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 22 November 2016

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with rain showers and a very strong wind blasting off the Strait of Georgia.  We had several good views of Pacific Wrens in the underbrush near the trails throughout the morning.  A Brown Creeper caught our attention as it creped up a conifer tree. We watched Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were feeding close to the ground during the morning.A flock of Surf Scoters, a White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter and a Long-tailed Duck were seen heading down the Strait.  A flock of  Black Turnstones flew low over the stormy water heading towards the shore.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Seven enthusiastic birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species:
Mallard
                                                         Surf Scoter
 White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
 American Widgeon
Long-tailed Duck
 Common Merganser
 Red-breasted Merganser
 Pacific Loon
 Common Loon
 Horned Grebe
 Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
 Brandt's Cormorant
Bald Eagle
 Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
 Glaucous-winged Gull
 Black Turnstone
 Northern Flicker
 Northwestern Crow
 Common Raven
 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
 Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
 Pacific Wren
 Brown Creeper
 Spotted Towhee
 Song Sparrow
  Dark-eyed Junco
 


Golden-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk on November 29, 2016 will be going to Columbia Beach. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club Kids Playground at 9:00 a.m. Or meet at Columbia Beach at about 9:15, a.m. (Turn off highway 19a at Columbia Drive turn right on Admiral Tryon Blvd. go about 100 meters turn left onto the parking area.)  

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

       http://thebirdstore.blogspot.ca/

       thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday 20 November 2016

Nanaimo bird report, November 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-*q
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, November 20, 2016: 

This Sunday’s Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.  The morning was cloudy with very strong winds off the Strait of Georgia.  Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Golden-crowned Kinglets were feeding on trees high above us. The bird of the morning was the sighting of a Rock Wren.  We watched the bird as it hopped on logs, off logs and underneath logs at the water’s edge.  We watched in fascination as three Hump- backed Whales swam down the Strait about 75% of the way to the horizon.  Four Trumpeter Swans were flying above whales, also heading down the Strait. A River Otter was seen on the rocks at the Point.  

Nineteen birders saw and heard the following forty-four species:

Trumpeter Swan 

Canada Geese

American Widgeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Harlequin Duck

White-wing Scoter

Black Scoter

Surf Scoter

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Bufflehead

Red-necked Grebe

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Brandt Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Marbled Murrelet

Common Murre

Belted Kingfisher

Black Oystercatcher

Bald Eagle

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

European Starling

Rock Wren

Pacific Wren

Bewick's Wren

Brown Creeper

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco 



A Mountain Bluebird and two Bald Eagles were seen at Pipers Lagoon by many of the birders after the walk.





Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk

November 15, 2016:

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with calm winds.  A Hutton's Vireo, a Golden-crowned Kinglet and two Ruby-crowned Kinglets played hide and seek with us just off the trail. A Cooper’s Hawk flew over the river just above us giving us quick views. A first of the season Eurasian Widgeon was spotted feeding with a flock of American Widgeon at the shoreline.  A Hooded Merganser, a Greater Scaup and a Northern Shoveler were seen just off shore. We watched a Northern Shrike who was perched in the bushes along the edge of the estuary fly off several times only to return to his perch.

Twenty birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species:

Canada Geese

Brant

American Widgeon

Eurasian Widgeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-wing Teal

Northern Shoveler

Black Scoter

White-wing Scoter

Greater Scaup

Bufflehead

Barrow’s Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Pelagic Cormorant

Brandt’s Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Belted Kingfisher

Black Turnstone

Dunlin

Bald Eagle

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Coopers Hawk

Northern Shrike

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer's Gull

Herring Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna's Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Eurasian-collared Dove

American Robin

Hutton's Vireo

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Pacific Wren

Bewick’s Wren

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

  

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



Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on Sunday & Tuesday. We leave from the Store at 9 a.m. on Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo.  We leave from the Parksville Community Park at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings and go to a different location in the Oceanside area.

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

The Tuesday bird walk on November 22, 2016 will be going to Rathtrevor  Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club Kids Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor Park at about 9:10 a.m.

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

The Sunday bird walk on November 27, 2016 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Buttertubs Marsh off Jingle Pot 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: http://thebirdstore.blogspot.ca/

Tuesday 15 November 2016

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

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with calm winds.A Hutton's Vireo, a Golden-crowned Kinglet and two Ruby-crowned Kinglets played hide and seek with us just off the trail. A Cooper’s Hawk flew over the river just above us giving us quick views. A first of the season Eurasian Widgeon was spotted feeding with a flock of American Widgeon at the shoreline.  A Hooded Merganser, a Greater Scaup and a Northern Shoveler were seen just off shore. We watched a Northern Shrike who was perched in the bushes along the edge of the estuary fly off several times only to return to his perch. 
 

 
                               Eurasian Widgeon: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Twenty birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species:
Canada Geese
Brant
American Widgeon
Eurasian Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-wing Teal
Northern Shoveler
Black Scoter
White-wing Scoter
Greater Scaup
Bufflehead
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Pelagic Cormorant
Brandt’s Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Northern Shrike
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Eurasian-collared Dove
American Robin
Hutton's Vireo
Bushtit
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

 
                                                Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk on November 22, 2016 will be going to Rathtrevor  Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club Kids Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor Park at about 9:10 a.m. 

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville  

       thebackyard@shaw.ca

Monday 14 November 2016

Yellow-billed Loon

Rare Bird Alert---A Yellow-billed Loon was seen from the Brant viewing platform in north Qualicum Beach  at about one p.m. today, November 14, 2016


Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Sunday 13 November 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-*q
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, November 13, 2016: 

This Sunday’s Bird Walk went to Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with light rain showers and the winds were very strong off the Strait of Georgia.  A flock of Dunlin and a very large flock of Green-wing Teal were feeding on the mud flats.  A flock of twenty Brant Geese flew up the strait. Two pairs of Gadwall were seen feeding along the edge of the river. We counted seven Bald Eagles stirring up the ducks and gulls during the morning.  A flock of four Barrow’s Goldeneye flew low over head.



Gadwall: Ralph Hocken Photo.



Thirteen birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:

Brant

 American Widgeon

 Mallard

Gadwall

Greater Scaup

 Northern Pintail

 Green-winged Teal

 Harlequin Duck

Long-tailed Duck

 Surf Scoter

White-wing Scoter

 Bufflehead

Barrow’s Goldeneye

 Common Goldeneye

 Common Merganser

 Red-breasted Merganser

 Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

 Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

 Brandt’s Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

 Bald Eagle

 Cooper’s Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Black-bellied Plover

Dunlin

Mew Gull

California Gull

 Thayer’s Gull

Herring Gull

 Glaucous-winged Gull

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Anna’s Hummingbird

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

 American Robin

  Spotted Towhee

 Golden-crowned Sparrow

 Song Sparrow

 Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

House Finch 



Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk

November 08, 2016:

The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay.  This morning was a mix of weather--cloudy with light rain showers, occasional sunny periods and very strong winds off the Strait of Georgia.  A flock of Snow Geese flew over head going down the Strait.  Four Barrow’s Goldeneye were seen swimming near shore.  A mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers and Dunlin along with one lone Black Turnstone landed on a gravel bar near shore giving us great views.  Large numbers of Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes were seen on the water between the Deep Bay and Denman Island.


Black Scoter: Ralph Hocken Photo.



Seventeen birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species:

Brant
Snow Geese

Canada Geese

American Wigeon

 Mallard,

Greater Scaup

Harlequin Duck

 Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

 Black Scoter

 Long-tailed Duck

 Bufflehead

Barrow’s Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Merganser

 Pacific Loon

 Common Loon

Western Grebe

 Horned Grebe

 Red-necked Grebe

 Brandt's Cormorant

 Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

 Great Blue Heron

 Bald Eagle,

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Killdeer

Black-bellied Plover

Dunlin

Black Turnstone

Bonaparte's Gull

Thayer's Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Mew Gull

California Gull

 Rock Pigeon,

 Eurasian Collared-Dove

 Belted Kingfisher

 Northern Flicker

 Northwestern Crow

 Common Raven

 Chestnut-backed Chickadee

 Golden-crowned Kinglet

 American Robin

 European Starling

Brewer’s Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

 Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

 House Sparrow

              


Dunlin and Black-bellied Plovers: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

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

Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on Sunday & Tuesday. We leave from the Store at 9 a.m. on Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo.  We leave from the Parksville Community Park at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings and go to a different location in the Oceanside area.

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

The Tuesday bird walk on November 15, will be going to the Shelly Road side of the English River Estuary in Parksville.  Meet at the parking lot next to the Lions Club Kids Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of highway 19a at about 9:10 am.

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

The Sunday bird walk on November 20, 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 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: http://thebirdstore.blogspot.ca/

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Parksville/Qualicum beach Tuesday bird walk, November 08, 2016

The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay.  This morning was a mix of weather--cloudy with light rain showers, occasional sunny periods and very strong winds off the Strait of Georgia.  A flock of Snow Geese flew over head going down the Strait.  Four Barrow’s Goldeneye were seen swimming near shore.  A mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers and Dunlin along with one lone Black Turnstone landed on a gravel bar near shore giving us great views.  Large numbers of Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes were seen on the water between the Deep Bay and Denman Island.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species:
Brant
Snow Geese
Canada Geese
American Wigeon
 Mallard,
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
 Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
 Black Scoter
 Long-tailed Duck
 Bufflehead
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
 Pacific Loon
 Common Loon
Western Grebe
 Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe
 Brandt's Cormorant
 Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
 Great Blue Heron
 Bald Eagle,
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Killdeer
Black-bellied Plover
Dunlin
Black Turnstone
Bonaparte's Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
 Rock Pigeon,
 Eurasian Collared-Dove
 Belted Kingfisher
 Northern Flicker
 Northwestern Crow
 Common Raven
 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
 Golden-crowned Kinglet
 American Robin
 European Starling
Brewer’s Blackbird
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
 Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
 House Sparrow                

                                                                                
Dunlin and Black-bellied Plovers: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

The Tuesday birdwalk on November 15, will be going to the Shelly Road side of the English River Estuary in Parksville.  Meet at the parking lot next to the Lions Club Kids Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of highway 19a at about 9:10 am. 

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville 


       thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday 6 November 2016

Nanaimo bird report, November 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, November 06, 2016: 

This Sunday’s Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh Nanaimo. The morning was sunny with cloudy periods and the winds were calm. We had great views of several Ruby-crowned Kinglets showing their bright red crown. Two Lesser Scaup and an American Coot were seen on the marsh along with many Canada Geese and Ring-necked Ducks. A Green Heron was spotted very quickly from the viewing platform. Two Cooper’s Hawks and a Red-tailed Hawk was seen overhead.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-four species:
Trumpeter Swan
Canada Geese
Mallard
American Wigeon
Bufflehead
Pied-billed Grebe
Wood Duck
Hooded Merganser
Ringed-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
American Coot
Great Blue Heron
Glaucous-winged Gull
Virginia Rail
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Eurasian Collared-Dove
California Quail
American Robin
Steller's Jay
Common Raven
Northwestern Crow
Anna’s Hummingbird
Pacific Wren
Marsh Wren
Bewick's Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bushtit
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer’s Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbirds
American Goldfinch
Purple Finch
House Sparrow 

 Fifteen Snow Geese were seen along Holden creek in south Nanaimo.

Saturday, November 05: 
A Short-eared Owl and three Western Meadowlarks were seen at the end of the spit at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo. 

 A Snow Bunting was seen for the last two days at the French Creek Jetty near the gravel spit. 
Snow Bunting: John Purves Photo:

Thursday, November 03:
A Red Phalarope and a flock of Surfbirds were seen at the end of the spit at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo.  
Red Phalarope: Nick Smith Photo:

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk
November 01, 2016:
 The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville.  The morning started out partly cloudy with calm winds but the wind picked up from the Strait of Georgia as the morning went on.  Eight Snow Geese were seen at the Parksville Community Park.  Two thousand Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were seen offshore.  Two large flocks of Greater Scaup were seen flying down the Strait.  Long-tailed Ducks, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, Brandt's Cormorants and Doubled-crested Cormorants were seen on the water all morning.  A large number of  Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were seen feeding along the edge of the forest.  A Hermit Thrush was spotted lowdown in the forest.  We spotted a Palm Warbler pumping its tail constantly and moving quickly at the top of an apple tree near the Nature house.
Long-tailed duck with Surf Scoters: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Seventeen birders, including birders from Newfoundland and Gabriola Island, saw and heard the following fifty species:
Snow Geese
Canada Geese
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck

White-winged Scoter
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Brandt's Cormorant
Doubled-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Black-bellied Plover
Dunlin
Black Turnstone
Bald Eagle
Thayer’s Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Marbled Murrelet
Pigeon Guillemot
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Palm Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Bewick's Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Hermit Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
********************************************************************

Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on Sunday & Tuesday. We leave from the Store at 9 a.m. on Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo.  We leave from the Parksville Community Park at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings and go to a different location in the Oceanside area.

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

The Tuesday bird walk on November 08 will be going to Deep Bay. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club Kids Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at the Deep Bay Marina at about 9:30 a.m.

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

The Sunday bird walk on November 13, 2016 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:30 a.m.
***********************************************************************
     Good birding

       Neil Robins

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