BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER

Black-throated Blue Warbler

We, at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store, would like to thank you, Linda and Dudley, for opening your yard to the more than fifty birders who viewed this “spunky” little Warbler in the past week and one half.

Understandable, Linda and Dudley would like to get back to their normal pace of life and so have decided that New Years Day, Tuesday January 01, 2008, will be the last viewing day for birders to access their yard. What a great way to end a birding year—thank-you again!

If you have any questions, please contact the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at (250) 390-3669.

Nanaimo bird alert

Peregrine Falcon: Ralph Hocken Photo

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
or call the Bird Alert at 390-3029
Post your sightings on these sites:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday December 30:
The Black-throated Blue Warbler continues to visit the suet feeders in Nanoose Bay. For information call the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at (250)390-3669.
Red Crossbills were seen high in the fir trees near the Bird Store along Metral Drive in north Nanaimo.

Saturday December 29:
Canada Goose, Anna's Hummingbirds, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Bushtits, American Robin,, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-Eyed Junco, House Finch, Pine Siskin, and House Sparrow along Lancashire Avenue in Nanaimo.

A Red-breasted Sapsucker was seen coming to a front yard in Cinnabar Valley in south Nanaimo

Friday December 28:
An immature Golden Eagle was spotted flying over Duncan.

Thursday December 27:
A Townsend's Warbler is coming to suet feeders along Boundary Crescent in Nanaimo.
An American Kestrel was seen perched on the hydro line near the Ugly Dwarf Meadows in Nanoose Bay.
A Cackling Goose was seen in among the Canada Geese at Parksville Community Park.

Wednesday December 26:
A Great-horned Owl was spotted along Viking Way in Columbia Beach.
A male Anna's Hummingbird is feeding along Colbourne Drive in Nanaimo.
A Great-horned Owl was heard along Andrea Crescent in Upper Lantzville

Monday December 24:
The Black Throated Blue Warbler along with Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpecker, Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhees and Red-breasted Nuthatch are coming to suet feeders in Nanoose Bay. For more information and access please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at 1(250) 390-3669.

A Peregrine Falcon was spotted high on a snag at the Nanaimo Golf Course.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail: thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************

The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay

**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday January 28, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume on January 16, 2008

**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

BLACK-THROATED WARBLER

Black-throated Warbler at Nanoose Bay: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Black-throated Warbler continues to visit the suet feeders in the 2400 block of Cross Road in Nanoose Bay. The propery owners are welcoming birders to their yard after 9:30 am.
Call the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at(250)390-3669 for directions to the property.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS BIRDING NEW YEAR!

FROM THE GANG AT THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE.

COLIN, DENISE, MARILYNNE AND NEIL

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER at Nanoose Bay: Ralph Hocken photo

RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER"
A Black Throated Blue Warbler along with Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpecker, Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhees and Red-breasted Nuthatch are coming to suet feeders in the 2400 block of Cross Road near the library in Nanoose Bay. For more information and access please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at 1(250) 390-3669

Nanaimo bird alert

Greater White-fronted Geese at Parksville: John Purves Photo.

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
or call the Bird Alert at 390-3029
Post your sightings on these sites:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in the Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count, contact--

The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday December 23:
RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER"
A Black Throated Blue Warbler, along with Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpecker,

Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted

Towhees and Red-breasted Nuthatch are coming to suet feeders in the 2400

block of Cross Road near the library in Nanoose Bay. For more information and access please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at (250) 390-3669

A Chukar was seen near the airport at Qualicum Beach.

Saturday December 22:
RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER"
A Black Throated Blue Warbler is coming to feeders in the 2400 block of Cross Road near the library in Nanoose Bay.
A Merlin, a Downy Woodpecker, a Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Juncos and Chestnut Chickadees are visiting a backyard along Garibaldi Drive in Nanaimo.

Red Crossbills were seen at the top of Fir Trees near the Bird Store off Metral Drive in north Nanaimo.

A flock of American Pipits were heard as they flew over the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store in Nanaimo.

Friday December 21:
A Barred Owl was seen in the Hospital area in Nanaimo.
Twenty Cackling Geese were seen in with a large flock of Canada Geese at Somenos Marsh in Duncan.
Two Varied Thrush were seen in Shelly Creek Park behind Farrell Drive in Parksville.

Thursday December 20:
A Downy Woodpecker is visiting suet feeders in the 2000 block of Cedar Road in Cedar.

Tuesday December 18:
A Sandhill Crane was seen along Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.
Two Greater White-fronted Geese and a Cackling Goose were seen at the Parksville community center at Parksville Bay.

A White-throated Sparrow was seen near Green Lake in north Nanaimo.

Monday December 17:

A Double-crested Cormorant was seen on a log at Westwood Lake in Nanaimo.
A Downy Woodpecker was seen at Longwood Estates in Nanaimo.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail: thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday January 28, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED WARBLER

Sunday December 23:
RARE BIRD ALERT" BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER"
A Black Throated Blue Warbler along with Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpecker, Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhees and Red-breasted Nuthatch are coming to suet feeders in the 2400 block of Cross Road near the library in Nanoose Bay. For more information and access please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at 1(250) 390-3669

SANDHILL CRANE

This Sandhill Crane has been seen in the Pipers Lagoon area(off Hammond Bay Road) for the past week.

Nanaimo bird alert

Barred Owl at Buttertubs:
Robin Bodnaruk Photo

Cedar Waxwing: Ralph Hocken Photo

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
or call the Bird Alert at 390-3029
Post your sightings on these sites:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in the Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count, contact--

The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan

cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday December 16:

Two Great Horned Owls were seen in the 1100 block of Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.

Saturday December 15:

A Townsend's Warbler was seen visiting suet feeders in the Seabreeze Mobile Home Park near Beck Creek along Maki Road in south Nanaimo.

A Sandhill Crane was seen at the corner of Kite Way and Osprey Lookout in Nanaimo.

Twelve Northern Fulmars, four of which were the northern sub-species white phase, rare in this area were seen off Gordon's Beach near Sooke.

Friday December 14:
RARE BIRD ALERT "PARAKEET AUKLET"
A PARAKEET AUKLET was seen in with a large flock of Common Murres, Ancient Murrelets, Rhinoceros Auklets and Pigeon Guillemots at Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew. Take the trail down to Botanical Beach, follow the trail down the hill to the washrooms take the fork in the trail to the left, walk down the stairs go to

the water. Please do not get too close to the water as large waves come into the lower areas and can sweep a person out to sea in seconds.
A Barred Owl was calling in the Colliery Dam Park off Harewoods Minds Road in Nanaimo.

Thursday December 13:

A Sandhill Crane was spotted eating bugs along Overlook Drive in Nanaimo

.

Wednesday December 12:
A Townsend's Warbler was seen at suet feeders along Kenwill Drive in north Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 11:
A winter plumage Yellow-billed Loon, two Barrow's Goldeneye, two Horned Grebes, a Common Merganser, two Bufflehead and a Pied-billed Grebe were seen at the Schooners Cove Marina in Nanoose Bay. The Loon was seen about ten feet from the road looking towards the boat basin.
A Eurasian Wigeon was seen on the golf driving range in Duncan.

Monday December 10:

Two Great Horned Owls were seen in the 1100 block of Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.

Sunday December 09:
A Barred Owl was seen near the north parking lot at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail: thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday January 28, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

YELLOW-BILLED LOON

Yellow-billed Loon at Schooners Cove: Photo by Ralph Hocken

A winter plumage Yellow-billed Loon was seen at the Schooner Cove Marina at Nanoose Bay.
The Loon was seen just off the road looking towards the boats in the Marina.
Also there were a pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes, two Horned Grebes, a Common Merganser, two Bufflehead and a Pied-billed Grebe.

"SANDHILL CRANE"
A Sandhill Crane was seen at the sharp turn of Hammond Bay Road just up from Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo today.

Nanaimo bird alert

Cedar Waxwing: Photo by Ralph Hocken

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

or call the Bird Alert at 390-3029
Post your sightings on these sites:

www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in one or all of the Christmas Bird Counts, contact the following people:

Nanoose Bay Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2007
Contact-Rhys Harrison at
rhysharrison@shaw.ca
*******************************
Parksville--Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count
December 16, 2007
Contact- Sandra Gray at
saninerr@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday December 09, 2007:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Among the highlights were the sighting of a Merlin chasing a large flock of Pine Siskins, one Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tall fir tree and, at the end of the walk, we saw eight Cedar Waxwings in a berry tree next to the Bowen Road entrance. Eleven birders found the following thirty species: Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Red-tailed Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Rock Pigeon, Northwestern Crow, Steller's Jay, Bewick's Wren, Red-winged Blackbird, American Robin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, California Quail, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrows.

Saturday December 08:
A Townsend's Warbler, a Wilson's Snipe, a Lincoln's Sparrow and a flock of Cedar Waxwings were seen in the woods at French Creek.

Friday December 07:
A Common Murre was seen at Stones Marina next to the Muddy Waters Pub in downtown Nanaimo.

Thursday December 06:
OUT OF TOWN "RARE BIRD ALERT" COOK'S PETREL
A Cook's Petrel was found on a front porch in Lilllooet in the Coast Mountains on the mainland. The Cook's Petrel nests on Islands near New Zealand in the south Pacific.

Wednesday December 05:
Two Varied Thrush were seen at a ground feeder in Boat Harbour in Cedar.

Tuesday December 04:
An American Kestrel was seen at the top of a tree at the Ugly Dwarf Meadows in Nanoose Bay.
A Silver Pheasant was seen off Bayshore Drive towards the Ocean in Nanaimo.
A Wilson's Snipe was spotted in the field near the Recreation Centre in Duncan

Monday December 03:
Seven Northern Flickers, including a yellow-shafted Northern Flicker, along with Song Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and Spotted Towhees were seen along East Wellington Road in south Nanaimo.

Sunday December 02:
A Townsend's Warbler was spotted in the trees at French Creek.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail: thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday January 28, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
There will be no Sunday Bird Walk on December 16, 2007.
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Anna's Hummingbird: Photo by Carol Ryan

To report your sightings
please phone the Store at 390-3669
or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Bird Alert --390-3029---
Post your sightings on this site--
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

"Christmas Bird Counts"
If you would like to participate in one or all of the Christmas Bird Counts, contact the following people:

Nanoose Bay Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2007
Contact-Rhys Harrison at
rhysharrison@shaw.ca
*******************************
Parksville--Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count
December 16, 2007
Contact- Sandra Gray at
saninerr@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count
Sunday December 30, 2007
Contact- Carlo Pavan
cpavan@uvic.ca
Phone-758-3765
***********************************

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date and location of your sighting.

Sunday December 02, 2007:
The Sunday bird walk was cancelled.

Saturday December 01:

An Anna's Hummingbird is visiting feeders along Victoria Road in south Nanaimo.

An albino Dark-eyed Junco was seen in with other Dark-eyed Juncos along Mill Road near Westwood Lake in Nanaimo.
Ten Trumpeter Swans were seen over Parksville heading south west.
A Sandhill Crane landed in an empty lot along Bayshore Drive in north Nanaimo.

Friday November 30:
"RARE BIRD ALERT" TROPICAL KINGBIRD
A Tropical Kingbird seen at 11:00 am to-day in the 7700 block of Anderson Drive on Hornby Island. The Kingbird was eating berries from a bush.

Wednesday November 28:
It was a typical fall day at the Englishman River Estuary with windy, cool and a light shower conditions. Eleven birders braved the elements and identified the following thirty-six species:
Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Surf, White-winged and Black Scoters, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's and Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted and Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, Northern Shrike, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbills, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ (250) 390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail: thebackyard@shaw.ca
***********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday, December, 2007@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday December 13, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
There will be no Wednesday Bird Walk on December 05. The Wednesday Bird Walks will resume in the New Year.
**************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 09, 2007, will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the parking area off Bowen Road at about 9:20 a.m.
**************************************
Good Birding!
Neil Robins
Nanaimo