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 by 8am the day of the walk.

Sunday 14 February 2016

Nanaimo bird report, February 14, 2016

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.

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Sunday, February 14, 2016 

The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with calm winds. Eight male Common Mergansers were seen along the river at the start of the walk. Two Bald Eagles were talking loudly from their nest across the river. Brant, Common Murre, Common Loons, Pacific Loons and Long-tail Ducks were resting on the Strait of Georgia. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched on a log in the meadows.
 
                                                                Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Nine birders saw and hear the following fifty species.
Canada Geese
Brant
American Wigeon
Common Goldeneye
Gadwall
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Surf Scoter
Horne Grebe
Red-neck Grebe
Long-tailed Duck
White-wing Scoter
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Common Murre
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Sharp-shined Hawk
Northern Shrike
Black Turnstone
California Quail
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
European Starling
Anna's Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Steller’s Jay
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin   

Friday, February 12.
A Peregrine Falcon was seen at the corner of Campbell and Shelby Street in Nanaimo.  

Tuesday, February 09.
 The Tuesday morning bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was draped in heavy fog making for a challenging time looking for birds. Two singing Belted Kingfishers were seen racing up the river calling all the time. We saw a Merlin flying high up near the top of the conifers. Several Anna's Hummingbirds were seen perched just off the trail through out the walk, giving us great views.  There were large numbers of Dark-eyed Juncos moving in and out of the underbrush along the trail. 
   
                                                                  Anna’s Hummingbird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Twenty birders including visiting birders from Winnipeg, Langley and Seattle saw and heard the following thirty-seven species:
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Steller’s Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow 

                                                    Dark-eyed Junco: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

Monday, February 08. 
A Turkey Vulture was seen near Enos Lake in Nanoose Bay. 

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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. on 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 16,2016 will be going to Columbia Beach.  Meet at the Parksville Community Park near the Lions Club Kids Playground Parking Lot at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area along Admiral Tryon Bld. (off Columbia Drive) at about 9:15 a.m. 

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The Sunday bird walk on February 21, 2016 will be going to Nanoose Bay. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the beach near the church camp off highway 19 and Arlington Road at about 9:15 a.m. 

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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.co

 

 

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