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Sunday 29 June 2008

July 01, 2008.

CANADA DAY STORE HOURS

Saturday June 28/08 Normal hours 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday June 29/08 Normal hours 12:00 noon to 4:30 p.m.
Monday June 30/08 Normal hours 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday July 1/08
THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
IS CLOSED
FOR CANADA DAY


Wednesday July 2/08 Normal hours 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

ENJOY OUR FIRST SUMMERTIME HOLIDAY

Nanaimo Bird Walk, June 29, 2008

Black-headed Grosbeak: Ralph Hocken 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, June 29, 2008:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Linley Valley in Nanaimo. Among the highlights were the sighting of several Western Tanagers with two of them frolicking--obviously youngsters--on the bushes not far from us. On Cottle Lake we saw a female Wood Duck with eight small chicks sitting on a log. When she left the log and swam away all the chicks followed in single file. We heard many Orange-crowned Warblers singing and we observed one gleaning insects high up in the trees. We saw a flock of Cedar Waxwings flying out from their perches and hawking insects over Cottle Lake. We were entertained by three Rufous Hummingbirds flying above us and chasing each other and then perching and then chase each other again over and over again--youngsters again, we thought!
Fifteen birders found the following thirty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose,Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green
Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler,Townsend's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, Red Crossbills, American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin.

Saturday, June 28:

A Northern Mockingbird was seen at the Carmanah Point Light Station on the west side of Vancouver Island. Two Tufted Puffins, Rhinoceros Auklets, Marbled Murrelets, Common Murres and seven Caspian Terns were seen at Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew on the west coast side of Vancouver Island.
Five male Black-headed Grosbeaks have been visiting feeders in Cinnabar Valley in south Nanaimo.
Friday, June 27:
Two Caspian Terns were seen at Eaglecrest Beach in Qualicum Beach.
Wednesday, June 25:
A Great Horned Owl was seen at the end of River's Edge Drive, off Kaye Road, behind the Government Weigh Scales at Parksville.
Tuesday, June 24:
A Caspian Tern was seen off Duke Point near Jack Point in south Nanaimo.
A Green Heron was spotted at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Monday, June 23:
A Virginia Rail was heard at the beaver dam in Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

Sunday, June 22:
Four Band-tailed Pigeons were seen at feeders in the Fairwinds area of Nanoose Bay.
Friday, June 20:
A Eastern Kingbird was seen at Pachena Point on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Wednesday, June 18:
Ten Brown Pelicans were seen flying northwest from Pachena Point on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Monday, June 02:
A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen on Nootka Island on the west coast of Vancouver Island-- west of Campbell River.
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 July 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Annual Picnic--July 28, 2008.
Monthly Meeting,
Monday September 22, 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 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 Walk on July 06, 2008, will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or under the Hydro line along Normarel Drive off Superior Road in Upper Lantzville at about 9:15 A.M.
**************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia

Monday 23 June 2008

CANADA DAY STORE HOURS

Saturday June 28/08 Normal hours 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday June 29/08 Normal hours 12:00 noon to 4:30 p.m.
Monday June 30/08 Normal hours 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday July 1/08
THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
IS CLOSED
FOR CANADA DAY


Wednesday July 2/08 Normal hours 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

ENJOY OUR FIRST SUMMERTIME HOLIDAY

Sunday 22 June 2008

Common Yellow-throat:Ralph Hocken 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,June 22, 2008:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Hemer Provincial Park in Cedar. Among the highlights were the sightings of a Barred Owl, several Brown Creepers and a Black Swift. We also saw several Cliff Swallows, Barn Swallows and a nesting pair of Vesper Sparrows at a barnyard along Quenelle Road in Cedar.
Thirty birders found the following thirty-three species of birds.
Wood Duck, Merlin, Barred Owl, Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker,Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee,
Song Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird and Purple Finch.
Saturday, June 21:
A Ring-billed Gull was seen in Shirley on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Friday, June 20:
RARE BIRD ALERT
A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH was seen and heard along Grant Road near French Road in Sooke. The White-Breasted Nuthatch is not normally found on Vancouver Island. It is a resident of the interior of British Columbia and east of the Rockies.
A Mourning Dove was spotted in Sooke.
A Virginia Rail was heard near the Beaver Ponds at Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo.
A House Wren was seen and heard in the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.
A Common Nighthawk was seen over Dunsmuir Crescent in Ladysmith.

Thursday June 19:
Two fledglings and two adult Barn Owls left their nest today near Quenelle Lake in Cedar.
Twenty-six Heermann's Gulls, a nesting pair of Chipping Sparrows, a singing Willow Flycatcher, an American Goldfinch, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Orange-crowned and Wilson's Warblers, Common Yellow-throats, and a nesting pair of Hairy Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers were seen at Jordan River.
A nesting pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers were seen at Shirley, on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
A Great Horned Owl was seen in a backyard along Waldbank Road near Sealand Park in Nanaimo. A word of caution--a Cougar has been sighted in this area.
A Peregrine Falcon and four Osprey were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Pine Siskins and Western Tanagers are visiting feeders in a yard in Lantzville.

Tuesday, June 17:
Barred Owls were in a yard overlooking Departure Bay Creek in Nanaimo.

Monday June 16:
An Osprey was spotted in downtown Nanaimo over Albert and Dunsmuir Streets.

Sunday June 15:
RARE BIRD ALERT
White-winged Crossbills were heard singing about twenty miles west of Chemainus. White-winged Crossbills are not normally found on Vancouver Island, however they are common in most other areas of Canada.
Peregrine Falcon was seen at Duke Point near the Ferry Terminal in south Nanaimo.
Three Osprey were seen flying over the Townsite area near Mansfield Park in Nanaimo.
Two Blue-winged Teal were seen on a wetland near Crofton.

Thursday, June 12:
An American Dipper and a Red-breasted Sapsucker were seen near Witchcraft Lake along Benson View Road in Nanaimo.
Three Osprey were spotted 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
***********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday July 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday July 28, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**************************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo.
-----------------------------------------------
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 Walk on June 29, 2008, will be going to Linley Valley in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Burma Road off Lost Lake Road about 9:20 A.M.
**************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia

Tuesday 17 June 2008

Mourning Dove

















Juvenile Mourning Dove at Columbia Beach, June 17, 2008--John Purves Photo.

Sunday 15 June 2008













Osprey: Ralph Hocken 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,June 15, 2008
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point in Nanaimo. Among the highlights was the sighting of a Great Horned Owl that was being
mobbed by a murder of Northwestern Crows and American Robins. We spotted a Western Wood Pewee perched on a snag and then watched as it flew about flycatching. We saw the bird for several minutes before it flew away singing his "breerr" song.
A couple of Black-throated Gray Warblers caught our attention as they flew and landed on a short bush near the trail and began preening themselves. We heard a Warbling Vireo singing and then spotted him gleening insects off a nearby tree.
Twelve birders found the following thirty-nine species of birds:
Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Osprey,
Turkey Vulture, Great Horned Owl, Black Oystercatcher, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Violet-green Swallow, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Western Wood Pewee,
Blacked-throated Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red Crossbill, Brewers Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.
Two white (partial albino) Common Ravens were seen in among several Common Ravens at the Qualicum Civic Center Park in Qualicum Beach.
Friday, June 13:
A white (partial albino) Common Raven was seen off Jones Street in Qualicum Beach.
A Western Wood-pewee was seen along Renz Road near the Coldwater Farm in Parksville.
Tuesday, June 10:
A Vesper Sparrow was seen at the Gravel Pit on the south side of
Nanaimo-Cassidy Airport in south Nanaimo.

A Red-Breasted Sapsucker was seen on Birch Trees in the 2800 block of Shady
Mile Way in Nanaimo.

Monday June 09:
A Rusty Blackbird was spotted in with Brewer's Blackbirds at feeders in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.
Sixteen Black Swifts were seen over Rivers Edge area behind the Government Weigh Scales in Parksville.
Sunday June 08:
Purple Martins and Rough-winged Swallows were seen at Cottle Lake off Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.
Friday June 06:
An American Dipper was seen in a little stream near Yambury Road and
Butterball Drive in 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 June 23, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**************************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Monthly Meeting
Thursday July 10, 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 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 Walk on June 22, 2008, will be going to Hemer Provincial Park in Cedar.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the Parking Lot at Hemer
Park off Hemer Road about 9:30 A.M.
**************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia

Sunday 8 June 2008













Willow Flycatcher: Ralph Hocken 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,June 08, 2008:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay. Among the highlights was the sighting of Yellow Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Townsend's Warblers, Wilson's Warblers and MacGillivray's Warblers. We saw a Western Tanager, Dark-eyed Juncos, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Warbling Vireo all feeding their young.
Twenty-one birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, , Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Black Swift, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill House Finch, American Goldfinch and
Pine Siskin
An American Kestrel was observed hovering about the field at the Ugly Dwarf Meadows in Nanoose Bay.
Two Albino Common Ravens were seen in among several Common Ravens at the Qualicum Civic Center Park in Qualicum Beach.
Common Nighthawks were seen above Dumont Road in Nanaimo.
Fifty Black Swifts were spotted above Nanaimo Lakes Road in Nanaimo.
A Barred Owl has been observed flying back and forth on Western Acres Road in Nanaimo.
Thursday, May 05:
A second year California Gull was seen at Columbia Beach.
Wednesday, June 04:
A dark phase Snow Goose was seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
A Common Nighthawk was seen flying over Parksville.
Tuesday, June 03:
A Bullock's Oriole, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Red Crossbills, a pair of Red Breasted Sapsuckers, Purple Finch, Anna's Hummingbirds, Pine Siskins, House Finch and American Goldfinch were seen in a yard in Cedar.
Monday June 02:
Two adult and two young Great Horned Owls were seen about 200 yards off the end of Wiltshire Road in Linley Valley, Nanaimo.
Two Osprey, a Virginia Rail, a white phase Snow Goose and a dark phase Snow Goose were seen at Buttertubs March in Nanaimo.
A Bullock's Oriole was seen in the York Lake area near Cedar and Nairne Road in Cedar.
Sunday June 01:
A Western Wood-pewee was seen along Rentz Road near the Coldwater Farm in Parksville.
An Olive-sided Flycatcher was seen in the woods along Renz Road at Parkville.
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 June 12, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday June 23, 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 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 Walk on June 15, 2008, will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the Parking Lot at Neck Point Park off Hammond Bay Road about 9:20A.M.
**************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia

Friday 6 June 2008

DARK ADULT SNOW GOOSE


A dark adult Snow Goose has been seen at Buttertubs Marsh on June 4 and 5th. There have also been reports of this bird flying around the area of Buttertubs Marsh. Please report any sightings here.

Good birding Colin.

Sunday 1 June 2008

Nanaimo bird alert, June 01, 2008

















Bewick's Wren at nest at Morden Colliery Park: Ryan Cathers 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,June 01, 2008
The Sunday bird walk went to Morden Colliery Provincal Park in Cedar. Among the highlights was the sighting of a Hairy Woodpecker's nest with a youngster poking his head out the hole for all to see. A Wood Duck was spotted flying into a nest in a Tree. We watched a Bewick's Wren bring food to it's young in a nest near the ground. We also saw Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers and a Pileated Woodpecker.
Thirteen birders saw and heard the following twenty-seven species of birds:
Wood Duck, Spotted Sandpiper,Turkey Vulture, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Bewick's Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Townsend's Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Common Yellow-throat, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow and Purple Finch.
One Osprey was seen on it's nest next to Highway 19 near the Nanaimo Lakes Overpass.
Forty-nine Canada Geese and one Cackling Goose flew over Andrea Crescent in Upper Lantzville.
A Black-headed Grosbeak was spotted at feeders in the 200 block of Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

Saturday, May 31:
Caspian Terns were seen at Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew on the west side of Vancouver Island.
Eurasian Collared Doves were seen at Otter Point on the west side of Vancouver Island.
Friday, May 30:
Sooty Grouse and Gray Jays were seen on Mount Washington.
Two Osprey were observed building a nest at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Thursday, May 29:
Two Caspian Terns were seen at Parksville Bay.
Wednesday, May 28:
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.

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, 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 and American Goldfinch.
Monday May 25:
A Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen at feeders on Morningstar 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 June 12, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday June 23, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**************************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo
-----------------------------------------------
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 Walk on June 08, 2008, will be going to the Beaver Ponds at Nanoose Bay. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the Parking area at about 100 yards past the four way stop at Powder Point Road and Anchor Way in Nanoose Bay at about 9:20A.M.
**************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia