The Backyard's Weekly Bird Walk locations are found in the Backyard Bird Report at the very end of the most recent report. Any cancellations will be posted here by 8am the day of the walk. Our first bird walks of the year are going out on Sunday February 4th and Tuesday February 6th. Locations will be posted to our next Bird Report.

Thursday 29 May 2008

Wednesday bird walk, May 28, 2008














MacGillivray's Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Wednesday Bird Walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville.
Thirteen birders saw and heard forty-two species of birds during the
morning. The highlights included seeing several flocks of Black and
Vaux Swifts hawking insects high up in the sky. We saw a pair of
Red-tailed Hawks going through their courting ritual. They were
soaring up and down in the sky together, dropping their legs down and
then soaring again. A while later we saw a Red-tailed Hawk flying
through the sky with a snake in it's talons. We had a great look at a
Red-breasted Sapsucker gleaning insects on a old snag tree and good
views of a Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler and a Black-throated Gray
Warbler. The MacGillivray's Warbler remained elusive on the
Wednesday bird walk.
The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the
Parksville/Qualicum Beach area on Wednesday mornings will not be held
during the summer months. We will resume the Wednesday bird walks in
the fall.
The Sunday Bird Walks will continue over the summer months. The
Sunday Bird Walks leave from the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store at
6314 Metral Drive in Nanaimo at 9:00 A.M. every Sunday Morning.
Everyone is welcome to bring their binoculars and join us for a
morning of birding. For the weekly location of the birdwalk, please
call Neil Robins at (250) 954-1928 or The Backyard Wildbird & Nature
Store at 1-888-249-4145.
Thirteen birders found the following forty-two species of birds:
Canada Goose
Green-winged Teal
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Band-tailed Pigeon
Black Swift
Vaux's Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch

Tuesday 27 May 2008

Sandhill Crane at Nanoose Bay














Sandhill Crane: Ralph Hocken Photo.


A Sandhill Crane was seen in the farm field along Northwest Bay Road across from Wall Beach Road in Nanoose Bay. The bird was seen on Tuesday May 27, 2008.

Sunday 25 May 2008

Nanaimo bird alert, May 25, 2008














Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew:
Rick Toochin Photo.



The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029
or www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on these site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birds of British Columbia:
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html


International Birdwatching Guides
http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com

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

Sunday, May 25, 2008
The Sunday bird walk went to Legacy Marsh in Upper Lantzville. Among the
highlights was the sighting of Black and Vaux Swifts. Seven predators--Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk were all observed, as well as a pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers going into a nest.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following sixty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Ringed-neck Pheasant, California Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous
Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Purple Martin, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Black Swift, Vaux's Swift, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtit, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Warbling Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Hammonds Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, Brown-headed Cowbird, Pine Siskin, House Finch, American Goldfinch and Red Crossbills.

Mourning Dove, House Wren, Killdeer and American Kestrel were seen at Kaye Road behind the Government Weigh Scales in Parksville.

Saturday, May 24:
A male SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen flycatching and jumping on logs at Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew on the west side of Vancouver Island. The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher normally spends the summer in Northern Mexico, Texas, and Southern Colorado. They winter from southern Florida to southern Mexico and central Costa Rica. The Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher is a rare to casual visitor to the Pacific Coast in the spring.

A Brewer's Sparrow, one Eurasian Collared-Dove, two Mourning Doves, a Rock Pigeon, several Band-tailed Pigeons were observed in the town of Port Renfrew. One male Black Scoter, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Ring-necked Ducks and a Greater Scaup were seen along the tide line near Port Renfrew.

An Elegant Tern was spotted flying east close to shore at Jordan River.

A Snow Goose was seen in the Marsh at Gordon's Beach on west Vancouver Island.

Pacific Loons in breeding plumage, Surf and White-winged Scoters and Harlequin Ducks, one second year Glaucous Gull and Barn Swallows were seen at the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.

Three male Sooty Grouse were head calling along the foothills of Mount Benson at about 2000 feet.

Male and female Black-headed Grosbeaks were seen along Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.

A Bullock's Oriole, four Blue-winged Teal, an Olive-sided Flycatcher and an Osprey were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

A pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks were seen at feeders along Clark Crescent in upper Lantzville.

House Wrens and Evening Grosbeaks were seen at the Rivers Edge area behind the Government Weigh Scale in Parksville.

Four Wilson's Phalarope, Canada Goose, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Glacous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-Green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Berwick's Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewers Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, Yellow Variant House Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow were seen at the Holden Creek area of the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.
Thursday, May 22:
A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen at feeders in Cedar.

Wednesday, May 21:
The Wednesday Bird Walk went to the Springwood Park in Parksville. Twelve
birders saw and heard thirty-eight species of birds during the morning. We had a "birding by ear" birdwalk--there were a large number of birds high up trees, obscured by the new leaves. The highlights included seeing both a Warbling Vireo and a Red-eyed Vireo. At the end of the walk while were tallying the species, we were entertained by two Black-headed Grosbeaks. We heard, but did not see, seven out of the eight species of Warblers that nest on the Island -- Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Wilson's Warbler. The only species of Warbler not heard on the walk was the MacGillivray's. It will be the "target bird" next week!

Twelve birders found the following thirty-eight species of birds:
Ring-necked Pheasant, California Quail, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Rufous
Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.

A Western Tanager was seen in a large Western Red Cedar at the back of a
house along Summit Drive in the Long Lake Heights area of Nanaimo.

A Killdeer was spotted at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo.

Sunday May 18:
A flock of about 40 cedar waxwings seen in a garden just north of the Little
Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach.

American Goldfinch and a Black-headed Grosbeak are visiting feeders along
Birchwood Road in Ladysmith.

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 May 26, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**************************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday June 12, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Wednesday 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 Visitor Centre in Parksville at 9 A.M. Wednesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area.
-----------------------------------------------
The Wednesday Bird Walk for May 28, 2008 will be going to the Top Bridge Trail
in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Visitor Centre at Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road, near Craig Bay in Parksville, at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area along Industrial Way near Tuan Road at about 9:10 A.M.
This will be the last Wednesday Bird Walk for the summer. The Wednesday Bird Walk will resume in the fall.
*****************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on May 25, 2008, will be going to Morden Colliery
Provincial Park in south Nanaimo. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the Parking area at Morden Colliery Provincial Park off Highway One and Morden Road at about 9:30 A.M.
**************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia

Wednesday 21 May 2008

Red-eyed Vireo on Wednesday Bird Walk







Western Tanager: Ralph Hocken Photo.



The Wednesday Bird Walk went to the Springwood Park in Parksville. Twelve birders saw and heard thirty-eight species of birds during the morning. We had a "birding by ear" birdwalk--there were a large number of birds high up trees, obscured by the new leaves.
The highlights included seeing both a Warbling Vireo and a Red-eyed Vireo. At the end of the walk while were tallying the species, we were entertained by two Black-headed Grosbeaks.
We heard, but did not see,
seven out of the eight species of Warblers that nest on the island--Orange-crowned Warbler,Yellow Warbler,
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Wilson's Warbler. The only species of Warbler not heard on the walk was the MacGillivray's. It will be the "target bird" next week!

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants meet at the Parksville Visitor Centre at Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road in Parksville at 9:00 A.M. Rain and/or heavy winds will deter us--but we will plan a walk for every week. Everyone is welcome to bring their binoculars and join us for a morning of birding. For the weekly location of the birdwalk, please call Neil Robins at (250) 954-1928 or The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 1-888-249-4145.

Twelve birders found the following thirty-eight species of birds:
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch

Sunday 18 May 2008













Long-billed Dowitchers at French Creek: John Purves Photo

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029
or
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on these site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birds of British Columbia:
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html

International Birdwatching Guides
http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com

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

Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Sunday bird walk went to Beck Creek in south Nanaimo. Among the highlights was the sighting of a Greater Yellowlegs, a Spotted Sandpiper, over twenty Purple Martins, a Tree Swallow and several Violet-green Swallows.
Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species of birds:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtit, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Hammonds Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird and Pine Siskin.

An American Kestrel and a Red-tailed Hawk were seen at the Ugly Dwarf Meadows in Nanoose Bay.
Six Bald Eagles, thirty-six Great Blue Herons and three Oystercatchers were seen at low tide off Jack Point Park in south Nanaimo.

Saturday, May 17:
Five nestling Barn Owls were seen on Gabriola Island.
Two male Blue-winged Teal and four Long-billed Dowitchers were seen at French Creek.
A Barred Owl and a Cassin's Vireo were seen at the Englishman River, Shelly Road side in Parksville.
Evening Grosbeaks were seen in Cinnabar Valley in south Nanaimo.
A male Black-headed Grosbeak was spotted just north of the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach.
Caspian Tern, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, 200 plus Bonaparte's Gull, Bald Eagle, Barn Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Mute Swan and a small pod of killer whales were seen at the mouth of the Campbell River Estuary in Campbell River.

Friday, May 16
A Western Tanager, a Bullock's Oriole, Townsend's, Wilson's and Yellow Warblers were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen sitting on a clothesline at Extension, south of Nanaimo.

Thursday, May 15:
Four Caspian Terns were seen at Biggs Park near the Duke Point Ferry in south Nanaimo.
A male Black-headed Grosbeak is coming to feeders at Morningstar Golf Course in French Creek.

Wednesday, May 14:
The Wednesday Bird Walk went to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay. Twelve birders found forty-four species of birds during a foggy spring morning. Among the highlights was the sighting of a Cassin's Vireo on a tree not far from us just as we were leaving the trail. He had serenaded us all morning, but we had not been able to see him until then. Hutton's Vireos and several Warbling Vireos sang all morning as well. We saw seven species of Warblers including: many Orange-crowned Warblers, a Yellow Warbler, twelve flycatching Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Black-throated Gray Warbler, several Townsend's Warblers, a Common Yellowthroat and many Wilson's Warblers.
Twelve birders found the following forty-four species of birds:
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Wood Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Ruffed Grouse, Great Blue Heron, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hammond's Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo,
Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill and
Pine Siskin
An Anna's Hummingbird, a Western Wood-Pewee, a MacGillivray's Warbler, a Common Yellowthroat, a Wilson's Warbler and a Golden-crowned Sparrow were seen in Foothills development of Auld's Road in Upper Lantzville.
Forty-eight Pacific Loons were seen off Stephenson Point at the entrance to Departure Bay in Nanaimo.

Tuesday May 23:
Three Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Lauren Place in Nanaimo.

Monday, May 12:
A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen in the 1100 block of Cloke Road in Ladysmith.

Sunday May 11:
A male Bullock's Oriole was seen over the river at Eagle Ridge Place in Qualicum Beach.
Five Caspian Terns were seen at the Campbell River Estuary.
A Yellow-headed Blackbird, Pine Siskins, Northern Flicker, House Finch. Rufous Hummingbirds. Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Ravens, European Starlings were seen in a garden in Cedar.

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 May 26, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**************************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday June 12, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Wednesday 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 Visitor Centre in Parksville at 9 A.M. Wednesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area.
-----------------------------------------------
The Wednesday Bird Walk for May 21, 2008 will be going to the Springwood Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Visitor Centre at Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road, near Craig Bay in Parksville, at 9:00 A.M. or the west end of Despard Road at about 9:20 A.M.
*****************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on May 25, 2008, will be going Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville.Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or under the Hydro lines on Normarel Drive (off Superior Road) at about 9:20 A.M.
**************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia

Wednesday 14 May 2008

WEDNESDAY BIRD WALK, MAY 14, 2008












Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Wednesday Bird Walk went to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay. Twelve birders found forty-four species of birds during a foggy spring morning. Among the highlights was the sighting of a
Cassin's Vireo on a tree not far from us just as we were leaving the trail. He had serenaded us all morning, but we had not been able to see him until then. Hutton's Vireos and several Warbling Vireos sang all morning as well. We saw seven species of Warblers including:Orange-crowned Warblers, a Yellow Warbler, twelve flycatching Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Black-throated Gray Warbler, several Townsend's Warblers, a Common Yellowthroat and many Wilson's Warblers.

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants meet at the Parksville Visitor Centre at Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road in Parksville at 9:00 A.M. Rain and/or heavy winds will deter us--but we will plan a walk for every week. Everyone is welcome to bring their binoculars and join us for a morning of birding. For the weekly location of the birdwalk, please call Neil Robins at (250) 954-1928 or The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 1-888-249-4145.

Twelve birders found the following forty-four species of birds:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Ruffed Grouse
Great Blue Heron
Band-tailed Pigeon
Rufous Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Hammond's Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

Sunday 11 May 2008

NANAIMO BIRD ALERT, May 11, 2008












Semipalmated Plover at French Creek: John Purves Photo


The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029
or
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Also check the Birdstore Blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on these site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birds of British Columbia:
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html

International Birdwatching Guides
http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone
number, along with the date, name and location of your sighting.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo Among the
highlights were the sightings of over ten different Wilson's Warblers. A Barred Owl sat in plain view giving us great views as he looked down on us. Black-throated Gray Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers and Townsend's Warblers songs kept us looking high up into the trees.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following forty-four species of birds: Mallard, Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Red-tailed
Hawk,Turkey Vulture, Barred Owl, California Quail, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Band-tailed Pigeon, Cassin's Vireo, Steller's Jay, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Brown-headed Cowbird, European Starling, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Red Crossbill, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.
Six Semiplalmated Plovers, a Western and a Least Sandpipers were seen at French Creek.

Saturday, May 10:

A Caspian Tern was seen near the tide line at Columbia Beach.
A Townsend's Solitaire, Lincoln's Sparrow, Savanah Sparrow, Hermit Thrush and a Orange-crowned Warbler were seen in a yard in Parksville.
Friday, May 09
A male Bullock's Oriole, Virginia Rail, Purple Martin and Yellow Warblers were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
An Osprey landed on the nesting platform at Buttertubs Marsh and sat there for at least 20 minutes. Also seen at Buttertubs Marsh were a Great Blue Heron, Wood Ducks, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, a Bewick's Wren, a Northern Flicker, Red-winged Blackbirds, Violet-green Swallows and European Starlings.
Thursday, May 08:
A Townsend's Solitaire was seen at the Biological Station in Nanaimo. It was moving between a small tree in a planter and a puddle on the main patio.
A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen at Chase River in south Nanaimo.
Wednesday, May 07:
The Wednesday Bird Walk went to went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Seven birders found fifty-four species of birds during the morning. Included in the highlights were the sightings of a Wilson's Warbler and several Rough-winged Swallows. Two Merlins flew right over us as we watched from the boardwalk on the mud flats. At the ocean we saw Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Pigeon Guillemot, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull and two flocks of Brant Geese.
Seven birders found the following fifty-four species of birds: Canada Goose, Brant, Mute Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Harlequin Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Least Sandpiper, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker,
Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.
An Evening Grosbeak was seen at Chase River in south Nanaimo.
Two Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Gulfview and Tiki Way in Nanaimo.
Tuesday, May 06:
Two Caspian Terns and a Purple Martin were seen flying over Cowichan Bay.
Sunday May 04:
Three American Goldfinch were seen at feeders along Overlook Drive 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 May 26, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**************************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday June 12, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Wednesday 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 Visitor Centre in Parksville at 9 A.M. Wednesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area.
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The Wednesday Bird Walk for May 14, 2008 will be going to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay. Meet at the Parksville Visitor Centre at Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road, near Craig Bay in Parksville, at 9:00 A.M. or the parking area off Powder Point Road about 100 yards past the four way stop at Anchor Drive and Powder Point Road at about 9:20 A.M.
*****************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on May 18, 2008, will be going to Beck Creek in Nanaimo. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area on Maki Road (near the Southgate Shopping Centre off Highway One) near Living Forest Campground about 9:25 A.M.
**************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia

Wednesday 7 May 2008

WEDNESDAY BIRD WALK, May 07, 2008







Pigeon Guillemot: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Wednesday Bird Walk went to went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Seven birders found fifty-four species of birds during the morning. Included in the highlights were the sightings of a Wilson's Warbler and several Rough-winged Swallows. Two Merlins flew right over us as we watched from the boardwalk on the mud flats. At the ocean we saw Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Pigeon Guillemot, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull and two flocks of Brant Geese.

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants meet at the Parksville Visitor Centre at Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road in Parksville at 9:00 A.M. Snow, rain and/or heavy winds will deter us--but we will plan a walk for every week. Everyone is welcome to bring their binoculars and join us for a morning of birding. For the weekly location of the birdwalk, please call Neil Robins at (250) 954-1928 or The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 1-888-249-4145.

Seven birders found the following fifty-four species of birds:
Canada Goose
Brant
Mute Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Harlequin Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Least Sandpiper
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Rock Dove
Band-tailed Pigeon
Rufous Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

Sunday 4 May 2008

Nanaimo bird alert, May 04, 2008













Wilson's Warbler: John Purves Photo'


The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Alert
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029
or
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on these site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birds of British Columbia:
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html

International Birdwatching Guides
http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com

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

May 04, 2008 Sunday
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Among the highlights was the sighting of several flycatching Yellow-rumped Warblers. Two male Wilson's Warbler put in a quick appearance and disappeared into the low bushes. Two Northern Rough-wing Swallows flew by and the songs of Black-throated Gray Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers and Townsend's Warblers kept us looking high up in the trees.
Twenty-three birders saw and heard forty-six species of birds:
Surf Scoters, Great Blue Heron, Canada Geese, Brant Geese, Mallard, Greater
Scaup, Green-winged Teal, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Barred Owl, California Quail, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow,
Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-wing Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Band-tailed Pigeon, American Robin, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's
Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Brown-headed Cowbird, European Starling, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Saturday, May 03:
Several Evening Grosbeaks were seen in the area of Morden Colliery Provincial Park
parking lot.
Two Townsend's Solitaires were seen at Wallbeach in Nanoose Bay.
Six Wilson's Snipe, several Peeps and one Killdeer were seen at the Kay Road drainage Ponds in Parksville.

Friday, May 02
A Lincoln's Sparrow was seen along Andrea Crescent in Upper Lantzville.
An American Goldfinch was seen in the 3700 block of Jingle Pot Road in
Nanaimo.

Thursday, May 01:
Three Hermit Thrush were foraging and chasing each other. Six
Golden-crowned Sparrows, and a Lincoln Sparrow were seen in a yard in the 5300 Block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

An Osprey flew over Upper Lantzville.

Wednesday, April 30 2008,
The Wednesday Bird Walk went to Lot Ten in Qualicum Beach. Ten birders saw
and heard the following twenty-nine species of birds:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Belted Kingfisher, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Rufous Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, American Dipper, Violet-green Swallow, American Robin,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper,Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Cassin's Vireo, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.
Greater White-fronted Geese were seen in a field near Holden Corso and White Road in Cedar.

Tuesday, April 29:
A single Whimbrel was seen from the spit this morning at Piper's Lagoon Park on
the inside mud flats.

Monday April 28:
Three American Goldfinch were seen in the 2000 block of Cedar Road in Cedar.
A male Golden-crowned Kinglet was seen feeding in a yard in French Creek.

Saturday April 26:
A flock of Evening Grosbeaks were seen in the 3900 block of Valewood Drive in
Deerwood Park 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
***********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday May 8, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday May 26, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**************************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Wednesday 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 Visitor Centre in Parksville at 9 A.M. Wednesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area.
-----------------------------------------------
The Wednesday Bird Walk for May 07, 2008 will be going to Plummer Road side
of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Visitor Centre at Highway 19A and Northwest Bay Road, near Craig Bay in Parksville, at 9:00 A.M. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:05 A.M.
*****************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on May 11, 2008, will be going to Morrell Wildlife
Sanctuary in Nanaimo. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot at Morrell Sanctuary off Nanaimo Lakes Road at about 9:20 A.M.
**************************************
Good Birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia