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 2016

Parkville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, march 29, 2016

he Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly cloudy with calm winds. We watched in fascination as a Hairy Woodpecker went into a hole in the tree near the trail and started excavating the hole for it’s nest.  Two Downy Woodpeckers were tapping trees nearby.  We had good looks at a Swainson's Hawk flying overhead---an unusual sighting for this area. For the first time this season, we heard and then saw several Orange-crowned Warblers feeding near the trail.  Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were along the trail for most of the morning.  A Band-tailed Pigeon was perched in a tree over the trail--another first of the season bird.
                                                   Rufous Hummingbird: Len Bettam Photo.

Twenty-one birders including a visiting birder from Edmonton saw and heard the following Sixty species:
Canada Goose
Brant
American Widgeon
Eurasian Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
White-crowned Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Northern Shrike
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
American Coot
California Quail
Band-tailed Pigeon
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Steller’s Jay
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Anna’s Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Bushtit
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow
 
                                              Orange-crowned Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk on April 05, 2016 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the Lions Club Kids Playground parking area at 9:00 a.m. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:10 a.m. 

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville 

www.thebirdstore.blogspot.co

Sunday 27 March 2016

Nanaimo bird report, March 27, 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.
********************************************************************

Sunday, March 27, 2016: 
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with a strong wind off the Strait of Georgia, however midway through the walk the clouds dissipated and we finished off with the sun shining brightly.  Highlights included seen a large flock of Barrow’s Goldeneye and one Lesser Scaup near the shore. Over seventy Thayer’s Gulls and two Bonaparte’s Gulls were among the many gull species we saw during the morning. Two Ruby-crowned Kinglets were spotted feeding next to the trail giving us excellent views.
 

Greater Scaup: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Nine birders saw and heard the following thirty-eight species:
Canada Geese
Mallard
  Bufflehead
Surf Scoter
Lesser Scaup
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Harlequin Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-neck Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Black Oystercatcher
Bald Eagle
Bonaparte’s Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
Northwestern Crow
European Starling
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Anna’s Hummingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Bushtit
Pacific Wren
Bewick's Wren
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Pine Siskin

Tuesday, March 22:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Somass Estuary in Port Alberni. The morning was partly cloudy with calm winds and a few light showers. We saw a large number of Yellow-rumped Warblers singing and hawking insects throughout the morning. Song Sparrows were belting out their song and were very plentiful. A great number of Marsh Wrens perched and entertain us on the walk. Greater White-fronted Geese and Canada Geese were feeding in the fields. Bald Eagles along with Red-tailed Hawks circled high overhead.
 
                                                  Greater White-fronted Geese: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

Twenty-seven birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species:
Canada Geese
Greater White-fronted Geese
Gadwall
American Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Bufflehead
Green-wing Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-neck Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
American Coot
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Virginia Rail
Mew Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick’s Wren
Marsh Wren
Pacific Wren
Bushtit
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Purple Finch
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin   

 

                                                  Marsh Wren: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

********************************************************************
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 March 29, will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the Lions Club Kids Playground parking area at 9:00 a.m. ,or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of highway 19a at about 9:10 a.m.
 
************************************************************************************

The Sunday bird walk on April 03, 2016 will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the main parking lot near the lawn bowling green at Bowen Park off Bowen Road at about 9:20 a.m. 

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

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

 

 

Tuesday 22 March 2016

Parksville/Qualicum beach Tuesday bird walk, March 22, 2016

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Somass Estuary in Port Alberni. The morning was partly cloudy with calm winds and a few light showers. We saw a large number of Yellow-rumped Warblers singing and hawking insects throughout the morning. Song Sparrows were belting out their song and were very plentiful. A great number of Marsh Wrens perched and entertain us on the walk. Greater White-fronted Geese and Canada Geese were feeding in the fields. Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks circled high overhead.
 
                                                    Yellow-rumped Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Twenty-seven birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species:
Canada Geese
Greater White-fronted Geese
Gadwall
American Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Bufflehead
Green-wing Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-neck Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
American Coot
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Virginia Rail
Mew Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick’s Wren
Marsh Wren
Pacific Wren
Bushtit
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Purple Finch
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

 
                                                   Marsh Wren: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk on March 29, will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the Lions Club Kids Playground parking area at 9:00 a.m. Or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of highway 19a at about 9:10 a.m. 

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville 

thebirdstore.blogspot.com
         thebackyard@shaw

Sunday 20 March 2016

Nanaimo bird report, March 20, 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.
********************************************************************
Sunday, March 20, 2016: 
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy but warm and the winds were calm.  We saw four Western Meadowlarks perched in a short bush not far from the trail.  Tree Swallows and Violet-green Swallows were hawking insects overhead all morning.  A Northern Shrike was perched on a short bush and we watched as it flew out for prey several times and returned to it’s perch. 
Western Meadowlark: Ralph Hocken Photo.
 
Twenty-six birders including visiting birders from Langley and Oliver saw and heard the following thirty-eight species:
Canada Geese
American Widgeon
Gadwall
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Bufflehead
Green-wing Teal
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Doubled-crested Cormorant
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Northern Shrike
Glaucous-winged Gull
Greater Yellowlegs
Killdeer
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
American Robin
Western Meadowlark
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Purple Finch
House Finch  

  Thursday, March 15:
Red Crossbills were spotted in the Stephenson Point area of Nanaimo. 

We have received several reports of Rufous Hummingbirds returning in Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay and Parksville. 

Wednesday, March 14:
More than twelve Red Crossbills were seen visiting a backyard in the Cedar area. 

Tuesday, March 13:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Brant viewing platform in Qualicum Beach and the Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery. The morning was mostly sunny with a few clouds and the winds were calm.  Black Turnstones, Black-bellied Plovers, Black Oystercatchers, Brant Geese, Bonaparte's Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and a Western Gull were plentiful on the gravel bars offshore from the viewing platform. Two American Dipper’s were seen just off the road, near the parking lot at the fish hatchery, singing and catching fish.  Further along the trail we saw and heard Red-breasted Sapsuckers tapping on the top of the hydro poles. There were large flocks of Violet-green Swallows and Tree Swallows flying high overhead, hawking insects.
                                                    American Dipper: Ralph Hocken Photo.
 
Twenty-two birders saw and heard the following fifty-three species:
Trumpeter Swan
Canada Goose
Brant
American Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Mew Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Black Turnstones
Black-bellied Plover
  Black Oystercatcher
American Dipper
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco  

                                                   Violet-green Swallow: Ralph Hocken Photo.
********************************************************************
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 March 22, will be going to Port Alberni, Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lion’s Kids Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area in Port Alberni near the river (follow highway 4 into Port Alberni until you come to the tee intersection.  Turn left and then right onto the parking area along the water) We will meet there about 10:00 a.m.

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

The Sunday bird walk on March 27, 2016 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Neck Point Park off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:15 a.m.


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

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.co

Tuesday 15 March 2016

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, March 15, 2016

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Brant viewing platform in Qualicum Beach and the Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery. The morning was mostly sunny with a few clouds and the winds were calm.  Black Turnstones, Black-bellied Plovers, Black Oystercatchers, Brant Geese, Bonaparte's Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and a Western Gull were plentiful on the gravel bars offshore from the viewing platform. Two American Dipper’s were seen just off the road, near the parking lot at the fish hatchery, singing and catching fish.  Further along the trail we saw and heard Red-breasted Sapsuckers tapping on the top of the hydro poles. There were large flocks of Violet-green Swallows and Tree Swallows flying high overhead, hawking insects.

American Dipper: Len Bettam Photo. 

Twenty-two birders saw and heard the following fifty-three species:
Trumpeter Swan
Canada Goose
 Brant
 American Widgeon
 Mallard
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
 Surf Scoter
 White-winged Scoter
 Bufflehead
 Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
 Common Merganser
 Red-breasted Merganser
 Pacific Loon
Common Loon
 Horned Grebe
 Red-necked Grebe
 Common Murre
 Pigeon Guillemot
Belted Kingfisher
 Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
 Mew Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
 California Gull
 Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
 Glaucous-winged Gull
Black Turnstones
Black-bellied Plover
  Black Oystercatcher
American Dipper
 Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
 Northwestern Crow
 Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
 Red-breasted Nuthatch
 Brown Creeper
 Pacific Wren
 Bewick’s Wren
 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
 American Robin
European Starling
 Spotted Towhee
 Song Sparrow
 Dark-eyed Junco

                                                    Violet-green Swallow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk on March 22, will be going to Port Alberni, Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lion’s Kids Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area in Port Alberni near the river ( follow highway 4 into Port Alberni until you come to the tee intersection, turn left and then right onto the parking area along the water) we will meet about 10:00 a.m.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville 

thebirdstore.blogspot.com

        thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday 13 March 2016

Nanaimo bird report, march 13, 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.
********************************************************************
Sunday, March 13, 2016: 
The Sunday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Beach Park in Parksville. We were greeted with very strong winds and rain showers that continued for the morning. We spotted ten Brant Geese fly low over the high whitecaps and circle back to calmer waters. We had a close encounter with a large flock of Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Golden-crowned Kinglets feeding on the short bushes near the trail. They entertained us royalty and close up.
 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

Four enthusiastic (but wet!) birders saw and heard   the following twenty-two species:
Canada Geese
Brant
 Mallard
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bald Eagle
Mew Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
 Anna’s Hummingbird
 Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
 Golden-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

Friday, March 11:
Two Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen near the Brookwood Pond in north Nanaimo.

Several reports of Rufous Hummingbird have been seen in Parksville. 

Thursday, March 10: 
Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen in a backyard in Ladysmith. 

Tuesday, March 08:  
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy with strong (surf up) winds off the Strait of Georgia. Large numbers of Brant Geese, Long-tailed Ducks, Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones and Black Oystercatchers were seen from the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. Gadwall, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Eurasian Wigeon, large numbers of   Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, and Black Scoters were seen from the estuary. A Cooper’s Hawk was perched on a short snag. One Turkey Vulture and five Trumpeter Swans were seen on the way to the bird walk.

Twenty-four birders including visiting birders from Stratford, Winnipeg, Lac La Biche, Calgary and Seattle saw and heard the following fifty-five Species:
Brant
Canada Geese
Mallard
Gadwall
Bufflehead
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Greater Scaup
Northern Pintail
American Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon
  Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Horned Grebe
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Mew Gull
California Gull
Western Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Eurasian-collared Dove
California Quail
Anna’s Hummingbird
Common Raven
Northwestern Crow
American Robin
Northern Flicker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
European Starling
Red-winged Blackbird
Spotted Towhee
House Finch
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Sparrow 
Black-bellied Plover and Black Turnstone: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

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

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 March 15, 2016 will be going to the Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery north of Qualicum Beach. Meet at the Lions Club Kids playground parking lot at Parksville Bay at 9:00 a.m. or at the Brant viewing platform in north Qualicum Beach at about 9:15 a.m.
*************************************************************************************
The Sunday bird walk on March 20, 2016 will be going to the Nanaimo river estuary in south Nanaimo. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the end of Raines Road at about 9:30 a.m.
*************************************************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins

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

 

Thursday 10 March 2016

Rufous

 

We had our first of the season Rufous Hummingbird at the feeder at 7:25 a.m. this morning.

                                                      Rufous Hummingbird    Photo by Ralph Hocken.

Cheers
Neil Robins
Parksville

Tuesday 8 March 2016

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, March 08, 2016

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy with strong

(surf up) winds off the Strait of Georgia. Large numbers of Brant Geese, Long-tailed Ducks, Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones and Black Oystercatchers were seen from the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. Gadwall, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Eurasian Wigeon, large numbers of   Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, and Black Scoters were seen from the estuary. A Cooper’s Hawk was perched on a short snag. One Turkey Vulture and five Trumpeter Swans were seen on the way to the bird walk.


Brant: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Twenty-four birders including visiting birders from Stratford, Winnipeg, Lac La Biche, Calgary and Seattle saw and heard the following fifty-five Species:
Brant
Canada Geese
 Mallard
Gadwall
Bufflehead
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Greater Scaup
Northern Pintail
American Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon
  Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Horned Grebe
Common Merganser
 Red-breasted Merganser
 Pacific Loon
 Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
 Mew Gull
California Gull
Western Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Herring Gull
 Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Eurasian-collared Dove
California Quail
Anna’s Hummingbird
 Common Raven
 Northwestern Crow
American Robin
Northern Flicker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
European Starling
Red-winged Blackbird
 Spotted Towhee
House Finch
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Sparrow
 

                                         Black-bellied Plover and Black Turnstone: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk on March 15, 2016 will be going to the Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery north of Qualicum Beach. Meet at the Lions Club Kids playground parking lot at 9:00 a.m. or at the Brant viewing platform in north Qualicum Beach at about 9:15 a.m.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Sunday 6 March 2016

Nanaimo bird report, March 06, 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.

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

Sunday, March 06, 2016: 
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point in Nanaimo. The morning had a little bit of everything—it was cloudy with strong winds with heavy rain at times, lighter rain other times, and even a bit of sunshine with calm winds at times. We saw six Yellow-rumped Warblers feeding high up in the trees during the morning. Brandt Cormorants, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemots and Marbled Murrelets were seen on the Strait of Georgia. Five Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water heading up the Strait. 
 


                                                               Yellow-rumped Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Twenty-two birders saw and hear the following forty-seven species:
Trumpeter Swans
Canada Geese
Brant Geese
Great Blue Heron
Mallard
Bufflehead
Surf Scoter
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
  Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Horned Grebe
Red-neck Grebe
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Brandt Cormorant
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Black Oystercatcher
Mew Gull
California Gull
Western Gull
  Glaucous-winged Gull 
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
  Common Raven
  Northwestern Crow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
  Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
  Bewick's Wren
  Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
  Anna's Hummingbird
  American Robin
    Varied Thrush
European Starling
  Spotted Towhee
  Song Sparrow
Purple Finch
  Dark-eyed Junco

Tuesday, March 01: 
The Tuesday bird walk went to Little Qualicum River Estuary.  The morning saw heavy rain, which made for a short stay at the Brant viewing station, before heading indoors for coffee. Then a very quick, wet visit to the estuary had quite a few Great Blue Herons hunched over waiting the storm out, and there was also one lone Snow Goose amongst the Canada Geese.

 

                                                               Great-blue Heron: Ralph Hocken Photo.

5 enthusiastic birders, including visitors from Edmonton and Seattle fleetingly saw 26 birds.  
Canada Goose
Snow Goose
Brant
American Wigeon
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Dunlin
Black Oystercatcher
Mew Gull
Western Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northwestern Crow
European Starling
Red-winged Blackbird
White-crowned Sparrow
House Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco 

Good Birding,
Rhonda Fleming
Parksville

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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 March 08 will see a return trip to the Little Qualicum River Estuary.  Meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lions Club Kids Playground Parking lot at 9:00 a.m. or at the Brant viewing platform in north Qualicum Beach at about 9:15 a.m.

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The Sunday bird walk on March 13, 2016 will be going to Rathtrevor Beach Park in Parksville. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at main parking lot at Rathtrevor at about 9:30 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