The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store

Tuesday bird walk, January 31, 2012

2012-01-24T14:57:00.000-08:00

Black Oystercatcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

************************************************************
The Tuesday bird walk will be going to Columbia Beach on January 31.
We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:20 A.M.
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Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,January 24, 2012

2012-01-24T14:55:00.000-08:00

Black Turnstone: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was raining with very strong winds off the Straight of Georgia. We spotted a Golden-crowned Kinglet feeding down low just off the trail. Over one hundred Brant were just off shore, along with a dozen Black-bellied Plovers and about fifty Black Turnstones.
Six very dedicated birders saw and heard the following record low twelve species of birds:
Brant
Mallard
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Raven
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

************************************************************
The Tuesday bird walk will be going to Columbia Beach on January 31.
We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:20 A.M.
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Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

TUESDAY BIRD WALK, JANUARY 24, AND JANUARY 31, 2012

2012-01-23T17:47:00.000-08:00

The Tuesday bird walk on January 24 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville!

The Tuesday bird walk on January 31 will be going to Columbia Beach!

Light coloured Canada Geese at Deep Bay

2012-01-18T15:40:00.000-08:00

Light coloured Canada Geese: John Purves Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning was cold with snow flurries and a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing a Cackling Goose in with a flock of mostly Richardson's Race and Common Canada Geese. Three of the Canada Geese were very unusual. They were light coloured with a dusting of white on their brown necks and heads, rather than the usual black heads and necks.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,January 17, 2012

2012-01-17T16:52:00.000-08:00

Long-tailed Ducks: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning was cold with snow flurries and a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing a Cackling Goose in with a flock of mostly Richardson's Race and Common Canada Geese. Three of the Canada Geese were very unusual. They were light coloured with a dusting of white on their brown necks and heads, rather than the usual black heads and necks. We saw a flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin resting on the snow near the shore. The big sighting of the morning was twenty-eight Long-tailed Ducks in the water not twenty feet from the point giving us all great views of this special duck.
Eight cold and snow blown birders including two visiting birders from Australia saw and heard the following forty-three species.
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
Mallard
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian-collared Dove
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Pacific Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, January 15, 2012

2012-01-16T15:36:00.000-08:00

Lincoln’s Sparrow: 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 January 15, 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. The morning was sunny and calm but quite cool. The highlights included seeing four Red Crossbills perched on top of a bush close to us. A Red-tailed Hawk was perched on a tall tree giving us great looks. We spotted a Lincoln’s Sparrow near the trail.
Eleven birders saw and heard the following thirty-nine species:
Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Greater Scaup, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Killdeer, Mew Gull, Thayer’s gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red Crossbills, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and Red-winged Blackbird.

Saturday January 14:
Two Townsend’s Warblers are visiting suet feeders in the Divers Lake area of Nanaimo.

Friday January 13:
A pair of Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders in the 2100 block of Boxwood Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday January 10:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was clear and sunny with a strong wind off the Strait of Georgia. The surf was up and pounding into the shore. The highlights included seeing Black-bellied Plovers, Black Oystercatchers, Sanderling’s and a small flock of Dunlin near the shore at the viewing platform. Throughout the morning, further offshore, thousands of Common Murre were heading up the Strait. We counted one hundred and thirty Trumpeter Swans at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River. A large raft of Greater Scaup was not far from shore.
Twenty birders including two visiting birders from Australia saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull,
Common Murre, Belted Kingfisher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird and House Finch.

“Rare bird alert –Summer Tanager “
A Summer Tanager is still being seen in the Columbia Beach area.

A Common Redpoll was spotted in with a flock of Pine Siskins and an American Goldfinch by the Oak Trees on the Dyke at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Monday January 09:
A Townsend’s Warbler is visiting feeders along Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

Thursday January 05:
A small flock of Ring-necked Ducks were seen on the marsh at the end of Harwood Road in Nanaimo.

Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm.
Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.

*********************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, February, 09, 2012 at 7:00 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 will be going to Deep Bay on January 17.
We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or the Marine Harbour at Deep Bay at about 9:35 A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday bird walk on January 22 walk will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or 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, BC V9T 2L8
250-390-3669
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

“VIU Science and Technology Spring Lecture Series”

As part of the VIU Science and Technology Spring Lecture Series, I have invited Derek Matthews of the Vancouver Avian Research Centre to present some of the interesting bird monitoring they’ve been conducting. The lecture will take place on Wednesday, February 1, 19:00. The details are available at the links below. These lectures are open to everyone.

Derek Matthews, February 1: http://web.viu.ca/simmsw/Lecture2012/4.Matthews/4.%20Matthews.pdf

Lecture series website: http://web.viu.ca/simmsw/ (includes whole schedule, directions and campus map)

Thanks ahead.
Cheers, Eric

Eric Demers, Ph.D., R.P.Bio.
Biology Department
Vancouver Island University
Building 359, Room 207
Phone: (250) 753-3245 local 2033

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,January 10, 2012

2012-01-10T16:36:00.000-08:00

Brant, Black-bellied Plovers Black Turnstones and Dunlin: John Purves Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was clear and sunny with a strong wind off the Strait of Georgia. The surf was up and pounding into the shore. The highlights included seeing Black-bellied Plovers, Black Oystercatchers, Sanderlings and a small flock of Dunlin near the shore at the viewing platform. Throughout the morning, further offshore, thousands of Common Murre were heading up the Strait. We counted one hundred and thirty Trumpeter Swans at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River. A large raft of Greater Scaup were not far from shore.
Twenty birders including two visiting birders from Australia saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous Gull
Common Murre
Belted Kingfisher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Spotted Towhee
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Bird Report Update Tuesday Jan 10:

2012-01-10T14:54:00.000-08:00

SUMMER TANAGER was reported up at Columbia Beach area on Monday & Tuesday.
COMMON REDPOLL was seen in with PINE SISKINS and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH at Buttertubs Marsh by the oaks on the dyke.
Good birding!

Nanaimo bird report, January 08, 2012

2012-01-08T19:05:00.000-08:00

White-winged Scoter: 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 January 08, 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with a wind. The big highlight of the morning was the sighting of a dark phased Rough-legged Hawk. We watched the hawk for the most part of the morning as it perched and hunted in the estuary. We were able to compare the Rough-legged Hawk with a Northern Harrier as they both flew over the estuary.
Fifteen birders including a visiting birder from Australia saw and heard the following twenty-eight species:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Shrike, Glaucous-winged Gull, Mew Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, , American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Fox Sparrow and Golden-crowned Sparrow.

Saturday January 07:
A juvenile Bald Eagle was spotted flying over Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

A Cooper’s Hawk, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, a Merlin and a Red-tailed Hawk were seen on the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

A Tundra Swan and a Mute Swan were seen at Deep Bay.

Friday January 06:
Two Northern Flickers, one Northern Shrike, Pine Siskins, House Finch, Purple Finch, Spotted Towhees, Dark-eyed Juncos, European Starlings and American Robins are visiting backyard feeders along Farquhar Street in Nanaimo.

Thursday January 05:
A Bald Eagle, a Red-tail Hawk and three Anna's Hummingbirds were seen at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Tuesday January 03:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. It was a blustery morning with clouds, rain and a strong wind. The surf was rolling off the Strait of Georgia all morning. Our highlights included seeing two Long-tailed Ducks flying right at us and then disappearing in the waves not far from shore. Pacific Loons and Common Murre were spotted flying further offshore. We spotted several Black Oystercatchers, one Greater Yellowlegs, over twenty Black Turnstones, two Sanderling, Mew Gulls, one Herring Gull, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and six Brant on the gravel bar at Pebble Beach. As we were returning to our cars, we watched as twelve White-crowned Sparrows and one House Finch bathed in a puddle of water on the side of the road.

Eight very wet and windblown birders, including two visiting birders from New Zealand and one visiting birder from Australia, saw the following thirty-five species:
Brant, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant,
Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and House Finch.

Monday January 02:
Eleven California Quail were seen on a front lawn feeding below the bird feeders in the 2300 block of Brackenwood Place in Nanaimo.

A Townsend’s Warbler is visiting feeders along Lantzville Road in Lantzville.

Ten Black Turnstones, two hundred Brant Geese and two Bald Eagles were seen at Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.

Sunday January 01:
A Herring Gull, A Long-tailed Duck, A Thayer’s Gull and a Rhinoceros Auklet were seen off Neck Point in Nanaimo.

****************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, January, 12, 2012 at 7:00 pm.
Annual General Meeting and Members Night.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm.
Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 will be going to The Little Qualicum River Estuary on January 10.
We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at viewing platform near Highway 19a and Garrett Road at about 9:15 A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday bird walk on January 15 walk will be going to Nanoose Bay.
We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or near the beach behind the Church camp off Arlington Road and Highway 19 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,January 03, 2012

2012-01-03T16:39:00.000-08:00

Long-tailed Duck: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. It was a blustery morning with clouds, rain and a strong wind. The surf was rolling off the Strait of Georgia all morning. Our highlights included seeing two Long-tailed Ducks flying right at us and then disappearing in the waves not far from shore. Pacific Loons and Common Murres were spotted flying further offshore. We spotted several Black Oystercatchers, one Greater Yellowlegs, over twenty Black Turnstones, two Sanderling, Mew Gulls, one Herring Gull, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and six Brant on the gravel bar at Pebble Beach. As we were returning to our cars, we watched as twelve White-crowned Sparrows and one House Finch bathed in a puddle of water on the side of the road.
Eight very wet and wind blown birders, including two visiting birders from New Zealand and one visiting birder from Australia, saw the following thirty-five species:
Brant
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Black Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian-collared Dove
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 31, 2011

2011-12-31T18:21:00.000-08:00

Snowy Owl: 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

“HAPPY NEW YEAR”

From all of us at the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store

Denise, Colin, Tyler, Lexi, Ralph, Natalie, Ryan, Neil and Marilynne

Friday December 30:
A Snowy Owl was spotted flying across 10th Street and the Island Highway in south Nanaimo.

Wednesday December 28:
Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count preliminary results:

Nanaimo's annual Christmas Bird Count was held on December 28, 2011. The preliminary results revealed a total of 115 species.
The weather was nice in the morning (despite the monsoon the night before) but took a turn for the worse at around 1300hrs. Average temperatures were from 6-12ºC. To date we have had 26 people in the field return their results as well as 1 backyard feeder count.
Highlights were a Rough-legged Hawk at the Nanaimo River Estuary and a Northern Saw-whet Owl and a Northern-pygmy Owl.
There were an unheard of 31 Virginia Rail counted.
Thank you everyone who participated in the count this year. I look forward to next years count which i believe will be held on Sunday, December 30th 2012, so mark your Mayan calendars!

Good birding,
Ryan Cathers
Compiler, Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count, 2011/2012
Nanaimo,BC
http://ryancathers.zenfolio.com/

Wednesday December 28:
Three Northern Flickers, four Spotted Towhees, fifteen Pine Siskins, six Evening Grosbeaks, four Red-winged Blackbirds, three Anna’s Hummingbirds, European Starlings, Dark-eyed Juncos and two Steller’s Jays were seen in a backyard along Michigan Way in Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 27:
A Northern Shrike was spotted in a backyard on Valley Oak Drive in Nanaimo.

Friday December 23:
One American Dipper and eight Common Mergansers were seen at the lower lake at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.
****************************************************

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
January, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************

Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.

*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 will be going to Columbia Beach on January 03.
We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Bld. at Columbia Beach.
**************************************************************
The Sunday bird on January 08 walk 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 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 bird report, December 27, 2011

2011-12-27T19:31:00.000-08:00

Red-necked Grebe: 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

“HAPPY NEW YEAR”
From all of us at the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Denise, Colin, Tyler, Lexi, Ralph, Natalie, Ryan, Neil and Marilynne

Wednesday December 21:
A Snowy Owl has been sighted at Pauline Haarer School in downtown Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 20:
The Tuesday bird walk went the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly sunny with a strong biting wind that calmed down as the morning progressed, turning into a really great birding day to finish off 2011. The highlights included seeing a male Northern Harrier in his finest colors fly over the estuary and then circle over the forest close to us. We spotted a Downy Woodpecker perched in a tall tree not far from the trail. A pair of Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water, not far from shore, heading up the Strait of Georgia. We were treated with a spectacular sight of thousands of Common Murre and hundreds of Pacific Loons riding the waves on the Strait
Ten birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species:
Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, California Quail, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird and House Finch.

Saturday December 17:
A Clay-colored Sparrow was seen the Carmanah Point Light Station on the west side of Vancouver Island.

****************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
January, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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.

************************************************************
There will be no Tuesday Birdwalk on December 27. We will resume on January 3, 2012 and will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area of Admiral Tryon Bld. At Columbia Beach.
**************************************************************
There will no Sunday Birdwalk on December 25 or January 1, 2012.
We will resume on Sunday, January 08, 2012 and 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 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 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,December 20, 2011

2011-12-20T16:54:00.000-08:00

Trumpeter Swans: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly sunny with a strong biting wind that calmed down as the morning progressed, turning into a really great birding day to finish off 2011. The highlights included seeing a male Northern Harrier in his finest colors fly over the estuary and then circle over the forest close to us. We spotted a Downy Woodpecker perched in a tall tree not far from the trail. A pair of Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water, not far from shore, heading up the Strait of Georgia. We were treated with a spectacular sight of thousands of Common Murre and hundreds of Pacific Loons riding the waves on the Strait.
Ten birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Ancient Murrelet
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 18, 2011

2011-12-19T10:22:00.000-08:00

Harlequin Duck: 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

*********************************************
“MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR”
From all of us at the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Denise, Colin, Ralph, Natalie, Ryan, Neil and Marilynne
*******************************************

Sunday December 18, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was partly sunny with a strong biting winds off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing several Common Redpolls in with a flock of Pine Siskins high up in an Alder Tree. A Spotted Sandpiper was busy pumping it’s tail on driftwood away from the rough seas next to Sunset Beach.
Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species:
Mallard, Bufflehead, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Common Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, Horned Grebe, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwest Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Anna's Hummingbird, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Song Sparrow, Common Redpoll and Pine Siskin.

Saturday December 17:
A Snowy Owl was observed as it was being harassed by a flock of Northwestern Crows at the Parksville Community Park in Parksville. (Please use caution and keep well away from the owls if you see them, as they are young ones who have left their homes on the arctic tundra in search of food and may well be weak and starving.)

Friday December 16:
A Northern Goshawk was seen in a large Dogwood tree near the intersection of Kennedy and Albert Street in south Nanaimo. It was seen feeding on something in the tree and there was a band noticed on one leg. Please let us know if you see this bird.

Wednesday December 14:
A Northern Goshawk was seen in a large Dogwood tree near the intersection of Kennedy and Albert Street in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 13:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two juvenile Glaucous Gulls, a Herring Gull, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and a Eurasian Wigeon from near the viewing platform. A Northern Harrier flew low across the estuary three times searching for prey and a Peregrine Falcon was perched in a tall conifer tree not far from us. A colourful male Purple Finch landed in a bush next to the trail and gave us great views.
Ten birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:
Canada Geese, Brant, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser,
Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Mew Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit,, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

A small flock of Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Beaconsfield Road and Howard Avenue in Nanaimo.

Two Evening Grosbeaks were seen near Forest Crescent and Highway 19 in Nanaimo.

****************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
January, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 December 20th will be going to the Plummer 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 at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive in Parksville (on the one ocean side of highway19a) at about 9:10 A.M.

There will be no Tuesday Birdwalk on December 27. We will resume on January 3, 2012 and will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area of Admiral Tyron Bld.
**************************************************************
There will no Sunday Birdwalk on December 25 or January 1, 2012.
We will resume on Sunday, January 08, 2012 and 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 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 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,December 11, 2011

2011-12-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

Glaucous Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two juvenile Glaucous Gulls, a Herring Gull, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and a Eurasian Wigeon from near the viewing platform. A Northern Harrier flew low across the estuary three times searching for prey and a Peregrine Falcon was perched in a tall conifer tree not far from us. A colourful male Purple Finch landed in a bush next to the trail and gave us great views.
Ten birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Peregrine Falcon
Mew Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick's Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 11, 2010

2011-12-11T18:56:00.000-08:00

Anna's 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 December 11, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was partly sunny and cool with misty rain. The highlights included seeing a Cooper’s Hawk that flew over the water and landed in a tall Oak tree giving us good looks. A male Anna’s Hummingbird flew next to the trail right in front of us and we watched as he gleaned insects for a few minutes---a great close sighting!
Eleven birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Mallard, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Ducks, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Hooded Mergansers, Glaucous-winged Gull, Great Blue Heron, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Marsh Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow

Saturday December 10:
A Cassin’s Vireo was seen at a pond in a backyard along Ventura Drive in Nanaimo.

Friday December 09:
Evening Grosbeaks were seen visiting feeders in a backyard along Doumont Road in Nanaimo.

Two Barred Owls were seen in a backyard in the Hospital area of Nanaimo.

White-Throated Sparrows and Townsend’s Warblers are visiting a backyard along Granite Park Road in Nanaimo.

Thursday December 08:
A Northern Saw-Whet Owl was seen at the corner of Little Ford Road and Fairview Drive in Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 06:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with fog over the calm water on the Strait of Georgia.
The highlights included seeing a large mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin on a gravel bar just off shore. We spotted one Common Murre further offshore. Five Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water. The find of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Solitaire high up in a conifer tree.

Nine birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Canada Geese, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch.

Saturday December 03:
A Snowy owl was seen at the top of Mount Benson.
******************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Monday, December 12 at 5:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Annual Christmas Potluck Supper.
Guest Speaker: Anne Sifon, a falconer will talk about and demonstrate Eddie-the Bald Eagle.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 December 13 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 at the end of Shelly Road (on the one ocean side of highway19a) at about 9:10 A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 18 will be going Neck Point in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the Neck Point Park parking area off Hammond Bay 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

FreePublicLecture Sponsored by the Nanaimo Historical Society

“North to the South Pole”
December 14th marks the centennial of Roald Amundsen’s arrival at Earth’s South Geographic Pole, man’s first ‘undisputed’ attainment of either pole.
To mark this incredible achievement, Bill Merilees, (former field biologist with the Australian Antarctic Research Program and Antarctic cruise ship lecturer) will chronicle this remarkable story with a slide illustrated lecture. Some of the illustrations to be used come from Amundsen’s expedition.
December 14th, 2011 – 7:00 p.m. at Beban Park

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

“NANAIMO CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

”NANOOSE BAY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Friday December 16, 2011Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

”PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Sunday December 18, 2011 Contact Sandra Gray at 250-248-5565 email her at: saninerr@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,December 06, 2011

2011-12-06T15:53:00.000-08:00

Dunlin and Black-bellied Plovers: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincal Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with fog over the calm water on the Strait Of Georgia. The highlights included seeing a large mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin on a gravel bar just off shore. We spotted one Common Murre further offshore. Five Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water. The find of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Solitaire high up in a conifer tree.
Nine birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Townsend's Solitaire
Varied Thrush
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 04, 2011, 2011

2011-12-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

Belted Kingfisher: 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 December 04, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-six species:Canada Goose, Brant Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Killdeer, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Eurasian Collared-dove, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Saturday December 03:
A Chipping Sparrow was seen in the 2700 block of Neyland Road in Nanaimo.

Friday December 02:
Thirty Pine Siskins were seen flying over Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo.

Thursday December 01:
Over 300 Pine Siskins were seen in the Springwood area of Parksville.

Sunday November 27:
A Northern Goshawk was spotted flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Monday November 28:
A Snowy Owl has been sighted at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday, November 29:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning started out cloudy and calm, but soon turned cold and rainy with strong biting winds off the Strait of Georgia. Long-tailed Ducks are the highlight of our trip up to Deep Bay every year and we were not disappointed this year. We were treated with the sighting of four male and three female Long-tailed Ducks just offshore at the point. We saw several Varied Thrush on the Arbutus Trees near the parking area. We watched as two Pigeon Guillemot played hide and seek with us in the waves. Following the bird walk, Bob took us on an interesting tour of the Nile Creek Fish Hatchery.
Sixteen wet but determined birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and House Finch.
******************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Monday, December 12 at 5:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Annual Christmas Potluck Supper.
Guest Speaker: Anne Sifon, a falconer will talk about and demonstrate Eddie-the Bald Eagle.
********************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, December 26 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 December 06 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor Provincial Park, at about 9:10 A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 11 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at Buttertubs Marsh 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 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011. Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

”NANOOSE BAY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Friday December 16, 2011Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

”PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Sunday December 18, 2011 Contact Sandra Gray at 250-248-5565 or email her at: sanierr@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 29,2011

2011-11-29T17:02:00.000-08:00

Long-tailed Duck: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning started out cloudy and calm, but soon turned cold and rainy with strong biting winds off the Strait of Georgia. Long-tailed Ducks are the highlight of our trip up to Deep Bay every year and we were not disappointed this year. We were treated with the sighting of four male and three female Long-tailed Ducks just offshore at the point. We saw several Varied Thrush on the Arbutus Trees near the parking area. We watched as two Pigeon Guillemot played hide and seek with us in the waves. Following the bird walk, Bob took us on an interesting tour of the Nile Creek Fish Hatchery.
Sixteen wet but determined birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian-collared Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, November 28, 2011

2011-11-28T19:19:00.000-08:00

Summer Tanager:

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

Monday November 28, 2011:
Twenty-five Common Redpolls were seen flying over Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo.
The Common Redpolls are usually found in northern Canada. This the first report of the Redpolls for a number of years in the Central Vancouver Island.

“Rare bird alert-Summer Tanager”
A Summer Tanager was seen and photographed at about 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 19 in the backyard of a private residence in the French Creek area (the owners request that their location be kept private).
The bird was last seen on Friday November 25. Check birdfeeders, fruit trees and berry bushes in the French Creek/Columbia Beach area.
The Summer Tanager is usually found in the southern United States, Central and South America, with only a few records of sightings in British Columbia.

A Snowy Owl was seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in South Nanaimo.

Sunday November 27:
A McGillivray’s Warbler was seen along Admiral Tryon Blvd. in Columbia Beach.

Thursday November 24:
A White-throated Sparrow was seen along Bluebell Terrace in the Hospital area of Nanaimo.

Friday November 25:
A Turkey Vulture was seen being attacked by a Common Raven and a Bald Eagle over Highway 19, between Jinglepot Road and Fifth Street in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday, November 22: The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was sunny and warm with calm winds, making for a great morning of birding. The highlights included seeing three Black-bellied Plover, several Black Oystercatcher, one Greater Yellowlegs, ten Black Turnstones and a large flock of Western Sandpipers on the gravel bar near Pebble Beach. Seven Eurasian-collared Doves were perched on trees along the road. We saw a large number of White-crowned Sparrows and Golden-crowned Sparrows near the end of the walk.

Twelve birders saw and heard the following forty-three species.
Canada Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common 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, Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstone, Western Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian-collared Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrow.

Tuesday November 15:
A Hermit Thrush was seen along Hartwood Crescent in the Rocky Point area of Nanaimo

*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
Speaker: Brian Kingzett. Topic: Deep Bay Shellfish Research Station
*********************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Monday, December 12 at 5:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Annual Christmas Potluck Supper.
Speaker: Anne Sifon a falconer will talk about and demonstrate Eddie-the Bald Eagle.
**********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 29 will be going to Deep Bay. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at the Deep Bay Marina, at about 9:35 A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 04 will be going the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road (on the Oceanside off highway 19a) 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 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

”NANOOSE BAY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Friday December 16, 2011
Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 22,2011

2011-11-22T16:59:00.000-08:00

Greater Yellowlegs: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was sunny and warm with calm winds, making for a great morning of birding. The highlights included seeing three Black-bellied Plover, several Black Oystercatcher, one Greater Yellowlegs, ten Black Turnstones and a large flock of Western Sandpipers on the gravel bar near Pebble Beach. Seven Eurasian-collared Doves were perched on trees along the road. We saw a large number of White-crowned Sparrows and Golden-crowned Sparrows near the end of the walk.
Twelve birders saw and heard the following forty-three species.
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common 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
Greater Yellowlegs
Black Turnstone
Western Sandpiper
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian-collared Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
House Sparrow

The Tuesday Bird Walk on November 29,2011 will be going to Deep Bay. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at the Deep Bay Marina at about 9:35A.M.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Rare bird alert

2011-11-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

Summer Tanager:

"Rare bird alert-Summer Tanager"

A Summer Tanager was seen and photographed at about 10 a.m.on Saturday, November 19 in the backyard of a private residence in the French Creek area ( the owners request that their location be kept private).
The bird was not seen on Monday, but has been seen today Tuesday, November 22. Check birdfeeders, fruit trees and berry bushes in the French Creek area.

The Summer Tanager is usually found in the southern United States, Central and South America, with only a few records of sightings in British Columbia.

Nanaimo bird report, November 20, 2011

2011-11-20T19:30:00.000-08:00

Mew Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

We are happy to report that Allan Hutley has returned home to recover after time spent in hospital in Victoria. Look forward to having you join us on the bird walk soon, Allan.

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 November 20, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. The morning was clear and cool with a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia.
The highlights included seeing a Northern Shrike, two Eurasian Wigeon, a Thayer’s Gull and a Herring Gull.

Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Eurasian Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Red-breasted Merganser, Killdeer, Black Oystercatchers, California Quail, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, Mew Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Bewick’s Wren, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco and Pine Siskin.

Friday November 18:
Two Barred Owls were heard calling in a backyard along Metral Drive near Pleasant Valley School.

Thursday November 17:
An Anna’s Hummingbird was seen at Neck Point Park.

Six Trumpeter Swans were seen flying over Cedar Road, south of Nanaimo.

Tuesday, November 15:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and clear but very cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two Eurasian Wigeon, near the shore. A Red-tailed Hawk was seen perched in a tall conifer tree across the River. Four Western Meadowlarks flew into a tree giving us great looks. A Peregrine Falcon was perched at the top of a tall tree on the edge of the forest. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched at the top of a small bush on the meadows. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Warbler near the end of the walk.

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following sixty-one species, making for a great morning of birding:
Canada Geese, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Greater Yellowlegs, Bonaparte's Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northern Shrike, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren,
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Townsend's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Western Meadowlark, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Monday November 14:
A large flock of Surfbirds being chased by a Peregrine Falcon were seen at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Sunday November 13:
A Pacific Wren and a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet were spotted in a backyard at Whiskey Greek.

*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
Speaker: Brian Kingzett. Topic: Deep Bay Shellfish Research Station
*********************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, December 08 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
**********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 15 will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:20A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 27 will be going the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road (on the Oceanside off highway 19a) 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 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

”NANOOSE BAY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Friday December 16, 2011
Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 15,2011

2011-11-15T18:46:00.000-08:00

Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and clear but very cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two Eurasian Wigeon, near the shore. A Red-tailed Hawk was seen perched in a tall conifer tree across the River. Four Western Meadowlarks flew into a tree giving us great looks. A Peregrine Falcon was perched at the top of a tall tree on the edge of the forest. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched at the top of a small bush on the meadows. The big suprise of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Warbler near the end of the walk.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following sixty-one species, making for a great morning of birding:
Canada Goose
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Greater Yellowlegs
Bonaparte's Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northern Shrike
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Townsend's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Western Meadowlark
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, November 13, 2011

2011-11-13T19:03:00.001-08:00

Short-eared Owl: 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 November 13, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and cool but the winds were calm.
The highlights included seeing at least twelve Western Meadowlarks. We watched as a Common Raven chased after a Short-eared Owl giving us a spectacular display as the owl evaded the Raven. Later in the walk, we saw another Short-eared Owl fly low over the estuary looking for prey. A Northern Shrike perched on the top of a bush giving us great looks.
Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-four species:
Trumpeter Swan, Great Blue Heron, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Horned Grebe, Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Northern Shrike, Thayer’s Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, American Robin, Western Meadowlark, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lincolns Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Purple Finch and Red-winged Blackbird.

Thursday November 10:
Over thirty Trumpeter Swans were spotted flying south over Errington.

Wednesday November 07:
A Snowy Owl was seen near Taylor Bay Road and Twin Beaches Peninsula on Gabriola Island.

Tuesday, November 08:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. The morning was cloudy with a light rain falling but the winds were calm. We saw large numbers of Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco and one Anna's Hummingbird in the bushes just off the trail. We spotted a Merlin perched high in a conifer and there was a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched high in another conifer further away. Another Sharp-shinned Hawk flew in to attack a perched, much larger, Cooper's Hawk not far from us. The Cooper's Hawk, however, stood his ground and the Sharp-shinned Hawk flew off and perched a little further away. Several Horned Grebes, one Western Grebe, a Double-crested Cormorant and four Common Goldeneye were on the Strait Of Georgia. Six Long-tailed Ducks flew in and joined the other seabirds. Two Bald Eagles flew in to stir things up and thousands of gulls lifted off the water. We saw two Long-billed Dowitchers and a Western Sandpiper in with a flock of sixty Green-winged Teal on the mud flats.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ring-necked Pheasant, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, Western Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch and House Finch.

Monday November 07:
A flock of Greater White-fronted Geese were seen flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Saturday November 06:
Two Trumpeter Swans were seen on Craig Bay off Madonna Road in Parksville.

*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, December 08 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
**********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 15 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 at the end of Shelly Road (Oceanside side of Highway 19A) in Parksville at about 9:10A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 20 will be going to Nanoose Bay. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the beach side of the Church Camp (off highway 19 and Arlington 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 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observes as possible.
Anyone who is interested in participating please contact the Birdstore for more information.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 08,2011

2011-11-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

Anna's Hummingbird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. The morning was cloudy with a light rain falling but the winds were calm. We saw large numbers of Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco and one Anna's Hummingbird in the bushes just off the trail. We spotted a Merlin perched high in a conifer and there was a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched high in another conifer further away. Another Sharp-shinned Hawk flew in to attack a perched, much larger, Cooper's Hawk not far from us. The Cooper's Hawk, however, stood his ground and the Sharp-shinned Hawk flew off and perched a little further away. Several Horned Grebes, one Western Grebe, a Double-crested Cormorant and four Common Goldeneye were on the Strait Of Georgia. Six Long-tailed Ducks flew in and joined the other seabirds. Two Bald Eagles flew in to stir things up and thousands of gulls lifted off the water. We saw two Long-billed Dowitchers and a Western Sandpiper in with a flock of sixty Green-winged Teal on the mud flats.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Merlin
Western Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, November 06, 2011

2011-11-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

Black Oystercatchers: 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 November 06, 2011:

The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and cool with a biting wind off the Strait of Georgia.
The highlights included seeing a flock of Pacific Loons off shore. We saw several Common Loons, Bufflehead, Red-necked Grebes and a Horned Grebe close to shore. A large flock of Pine Siskins, a Red-breasted Sapsucker and a flock of Bushtits were seen in the forest.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Mallard, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bufflehead, Surf Scoter, Harlequin Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Black Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, California Quail, Northwestern Crow, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, European Starling, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

Saturday November 05:
Eight Trumpeter Swans were spotted flying south, south east above Parksville.

Thursday November 03:
A Fox Sparrow was heard singing and a flock of California Quail were visiting feeders at the Pacific Biological Station in the 3100 block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday: November 01:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. The tide was high. A flock of twenty-one Black Oystercatchers flew in and landed on the rocks right in front of us at the viewing platform off Highway 19A. A massive raft of gulls was further off shore. A raft of Black Scoters was on the ocean near the estuary and further off shore we spotted a flock of Long-tailed Ducks that flew in and landed giving us great views. There was a large flock of Bonaparte's Gulls near shore, one of them was still in breeding plumage. A flock of twenty-three singing Trumpeter Swans flew in low over the mouth of the river. They went past us giving us excellent views. We saw over thirty Bald Eagles perched, flying and circling high overhead during the morning. A female Northern Harrier flew low over the estuary, while eight Great Blue Herons lifted from the estuary at the end of the walk.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Canada Geese, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron,Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull,Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Red-winged Blackbird.
*******************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, November 10 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Guest Speaker-- Nick Raeside will speak on “The Use of Fire as a Forest Management Tool.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 08 will be going to the Plummer 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 at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive in Parksville at about 9:10A.M.

**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 13 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo. We will 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, BC V9T 2L8
250-390-3669
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

The Purple Martin charity dinner and silent auction:
Come join us on Saturday, November 12 at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo for "A Night in Brazil" charity dinner and silent auction for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. We are celebrating the most successful year of the 25-year nest box recovery program (730 pairs up from 5 pairs in 1985) and the fall migration of our Purple Martins to SE Brazil, a 11,000 km trip one way as well as raising funds for the 2012 recovery program.

Guest speakers:
Tony Ransom, retired geologist and current President of the Nanoose Naturalists, on " A Tour of Brazil's Pantanal - the World's Largest Freshwater Wetland"

Mike Yip, well known Bird Photographer, on "Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island"

No Host Bar at 5 pm with a buffet dinner at 6 pm. Tickets: $60/person (includes a $23 donation) available at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store in Nanaimo or by emailing Charlene at gbears@island.net. Advance purchase of tickets required.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 01,2011

2011-11-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

Black Oystercatcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. The tide was high. A flock of twenty-one Black Oystercatchers flew in and landed on the rocks right in front of us at the viewing platform off Highway 19A. A massive raft of gulls were further off shore. A raft of Black Scoters was on the ocean near the estuary and further off shore we spotted a flock of Long-tailed Ducks that flew in and landed giving us great views. There was a large flock of Bonaparte's Gulls near shore, one of them was still in breeding plumage. A flock of twenty-three singing Trumpeter Swans flew in low over the mouth of the river. They went past us giving us excellent views. We saw over thirty Bald Eagles perched, flying and circling high overhead during the morning. A female Northern Harrier flew low over the estuary, while eight Great Blue Herons lifted from the estuary at the end of the walk.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, September 30, 2011

2011-10-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

Glaucous-winged Gull: 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 October 30, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with calm winds.
The highlights included seeing a Eurasian Wigeon in with American Coots when we first arrived at the marsh. Six Gadwall were seen swimming with American Widgeon. Five Trumpeter Swans flew over head. A Northern Shrike flew low over us and landed on the top of tree just off the trail giving us great views. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of Ruddy Duck on the water as we neared the end of the walk.

Eight birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Wood Duck, Ruddy Duck, Ringed Necked Duck, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Shrike, Great Blue Heron, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Band-tailed Pigeon, American Robin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Marsh Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and House Sparrows.

Friday October 28:
Over 150 Pine Siskins are visiting feeders along Lancashire Avenue in Nanaimo.

Tuesday: October 25:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. Two Trumpeter Swans flew high overhead to start the morning off. We saw Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters and our first sighting of the season of a Long-tailed Duck. There were Pacific Loons in breeding plumage, a large number of Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes. One lone Western Grebe was not far off shore. Further off shore we saw a long line covering miles of an estimated 1.5 million gulls that including Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls. They were in a hugh feeding frenzie--an awesome sight through the scopes as the sun shone down on them. Near the Pebble Beach gravel bar, close to shore, three Sea Lions put on a spectacular show as they fed on salmon.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-two species of birds:
Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter,
White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, 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, Merlin, Black-bellied Plover,
Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian Collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, European Starling,
Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrow.

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, November 10 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Guest Speaker-- Nick Raeside will speak on “The Use of Fire as a Forest Management Tool.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 01 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at viewing platform near Garrett Road and Highway 19a at about 9:15A.M.

**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 6 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot at Neck Point Park, off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20 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

The Purple Martin charity dinner and silent auction:

Come join us on Saturday, November 12 at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo for "A Night in Brazil" charity dinner and silent auction for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. We are celebrating the most successful year of the 25-year nest box recovery program (730 pairs up from 5 pairs in 1985) and the fall migration of our Purple Martins to SE Brazil, a 11,000 km trip one way as well as raising funds for the 2012 recovery program.

Guest speakers:
Tony Ransom, retired geologist and current President of the Nanoose Naturalists, on " A Tour of Brazil's Pantanal - the World's Largest Freshwater Wetland"
Mike Yip, well known Bird Photographer, on "Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island"

No Host Bar at 5 pm with a buffet dinner at 6 pm. Tickets: $60/person (includes a $23 donation) available at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store in Nanaimo or by emailing Charlene at gbears@island.net. Advance purchase of tickets required.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, October 25,2011

2011-10-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

Long-tailed Duck: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. Two Trumpeter Swans flew high overhead to start the morning off. We saw Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters and our first sighting of the season of a Long-tailed Duck. There were Pacific Loons in breeding plummage, a large number of Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes. One lone Western Grebe was not far off shore. Further off shore we saw a long line covering miles of an estimated 1.5 million gulls that including Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls. They were in a hugh feeding frenzie--an awesome sight through the scopes as the sun shone down on them. Near the Pebble Beach gravel bar, close to shore, three Sea Lions put on a spectacular show as they fed on salmon.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-two species of birds:
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
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
Merlin
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian Collared Dove
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, September 23, 2011

2011-10-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

Peregrine Falcon: 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 October 23, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was mostly sunny but cool with only calm winds.
The highlights included seeing a Townsend’s Warbler with a flock of Pine Siskins. Cedar Waxwings and Purple Finch were in the same bushes. We saw a large flock of Varied Thrush feeding on berries and a Steller’s Jay, with the usual attitude of a jay, flew overhead.

Nine birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:
American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Doubled-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Great Blue Heron, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Black Oystercatcher, Townsend’s Warbler, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Varied Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Friday October 21:
A Townsend’s Warbler was spotted at the Little Qualicum Village.

Wednesday October 19:
Six Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on Craig Bay Pond in Parksville.

Four Greater White-fronted Geese and one Snow Goose were seen at Parksville Bay in Parksville.

Tuesday: October 18:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning started off cool and foggy but the fog lifted and let the sun shine on the birds and the birders. A Merlin perching on the top of a tall Fir Tree greeted us near the parking lot. A large flock of American Robins were feasting on a berry bush near the trail. A Herring Gull was just off shore. A large flock of Pacific Loons, Common Loons, several Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes and two Western Grebes were further off shore. We saw Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Cedar Waxwings in the bushes just off the trail.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Canada Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon,Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Monday October 17:
A White Throated Sparrow was seen visiting feeders along Pilot Way in Nanoose Bay.

There was a confirmed report of a female or immature Lark Bunting at Jordan River, on the west side of Vancouver Island. Lark Buntings are usually seen in the southern prairies in North America and are an unusual species for this area.

Sunday, October 16:
A Barred Owl, a Belted Kingfisher, a Steller’s Jay, a Bald Eagle and a flock of Northern Pintail were seen at Spider Lake.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, October 24 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
Guest speaker-- Faye Smith will bring us up to date on the current projects and findings of the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society.

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, November 10 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 October 25 will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at parking area off Admiral Tryon Bld. at about 9:20 A.M. (From highway 19a turn onto Columbia Drive across from Windsor Plywood, turn right on Admiral Tryon Bld. and go about 100 yards and turn left to the parking area)

***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on October 30 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at Buttertubs Marsh 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

The Purple Martin charity dinner and silent auction:

Come join us on Saturday, November 12 at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo for "A Night in Brazil" charity dinner and silent auction for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. We are celebrating the most successful year of the 25-year nest box recovery program (730 pairs up from 5 pairs in 1985) and the fall migration of our Purple Martins to SE Brazil, a 11,000 km trip one way as well as raising funds for the 2012 recovery program.

Guest speakers:
Tony Ransom, retired geologist and current President of the Nanoose Naturalists, on " A Tour of Brazil's Pantanal - the World's Largest Freshwater Wetland"
Mike Yip, well known Bird Photographer, on "Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island"

No Host Bar at 5 pm with a buffet dinner at 6 pm. Tickets: $60/person (includes a $23 donation) available at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store in Nanaimo or by emailing Charlene at gbears@island.net. Advance purchase of tickets required.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, October 18,2011

2011-10-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning started off cool and foggy but the fog lifted and let the sun shine on the birds and the birders. A Merlin perching on the top of a tall Fir Tree greeted us near the parking lot. A large flock of American Robins were feasting on a berry bush near the trail. A Herring Gull was just off shore. A large flock of Pacific Loons, Common Loons, several Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes and two Western Grebes were further off shore. We saw Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Cedar Waxwings in the bushes just off the trail.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, October 16, 2011

2011-10-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

Eurasian Wigeon: 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 October 16, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay Estuary. The morning was mostly sunny with calm winds, giving us a very pleasant walk.
The highlights included seeing a Northern Shrike several times during the morning. We saw an Eurasian Wigeon behind a flock of Canada Geese. As we watched, the Wigeon swan past the Geese giving us good views.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-four species:
Canada Geese, Mallard, American Wigeon, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Greater Scaup, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Killdeer, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Red-Tailed Hawk, Northern Shrike, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, American Robin, European Starling, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill and American Goldfinch.

Common Loons, Harlequin Ducks, Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones were seen on the beach at Qualicum Beach.

Saturday October 15:
Anna’s Hummingbird, White-crown Sparrows, Bewick’s Wren and Eurasian Collared-Doves were seen in a backyard along Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

Friday October 14:
A Ruddy Duck was seen at Morningstar Ponds in French Creek.

Thursday October 13:
Three Cackling Geese were seen in with Canada Geese at Morningstar Ponds in French Creek.

One Snow Goose was spotted on the grass at Parksville Bay Community Park in Parksville.

A Greater White-fronted Goose was seen at Parksville Bay Community Park in Parksville.

A varied Thrush was seen along the trail on the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary, in Parksville

Twenty American Goldfinch are visiting backyard feeders along Lancashire Avenue in Nanaimo.

Wednesday October 12:
A Steller’s Jay was spotted at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Tuesday: October 11:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly cloudy with lots of sun and calm winds making for a very pleasant morning for a bird walk. A flock of over fifty Brant Geese flew past us heading down the Strait of Georgia. We spotted a Black-bellied Plover, a Pectoral Sandpiper and two Long-billed Dowitchers feeding on the edge of a sand bar near the ocean. A male Northern Harrier was spotted perched on a stump and he gave us good looks through the scope. We watched as he left his perch and dropped down to picked a rodent up in it's talens. We also had great looks at a Northern Shrike perched at the top of a bush not far from the viewing tower.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following sixty-one species:
Canada Geese, Brant , American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter , White-winged Scoter, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier,
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Pectoral Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian Collared- Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher , Downy Woodpecker , Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Shrike,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.

Monday October 10:
Hundreds of Snow Geese were spotted over the Morningstar ponds, heading east towards Parksville.

Sunday October 09:
A White-throated Sparrow was seen at Piper’s Lagoon in Nanaimo.

Eleven Greater White-fronted Geese were seen from Northwest Bay Road at the Nanoose Bay Estuary in Nanoose Bay.

A Merlin was seen perched in the Eagle Tree at Nanoose Bay.

A Lapland Longspur, in winter plumage, was seen behind the Church Camp at Nanoose Bay.
******************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, November 10 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, October 24 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
Guest speaker-- Faye Smith will bring us up to date on the current projects and findings of the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society.
**********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 October 18 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the main parking near the beach at Rathtrevor Park at about 9:10 A.M.
***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on October 23 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the main parking near the beach at Rathtrevor Park 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

The Purple Martin charity dinner and silent auction:

Come join us on Saturday, November 12 at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo for "A Night in Brazil" charity dinner and silent auction for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. We are celebrating the most successful year of the 25-year nest box recovery program (730 pairs up from 5 pairs in 1985) and the fall migration of our Purple Martins to SE Brazil, a 11,000 km trip one way as well as raising funds for the 2012 recovery program.

Guest speakers:

Tony Ransom, retired geologist and current President of the Nanoose Naturalists, on " A Tour of Brazil's Pantanal - the World's Largest Freshwater Wetland"
Mike Yip, well known Bird Photographer, on "Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island"
No Host Bar at 5 pm with a buffet dinner at 6 pm. Tickets: $60/person (includes a $23 donation) available at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store in Nanaimo or by emailing Charlene at gbears@island.net. Advance purchase of tickets required.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, October 09, 2011

2011-10-11T17:20:00.000-07:00

Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly cloudy with lots of sun and calm winds making for a very pleasant morning for a birdwalk.
A flock of over fifty Brant Geese flew past us heading down the Strait of Georgia. We spotted a Black-bellied Plover,a Pectoral Sandpiper and two Long-billed Dowitchers feeding on the edge of a sand bar near the ocean. A male Northern Harrier was spotted perched on a stump and he gave us good looks through the scope. We watched as he left his perch and dropped down to picked a rodent up in it's tallans. We also had great looks at a Northern Shrike perched at the top of a bush not far from the viewing tower.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following sixty-one species:
Canada Geese
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Pectoral Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian Collared- Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, October 09, 2011

2011-10-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

Greater Yellowlegs: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 October 09, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was mostly sunny and with no winds, giving us a very pleasant walk.
The highlights included seeing a large numbers of sparrow species. Song Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Lincoln’s Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos were in great abundance. We spotted a Western Meadowlark perched on a bush over the estuary. A Northern Harrier was flying low over the grass, hunting rodents, for most of the morning. A Greater Yellowlegs was on a gravel bar near the viewing tower and was joined there by a Lesser Yellowlegs giving us a good comparison between the two.

Ten birders saw and heard the following thirty-four species:
Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Merlin, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Ring-necked Pheasant, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Western Meadowlark, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Red-winged Blackbirds, Bewick’s Wren, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and House Finch.

Saturday October 08:
Two Orange-crowned Warblers were seen along Drew Road in French Creek.

A Western Screech-Owl was spotted being chased by a Barred Owl in a bush near Northfield Road in Nanaimo.

Friday October 07:
An Orange-crowned Warbler was observed in a yard along the 5300 block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

A White-throated Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow were seen at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Wednesday October 05:
Two Fox Sparrows were seen at feeders in the 5300 block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday: October 04:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary, just past Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy with strong winds off the Strait of Georgia. We saw one Greater Scaup land in with a raft of White-winged and Black Scoters. Three Bald Eagles flew over the estuary, giving rise to a mixed flock of Mallards and American Wigeon. A Western Sandpiper and a Long-billed Dowitcher were feeding along the shore in the estuary with American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Northern Pintail.
Twenty birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species:
Canada Geese, Mallard, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstone, Western Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

Monday October 03:
A female Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco appeared among a growing number of Dark-eyed Junco in the 5300 block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

Sunday October 02:
A juvenile Black-throated Gray Warbler and an Orange-crowned Warbler were seen in a backyard in the 5300 block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

***********************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting Sunday October 02
Thursday, October 13 at 7 pm.
Guest Speaker, Bill Merrilees, will give a slide presentation about Buttertubs Marsh.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay.
**************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, October 24 at 7:30 pm.
General Meeting @ Springwood Middle School, Parksville
**********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 October 11 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville, Shelley Road side. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the end Shelly Road and on the Oceanside of Highway 19A at about 9:10 A.M.

***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on October 16 will be going to Nanoose Bay. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the beach side of the Church Camp off highway 19 and Arlington Road at about 9:20A.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

The Purple Martin charity dinner and silent auction:

Come join us on Saturday, November 12 at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo for "A Night in Brazil" charity dinner and silent auction for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. We are celebrating the most successful year of the 25-year nest box recovery program (730 pairs up from 5 pairs in 1985) and the fall migration of our Purple Martins to SE Brazil, a 11,000 km trip one way as well as raising funds for the 2012 recovery program.

Guest speakers:

Tony Ransom, retired geologist and current President of the Nanoose Naturalists, on " A Tour of Brazil's Pantanal - the World's Largest Freshwater Wetland"
Mike Yip, well known Bird Photographer, on "Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island"

No Host Bar at 5 pm with a buffet dinner at 6 pm. Tickets: $60/person (includes a $23 donation) available at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store in Nanaimo or by emailing Charlene at gbears@island.net. Advance purchase of tickets required.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, October, 04,2010

2011-10-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

Long-billed Dowitcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary, just past Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy with strong winds off the Strait of Georgia. We saw one Greater Scaup land in with a raft of White-winged and Black Scoters. Three Bald Eagles flew over the estuary, giving rise to a mixed flock of Mallards and American Wigeon. A Western Sandpiper and a Long-billed Dowitcher were feeding along the shore in the estuary with American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Northern Pintail.

Twenty birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species:
Canada Goose
Mallard
American Wigeon
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Black Turnstone
Western Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Cedar Waxwing
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, October 02, 2011

2011-10-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

Northern Fulmar: 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 October 02, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy but with no winds, giving us a very pleasant walk. The Strait of Georgia is beginning to come alive with sea birds for the winter. Pacific Loons, in breeding plumage, along with Surf Scoters, Common Mergansers, Red-necked Grebes, Common Loons, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Rhinoceros Auklets, Marbled Murrelets, Pigeon Guillemots and Common Murre were seen on the Strait of Georgia. A Harlequin Duck, Pelagic Cormorants, Great Blue Heron and the resident Spotted Sandpiper were seen just off shore.
Twenty-three birders saw and heard the following forty-four species:
Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Common Mergansers, Red-necked Grebe, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Surfbirds, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Western Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Rhinoceros Auklet, Marbled Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, Common Murre, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, European Starling, Anna’s Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow Warbler, Hutton’s Vireo, Bewick's Wren, Brown Creeper, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, House Finch and Dark-eyed Junco.

A Sooty Grouse was seen along the top of Westwood’s Ridge Trail behind Westwood Lake in Nanaimo.

Saturday October 01:
Twenty-six American Goldfinch, twelve House Finch, one Bewick's Wren, two Anna's Hummingbirds and a Dark-eyed Junco were seen visiting feeders along Lancashire Avenue in Nanaimo.

Friday September 30:
A Savannah’s Sparrow, Western Gull and Thayer’s Gulls were seen at Piper’s Lagoon in Nanaimo.

Wednesday September 28:
A Hump-back Whale was seen off Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Tuesday September 27:
The Tuesday Birdwalk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was mostly cloudy with a little rain and the winds were mostly calm. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of three flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese. Three of the Greater White-fronted Geese flew so low over us that we could see their speckled bellies. They circled around us as if they were going to land but they changed their minds and continued to fly into the eastern sky. A flock of forty Greater White-fronted Geese flew past high overhead heading straight south. We spotted a Common Murre, two Pigeon Guillemots and a Marbled Murrelet riding the waves on the water.
Twenty-five birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:
Greater White-fronted Goose, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle,Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher,Spotted Sandpiper, Black Turnstone, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Eurasian collared-Dove, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and Golden-crowned Sparrow.

A small flock of Sandhill Cranes seen were feeding in a field in Errington.

Sunday September 25:
A flock of Sandhill Cranes were spotted flying over Qualicum Beach.

********************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, October 13 at 7 pm.
Guest Speaker, Bill Merrilees, will give a slide presentation about Buttertubs Marsh.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay.

********************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, October 24 at 7:30 pm.
General Meeting @ Springwood Middle School, Parksville.

**********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 October 04 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the viewing platform near Garrett Road and Highway 19A at about 9:20 A.M.
***************************************

The Sunday Bird Walk on October 09 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Raines Road at about 9:30A.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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, September, 27,2011

2011-09-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

Pigeon Guillemot: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday Birdwalk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was mosty cloudy with a little rain and the winds were mostly calm. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of three flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese. Three of the Greater White-fronted Geese flew so low over us that we could see their speckled bellies. They circled around us as if they were going to land but they changed their minds and continued to fly into the eastern sky. A flock of forty Greater White-fronted Geese flew past high overhead heading straight south. We spotted a Common Murre, two Pigeon Guillemots and a Marbled Murrelet riding the waves on the water.

Twenty-five birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:
Greater White-fronted Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Merlin
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Spotted Sandpiper
Black Turnstone
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet
Eurasian collared-Dove
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, September 25, 2011

2011-09-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Pink-footed Shearwater: 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

We are happy to report that Ann Thompson is home from the hospital. We look forward to having you join us on the birdwalks soon, Ann.

Sunday September 25:
The Sunday bird walk went to French Creek. The bird walk was cut short by the windy, wet weather.
Seven birders saw and heard the following eight species.
Mallard, Common Merganser, Black Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Eurasian Collared-dove, House Finch and Rock Pigeons.

Wednesday September 21:
Three Broad-winged Hawks, six Red-winged Hawks, over three hundred Turkey Vultures, two Peregrine Falcons, Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks were seen at Rocky Point near Victoria.

A family of Purple Martins was seen near the nest boxes at the foot of Jacks Road in Lantzville.

Tuesday September 20:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm but a little chilly in the forest. The winds were calm and the water on the Strait of Georgia was smooth like glass. The highlight of the morning was spotting a Parasitic Jaeger who was harassing a Glaucous-winged Gull. The Jaeger stopped to rest on the water giving us all good long looks at him through the scopes. After about ten minutes and fairly close to shore, the Jaeger chased another Gull putting on a spectacular display for us.
Twenty-four birders saw and heard the following forty-three species:
Canada Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Merlin, Greater Yellowlegs, Parasitic Jaeger, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow ,
Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, American Pipit, McGillivray’s Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and American Goldfinch.

Monday September 19:
Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Semipalmated Plover, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, House Finch and American Goldfinch were seen at the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

Monday September 12:
Eighteen Turkey Vultures, one Bald Eagle, eleven Sharp-shinned Hawks, one Cooper's Hawk, one Red-tailed Hawk, one American Kestrel, one Merlin, ninety-five Sandhill Cranes, twenty Vaux's Swift, one Rufous Hummingbird, one Anna's Hummingbird, six Violet-green Swallows,
sixty Red-necked Phalarope, one Common Loon, ninety-eight Band-tailed Pigeons, nine American Pipits, twelve Cedar Waxwings, eleven Yellow-rumped Warblers, four Red Crossbills, twenty-six American Goldfinch and twenty-two Pine Siskin were seen from the Beechey Head lookout at East Sooke Regional Park on the southwest end of Vancouver island.

Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, September 26 at 7:30 pm.
General Meeting @ Springwood Middle School, Parksville

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, October 13 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay.
****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 September 27 will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. (turn onto Columbia Drive off Highway 19a,and then turn right onto Admiral Tryon Blvd.)
***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on October 02 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot at Neck Point off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20A.M.

Sunday September 18:

Ucluelet Pelagic Trip Results:

On Sunday, 96 birders, including six birders from our area, and biologists board the M.V. Frances Barkley and we left the Government Warf at 7 am. We made a quick stop at one of the fish processing plants to take on 1600 pounds of Hake for attracting seabirds. The water in Ucluelet harbour was calm, there was no rain and just a light breeze. We motored out of the harbour and meet the open ocean, and then all hell broke loose. Three meter swells were coming in from multiple directions; we were going to see pelagic seabirds, but first the Pacific was going to test our resolve for the first hour of the trip. Once we got past the ground swell the water started to flatten out considerably and around 25 km from shore the sailing was quite comfortable. The trip would definitely been cancelled if not for the size and seaworthiness of the Frances Barkley and her crew.
Mike Boyd and I took turns throwing Hake bits to the gulls as soon as we left the dock and we were escorted out to the 37 km mark by a cloud of hunger California Gulls. Once we were past 30 km from shore, we started to pour small amounts of shark oil that had been given to me from Tom Plath. This oil really brought in the Northern Fulmars, Shearwaters and Black-footed Albatross. I had also prepared blocks of frozen shrimp and sardines that were thrown overboard and slowly released small bits of food. All of the chumming really paid off and we were able to draw in large numbers of pelagic birds often with in meters of the ship.
Michelle Force, Russell Cannings and others manned the handheld radios and worked hard to share what was being seen on each of the decks. We had allot of very good birders on the ship and they were all really great about spotting birds and letting everyone on board know where the birds were. I would like to thank everyone for contributing to the success of the trip. I would also like to thank Neil Robins for helping to spread the word about the trip via the Nanaimo bird alert.

I had great time and I finally saw a Skua! For many people this was their first pelagic trip and it was wonderful to hear so many people saying that they had gotten 9, 10 or 11 lifers that day. There were many smiling birders on the ship.

WildResearch is considering doing another pelagic.
Check the WildResearch website-- www.wildresearch.ca

There are likely other sightings that were made that I am unaware, but here is the list.
Black-footed Albatross: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Birds seen Offshore:

Tufted Puffin- 1. Flew right over the ship- a real crowd pleaser.
Pigeon Guillemot- common near shore.
Cassin's Auklet- 2.
Buller's Shearwater- 6. These birds came in at 32 km, checked out the ship and then left.
Sooty Shearwater- 100's. First birds were seen within 1 km of shore and became come by 5 kms from shore.
Pink-footed Shearwater- 100's, first ones were seen at 15 km and this species was near the ship for the rest of the day.
Short-tailed Shearwater- 4. Possibly more around, but at least 4 were positively identified.
Black-footed Albatross- 8- 10 landed within 70m of the ship with another 12- 20 fly bys within 200m of the ship; most were seen at 30- 37 km from shore.
Northern Fulmar- 100s, we started seeing them close to shore and their numbers kept building as we travelled off shore. We saw all of the colour morphs, and had a least fifty at all times on the water next to the ship for 3 hours at the 37 km mark.
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel-10-12. First seen at 37 km.
Leach's Storm-Petrel- 1.
Red-necked Phalarope- 10- 12. Seen close to the ship.
Red Phalarope- 2. Seen on the way back.
South Polar Skua- 10- 13, a surprisingly large number of this species from the 20 km to 37 km.
Pomarine Jaeger- 18, a handful came in close to the ship.
Long-tailed Jaeger- 1, fly by.
Parasitic Jaeger- 5. Surprisingly few Parasitic.
California Gull- 1,000s,
Glaucous-winged Gull- numerous inshore, relatively scarce offshore.
Thayer's Gull- 5.
Herring Gull- 5-10.
Sabine's Gull- 30 pasted in front of the ship between 27-37 km.
Black-legged Kittiwake- 1. Adult fly by.
Northern Pintail- 50, 4 different flocks flying well offshore, with the
Green-winged Teal and the Mallard.
Green-winged Teal-1.
Mallard- 1.

On shore or within a 5 km of shore:
Common Murre- 75. Most were within 10 km of shore.
Rhinoceros Auklet- 40. Most were within 10 km of shore.
Pigeon Guillemot- common near shore.
Pacific Loon- 8.
Common Loon- 1
Bald Eagle
Peregrine Falcon- 1, departing from Ucluelet.
Northwestern Crow
Belted Kingfisher- 1.
Surfbird
Black Turnstone
White-winged Scoter- 6-8.
Surf Scoter- 2-4.
Pelagic Cormorant- 15-20.
Brant's Cormorant 18-20.
Double-crested Cormorant- 10.

Marine Mammals:
Stellar's Sealion- 4, in Ucluelet harbour
Humpback Whale- 6-8, at about 30 km, we watch them for 20 min on the way out and
saw them again on the way in to port.

And... one Sunfish.
And not a single Heermann's Gull or any passerines offshore.

Thanks,
Paul Levesque
Vancouver

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

Pelagic bird trip, September 18, 2011

2011-09-21T11:11:00.001-07:00

Northern Fulmar: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hello,

On Sunday, 96 birders and biologists board the M.V. Frances Barkley and we left
the Government Warf at 7 am. We made a quick stop at one of the fish processing
plants to take on 1600 pounds of Hake for attracting seabirds. The water in
Ucluelet harbour was calm, there was no rain and just a light breeze. We motored
out of the harbour and meet the open ocean, and then all hell broke loose. Three
meter swells were coming in from multiple directions; we were going to see
pelagic seabirds, but first the Pacific was going to test our resolve for the
first hour of the trip. Once we got past the ground swell the water started to
flatten out considerably and around 25 km from shore the sailing was quite
comfortable. The trip would definitely been cancelled if not for the size and
seaworthiness of the Frances Barkley and her crew.

Mike Boyd and I took turns throwing Hake bits to the gulls as soon as we left
the dock and we were escorted out to the 37 km mark by a cloud of hunger
California Gulls. Once we were past 30 km from shore, we started to pour small
amounts of shark oil that had been given to me from Tom Plath. This oil really
brought in the Northern Fulmars, Shearwaters and Black-footed Albatross. I had
also prepared blocks of frozen shrimp and sardines that were thrown overboard
and slowly released small bits of food. All of the chumming really paid off and
we were able to draw in large numbers of pelagic birds often with in meters of
the ship.

Michelle Force, Russell Cannings and others manned the handheld radios and
worked hard to share what was being seen on each of the decks. We had allot of
very good birders on the ship and they were all really great about spotting
birds and letting everyone on board know where the birds were. I would like to
thank everyone for contributing to the success of the trip. I would also like to
thank Neil Robins for helping to spread the word about the trip via the Nanaimo
bird alert.

I had great time and I finally saw a Skua! For many people this was their first
pelagic trip and it was wonderful to hear so many people saying that they had
gotten 9, 10 or 11 lifers that day. There were many smiling birders on the ship.

WildResearch is considering doing another pelagic, and I will keep the
BCBirdingVanIsland group informed.

There are likely other sightings that were made that I am unaware, but here is
the list.

Birds seen Offshore:

Tufted Puffin- 1. Flew right over the ship- a real crowd pleaser.
Pigeon Guillemot- common near shore.
Cassin's Auklet- 2.
Buller's Shearwater- 6. These birds came in at 32 km, checked out the ship and
then left.
Sooty Shearwater- 100's. First birds were seen within 1 km of shore and became
come by 5 kms from shore.
Pink-footed Shearwater- 100's, first ones were seen at 15 km and this species
was near the ship for the rest of the day.
Short-tailed Shearwater- 4. Possibly more around, but at least 4 were positively
identified.
Black-footed Albatross- 8- 10 landed within 70m of the ship with another 12- 20
fly bys within 200m of the ship; most were seen at 30- 37 km from shore.
Northern Fulmar- 100s, we started seeing them close to shore and their numbers
kept building as we travelled off shore. We saw all of the colour morphs, and
had a least fifty at all times on the water next to the ship for 3 hours at the
37 km mark.
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel-10-12. First seen at 37 km.
Leach's Storm-Petrel- 1.
Red-necked Phalarope- 10- 12. Seen close to the ship.
Red Phalarope- 2. Seen on the way back.
South Polar Skua- 10- 13, a surprisingly large number of this species from the
20 km to 37 km.
Pomarine Jaeger- 18, a handful came in close to the ship.
Long-tailed Jaeger- 1, fly by.
Parasitic Jaeger- 5. Surprisingly few Parasitic.
California Gull- 1,000s,
Glaucous-winged Gull- numerous inshore, relatively scarce offshore.
Thayer's Gull- 5.
Herring Gull- 5-10.
Sabine's Gull- 30 pasted in front of the ship between 27-37 km.
Black-legged Kittiwake- 1. Adult fly by.
Northern Pintail- 50, 4 different flocks flying well offshore, with the
Green-winged Teal and the Mallard.
Green-winged Teal-1.
Mallard- 1.

On shore or within a 5 km of shore:
Common Murre- 75. Most were within 10 km of shore.
Rhinoceros Auklet- 40. Most were within 10 km of shore.
Pigeon Guillemot- common near shore.
Pacific Loon- 8.
Common Loon- 1
Bald Eagle
Peregrine Falcon- 1, departing from Ucluelet.
Northwestern Crow
Belted Kingfisher- 1.
Surfbird
Black Turnstone
White-winged Scoter- 6-8.
Surf Scoter- 2-4.
Pelagic Cormorant- 15-20.
Brant's Cormorant 18-20.
Double-crested Cormorant- 10.

Marine Mammals:
Stellar's Sealion- 4, in Ucluelet harbour
Humpback Whale- 6-8, at about 30 km, we watch them for 20 min on the way out and
saw them again on the way in to port.

And... one Sunfish.
And not a single Heermann's Gull or any passerines offshore.

Thanks,
Paul Levesque
Vancouver

Englishman River birding

2011-09-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

Savannah Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

I had the good fortune to go birding with three birders from Maine on Monday. We went to the mud flats along the Englishman River Estuary in San Pariel, where we saw two Semipalmated Plover and several species of ducks. We then went to the Strait of Georgia off Marine Drive and found Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, a Double-crested Cormorant, California Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls, a Pigeon Guillemot and a Marbled Murrelet. The forest area off Mills Road near the Englishman River Estuary produced Northern Flickers, Northwestern Crows, Common Ravens, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, American Robins, Spotted Towhee and close views of a perched Savannah Sparrow, House Finch and American Goldfinch.

We saw and heard the following twenty-eight species of birds:
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Semipalmated Plover
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, September, 20,2011

2011-09-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

Parasitic Jaeger: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm but a little chilly in the forest. The winds were calm and the water on the Strait of Georgia was smooth like glass. The highlight of the morning was spotting a Parasitic Jaeger who was harassing a Glaucous-winged Gull. The Jaeger stopped to rest on the water giving us all good long looks at him through the scopes. After about ten minutes and fairly close to shore, the Jaeger chased another Gull putting on a spectacular display for us.

Twenty-four birders saw and heard the following forty-three species:

Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Merlin
Greater Yellowlegs
Parasitic Jaeger
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Rhinoceros Auklet
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
American Pipit
MacGillivray's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, September 19, 2011

2011-09-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

American Pipit: 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

Monday September 19, 2011:
Two flocks of Sandhill Cranes were seen flying south over the Yellow Point area of Cedar.

Sunday September 18:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The beginning of the walk was cool and wet but it warmed up as the morning progressed. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of an American Bittern flying over the marsh and then landing and standing in the reeds, giving us a quick look at it. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was spotted chasing a Red-tailed Hawk.
Eight birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species of birds: Mallards, Wood Ducks, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, American Bittern, Turkey Vulture, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Anna’s Hummingbird, Black Swift, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Red-winged Blackbird, American Goldfinch, House Finch and House Sparrow.

Thirty-two Sandhill Cranes were seen flying over the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.

Friday September 16:
Twenty-two Sandhill Cranes were spotted flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Thursday September 15:
A Great Horned Owl, a Barred Owl, and two Pygmy Owls were seen at Morrell Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

American Pipits were seen at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

A possible Wandering Tattler was reported on Lost Beach at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Wednesday September 14:
American Pipits were spotted at Pipers Lagoon.

Sandhill Cranes were seen flying over Country Club Mall in Nanaimo.

Tuesday September 13:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy but very pleasant with calm winds. We saw four Common Loons just offshore giving us good views. They were also singing---a nice treat! Two Marbled Murrelet, Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, a Double-crested Cormorant and a Pelagic Cormorant were offshore. Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were spotted flying over the water heading down the Strait of Georgia. A Semipalmated Plover, several Killdeer as well as Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers were on the mud flats as the tide was going out.
A special thanks to Bahar Bilgen from Turkey for joining us for the last two Tuesday bird walks. It was a pleasure having you join us, Bahar.
Twenty-six birders including Bahar and Marie from Illinois and Robyn from Australia saw and heard the following forty-three species of birds:

Canada Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer,
Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Marbled Murrelet, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, Red Crossbill and American Goldfinch.
*******************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, September 26 at 7:30 pm.
General Meeting @ Springwood Middle School, Parksville
********************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, October 13 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay.
****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 September 20 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions 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 September 25 will be going to French Creek. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. in Columbia Beach, 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, September 13, 2011

2011-09-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

Horned Grebe: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy but very pleasant with calm winds. We saw four Common Loons just offshore giving us good views. They were also singing---a nice treat! Two
Marbled Murrelet, Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, a Double-crested Cormorant and a Pelagic Cormorant were offshore. Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were spotted flying over the water heading down the Strait of Georgia. A Semipalmated Plover, several Killdeer as well as Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers were on the mud flats as the tide was going out.
A special thanks to Bahar Bilgen from Turkey for joining us for the last two Tuesday bird walks. It was a pleasure having you join us, Bahar.
Twenty-six birders including Bahar and Marie from Illinois and Robyn from Australia saw and heard the following forty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Marbled Murrelet
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
American Robin
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, September 11, 2011

2011-09-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

Yellow-rumped Warbler; 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 September 11, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the newly opened Moorecroft Regional District Park in Nanoose Bay. The morning was sunny and warm with a breeze off the Strait of Georgia. We saw and heard all five species of woodpeckers from the island---Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker and Red-breasted Sapsucker. Several Brown Creepers entertained us throughout the morning. Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers and Townsend’s Warblers were spotted high up in the trees.

Nineteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-four species of birds: Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Bonaparte's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch and Red Crossbill.

Tuesday September 06:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm with a strong breeze off the Strait of Georgia.
We spotted a Black-throated Gray Warbler in with a flock of Chestnut-backed Chickadees in the trees near the trail. There were a large number of Lincoln's Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows and Cedar Waxwings along the edge of the meadows. Two young Western Tanagers gave us good looks from the low bushes along the trail. Ten Evening Grosbeaks flew over us at end of the walk.
Twenty-two birders including visiting birders from Turkey, Chicago and Victoria saw and heard the following thirty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Killdeer, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Eurasian Collared Dove, Chestnut-backed Chickadee,Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, House Finch, American Goldfinch and Evening Grosbeak.

A Great Horned Owl was seen at 8:00 P.M. in the 1300 block of Pilot Way in Nanoose Bay.

A Wilson's Warbler was seen at the end of Brookwood Drive in north Nanaimo.

A Marsh Wren was seen at Brookwood Marsh in north Nanaimo.

Sunday September 04:
A juvenile Parasitic Jaeger was spotted at Deep Bay harassing Bonaparte’s Gulls before settling on the water for about five minutes and then flying off.

*************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
October 13 at 7 P.M.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay.
****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 September 13 will be going to the Plummer 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 at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood drive at about 9:10 A.M.

******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on September 18 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot at Buttertubs Marsh 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, September 06, 2011

2011-09-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

Savannah Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm with a strong breeze off the Strait of Georgia. We spotted a Black-throated Gray Warbler in with a flock of Chestnut-backed Chickadees in the trees near the trail. There was a large number of Lincoln's Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows and Cedar Waxwings along the edge of the meadows. Two young Western Tanagers gave us good looks from the low bushes along the trail. Ten Evening Grosbeaks flew over us at end of the walk.

Twenty-two birders including visiting birders from Victoria, Chicago and Turkey saw and heard the following thirty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Killdeer
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Eurasian Collared Dove
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, September 04, 2011

2011-09-04T18:55:00.000-07:00

Semipalmated Plover: 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 September 04, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm. We saw a Baird’s Sandpiper, and three Semipalmated Plover’s on the mudflats as the tide was coming in. Several Willow Flycatchers were fly catching as we looked over the bushes throughout the morning. A Bonaparte’s Gull, three Common Loons and two Red-necked Grebes were on the Strait of Georgia.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-one species of birds:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Merlin, Killdeer, Least Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Bonaparte’s Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, House Finch and American Goldfinch.

Monday August 29:
The Early birders went to the newly opened Moorecroft Regional District Park in Nanoose Bay. The morning was sunny and warm with a breeze off the Strait of Georgia. We saw and heard several Brown Creepers throughout the morning. A flock of Ruby-crowned Kinglets as well as a Hutton's Vireo entertained us as they moved through the bushes not far from us. We watched a Warbling Vireo, Downy Woodpeckers and Hairy Woodpecker feeding on bushes at the Beaver Pond.

Nine birders saw and heard the following twenty-eight species of birds:
Canada Geese, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian Collared Dove, Barred Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling and Red Crossbill.

A male Pileated Woodpecker was seen feeding at a backyard suet feeder in the Departure Bay/Rock City area of Nanaimo.

Sunday August 28:
Twenty to thirty Horned Grebes were seen on the Strait of Georgia at Qualicum Bay.

Forty-one Common Nighthawks and two Eurasian Collared Doves were seen over the Paradise Mini Golf course in Parksville.

*************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
September 8 at 7 P.M.
The Library Centre on Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay.
Guest speaker -Tim Clemont
Topic--Restoration of the Englishman River Estuary
****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 September 06 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 at the end of Shelly Road (the ocean side of Shelly Road off Highway 19a) at about 9:10 A.M.

******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on September 11 will be going to Moorecroft Regional District Park in Nanoose Bay. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at Moorecroft Regional District Park that is at the end of Stewart Road, off Northwest Bay Road in Nanoose Bay, 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

“Pelagic birding trip in September”

WildResearch, a Vancouver base non-profit, is pleased to be offering a pelagic birding trip departing from Ucluelet on the Sunday the 18th September 2011. The ship we will be using is the M.V. Frances Barkley, a 39m (128ft), 300 ton coastal freighter. The cost per person is $200 for WildResearch members.

For details visit: www.wildresearch.ca

Birding at Moorecroft Park

2011-08-29T14:09:00.001-07:00

Brown Creeper: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Early birders went to the newly opened Moorecroft Park in Nanoose Bay. The morning was sunny and warm with a breeze off the Strait of Georgia. We saw and heard Brown Creepers throughout the morning. A flock of Ruby-crowned Kinglets along with a Hutton's Vireo entertained us as they moved through the bushes not far from us. We watched a Warbling Vireo, Downy Woodpeckers and Hairy Woodpecker, feeding on bushes at the Beaver Pond.

Nine birders saw and heard the following twenty-eight species of birds:
Warbling Vireo
Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian Collared Dove
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Red Crossbill

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, August 28, 2011

2011-08-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

Eurasian Collared Doves: 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 August 28, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny and warm.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following twenty-four species of birds.
Harlequin Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Great Blue Heron. California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Black Oystercatcher, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Song Sparrow, Pacific Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Northwestern Crow and Common Raven.

Thursday August 25:
An Eurasian Collared Dove has been heard calling and seen periodically at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo.

Monday August 22:
The early birders went to Columbia Beach/French Creek. The morning was very windy. The surf was up and we had periods of throughout the morning. The big highlight of the morning was seeing and identifying a large number of shorebirds. Four Whimbrel flew past over the water near the parking area at Columbia Beach. At Pebble Beach we saw a large number of Black Turnstones and a flock of fifteen Whimbrel and one Short-billed Dowitcher disappear into the rocks along the shore. After finding the Whimbrel among the rocks we were able to identify the Short-billed Dowitcher. The Dowitcher is smaller than the Black-bellied Plover which were there in large numbers feeding among the rocks. Lots of Killdeer, two Spotted Sandpipers, four Western Sandpipers and ten Least Sandpipers were at the pond along French Creek.
Six birders saw and heard the following thirty-four species of birds:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black Turnstone,
Sanderling, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian Collared Dove, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Purple Martin, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow and
Brown-headed Cowbird.

A Cooper’s Hawk was seen perched between Westhaven Place and Leslie Crescent in Nanaimo.

Sunday August 21:
A Great Horned Owl was spotted in a cherry tree along Villa Road in Nanaimo.

*************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
September 8 at 7 P.M.
The Library Centre on Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay.
Guest speaker -Tim Clemont
Topic--Restoration of the Englishman River Estuary
****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 season has come to a close. The bird walks will resume on September 6, 2011. Have a great summer!

******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on September 04 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will 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, BC V9T 2L8
250-390-3669
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

“Pelagic birding trip in September”

WildResearch, a Vancouver base non-profit, is pleased to be offering a pelagic birding trip departing from Ucluelet on the Sunday the 18th September 2011. The ship we will be using is the M.V. Frances Barkley, a 39m (128ft), 300 ton coastal freighter. The cost per person is $200 for WildResearch members.

For details visit: www.wildresearch.ca

Whimbrels at Columbia Beach

2011-08-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

Least Sandpiper: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The early birders went to Columbia Beach/French Creek. The morning was very windy, with the surf up and it did rain throughout the morning. The big highlight was the sighting of four Whimbrel flying past over the water near the parking area at Columbia Beach. We went to the Pebble Beach area and after spotting a flock of California Gulls, a large number of Black Turnstones we saw a flock of fifteen Whimbrel and one Short-billed Dowitcher fly into the shore and disappear into the rocks along the shore. After finding the Whimbrel,the Black-bellied Plovers and the Short-billed Dowitcher among the rocks we were able to identify the Short-billed Dowitcher. The Dowitcher is smaller than the Black-bellied Plovers which were there in large numbers feeding among the rocks. Lots of Killdeer, two Spotted Sandpipers, four Western Sandpipers and ten Least Sandpipers were at the pond along French Creek.

Six birders saw and heard the following thirty-four species of birds:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Common Loon
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Spotted Sandpiper
Whimbrel
Black Turnstone
Sanderling
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Short-billed Dowitcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian Collared Dove
Rock Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Purple Martin
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird

Good birding!
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, August 21, 2011

2011-08-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

Yellow Warbler: 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 August 21, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny and warm. We saw a large number of Bushtits, Yellow Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers and a Warbling Vireo near the parking area along Jingle Pot Road.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Osprey, Virginia Rail, Rock Pigeon, Band-tailed Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Purple Martin, Black Swift, Barn Swallow, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Marsh Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Bushtit, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Cassin’s Vireo,, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Western Tanager, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrow.

Saturday August 20:
Purple Martins, Cedar Waxwings, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned Warblers and Black-throated Grey Warblers were seen at the Morningstar Ponds at French Creek.

Three Greater Yellowlegs and several Sandpipers were seen on the Englishman River, Plummer Road side, in Parksville.

Over twenty Common Nighthawks were seen flying over Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

A Bewick’s Wren is visiting yards in the 800 block of Harewoods Mines Road in Nanaimo.

Friday August 19:
A flock of Common Nighthawks were seen hawking insects over Twiggly Wiggly Road in Nanaimo.

Over twenty Common Nighthawks were seen flying over Arrowsmith Street in French Creek.

Four Common Ravens were spotted hanging around a nest in Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Thursday August 18:
An Osprey was seen flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Wednesday August 17:
An American Dipper was spotted at the upper lake in Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Tuesday August 16:
Sixteen Common Nighthawks were spotted flying heading west low over houses in the one hundred block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at French Creek today on the marina side of the Creek.

A Barred Owl chick was seen at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Monday August 15:
The early birders went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm. We spotted a Sanderling in with a large flock of Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers. We heard Red-breasted Nuthatch singing throughout the morning. We saw two Barn Swallows dipping and diving for insects above the water.
Seven birders saw and heard the following thirty-eight species of birds:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, White-winged Scoter, Red-necked Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Sanderling, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull,
Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Barn Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

Sunday August 15:
A Peregrine Falcon was spotted flying over the top of Colbourne Drive in Nanaimo.

****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 season has come to a close. The bird walks will resume on September 6, 2011. Have a great summer!

******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on August 28 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot at Neck Point Park off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20 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

“Pelagic birding trip in September”

WildResearch, a Vancouver base non-profit, is pleased to be offering a pelagic birding trip departing from Ucluelet on the Sunday the 18th September 2011. The ship we will be using is the M.V. Frances Barkley, a 39m (128ft), 300 ton coastal freighter. The cost per person is $200 for WildResearch members.

For details visit: www.wildresearch.ca

Rathtrevor Provincial Park birding

2011-08-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

Red-breasted Nuthatch: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The early birders went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm. We spotted a Sanderling in with a large flock of Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers. We heard Red-breasted Nuthatchs singing throughout the morning. We saw two Barn Swallows dipping and diving for insects above the water.

Seven birders saw and heard the following thirty-eight species of birds:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
White-winged Scoter
Red-necked Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Sanderling
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Barn Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

Nanaimo bird report, August 14, 2011

2011-08-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

Red Crossbill: 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

Ann Thompson who is known as the most enthusiastic and keen birder from Sunday morning bird walk suffered a stroke last month. She is in the Rehabilitation Ward of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and doing well with her rehab. Our very best to you Ann—we have missed you.

Sunday August 14, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Linley Valley in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny and warm. The highlight of the morning was seeing a family of three Merlin perched in a snag. The Merlins flew to the top of cedar trees and then hawked dragonflies from just above our heads and then headed back to the cedar trees only to fly out once more. It was a most spectacular show!
Eleven birders saw and heard the following twenty-two species of birds:
Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Merlin, Glaucous-winged Gull, Hairy Woodpecker, Anna’s Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Band-tailed Pigeon, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick’s Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow and Red Crossbill.

“Rare bird alert-Ruff”
A Ruff was seen at French Creek along the main creek channel from the Columbia Beach side.
The Ruff is a rare but regular Eurasian visitor to our area.

Saturday August 13:
A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen in a backyard off Bay Street in the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.

Tuesday August 09:
Two male Western Tanagers were seen at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Monday August 08:
The early birders went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman Rive in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm.
Seven birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species of birds:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Red Crossbill and American Goldfinch.

Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones, Rock Pigeons, Black Oystercatchers, Greater Yellowlegs, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, California Gulls and Bonaparte Gulls were seen at Columbia Beach, near the Pebble Beach Townhouse complex.

****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 season has come to a close. The bird walks will resume on September 6, 2011. Have a great summer!
******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on August 21 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot at Buttertubs Marsh off Bowen Road at about 9:15 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

“Pelagic birding trip in September”

WildResearch, a Vancouver base non-profit, is pleased to be offering a pelagic birding trip departing from Ucluelet on the Sunday the 18th September 2011. The ship we will be using is the M.V. Frances Barkley, a 39m (128ft), 300 ton coastal freighter. The cost per person is $200 for WildResearch members.

For details visit: www.wildresearch.ca

Englishman River birding

2011-08-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

Bonaparte's Gull, Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The early birders went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman Rive in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm.
Seven birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species of birds:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Merganser
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
Red Crossbill
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, August 07, 2011

2011-08-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

Bald Eagle: 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 August 07, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny and warm. We spotted a Black Swift soaring high overhead. A flock of Red Crossbills sang as they landed for a brief time on the top of a conifer tree.
Sixteen birders, including visiting birders from the United Kingdom, Ontario and Texas saw and heard the following twenty-five species of birds:
Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper’ Hawk, Eurasian Collared Dove, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black Swift, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Dark-eyed Junco, European Starling, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee and Red Crossbills.

Monday August 01:
A Barred Owl adult and chick, a Great Horned Owl chick with adult Great Horned Owl and one Common Nighthawk were seen at Colliery Dam in Nanaimo.

Saturday July 30:
Forty-two Common Nighthawks and two Band-tailed Pigeons were seen flying over Colliery Dam Park heading towards Mount Benson in Nanaimo.

Friday July 29:
Two Barred Owl chicks were seen at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Thursday July 28:
One American Goldfinch was spotted in 600 block of Howard Avenue in Nanaimo.

****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 season has come to a close. The bird walks will resume on September 6, 2011. Have a great summer! ******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on August 14 will be going to Linley Valley in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Burma Road at about 9:15 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

“Pelagic birding trip in September”

WildResearch, a Vancouver base non-profit, is pleased to be offering a pelagic birding trip departing from Ucluelet on the Sunday the 18th September 2011. The ship we will be using is the M.V. Frances Barkley, a 39m (128ft), 300 ton coastal freighter. The cost per person is $200 for WildResearch members.

For details visit: www.wildresearch.ca

Nanaimo bird report, July 31, 2011

2011-07-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

Savannah Sparrow: 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 July 31, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Beck Creek in south Nanaimo. The morning was partly cloudy and warm. We saw two Lesser Yellowlegs and three Spotted Sandpipers feeding on the mudflats. A Red-tailed Hawk flew by overhead. We heard several Pacific-slope Flycatchers and Red Crossbills during the morning. Two Black Swifts flew high overhead.

Twenty birders, including visiting birders from the United Kingdom, Australia and Texas saw and heard the following thirty-nine species:
Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Anna’s Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Black Swift, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Bushtit, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Red-winged Blackbird, Pine Siskin and Red Crossbills.

Friday July 29:
Six Common Nighthawks were seen flying east over Corfield Street near Despard Avenue in Parkville.

Thursday July 28:
Four Semipalmated Plovers, Killdeer, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers were seen at San Pariel on the mud flats along the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

Wednesday July 27:
A Barred Owl was seen at Bowen Park in Nanaimo.

A Great Horned Owl chick was seen in Colliery Dam Park in the cedar grove above the rock cliff near the Upper Lake in Nanaimo. This chick has been seen from July 23 until July 27 at the same location.

Monday July 25:
The early birders went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm. We saw many Savannah Sparrows and Willow Flycatchers in the meadows. A female Northern Harrier flew over the meadows and then perched in a conifer tree for a long time. We spotted a pair of American Kestrels in the top of a tall conifer tree and the female Kestrel flew over just above us giving us great views. We spotted a Red-breasted Merganser, three Black-bellied Plovers, two Black Oystercatchers, three Caspian Terns, Mew Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls near the tide line.

Six birders saw and heard the following fifty-three species of birds:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, California Quail, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Caspian Tern, Band-tailed Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Barred Owl, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher , Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher,Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing,
Orange-crowned Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch
House Finch, Red Crossbill, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

A pair of American Goldfinch were seen feeding at backyard feeders along Overlook Drive in Nanaimo.

Saturday July 23:
A Northern Harrier was seen along Rivers Edge in Parksville.

Five Caspian Terns were seen flying along shore line and resting on a bar at the beach access at Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.

A Red-eyed Vireo was heard singing in a Lot Ten along the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach.

A Common Nighthawk was spotted over the Eaglecrest area of Qualicum Beach.

Friday July 22:
“Rare bird alert-Yellow Grosbeak”

A possible female Yellow Grosbeak was seen along Jensen Avenue West in Parksville at a third floor balcony feeder for about ten minutes on Friday July 22 at 12:30 pm. The birder made notes of the large black beak and the very unusual streaking on top of the head and throughout the back and also there were white patches on the wings.

The Yellow Grosbeak has a large range reaching up to roughly 300,000 square kilometers. This bird is normally found in Guatemala, Mexico and the United States.

A female Yellow Grosbeak can be seen at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marysue2010/5590313630/

Tuesday July 19:

Sixty Common Nighthawks were seen over Country Club Mall in Nanaimo.

Five Common Nighthawks were spotted flying over Lancashire Avenue in Nanaimo.

Thursday July 14:

An American Bittern was seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 season has come to a close. The bird walks will resume on September 6, 2011. Have a great summer! ******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on August 7 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 bowing greens 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

“Pelagic birding trip in September”

WildResearch, a Vancouver base non-profit, is pleased to be offering a pelagic birding trip departing from Ucluelet on the Sunday the 18th September 2011. The ship we will be using is the M.V. Frances Barkley, a 39m (128ft), 300 ton coastal freighter. The cost per person is $200 for WildResearch members.

For details visit: www.wildresearch.ca

A possible Yellow Grosbeak sighting in Parksville

2011-07-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

A possible Yellow Grosbeak was seen at a third floor balcony feeder for about ten minutes in Parksville on Friday July 22, 2011. The birder made notes of the large black beak and the very unusual streaking on top of the head and throughout the back and also there were white patches on the wings.

The Yellow Grosbeak has a large range reaching up to roughly 300,000 square kilometers. This bird is normally found in Guatemala, Mexico and the United States.

Check the web site for photo of the Grosbeak
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marysue2010/5590313630/

Early birders

2011-07-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

Spotted Sandpiper: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm. We saw many Savannah Sparrows and Willow Flycatchers in the meadows. A female Northern Harrier flew over the meadows and then perched in a conifer tree for a long time. We spotted a pair of American Kestrels in the top of a tall conifer tree and the female Kestrel flew over just above us giving us great views. We spotted a Red-breasted Merganser, three Black-bellied Plovers, two Black Oystercatchers, three Caspian Terns, Mew Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls near the tide line.

Six birders saw and heard the following fifty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
American Kestrel
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Mew Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Caspian Tern
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Barred Owl
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, July 24, 2011

2011-07-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

Yellow Warbler: 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 July 24, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina in Ladysmith.
The morning was sunny and hot. We saw over sixty Purple Martin nests and over
three hundred Purple Martins flying and perched along the marina. We got good
views of a Orange-crowned Warbler feeding a Brown-headed Cowbird and good looks
at a Yellow Warbler.

Six birders saw and heard the following twenty-one species of birds:
Great Blue Heron, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon
Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northwestern Crow, Yellow Warbler,
Orange-crowned Warbler, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow,
Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Brown-headed
Cowbird, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee and American
Goldfinch.

Saturday July 23:
A Northern Harrier was seen along Rivers Edge in Parksville.

Five Caspian Terns were seen flying along shore line and resting on a bar at the
beach access at Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.

A Red-eyed Vireo was heard singing in a Lot Ten along the Little Qualicum River
in Qualicum Beach.

A Common Nighthawk was spotted over the Eaglecrest area of Qualicum Beach.

Friday July 22:
Four Sandhill Cranes were spotted flying northwest over Neck Point Park in
Nanaimo.

One adult and two Barred Owl chicks and one Common Nighthawk were seen at
Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

A Red-eyed Vireo was heard singing at Lot Ten along the Little Qualicum River
in Qualicum Beach.

Thursday July 21:
A Dark-eyed Junco was spotted on a nest at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Monday July 18:
The following fifty-five species were seen at Columbia Beach and French Creek.

Canada Goose, Mallard, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser,
Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron,

Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Turnstone,

Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte's Gull,
Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,

Caspian Tern, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared
Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker,

Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Northwestern
Crow, Common Raven, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pacific Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin,
European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler,

Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee,

Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged
Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Red Crossbill, American Goldfinch
and House Sparrow.

A female Northern Flicker was feeding three young flickers in an apple tree in a
backyard in upper Lantzville.

A large family of California Quail were seen feeding in a backyard in upper
Lantzville.

****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 season has come to a close. The bird walks will resume on
September 6, 2011. Have a great summer!
******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on July 31 will be going to Beck Creek in Nanaimo. We will
meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at end of Maki Road
near Living Forest Campground 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

The early birders are heading out tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. We will meet at the usual meeting spot at the Parksville Bay near the Lions playground at 7:30 am or at our usual spot at Shelly Road side of the Englishman River at about 7:35 a.m.

"Pelagic birding trip in September"
WildResearch, a Vancouver base non-profit, is pleased to be offering a pelagic
birding trip departing from Ucluelet on the Sunday the 18th September 2011. The
ship we will be using is the M.V. Frances Barkley, a 39m (128ft), 300 ton
coastal freighter. The cost per person is $200 for WildResearch members.

For details visit: www.wildresearch.ca

French Creek and Columbia Beach Birds

2011-07-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

Long-billed Dowitcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The early birders went to Columbia Beach and French Creek this morning. The morning started off cloudy and then turned warm and muggy. There were three Long-billed Dowichers, a Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, Wester Sandpipers and three Spotted Sandpipers in the ponds at French Creek. Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Common Mergansers,
Double-crested Cormorants, Pelagic Cormorants, a Bonaparte's Gull, a Ring-billed Gull, a California Gull, a Herring Gull, several Glaucous-winged Gulls, a Caspian Tern, two Pigeon Guillemots and Marbled Murrelets were seen from the shore at Columbia Beach.

Seven birders saw and heard the following fifty-six species of birds.
Canada Goose
Mallard
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Merganser
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Spotted Sandpiper
Black Turnstone
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Caspian Tern
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Pacific Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Red Crossbill
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Monday early birding....
The early birders go birding on Mondays at 7:30 a.m. We will meet at the usual meeting spot at the Parksville Bay near the Lions playground at 7:30 am.

Nanaimo bird report, July 17, 2011

2011-07-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Violet-green Swallow: 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 July 17: 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning started out cloudy and cool but soon turned warm and muggy. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of a newly fledged Swainson’s Thrush sitting very quietly on a conifer tree about two feet above the ground near the trail. We all got to have a good look at him. There was a Western Tanager perched on a conifer tree, about six feet from the ground, just off the trail. Again, we had a great opportunity for some good looks.
Five birders saw and heard the following twenty-five species of birds:
Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher,
Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Western Tanager, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and American Goldfinch.

Friday July 15:
A female Wood Duck with two ducklings were seen today at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

A female Rufous Hummingbird was seen feeding along the gravel trail at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Monday July 11:
Canada Geese, Bald Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper, Eurasian Collared Dove, Barred Owl, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Hairy Woodpecker,
Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pacific Wren, Swainson's Thrush,
American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak and American Goldfinch were seen at Lot Ten near the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach.

Tuesday July 10:
A Yellow-headed Blackbird was spotted along Claymore Road in Qualicum Beach.

Twelve Caspian Terns were seen at Cowichan Bay.

A Black Swan was seen on the river at the Big Qualicum River Bay Campground in Qualicum Bay.

Saturday July 09:
Fifteen Least Sandpipers in breeding plumage and a Greater Yellowlegs were seen at the small tidal pond on the Columbia Beach side of French Creek.

A family of Chipping Sparrows is visiting a backyard along Ruby Crescent in Nanaimo.

Chipping Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, a Pileated Woodpecker and a Downy Woodpecker are visiting feeders in a backyard along Meridian Way in Parksville.
****************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 season has come to a close. The bird walks will resume on September 6, 2011. Have a great summer! ******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on July 24 will be going to the Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina in Ladysmith. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or on the left side of the parking lot at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith about 9:40 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

“Pelagic birding trip in September”

WildResearch, a Vancouver base non-profit, is pleased to be offering a pelagic birding trip departing from Ucluelet on the Sunday the 18th September 2011. The ship we will be using is the M.V. Frances Barkley, a 39m (128ft), 300 ton coastal freighter. The cost per person is $200 for WildResearch members.

For details visit: www.wildresearch.ca

Nanaimo bird report, July 10, 2011

2011-07-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Tuesday bird walk, June 28, 2011

2011-06-28T19:05:00.000-07:00

Warbling Vireo: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning
was cloudy but warm. We saw a Yellow-rumped Warbler on an Arbutus Tree. Black
Swifts flew high over head at the start of the walk and Willow Flycatchers were
seen perched and singing on the top of bushes at the start of the walk and again
at the end of the walk. We saw two Warbling Vireos low in the bushes. There was
a Yellow Warbler perched and singing in a big leaf maple.

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species of birds:
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Killdeer
Band-tailed Pigeon
Black Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, June 26, 2011

2011-06-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

Violet-green Swallow: 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@...

Sunday June 26: 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was mostly sunny and warm. We spotted Harlequin Ducks, Double-crested Cormorants, Pelagic Cormorants, Pigeon Guillemots and Marbled Murrelets on the water. A Violet-green Swallow was perched high on a snag giving us great views.

Twenty-two birders, saw and heard the following forty-one species of birds:
Canada Geese, Harlequin Duck, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Great Blue Heron,
Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon
Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Belted Kingfisher, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous
Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, California Quail, European Starling, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin,
Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird,Song Sparrow, House Finch and American Goldfinch.

Wednesday June 22:
A Common Nighthawk was seen flying high above the Highlands subdivision off
Rutherford Road in north Nanaimo.

A Barn Owl was seen along Michael Road in Cedar.

Tuesday, June 21:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River
Estuary in Parksville. The morning started out cloudy with a strong breeze but
it turned warm and sunny as the morning went on. We watched a family of Common Mergansers swimming very quickly along the river. Another family of Common Mergansers walked very quickly along the gravel bar. Six Great Blue Herons, two Turkey Vulture and two Bald Eagles flew above the mouth of the river. We saw three different Willow Flycatchers perched and singing on the top of bushes along the trail. There were four Yellow Warblers singing from bushes along the meadow, giving us great views.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty species of birds.
Canada Geese, Mallard, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Pheasant, Pelagic
Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk,
Killdeer, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Black Swift, Rufous
Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed
Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren,
Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing,
Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird,Purple Finch, House Finch and American Goldfinch.

Eight Red Crossbills were seen over Malaspina Road and Hammond Bay Road in
Nanaimo.

Saturday June 18:
An Osprey was seen flying over the upper lake at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Friday June 10:
An Osprey was spotted perched on a stump near the upper lake at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

************************************************** **
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting, "Members Night: The Sequel"
Monday June 27, 2011
Springwood School, Parksville.
************************************************** *
Everyone is invited 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 June 28, 2011 will be going to the Top Bridge Trail 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 parking area along Industrial Way near Tuan Road at about 9:10 A.M. This will be the last Tuesday Bird walk for the summer. The bird walks will resume on September 6, 2011. Have a great summer!
************************************************** ****
The Sunday Bird Walk on July 03 will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper
Lantzville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or under the hydro Lines
along Normarel Drive at about 9:20 A.M.
************************************************** ****
The Sunday Bird Walk on July 10 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot at Buttertubs
Marsh off Bowen Road 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@...

Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Tuesday bird walk, June 21, 2011

2011-06-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning started out cloudy with a strong breeze but it turned warm and sunny as the morning went on. We watched a family of Common Mergansers swimming very quickly along the river. Another family of Common Mergansers walked very quickly along the gravel bar. Six Great Blue Herons, two Turkey Vulture and two Bald Eagles flew above the mouth of the river. We saw three different Willow Flycatchers perched and singing on the top of bushes along the trail. There were four Yellow Warblers singing from bushes along the meadow, giving us great views.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty species of birds.
Canada Goose
Mallard
Common Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Killdeer
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Black Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch

Good birding,
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, June 19, 2011

2011-06-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

Wilson's Warbler: 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 June 19: 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Linley Valley in Nanaimo. It was cloudy but the rain held off until the end of the walk. The morning air was again filled with the songs of birds. The highlights included seeing a Black-throated Gray Warbler perched and singing at the top of a tall Cedar tree. The rich robin-like song of a Black-headed Grosbeak resonated through the woods. We heard and saw a Western Tanager high up in a conifer tree. A flock of American Robins was spotted mobbing a Barred Owl near the ground in the forest. There was an Olive-sided Flycatcher and a Cassin's Vireo singing in the distance. A flock of Black Swifts flew high overhead.
Thirteen birders, including visitors from Seattle and Great Britian saw and heard the following forty species of birds: Mallard, Bald Eagle, Barred Owl, Eurasian Collared Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, California Quail, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Black Swift, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Common Yellow-throat, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, Red Crossbills and American Goldfinch.

Wednesday, June 15:
Purple Martins were seen flying over the Environmental Sciences Building at the Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo.
A Red-eyed Vireo was seen along the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville.

Tuesday, June 14:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Beaver Ponds at Nanoose Bay. The morning was cloudy with a cool wind.
We spotted Black Swifts flying high overhead. There were several male Rufous Hummingbirds doing their courting dives throughout the morning. A Willow Flycatcher was perched near the Beaver Ponds giving us great views. We heard Swainson's Thrush singing throughout the morning. Pacific-slope Flycatchers and a Cassin's Vireo were singing close by. We saw and heard the Black-headed Grosbeak high up in the top of a conifer tree.
Eight birders saw and heard the following twenty-nine species of birds:
Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Black Swift, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin,Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

Seventeen Caspian Terns and nine Spotted Sandpipers were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Monday June 13:
A Red-breasted Sapsucker was spotted on an ornamental cherry tree in the Divers Lake area of Nanaimo.

Two Caspian Terns were seen at the San Pariel side of Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

A Bullock’s Oriole was seen in a backyard in the 5200 block of Toms Turnabout in Nanaimo..

Sunday, June 12:
A Common Nighthawk was seen over Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.

A Western Kingbird was seen and photographed at Jordan River on the west side of Vancouver Island.

Saturday, June 11:
Evening Grosbeaks are visiting a backyard in the 2700 block of Neyland Road in Nanaimo.

A pair of Evening Grosbeaks is visiting feeders daily at the end of Douglas Road in Nanaimo.

Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting,
Monday June 27, Springwood School, Parksville.
***************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 June 21, 2011 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman 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.
******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on June 26 will be going to Neck Point in Parksville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot at Neck Point Park off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Tuesday bird walk, June 14, 2011

2011-06-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

Swainson's Thrush: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Beaver Ponds at Nanoose Bay. The morning was cloudy with a cool wind.
We spotted Black Swifts flying high overhead. There were several male Rufous Hummingbirds doing their courting dives throughout the morning. A Willow Flycatcher was perched near the Beaver Ponds giving us great views. We heard Swainson's Thrush singing throughout the morning. Pacific-slope Flycatchers and a Cassin's Vireo were singing close by. We saw and heard the Black-headed Grosbeak high up in the top of a conifer tree.

Eight birders saw and heard the following twenty-nine species of birds:
Mallard
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Black Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin's Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH TUESDAY BIRD WALK, JUNE 07, 2011

2011-06-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

MacGillivray's Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went Lot Ten along the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum
Beach. The morning started out cloudy and cool, but finished sunny and warm. We
spotted a Chipping Sparrow carrying nesting material at the start of the walk.
We heard a MacGillivray's Warbler and then saw him singing on a tall bush near
the trail. A partial albino Brown-headed Cowbird, with a large white collar and
white spots on its head, was perched high at the top of a conifer tree. A
Warbling Vireo gathering nesting material gave us great views when he put in an
appearance just above us along the trail. Two Spotted Sandpipers flew into the
edge of the river for us to view. We watched as a family of four or five
Red-breasted Sapsuckers flew back and forth over the river for about fifteen
minutes. We caught a glimpse of a Wilson's and a Yellow Warbler in the willow
bushes near the river.

Twelve birders saw and hear the following thirty-four species of birds:
Canada Goose
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Spotted Sandpiper
Band-tailed Pigeon
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

2011-06-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY BIRD WALK, JUNE 07, 2011

2011-06-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

Bald Eagle: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk on June 07, 2011 will be going to Lot Ten in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at the Parksville Beach, Community Park aat the parking area in front of the Lions Playground at 9:00a.m. or at the end of Kinkade Road on the forest side of highway 19a at about 9:20 a.m.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

Sunday bird walk, June 05, 2011

2011-06-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Sunday Bird Walk on June 05, will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Despard Avenue off Highway 4a at about 9:30 A.M.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 31, 2011

2011-05-31T19:42:00.000-07:00

Red-breasted Sapsucker: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was mostly sunny and warm. We had three sightings of Red-breasted Sapsuckers. The first sighting was of a Sapsucker gleaning insects on a short tree near the trail. He then flew right above our heads, giving us a great look. The Willow Flycatcher gave us close views as it hawked insects and then returned to it's perch several times. We heard a Cassin's Vireo and Warblers singing throughout the morning. We spotted a Black-throated Gray Warbler gleaning insects near the top of a Big Leaf Maple Tree.

Fourteen birders, including Henry and Phyllis from New Zealand(who are now heading home after spending a month with us) saw and heard the following thirty-nine species of birds.

Mallard

California Quail

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Cooper's Hawk

Band-tailed Pigeon

Anna's Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Willow Flycatcher

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Cassin's Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Violet-green Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick's Wren

Pacific Wren

Swainson's Thrush

American Robin

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Wilson's Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Blackheaded Grosbeak

Brewer's Blackbird

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 29, 2011

2011-05-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

Wilson's Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk , on May 29, will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville.

We will meet at the parking area near the Lions playground at Parksville Bay Community Park, at 9:00 a.m. or at the west end of Despard Avenue at about 9:10 a.m.

LAZULI BUNTING

2011-05-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

A pair of Lazuli Buntings have been reported from Chase River in south Nanaimo. They were first sighted May 25 and then again at a different backyard feeder. They are presently moving around the area of Country Hills Drive and Extension Road.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT MAY 23

2011-05-26T16:05:00.000-07:00

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
May 23, 2011

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 MAY 22

The Sunday bird walk went to Legacy / Dumont Marsh in upper Lantzville. Weather was overcast and the birds were quiet. Highlights were Wilson’s Warblers, Yellow Warble and great views of Western Tanagers.

Twelve birders saw and heard the following 44 species of birds: Canada Geese, Wood Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Steller’s Jay, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Pacific Wren, European Starling, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch,, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin.

SATURDAY MAY 21

Pair of Harlequin Ducks was seen just above Second Lake of the Nanaimo lakes chain, which is located at the end of Nanaimo Lakes Road.

2 American Dippers seen under the cement bridge at upper lake at Colliery Dam Park Nanaimo.

1 Spotted Sandpiper seen at the upper lake of Colliery Dam park.

Evening Grosbeaks are still visiting a feeder in upper Lantzville along with Black-headed Grosbeak.

FRIDAY MAY 20

At Colliery Dam Park, a Barred Owl was heard calling, Turkey Vulture was seen overhead, and a Red-breasted Sapsucker was observed using a nesting cavity in a cedar tree next to the paved trail.

Silver Pheasant was seen in a backyard on Fillinger Crescent Nanaimo.

Silver Pheasant, male. Customer photo.

WEDNESDAY MAY 18

Seen at lot 10, end of Kincaid road, Qualicum Beach, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Macgillivray’s Warbler, and Wilson’s Warbler. A family of Great Horned Owls with two adults and two downy fledglings.
Also reported was an unusual male Brown-headed Cowbird that had a white cap and collar.

Western Tanagers have been reported at Maki road and island highway as well as Laguna Way in Nanaimo. There have also been numerous reports of the Western Tanagers as they are just returning.

TUESDAY MAY 17

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning started out cool, but soon became sunny and warm making a great morning to bird. The highlights included hearing and then seeing a MacGillivray's Warbler perched and singing on the top of bushes along the trail not far from us. We watched as a Caspian Tern hovered and then dived into the ocean just past the shore line for about twenty minutes. Fourteen birders, including two visitors from New Zealand, saw and heard the following 41 species of birds:
Brant, Mallard, Pacific Loon, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Black Oystercatcher, Glaucous-winged Gull, Caspian Tern, Pigeon Guillemot, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush,
European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin.

MONDAY MAY 16

A pair of Eurasian Collared Doves was seen in a backyard on Roberta West in the Chase River area. These doves are an introduced species and are commonly being reported in the central island area.

SUNDAY MAY 16

A Barred Owl was seen in the forest off Homestead Way in Ladysmith.

Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting Monday May 30
Genevieve Singleton, Warden of the Honey moon Bay Ecological Reserve, will tell us about this beautiful place. All welcome. For more information phone 752-7588.

Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, June 09, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.

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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. 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 May 24, 2011 will be going to the Plummer road side of the Englishman River Estuary. 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 trail entrance about 9:10 A.M.

The Sunday Bird Walk on May 29 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking at the end of Buttertubs Drive off Bowen road about 9:20 A.M.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 24, 2011

2011-05-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

The Tuesday bird walk went to Plummer Road. It was a sunny morning,
but the birds were fairly quiet. The highlight of the walk was
seeing 20 or more Black Swift flying overhead and also watching a
Spotted Sandpiper along the waterline. With John Purvees in the
lead, 10 birders identified the following 34 species:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Merganser
Pigeon Guillemont
White-winged Scoter
Brandt
Glaucous-winged Gull
Spotted Sandpiper
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
Band-tailed Pigeon
Black Swift
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
California Quail
Downy Woodpecker

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 24, 2011

2011-05-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Tuesday Bird Walk on May 24, 2011 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side 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 corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:10 A.M.

Greetings from Edmonton

2011-05-22T19:14:00.001-07:00

Hi birders,
Marilynne and I along with our grandson went to the Beaverhill area east of the
city near Toefield and we saw and heard the following fifty-two species of
birds:
Horned Grebe
Eared Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe
Canada Goose
Mallard
Gadwall
Northern Pintail
American Wigeon
Northern Shoveler
Blur-winged Teal
Canvasback
Redhead
Lesser Scaup
Common Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Northern Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
American Coot
Sora
Killdeer
Willet
Least Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Rock Pigeon
Black-billed Magpie
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Western Kingbird
Common Raven
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Mountain Bluebird
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow Warbler
Clay-colored Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Edmonton ---for five more days

Sunday bird walk, May 22, 2011

2011-05-21T08:49:00.001-07:00

The Sunday Bird Walk on May 22 will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or under the Hydro Lines along Normarel Drive at about 9:20 A.M

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 17, 2011

2011-05-17T16:27:00.001-07:00

MacGillivray's Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning started out cool, but soon became sunny and warm making a great morning to bird. The highlights included hearing and then seeing a MacGillivray's Warbler perched and singing on the top of bushes along the trail not far from us. We watched as a Caspian Tern hovered and then dived into the ocean just past the shore line for about twenty minutes.
Fourteen birders, including two visitors from New Zealand, saw and heard the following forty-one species of birds:
Brant
Mallard
Pacific Loon
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Black Oystercatcher
Glaucous-winged Gull
Caspian Tern
Pigeon Guillemot
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, May 15, 2011

2011-05-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

Spotted Sandpiper: Ralph Hocken Photo.

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 May 15: 2011:
Both male and female Anna’s Hummingbirds and Rufous Hummingbirds are coming to feeders on Drew Road in French Creek.

The Sunday bird walk went to Morden Colliery Provincial Park in south Nanaimo and Quennel Lake in Cedar . The morning was cloudy with rain throughout the morning. The highlights included hearing Pacific Wrens, Brown Creepers, a Warbling Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrows. We did see a Black-throated Grey Warbler, a Yellow Warbler and a Wilson’s Warbler.
Seven birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species of birds: Canada Geese, Wood Duck, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Flicker, Rufous Hummingbird, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Pacific Wren, Bushtit, European Starling, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Brewer’s Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch,, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, House Finch and House Sparrow.

Saturday May 14:
Approximately 200 Vaux’s Swifts flew down a chimney and into a home in the 900 block of Bruce Avenue in Central Nanaimo. The residents of the house had a real challenge getting the Swifts out of the house.
A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen at the Living Forest Campground, off Maki Road in south Nanaimo.
A Ring-necked Pheasant was spotted flying across Northwest Bay Road onto the farm yard in Nanoose Bay.
A Wilson’s Warbler was seen in a backyard in the Departure Bay Area of Nanaimo.

A male Western Tanager was seen in a garden in the 300 block of 4th Avenue in Ladysmith.

Friday May 13:
Two Caspian Terns were seen at Jack Point in the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.
A Wilson’s Warbler was seen gleaning insects from cherry trees in the 2000 block of Marlborough Drive in Nanaimo.

Thursday May 12:
A Hammond’s Flycatcher was seen in the 2000 block of Marlborough Drive in Nanaimo.
A male Cinnamon Teal and three pairs of Wood Ducks were seen at Brookwood Marsh in North Nanaimo.

A Barred Owl was spotted at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
A White-throated Sparrow was seen near North Road and Ross Way on Gabriola Island.

Wednesday May 11:
A Ruffed Grouse was seen in a yard on the north side of Taylor Walk at the Little Qualicum River Village.

Tuesday May 10:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road side in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and very windy. The highlights included seeing an Osprey fly over head. We saw and heard five species of warblers ---Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and a Wilson's Warbler.
Thirteen birders including two birders visiting from New Zealand saw and hear the following forty-four species of birds:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon,
Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch and House Finch.

Male and female Brown-headed Cowbirds were seen at a feeder along Homestead Way in Ladysmith.

A Mourning Dove that has been hanging out in the area of Cosgrove Crescent and Argyle Avenue in Nanaimo.

Tuesday April 19:
A Red-breasted Sapsucker was spotted feeding on a peanut feeder in a backyard along Woodland Crescent in Port Alberni.
****************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday May 30, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
***************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, June 09, 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 May 17, 2011 will be going to the Rathtrevor Provincial Park 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 main parking lot of Rathtrevor Provincial Park about 9:10 A.M.
******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on May 22 will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or under the Hydro Lines along Normarel Drive 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

TUESDAY BIRD WALK, MAY 17, 2011

2011-05-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Western Tanager: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk on May 17, 2011 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park 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 main parking lot at Rathtrevor Provincial Park. at about 9:15A.M.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 10, 2011

2011-05-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

Yellow-rumped Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road side in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and very windy. The highlights included seeing an Osprey fly over head. We saw and heard five species of warblers ---Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and a Wilson's Warbler.
Thirteen birders including two birders visiting from New Zealand saw and hear the following forty-four species of birds:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Loon
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Mew Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville, British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, may 08, 2011

2011-05-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

Red-necked Phalarope: 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 May 08: 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The weather was sunny with calm winds. We saw and heard Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Wilson’s Warblers, Townsend’s Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers and Common Yellowthroat throughout the morning.
Six birders saw and heard the following fifty species of birds: Canada Goose, Mallard, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Pheasant, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Anna’s Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker,, Northern Flicker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler,
Black-throated Gray Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin.

A Black-headed Grosbeak was spotted flying across Highway 19, just past Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Nanaimo.

Saturday May 07:
Two California Quail were seen in a backyard along Pelican Way in Nanaimo.

American Goldfinch are visiting feeders along Cedar Road in Cedar.
A Townsend's Solitaire was perched on a fence at the top of Colbourne Drive in north Nanaimo.

A Yellow-headed Blackbird has been seen at the Little Qualicum River Estuary. The lone bird was seen moving about the yards of the houses along Surfside Drive in Qualicum Beach.

A Great Blue Heron was spotted on the roof of a house along Hamilton Avenue in Nanaimo.
Black-bellied Plovers were seen along the tide line at Pipers Lagoon.
Great Horned Owls with chicks were seen at Yellow Point Park in Cedar.

Friday May 06:
A Red-necked Phalarope, a Lincolns Sparrow, several yellow-rumped Warblers, Violet-green Swallows, a Northern Rough-winged Swallow and a Barn Swallow were seen at Morningstar ponds near the pump house off Lee Road in French Creek/Parksville.

Thursday May 05:
A Mountain Bluebird is still being seen at Piper’s Lagoon in Nanaimo.
American Goldfinch were seen visiting feeders along Vancouver Avenue in Nanaimo.

Tuesday May 03:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. It was a great morning for birding with sunny skies and calm winds. The highlights included seeing a Pacific-slope Flycatcher fly catching and gleaning insects. Several Chipping Sparrows perched on top of bushes along the trail entertaining us with their courting songs. A Hutton's Vireo showed up giving us looks. We spent most of the morning watching and hearing a large flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers that included both sub species of Myrtle and Audubon feeding on the ground and bushes along the trail at the top of the pond. We caught sight of a Lincoln's Sparrow perched on a short bush.

Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty-four species of birds:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle,
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, Killdeer, Rock Pigeon, Band-tailed Pigeon, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Hutton's Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet , American Robin, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler , Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco , Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch , House Finch, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.

Monday May 02:
Three Wilson’s Snipe are frequenting a backyard along Dover Road in Nanaimo.
**********************************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, May 12, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
A talk and slide presentation by Jay Rastogi: Sustainable Forest Stewardship at Wildwood Farm.
*************************************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday May 16, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in 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 Bird Walk on May 10, 2011 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road side 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 (off highway 19a on the Oceanside) at about 9:10 A.M.
******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on May 15 will be going to Morden Collery in Provincial Park in south Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at the Morden Park at about 9:30 A.M. Turn east off the Trans-Canada Highway at Morden Road. Follow Morden Road through the four-way stop and then follow the Provincial Park sign to the left of Morden Road.

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

Good birding
Neil Robins

5th Annual Bamfield Offshore Birding Excursion

Departing Bamfield Saturday, May 21, 2011 6:30 a.m.
Aboard the Juan de Fuca Express with Capt. Brian Gisborne
Cost: $115 per person for a full day on the water - limit 12 passengers

This trip is an off-shore pelagic trip targeting migrating seabirds and off-shore specialties such as albatrosses, shearwaters and storm-petrels.

For more info and details, please contact mark.maftei@gmail.com for details

Mark Maftei
Department of Biology,
Memorial University,
St, John's, Newfoundland
709 864 8141

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

Pelagic Birding off Bamfield.

2011-05-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

Pink-footed Shearwater: Mike Ashbee Photo.

5th Annual Bamfield Offshore Birding Excursion

Departing Bamfeild Saturday, May 21, 2011 6:30 a.m.
Aboard the Juan de Fuca Express with Capt. Brian Gisborne
Cost: $115 per person for a full day on the water - limit 12 passengers

This trip is an off-shore pelagic trip targeting migrating seabirds and off-shore specialties such as albatrosses, shearwaters and storm-petrels.

For more info and details, please contact mark.maftei@gmail.com for details

--
Mark Maftei
Department of Biology,
Memorial University,
St, John's, Newfoundland
709 864 8141

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD

2011-05-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD has been seen at the Little Qualicum River Estuary. The lone bird was seen moving about the yards of the houses along Surfside Drive.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 03, 2011

2011-05-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

Pacific-slope Flyatcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. It was a great morning for birding with sunny skies and calm winds. The highlights included seeing a Pacific-slope Flycatcher fly catching and gleaning insects. Several Chipping Sparrows perched on top of bushes along the trail entertaining us with their courting songs. A Hutton's Vireo showed up giving us looks. We spent most of the morning watching and hearing a large flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers that included both sub species of Myrtle and Audubon feeding on the ground and bushes along the trail at the top of the pond. We caught sight of a Lincoln's Sparrow perched on a short bush.

Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty-four species of birds:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Merlin
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Hutton's Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia