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 25 February 2014

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, February 25, 2014

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny with cloudy periods and the Strait of Georgia like a glass mirror.  Heavy snow covered the trails but the morning made for a pleasant walk. There were hundreds of Dunlin, a large number of Black-bellied Plovers and fifty Brant near the low tide line. We spotted four Red Crossbills singing from top a conifer tree. Long-tailed Ducks, Pacific Loons and five Common Murre were spotted further offshore.
 
                                                                 Red Crossbill: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Two birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species:
Brant
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Common Murre
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Bewick’s Wren
American Robin
Eurasian Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red Crossbill 

The Tuesday bird walk on March 04, 2014 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. 

The Sunday bird walk on March 02, 2014 will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. 
 
                                                      Dunlin and Black-bellied Plovers: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Monday 24 February 2014

Nanaimo bird report, February 24, 2014

 

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT " EXPLORE NATURE---GO BIRDING" 

To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or 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. 

Sunday, February 23, 2014:
The Sunday bird walk was cancelled due to the snowy weather.  

Tuesday, February 18:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was windy with rain showers all morning.  A very large flock of Black Turnstones were bathing along the gravel bar off the viewing platform.  Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes were further offshore. Greater Scaup, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters and   Black Scoters formed a huge flock near the gravel bar at the mouth of the river.  California Gulls,Thayer's Gulls, a Herring Gull and Glaucous-winged Gulls were roosting in the fresh water of the river as it entered the ocean.                                                                                                                                                                                    
Seven dedicated birders saw and heard the following forty-five Species:
Brant, Canada Goose, Mallard, American Wigeon, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Common 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 Turnstone, Mew Gull, California Gull, Western Gull, Thayer's Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer’s Blackbird and Red-winged Blackbird.

***********************************************************************************
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 25, 2014 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 9:00 am or at the main parking lot in Rathtrevor Park at about 9:10 am.

****************************************************************************

The Sunday Bird Walk on March 02, 2014 will be going to Bowen park. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the parking lot near the lawn bowing green at Bowen Park at about 9:20 a.m.

****************************************************************************  

British Columbia rare bird alert link---
 http://www.bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/  

****************************************************************************

WildResearch link---
Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip Announced – May 11, 2014 
WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's 2014 Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip will run on Sunday May 11, 2014! Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs. 

******************************************************************************

West coast environment link--

*******************************************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins

Tuesday 18 February 2014

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, February 18, 2014

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was windy with rain showers all morning. A very large flock of Black Turnstones were bathing along the gravel bar off the viewing platform. Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes were further offshore. Greater Scaup, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters and  lack Scoters formed a huge flock near the gravel bar at the mouth of the river. California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls, a Herring Gull and Glaucous-winged Gulls were roosting in the fresh water of the river.  
                                                       
                                                                      Black Scoter: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Seven birders saw and heard the following forty-five Species:
Brant
Canada Goose
Mallard
American Widgeon
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common 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 Turnstone
Mew Gull
California Gull
Western Gull
Thayer's Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer’s Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird  

The Tuesday bird walk on February 25, 2014 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.                              

Good birding!
Neil Robins
Parksville

Sunday 16 February 2014

Nanaimo bird report, February 16, 2014

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

" EXPLORE NATURE---GO BIRDING" 

To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or 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. 

Sunday, February 16, 2014:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy with calm winds but quite cool. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of Palm Warbler along McFeely Drive on the bushes in the Marshall Stevenson Conservation area, not far from the houses. The Northern Mockingbird was in the same area.  We watched the Mockingbird fly across McFeely Drive and into the shrubs.
Twenty-three birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species:
Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Greater 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, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, California Gull, Western Gull, Thayer's Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Ring-necked Pheasant, California Quail, Anna’s Hummingbird, Palm Warbler,  Golden-crowned Kinglet, Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, European Starling, Northern Mockingbird, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and House Sparrow.
 
                                                  Northern Mockingbird: John Purves Photo.

 Thursday, February 13
A Townsend’s Solitaire was spotted along Marina Drive, near the mud flats, on the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. 

 Tuesday, February 11:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning started out clear and cool and then turned very windy with rough seas near the end of the walk. Many flocks of Brant, Surf Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks were heading down the Strait of Georgia. Three Black-bellied Plovers, two Killdeer, a Greater Yellowlegs and a Eurasian Widgeon were near the gravel bar.  A large flock of American Robins, White-crowned Sparrows and Chestnut-backed Chickadees entertained us just off the road.
Eight birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species:
Canada Goose, Brant, Eurasian Widgeon, American Widgeon, Mallard, 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, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Common Murre, Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstone, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Eurasian-collared Dove, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and House Sparrow.

 

A Red-throated Loon was spotted at the Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.

 

Monday, February 10: 
“Rare bird alert-King Eider”
An immature King Eider was spotted in with a flock of Black Scoters off shore from the “A” frame house at the end of Surfside Drive in Qualicum Beach. 

“Rare bird alert-Northern Mockingbird”
A Northern Mockingbird was seen along Surfside Drive and McFeely Drive in Qualicum Beach.

 

                                                    ***********************************************************************************

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 18, 2014 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.  Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 9:00 am or at the viewing platform off highway 19a in north Qualicum Beach at about 9:20 am.
****************************************************************************

The Sunday Bird Walk on February 23, 2014 will be going to Nanoose Bay. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the beach behind the Church Camp (off Highway 19 and Arlington Road) at about 9:20 a.m.
****************************************************************************  
British Columbia rare bird alert link---
 http://www.bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/  
**************************************************************************** 

WildResearch link---

Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip Announced – May 11, 2014 
WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's 2014 Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip will run on Sunday May 11, 2014! Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs.
****************************************************************************** 

West coast environment link--

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

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

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, February 11, 2014

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning started out clear and cool and then turned very windy with rough seas near the end of the walk. Many flocks of Brant, Surf Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks were heading down the Strait of Georgia. Three Black-bellied Plovers, two Killdeer, a Greater Yellowlegs and a Eurasian Widgeon were near the gravel bar.  A large flock of American Robins, White-crowned Sparrows and Chestnut-backed Chickadees entertained us just off the road.
                                                Greater Yellowlegs: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

Eight birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Eurasian Widgeon
American Widgeon
Mallard
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
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Common Murre
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Black Turnstone
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
European Starling
Eurasian-collared Dove
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
House Sparrow 

The Tuesday bird walk on February 18, 2014 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. 

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

"Rare Birds at Qualicum Beach, February 10, 2014

“Rare bird alert-King Eider”

An immature King Eider was spotted in with a flock of Surf Scoters off shore from the “A” frame house at the end of Surfside Drive in Qualicum Beach.
 
King Eider: John Purves Photo.
 
 
“Rare bird alert-Northern Mockingbird”

A Northern Mockingbird was seen along Surfside Drive and McFeely in Qualicum Beach.
 
Northern Mockingbird: John Purves Photo.

Sunday 9 February 2014

Nanaimo bird report, February 09, 2014

 

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT" EXPLORE NATURE---GO BIRDING" 

To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or 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. 

Sunday, February 09, 2014:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with calm winds and quite cool. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of a Lincoln’s Sparrow in with a flock of Spotted Towhees, Song Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and Golden-crowned Sparrows moving along the berm ahead of us.
 

                                                  Lincoln’s Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

Seventeen birders saw and heard the following twenty-seven species:
Trumpeter Swan, American Widgeon, Eurasian Widgeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Gadwall, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch and Red-winged Blackbird.  

“Rare bird alert-Northern Mockingbird”
A Northern Mockingbird was seen along Surfside Drive and McFeely in Qualicum Beach.  

“Rare bird alert-King Eider”
An immature King Eider was spotted in with a flock of Surf Scoters off shore from the “A” frame house at the end of Surfside Drive in Qualicum Beach. 

 Friday, February 07:
Band-tailed Pigeons were spotted at the end of Douglas and Seventh Street in Nanaimo. 

 Thursday, February 06:
A Northern Saw-whet Owl was heard at Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

 Tuesday, February 04:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was very chilly with a cold wind blowing and the waters of the Strait of Georgia were rough. We were rewarded with the sighting of an Eurasian Teal feeding in the mudflats. The Eurasian Teal breeds in northern Asia and Europe and winters in southern Asia and Africa and is seldom seen in this area. The mud flats were covered with Northern Pintail, Green-wing Teal, American Widgeon, Bufflehead, Mallards feeding along side the one Eurasian Teal. A large flock of Red-breasted Mergansers, a Western Grebe, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Common Murre, Pacific Loons and Greater Scaup were seen on the Strait of Georgia. Several Flocks of Dunlin and Brant flew down the Strait.                             
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-six species:
Canada Geese, Brant, American Widgeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Teal, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Brandt’s Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.                  

 A Western Meadowlark was checking out a backyard at Nicole Street and Needham Street in Nanaimo.         `

 Monday, February 03:
One Yellow-billed Loon was seen off shore from Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. 

 Hundreds and hundreds of Common Murre and Pacific Loons were seen off shore seen from the “A” frame house at the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.

***********************************************************************************
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 11, 2014 will be going to Columbia Beach.  Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 9:00 am or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Bld. at about 9:20 am.

****************************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 16, 2014 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am at the viewing platform off highway 19a in north Qualicum Beach at about 9:30 a.m.

****************************************************************************  
British Columbia rare bird alert link---
http://www.bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/  

****************************************************************************

WildResearch link---
http://www.wildresearch.ca/

Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip Announced – May 11, 2014
WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's 2014 Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip will run on Sunday May 11, 2014! Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs.

******************************************************************************

 

West coast environment link--

http://coastaltarsands.ca/w1/videos/

 

*******************************************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins 

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

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, February 04, 2014

e Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was very chilly with a cold wind blowing and the waters of the Strait of Georgia were rough. We were rewarded with the sighting of an Eurasian Teal feeding in the mudflats. The Eurasian Teal breeds in northern Asia and Europe and winters in southern Asia and Africa and is seldom seen in this area. The mud flats were covered with Northern Pintail, Green-wing Teal, American Widgeon, Bufflehead, Mallards feeding along side the one Eurasian Teal. A large flock of Red-breasted Mergansers, a Western Grebe, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Common Murre, Pacific Loons and Greater Scaup were seen on the Strait of Georgia. Several Flocks of Dunlin and Brant flew down the Strait.

                                      Eurasian(Common) Teal: John Purves Photo 

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-six species:
Canada Geese
Brant
American Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Eurasian Teal
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Greater Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe
Western grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Brandt’s Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Dunlin
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Belted Kingfisher
Anna’s Hummingbird
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

 
Eurasian Teal left-Green-winged Teal-right. Female Northern Pintail front.                               




 Range of the Eurasian Teal

 

The Tuesday bird walk on February 11, 2014 will be going to Columbia Beach. 

Good Birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Sunday 2 February 2014

Nanaimo bird report, February 02, 2014


NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
" EXPLORE NATURE---GO BIRDING"


To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at 


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, February 02, 2014:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with calm winds. A flock of over forty Surfbirds and eight Pelagic Cormorants were spotted feeding along the rocky area just off shore. Large rafts of Pacific Loons were seen further off shore. Two Black Oystercatchers flew into the rocks off shore. 


Surfbird:: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Bufflehead, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Oystercatcher, Surfbirds, Pigeon Guillemot, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Thayer’s  Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Anna’s Hummingbird, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, European Starling, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow and   Dark-eyed Junco. 

Three Black-bellied Plovers were seen at Piper’s Lagoon in Nanaimo. 

Wednesday, January 29:
”Rare bird alert-Hooded Oriole, Dickcissel”
The Oriole and the Dickcissel have been seen in Port McNeill for several weeks at a backyard hummingbird feeder.  

Hooded Oriole:  Lynnea Parker Photo. 

Dickcissel : Lynnea Parker Photo. 

 Tuesday, January 28:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park.  The morning was very calm, but we still had some fog on the water.  Several flocks of Brant were seen off shore.  A few Western Grebes were spotted in the foggy haze, as well as 4 Trumpeter Swans along the shoreline of the resort hotels.  The forest birds were keeping themselves well hidden this morning.
Ten birders identified the following 41 species:
     

                       


                                                           Bushtit: Ralph Hocken Photo 

Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Wing-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrows Goldeneye, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant,
Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,
Common Murre, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Bushtit ,Brown Creeper and Pacific Wren.

 

A Western Meadowlark and a Northern Shrike were seen at the Nanoose Estuary in Nanoose Bay.

 

******************************************************************************

 

Check the Christmas Bird Count website” … to look up CBC results—both current and historical.

 


 

***********************************************************************************


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 04, 2014 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.  Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 9:00 am or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:10 am.
****************************************************************************

The Sunday Bird Walk on February 09, 2014 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south  Nanaimo.  Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the end of Raines Road at about 9:30 am.
****************************************************************************
  

British Columbia rare bird alert link---
 http://www.bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/  
****************************************************************************

WildResearch link---
http://www.wildresearch.ca/

Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip Announced – May 11, 2014

WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's 2014 Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip will run on Sunday May 11, 2014! Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs.


******************************************************************************

West coast environment link--


 

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

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