains on the island. The highlight species of the morning included seeing many Golden-crowned Kinglets feeding just off the trail. Small flocks of Long-tailed Ducks, flying close to the water, headed down the Strait of Georgia. There was a Common Goldeneye and Barrow's Goldeneye bobbing on the water not far from shore and we had great looks at them and an opportunity to compare the two species. Several large flocks of Dunlin flew close to the shore.
Thirteen hardy and dedicated birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Gracious-winged Gull
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 26 February 2012

Nanaimo bird report, February 26, 2012




















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 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday February 26: 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and cold with a strong biting wind. The highlight was seeing a Short-eared Owl mobbing a Common Raven.
Ten birders saw and heard the following twenty-one species of birds: Trumpeter swans, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, American Wigeon, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Shrike, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

Saturday, February 25:
A Townsend’s Warbler has been visiting a suet feeder along Joanna Terrace in the Diver’s Lake area of Nanaimo.

Wednesday February 22:
A Northern Saw-whet Owl was heard and seen in the 13000 block of Doole Road in the Yellow Point area near Ladysmith.

Tuesday, February 21:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Harbour Quay and Somass Estuary in Port Alberni. The morning was cloudy with rain throughout the morning. The highlights at the Quay were three Red-throated Loons and a flock of Western Grebes. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of a Yellow-rumped Warbler as we were walking along the water pipeline in the Somass Estuary.
We would like to say special a thanks to Sandy McRuer for inviting and guiding us to this great birding area. It turned out to be a marvelous morning of birding!
Twenty-three birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species.
Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.

Sunday, February 19:
A Rufous Humming is visiting backyard feeders along Lynburn Crescent in the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.

A Northern Shrike was spotted perched on the Hydro Lines along Haslam Road behind the Cassidy Airport south of Nanaimo.

Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, March 08, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
************************************************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting,
Monday March 19, 7:30P.P.M. 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 Birdwalk on February 28, 2012 will go to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville.
We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:10 a.m.
***************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on March 04 will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the main parking area near the Lawn Bowling Green 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Nanaimo Museum Presents: Our Feathered Friends

Why are feathers important to understanding birds? Why do some remain close to home year‐round and others migrate for thousands of kilometers? Answers to these questions are an integral part of Our Feathered Friends, a travelling exhibition from Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature. The exhibition ‘takes flight’ at the Nanaimo Museum, from February 3 to May 21, 2012 and is suitable for all ages.
The exhibition’s display units and graphics provide an introduction to birds and birdwatching. “Visitors’ skill when identifying local birds will be enhanced via the exceptional photography of Ralph Hocken and study specimens loaned from VIU’s Museum of Natural History, “said curator David Hill‐Turner. “Novice birders will find the exhibition and programs very helpful in learning more about the hobby”.
Public Programs offered as part of the exhibition will appeal to various birding interests. They include: a photography contest, Urban Bird tours, birding and nature photography presentations and ecology programs for Elementary School students. (Visit our website for full details, www.nanaimomuseum.ca or contact Aimee Greenaway at 250.753.1821)
Come along to the workshops and demonstrations, try your hand at the oriental art of Origami and even learn to prepare a meal for your favourite backyard bird. Using photos, specimens and video, learn what makes birds special, how they soar and glide and how to identify them. More than 400 species of birds have been identified in BC, more than any other province in Canada.
Whether you are an indoor or outdoor birdwatcher you will find something of interest in this traveling exhibit, Our Feathered Friends at Nanaimo Museum. This exhibition is sponsored by THE BACKYARD Wildbird and Nature Store.

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Nanaimo bird report, February 21, 2012






















Yellow-rumped Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Harbour Quay and Somass Estuary in Port Alberni. The morning was cloudy with rain throughout the morning. The highlights at the Quay were three Red-throated Loons and a flock of Western Grebes. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of a Yellow-rumped Warbler as we were walking along the water pipeline in the Somass Estuary.
We would like to say a special thanks to Sandy McRuer for inviting and guiding us to this great birding area. It turned out to be a marvellous morning of birding!

Twenty-three birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species.
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Horned Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Rock Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 19 February 2012

Nanaimo bird report, February 19, 2012





















Black Oystercatcher: 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 February 19: 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing and hearing several Marsh Wrens. The Song Sparrows sang throughout the morning. There were large flocks of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins feeding on the berry trees. We spotted a Steller’s Jay perched high up in a tree.
Twenty-six birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Bufflehead, American Wigeon, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Bald Eagle, Pied-billed Grebe, Wood Duck, American Coot, Virginia Rail, California Quail, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Anna's Hummingbird, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinch and House Sparrows.

Saturday, February 18:
Ten American Goldfinch, twenty Bushtits and twelve Dark-eyed Juncos are visiting backyard feeders along Meridian Way in Parksville.

Friday, February 17:
A Barred Owl was seen at the Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

Tuesday, February 14:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was sunny with cloudy periods and the wind was calm. The highlights at the viewing platform included seeing eight Black Oystercatchers, four Black-bellied Plovers, one Black Turnstone and a Dunlin fly to the shore just in front of us. We saw Common Murre, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes Red-necked Grebes and a Western Grebe further offshore. We saw and heard many Black Scoters at the estuary as we walked to the River. One hundred and forty Trumpeter Swans along with Mallards, Northern Pintail and Greater Scaup lifted off the water at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River, giving us a spectacular display.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrow.

An American Kestrel was seen at the Nanaimo Airport in south Nanaimo.

A Rufous Hummingbird was seen along Glen Oars Drive in Nanaimo.

Many Common and a few Hoary Redpolls were seen near the swamp near Sunset Bay at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Over one hundred Trumpeter Swans, a Northern Harrier and a Great Horned Owl were seen in a farmer’s field beside the Nanaimo Airport in south Nanaimo.

Monday, February 13:
Two Turkey Vultures were seen circling above Northfield Road near Mostar east of the Parkway in Nanaimo.

Over fifty Common Redpolls were seen at the end of the swamp where the trail makes a corner right by Sunset Bay at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Two Saw-whet Owls and a Barred Owl were seen along Parkway Place at the Englishman River Falls.

********************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting,
Monday February 20, 7:30P.P.M. Springwood School, Parksville.
Guest speaker will be Steve Mitchell of Bee Haven Farms in Duncan. Topic "Apiculture". Visitors welcome. More info at 250-752-7588
*********************************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, March 08, 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.

*****************************************************************************************
TUESDAY BIRD WALK, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 8:00 a.m. and drive up to Port Alberni.
Sandy will meet us at Tim Horton's in Port Alberni at 9:00 a.m.
We plan to go to the Harbour Quay to scan the Alberni inlet for birds and then onto the Somass Estuary for the bird walk. We are all looking forward to going to this new birding spot.
*****************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 26 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area 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
250-390-3669
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Nanaimo Museum Presents: Our Feathered Friends

Why are feathers important to understanding birds? Why do some remain close to home year‐round and others migrate for thousands of kilometers? Answers to these questions are an integral part of Our Feathered Friends, a travelling exhibition from Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature. The exhibition ‘takes flight’ at the Nanaimo Museum, from February 3 to May 21, 2012 and is suitable for all ages.
The exhibition’s display units and graphics provide an introduction to birds and birdwatching. “Visitors’ skill when identifying local birds will be enhanced via the exceptional photography of Ralph Hocken and study specimens loaned from VIU’s Museum of Natural History, “said curator David Hill‐Turner. “Novice birders will find the exhibition and programs very helpful in learning more about the hobby”.
Public Programs offered as part of the exhibition will appeal to various birding interests. They include: a photography contest, Urban Bird tours, birding and nature photography presentations and ecology programs for Elementary School students. (Visit our website for full details, www.nanaimomuseum.ca or contact Aimee Greenaway at 250.753.1821)
Come along to the workshops and demonstrations, try your hand at the oriental art of Origami and even learn to prepare a meal for your favourite backyard bird. Using photos, specimens and video, learn what makes birds special, how they soar and glide and how to identify them. More than 400 species of birds have been identified in BC, more than any other province in Canada.
Whether you are an indoor or outdoor birdwatcher you will find something of interest in this traveling exhibit, Our Feathered Friends at Nanaimo Museum. This exhibition is sponsored by THE BACKYARD Wildbird and Nature Store.

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,February 14, 2012





















Black Scoter: Ralph Hocken.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was sunny with cloudy periods and the wind was calm. The highlights at the viewing platform included seeing eight Black Oystercatchers, four Black-bellied Plovers, one Black Turnstone and a Dunlin fly to the shore just in front of us. We saw Common Murre, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes Red-necked Grebes and a Western Grebe further offshore. We saw and heard many Black Scoters at the estuary as we walked to the River. One hundred and forty Trumpeter Swans along with Mallards, Northern Pintail and Greater Scaup lifted off the water at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River, giving us a spectacular display.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
House Sparrow

************************************************************************************
TUESDAY BIRD WALK, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area at 8:00 a.m. and drive up to Port Alberni.
Sandy will meet us at Tim Horton's in Port Alberni at 9:00 a.m.

We plan to go to the Harbour Quay to scan the Alberni inlet for birds and then onto the Somass Estuary for the bird walk. This will be a new birding spot for us---very exciting!

If you would like, we could all go for lunch in Port Alberni before heading home.


Cheers
Neil
*************************************************************************************

Sunday 12 February 2012

Nanaimo bird report, February 12, 2012






















Common Redpoll: Peter Coxon 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 February 12: 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with misty rain and a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia. The strong winds pushed us into the forest area where we were rewarded with the sighting of a mixed flock of at least sixty Common and Hoary Redpolls. We watched in fascination for fifteen minutes as the Redpolls fed in the low growing Ocean Spray next to the trail. We were able to see at least five Hoary Redpolls in with the sixty odd Common Redpolls. They made it well worth braving the miserable morning!
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species of birds: Bufflehead, Harlequin Duck, Common Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Common Redpolls and Hoary Redpolls.

A female Ann’s Humming was spotted gathering nesting material near a feeder in the 11000 block of Pilon Road in Ladysmith .

Saturday, February 11:
Several Evening Grosbeaks, a Townsend’s Warbler and a Cooper’s Hawk are visiting a backyard near Ballenas Road and Cedar Road in the San Pariel area of Parksville.

Friday, February 10:
Forty Bald Eagles, ten Harlequin Ducks, five Long-tailed Ducks, a great number of Common Murre & Marbled Murrelets and hundreds of Sea Lions were seen off the point of Beachcomber Peninsula, looking towards Mistaken Island.

Wednesday, February 08:
A Townsend’s Warbler and a Red Breasted Sapsucker were visiting a backyard along Doehle Avenue in Parksville.

Tuesday, February 07:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary on the Shelly Road side. The morning was foggy with calm winds. The highlights included seeing a "white-tailed" Chestnut-backed Chickadee. We watched a Northern Harrier fly low in and out of the fog over the estuary. We spotted four Golden-crowned Kinglets feeding low in the bushes next to the trail.
Seventeen birders in the fog saw and heard the following thirty-three species:
Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser , Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Killdeer, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker , Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and Evening Grosbeak.

Five American Coots and one male Common Merganser were seen near the marina in Port Alberni.

A Rough-legged Hawk, a Red-tailed Hawk and a Northern Shrike were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Sunday, February 06:
Ten Evening Grosbeaks were seen at the end of Doehle Avenue in Parksville.

A Cooper’s Hawk was seen visiting feeders behind the Parksville Fire Hall.

Saturday, February 05:
A Townsend’s Warbler was spotted in the San Pariel area of Parksville.
********************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting,
Monday February 20, 7:30P.P.M. Springwood School, Parksville.
Guest speaker will be Steve Mitchell of Bee Haven Farms in Duncan. Topic "Apiculture". Visitors welcome. More info at 250-752-7588

Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, March 08, 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 February 14, 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 viewing platform off Highway 19a near Garrett Road at about 9:20 A.M.
******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 19 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area 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
250-390-3669
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Nanaimo Museum Presents: Our Feathered Friends

Why are feathers important to understanding birds? Why do some remain close to home year‐round and others migrate for thousands of kilometers? Answers to these questions are an integral part of Our Feathered Friends, a travelling exhibition from Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature. The exhibition ‘takes flight’ at the Nanaimo Museum, from February 3 to May 21, 2012 and is suitable for all ages.
The exhibition’s display units and graphics provide an introduction to birds and birdwatching. “Visitors’ skill when identifying local birds will be enhanced via the exceptional photography of Ralph Hocken and study specimens loaned from VIU’s Museum of Natural History, “said curator David Hill‐Turner. “Novice birders will find the exhibition and programs very helpful in learning more about the hobby”.
Public Programs offered as part of the exhibition will appeal to various birding interests. They include: a photography contest, Urban Bird tours, birding and nature photography presentations and ecology programs for Elementary School students. (Visit our website for full details, www.nanaimomuseum.ca or contact Aimee Greenaway at 250.753.1821)
Come along to the workshops and demonstrations, try your hand at the oriental art of Origami and even learn to prepare a meal for your favourite backyard bird. Using photos, specimens and video, learn what makes birds special, how they soar and glide and how to identify them. More than 400 species of birds have been identified in BC, more than any other province in Canada.
Whether you are an indoor or outdoor birdwatcher you will find something of interest in this traveling exhibit, Our Feathered Friends at Nanaimo Museum. This exhibition is sponsored by THE BACKYARD Wildbird and Nature Store

Wednesday 8 February 2012

TUESDAY BIRD WALK, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Hi everyone,

I have confirmed with Sandy the details of the bird walk to Port Alberni on February 21.

We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playgound parking area at 8:00 a.m. and drive up to Port Alberni. We can arrange to car pool at the bird walk on Tuesday, February 14th. Sandy will meet us at Tim Hortons in Port Alberni at 9:00 a.m.

We plan to go to the Harbour Quay to scan the Alberni inlet for birds and then onto the Somass Estuary for the bird walk. This will be a new birding spot for us---very exciting!

If you would like, we could all go for lunch in Port Alberni before heading home.


Cheers
Neil

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Nanaimo bird report, February 07, 2012




















Golden-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary on the Shelly Road side. The morning was foggy with calm winds. The highlights included seeing a "white-tailed" Chestnut-backed Chickadee. We watched a Northern Harrier fly low in and out of the fog over the estuary . We spotted four Golden-crowned Kinglets feeding low in the bushes next to the trail.
Seventeen birders in the fog saw and heard the following thirty-three species:
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Killdeer
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Evening Grosbeak

Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 5 February 2012

Nanaimo bird report, February 05, 2012





















Northern Shrike: 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 February 05: 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with calm winds. We spotted a flock of Evening Grosbeaks high up in the trees near the trail at the start and again at the end of the walk.

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species of birds: Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck , Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Eurasian-collared Dove, California Quail, Downy Woodpecker , Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin and House Finch.
Friday, February 04:
Twelve Evening Grosbeaks were spotted off Renz Road in Parksville.
Wednesday, February 01:
An estimated 100, 000 Common Murre and many thousands of Pacific Loons and Long-tailed Ducks and lesser numbers of Ancient and Marbled Murrelets and perhaps 25,000 gulls were seen off the shore near the mouth of the Little Qualicum River north of Qualicum Beach.
Tuesday, January 31:
A special thanks to John Purves for leading this week’s walk!
The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was rain free with a cool breeze off the Strait of Georgia. Among the highlights of the morning was great looks at a Northern Shrike.
Fourteen birders including visiting birders from Australia and Chicago, Illinois saw and heard the following forty-three species: Brant , American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck , Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser,Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Belted Kingfisher , Northern Flicker, Northern Shrike, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Pine Siskin.
Saturday, January 28:
A flock of Cedar Waxwings were seen in a backyard along Dawkins Lane in the Westwood area of Nanaimo.
Friday, January 27:
Seven Western Meadowlarks, one Northern Harrier, twelve Bald Eagles and a pair of Hooded Mergansers were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.
Saturday, January 21:
Several Varied Thrush were spotted at The Origins subdivision off highway 19A in north Nanaimo.
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Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, February 09, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
Guest Speaker--Stan Orchard, “Bullfrogs – The Scourge of the Island”. Visitors and new members most welcome. nanoosenaturalists.org
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Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting,
Monday February 27, 7:00P.P.M.
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.
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The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 07, 2011 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the English 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 9:10 A.M.
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The Sunday Bird Walk on February 12 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at Neck Point, off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20 A.M.
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Good birding
Neil Robins
THE BACKYARD Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250-390-3669
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Nanaimo Museum Presents: Our Feathered Friends

Why are feathers important to understanding birds? Why do some remain close to home year‐round and others migrate for thousands of kilometers? Answers to these questions are an integral part of Our Feathered Friends, a travelling exhibition from Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature. The exhibition ‘takes flight’ at the Nanaimo Museum, from February 3 to May 21, 2012 and is suitable for all ages.
The exhibition’s display units and graphics provide an introduction to birds and birdwatching. “Visitors’ skill when identifying local birds will be enhanced via the exceptional photography of Ralph Hocken and study specimens loaned from VIU’s Museum of Natural History, “said curator David Hill‐Turner. “Novice birders will find the exhibition and programs very helpful in learning more about the hobby”.
Public Programmes offered as part of the exhibition will appeal to various birding interests. They include: a photography contest, Urban Bird tours, birding and nature photography presentations and ecology programs for Elementary School students. (Visit our website for full details, www.nanaimomuseum.ca or contact Aimee Greenaway at 250.753.1821)
Come along to the workshops and demonstrations, try your hand at the oriental art of Origami and even learn to prepare a meal for your favourite backyard bird. Using photos, specimens and video, learn what makes birds special, how they soar and glide and how to identify them. More than 400 species of birds have been identified in BC, more than any other province in Canada.
Whether you are an indoor or outdoor birdwatcher you will find something of interest in this traveling exhibit, Our Feathered Friends at Nanaimo Museum. This exhibition is sponsored by THE BACKYARD Wildbird and Nature Store.

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669
Fax: 250-390-1633
Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Friday 3 February 2012

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,February 07 2012




















Summer Tanager; John Purves Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk on February 07, 2012 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or the end of Shelly Road(on the oceanside of highway 19a) at about 9:10 A.M.