Nanaimo bird alert, November 30, 2008

Red-tailed Hawk: 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

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

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday, November 30, 2008:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo.
Among the highlights were the sightings of a Wilson's Snipe, a Downy Woodpecker that was feeding on a small bush close to the trail, a Red-tailed Hawk who was perched in a tree for most of the morning, a Northern Harrier flying low over the estuary looking for prey and a Short-eared Owl hunting over the estuary.

Eight hardy birders found the following twenty-eight species of birds on a foggy November morning:
Great Blue Heron, Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Barrow's Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Common Raven, Bushtit, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and Golden-crowned Sparrow.

Friday November 29:
Over thirty-five Purple Finch were seen at feeders in the 1000 block of Dunsmuir Crescent in Ladysmith.

Thursday November 27:
A Eurasian Wigeon and a Eurasian by American Wigeon hybrid and more than a thousand American Wigeon were seen near the end of the Cowichan Bay dock road in Cowichan Bay.

Tuesday November 18:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
Highlights of the morning that caught our attention included a large flock of feisty Dark-eyed Juncos flitting in and out of the small bushes just after we started the walk. A Peregrine Falcon was perched in his usual spot high up in a Fir Tree on the northwest trail of the estuary. A mixed flock of Song Sparrows, a Lincoln's Sparrow and several Golden-crowned Sparrows kept us entertained on the path and in the small bushes just off the trail. We saw three pairs of Eurasian Wigeon close to shore in the estuary. Further out on the ocean there were large flocks of Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Buffleheads and a lone Pacific Loon bobbing on the choppy seas. On the way out of the estuary we came upon a flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets displaying their Golden crowns.
Fourteen birders found the following forty-nine species of birds.
Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Black Turnstone, Wilson's Snipe, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,
Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Monday November 24:
A Golden-crowned Kinglet was spotted in Nanoose Bay.

Sunday November 23:
Ten California quail and one male Anna's hummingbird are visiting feeders in the 2500 Block Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

Seventy Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on the grass at the south end of the runway at the Tofino Airport .

Saturday November 22:
A Barred Owl was spotted sitting on the signpost on the corner of Sundown and Oakridge Drives 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
Thursday December 11, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday December 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 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 Tuesday December 02 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park.
Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking area in front of the playground area at 9:00 a.m. or at the last parking area before the camping area at Rathtrevor Provincial Park at about 9:10 a.m. Please note there is a parking fee in effect for the park.
***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 07, 2008 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or the parking area at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:30 a.m.
***************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Tuesday bird walk, November 25, 2008

Red-tailed Hawk: Ralph Hocken Photo.



The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

Fourteen birders saw and heard forty-nine species of birds on a surprisingly sunny November morning.

Highlights of the morning that caught our attention included a large flock of feisty Dark-eyed Juncos flitting in and out of the small bushes just after we started the walk. A Peregrine Falcon was perched in his usual spot high up in a Fir Tree on the northwest trail of the estuary. A mixed flock of Song Sparrows, a Lincoln's Sparrow and several Golden-crowned Sparrows kept us entertained on the path and in the small bushes just off the trail. We saw three pairs of Eurasian Wigeon close to shore in the estuary. Further out on the ocean there were large flocks of Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Buffleheads and a lone Pacific Loon bobbing on the choppy seas. On the way out of the estuary we came upon a flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets displaying their Golden crowns.


The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants meet at the at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the playground at 9 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.


Fourteen birders found the following forty-nine species of birds:
Canada Goose
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Black Turnstone
Wilson's Snipe
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Nanaimo bird alert, November 23, 2008

Dunlin: 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

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

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday, November 23, 2008:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point in Nanaimo.
Among the highlights were the sightings of Pacific Loons, Common Murres and Marbled Murrelets off shore. A flock of one hundred Dunlin moved along the shoreline. A mixed flock of Bushtits and Golden-crowned Kinglets flew through the low bushes near Sunset Beach.
Eighteen birders found the following forty-five species of birds:
Trumpeter Swans, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Dunlin, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shined Hawk, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, European Starling, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtit, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Song Sparrow and Pine Siskin.

Saturday November 22:
Eleven California Quail were feeding under a bird feeder as Steller's Jays tossed seed to the ground and ten Golden-Crowned Sparrows were seen in a backyard in the 2500 block Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

A female Merlin, a Northern Harrier, two Anna's Hummingbirds, Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpecker, European Starlings, Spotted Towhees, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, House Finches, Dark-eyed Juncos, Stellars Jays, Pileated Woodpecker, Trumpeter Swans, Canada geese, Great Blue Heron, Pine Siskins were seen in a backyard in the Five Acres area of Harewood in Nanaimo.

Thursday November 20:
"Rare Bird Alert: Black-tailed Gull" A Black-tailed Gull was seen resting on the bank of a channel near the viewing tower at the end of Shelley Road at the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The Black-tailed Gull is normally found in Asia.

One Hairy Woodpecker, four Northern Flickers and two Pileated Woodpeckers were seen in a backyard in Qualicum Beach.

One Snow Bunting was seen at Parksville Beach Community Park in Parksville.

Wednesday November 19:
"Rare Bird Alert: Black-tailed Gull"
A Black-tailed Gull was seen at the Parksville Community Park Beach near the

Volleyball sand boxes area and later off the gravel bar near the Hovercraft Landing Pad.

Tuesday November 18:
Sixteen birders saw and heard forty-five species of birds on a sunny November morning.

Highlights of the morning included the sighting of over five hundred Dunlin who came towards us in a huge cloud and moved along the shore. We followed one Clark's Grebe in our scopes as it swam towards Denman Island. Eight Western Grebes off shore caught our attention throughout the morning. We watched over three hundred Red-necked
Grebes and at least thirty Horned Grebes. Huge rafts of Surf, Black and White-winged Scoters stretched on for the length of Denman Island.
There were several Long-tailed Ducks off shore.
Sixteen birders found the following forty-five species of birds.
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and House Sparrow.

"Rare Bird Alert: Black-tailed Gull"
A Black-tailed Gull in winter plumage was seen on the mudflats at the south end

of the Courtenay Air Park in Courtenay.

Monday November 17:

A Mourning Dove was seen in the 1900 block of Bay Street in Nanaimo.

Sunday November 09:
A Snow Bunting in winter plumage was seen on a gravelly/rocky area beside the road at Logan's Run in north 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
Guess Speaker " Chris Czajkowski," naturalist and author, will speak on "The plants of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park".
Monday November 24, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************

The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday December 11, 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 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 Tuesday November 25 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road side in Parksville.

Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking area in front of the playground area at 9:00 a.m.

***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 30, 2008 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or the parking area at the end of Raines Road at about 9:30 a.m.

***************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

RARE BIRD ALERT: BLACK-TAILED GULL

A rare BLACK-TAILED GULL was seen at the Parksville Community Park around noon on Wednesday November 19 2008.
Report by Christopher Stephens:
Hi all, seeing the report from Courteny of a Black tailed Gull, I thought it would be worth checking out the Parksville community park to see if there was anything of interest. In the volleyball sandpit near the gazebo was a group of California and other gulls, and in with them sharply stood out a a gull with yellow legs, slightly smaller than California's, with a noticeably darker back, about intermediate between breeding and winter plumage, with BRIGHT YELLOW EYES, AND A BILL TIP THAT WAS SOLID DEEP RED WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BLACK. The bird had a "lower to the ground, I guess shorter legs, than the Californiagulls.the flock flushed, circled around, and most of them landed back in the volleyball sandpit. I couldn't see the bird among them as they landed.It could be anywhere in the several reasonably sized groups of gulls in the park. The big gull roosts are on the volleyball sandpit, the roof of the old skating rink, and the little island just of the "point" of the park. also check the playground, lamps, and the road.
Second report from Christopher Stephens:
Hi all, I just went down to the Parksville Community Park with my camera to try for a photo of the BLACK TAILED GULL. It was out on the gravel bar/island in the south side of Parksville Bay. The bird flew out of the flock of California Gulls roosting there, giving me great views of it's bright white tail with WIDE BLACK BAND the bird settled in the water, and I got a few distant shots. I will post a couple on here soon. I lost track of the the bird again, and I believe it may have flown down to the second gravel bar a few hundred meters south, just off the Englishman River Estuary, in front of the R.V park. the two gravel bars are the gulls day roosts it seems, if you come early in the morning when there is little human disturbance, you can see many of the gulls on the volleyball sandpit in the field beside the skate park,which is easier than looking through the birds on the gravel bar. That is how I saw the bird originally.

Any further sightings or reports would be appreciated.
thebackyard@shaw.ca

Tuesday bird walk, November 18, 2008

Long-tailed Duck: Ralph Hocken Photo.


This Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay.


Sixteen birders saw and heard forty-five species of birds on a sunny
November morning.

Highlights of the morning included the sighting of over five hundred
Dunlin who came towards us in a huge cloud and moved along the shore.
We followed one Clark's Grebe in our scopes as it swam towards Denman
Island. Eight Western Grebes off shore caught our attention
throughout the morning. We watched over three hundred Red-necked
Grebes and at least thirty Horned Grebes. Huge rafts of Surf, Black
and White-winged Scoters stretched on for the length of Denman Island.
There were several Long-tailed Ducks off shore.

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the
Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m.
Participants meet at the at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at
the parking area in front of the playground at 9 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.

Sixteen birders found the following forty-five species of birds on
November 18, 2008:
Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Rock Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
House Sparrow

Nanaimo bird alert, November 16, 2008

Anna's Hummingbird: 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

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

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching

with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday, November 16, 2008:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Among the highlights were the sightings of a female Wilson's Warbler and a Barred Owl, sleeping on a branch not far off the ground. A large flock of Pine Siskins and American Goldfinch landed in the top of the tall bush near the trail. We spotted two Black Bears near the River sitting in a tree looking us over. We watched a River Otter catch an American Coot and then scurry off into the reeds near the shore, with the American Coot in it's mouth.
Thirty-one birders found the following thirty-four species of birds.
Canada Goose, Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, American Wigeon, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Barred Owl,

Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Rock Pigeon,

Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Steller's Jay, Red-winged Blackbird,
Varied Thrush, American Robin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Wilson's Warbler, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrows.

Saturday November 15:
The little Gull was seen again near the large Gravel Bar at the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.

Friday November 14:
An American Dipper was seen at Skutz falls.

Wednesday November 12:
A Rufous Hummingbird is coming to feeders along Denver Way in Crestview Modular Home Park in north Nanaimo.

Tuesday November 11:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary, in Qualicum Beach.
Highlights of the morning included the sighting of over two hundred Bald Eagles

perched in the conifer trees around the Estuary and along the River. We saw at

least one hundred Trumpeter Swans near the mouth of the Little Qualicum River.

Throughout the morning, the Swans left in groups of six or eight and flew right over us as they left the Estuary. We spotted a rare Little Gull among the Bonaparte's, Mew and Thayer's Gulls near the mouth of the River. Further out on the water were large flocks of Black, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Common Mergansers and Harlequin Ducks. Dozens of Harbour Seals and Sea Lions were resting in the water past the Gravel Bar--likely after having a grand feast on the abundant Chum Salmon in the Strait.
Eight birders found the following forty-four species of birds.
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye,
Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone,
Dunlin, Little Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow,
Common Raven, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird and House Finch.

Rare Bird Alert "Little Gull"

A Little Gull was seen with Bonaparte's and Thayer's Gulls at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River on the Tuesday bird walk.

Monday November 10:
A Peregrine Falcon and a Northern Shrike were seen at the Cowichan Bay Dock Road in Cowichan Bay.
A Varied Thrush was seen at Boat Harbour in south Nanaimo.

Sunday November 09:
Anna's hummingbirds are coming to feeders in the 700 Block of Doehle Street in Parksville.

A Brown Creeper was seen on Lundgren Road in the Diver Lake area of Nanaimo.

Saturday November 08:
Twenty-five Snow Geese were spotted flying over 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
Ross Peterson will present an update on the Enos Lake Project.
Thursday November 13, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Guess Speaker " Chris Czajkowski," naturalist and author, will speak on "The plants of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park".
Monday November 24, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
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 Tuesday November 18 will be going to the Deep Bay.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, in the parking area in front of the

playground at 9 A.M. or at the parking area at the Marina at Deep Bay at about 9:35 A.M.
***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 23, 2008 will be going to Neck Point in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or the parking area at Neck Point off

Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20 A.M.
***************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

**RBA -LITTLE GULL**

The Little Gull first spotted at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River Estuary on the Tuesday bird walk, on November 11, 2008 was seen again today.
Today it was off the mouth of the river, and out about where the main large gravel bar is just east of the river mouth. The Gull was seen on its own, but quickly joined in with a Bonaparte's Gull flock There is a huge flock of Gulls in this area of the Little Qualicum River.

Tuesday bird walk, November 11, 2008

Black Oystercatcher, Black-bellied Plover and Black Turnstone: Jack Lasure Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary, in Qualicum Beach.

Eight birders saw and heard forty-four species of birds on a mostly sunny fall morning.

Highlights of the morning included the sighting of over two hundred Bald Eagles perched in the conifer trees around the Estuary and along the River. We saw at least one hundred Trumpeter Swans near the mouth of the Little Qualicum River. Throughout the morning, the Swans left in groups of six or eight and flew right over us as they left the Estuary. We spotted a rare Little Gull among the Bonaparte's, Mew and Thayer's Gulls near the mouth of the River. Further out on the water were large flocks of Black, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Common Mergansers and Harlequin Ducks. Dozens of Harbour Seals and Sea Lions were resting in the water past the Gravel Bar--likely after having a grand feast on the abundant Chum Salmon in the Strait.

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants meet at the at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the playground at 9 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.

Eight birders found the following forty-four species of birds on November 11, 2008:

Canada Goose

Trumpeter Swan

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Barrow's Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Cooper's Hawk

Black-bellied Plover

Black Oystercatcher

Black Turnstone

Dunlin

Little Gull

Bonaparte's Gull

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer's Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Little Gull spotted at the Little Qualicum River Estuary

On the Tuesday bird walk, about 11:45 am, at the mouth of the Little
Qualicum River, a Little Gull was standing on a rock next to three Bonaparte's
Gulls, Black Turnstones and other gulls. We watched it for about five minutes, through the scopes, the Gull had very dark red legs, the head markings like the Adult nonbreeding
(Aug-April) on page 208 of the Sibley Guide to Birds, 2000 edition.

Harris's Sparrow

An Harris's Sparrow seen in Sooke.

Mike Ashbee Photo.

Snow Geese at Buttertubs Marsh.

Twenty-five Snow Geese were seen flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo on Saturday, November 08, 2008

Snow Bunting

A Snow Bunting in winter plumage was seen today, November 09, 2008 about 1245 pm, on Logan's Run (north Nanaimo) on a gravelly/rocky area beside the road.

Nanaimo bird alert, November 09, 2008

Trumpeter Swans: 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

Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates:
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Post your sightings on this 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

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday, November 09, 2008:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanoose Bay Estuary.
Among the highlights were the sightings of nine Trumpeter Swans flying in single file over the Bay heading south east. A Northern Shrike was spotted in the low bushes. We saw two Red-tailed Hawks--one was perched in the perching snag tree at the north end of the estuary. A Sharp-shinned Hawk posed in a bush for us to examine him closely and then moved onto a fence post for even a better view.

The fog co-operated for most of the morning and stayed at tree level well above the Bay and fifteen birders found the following forty-one species of birds: Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Shrike, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, House Finch and Dark-eyed Junco.

Saturday November 08:

Twenty-five Trumpeter Swans were spotted flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Friday November 07:
Spotted Towhee, Anna’s Hummingbirds, Northern Flickers, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Purple Finch, Pine Siskins,
American Robin, Downy Woodpecker and Steller’s Jays are visiting feeders in a backyard in French Creek.

Wednesday November 05:
A Eurasian Wigeon was seen at the French Creek Estuary.

Twenty Trumpeter Swans were seen at Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Fifteen Evening Grosbeak's were observed at feeders near Boat Harbour in Cedar.

A Northern Shrike was spotted near the golf driving range in Duncan.

Tuesday November 04:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side in Parksville.
Sixteen birders saw and heard forty species of birds during a blustery fall morning.
The highlight of the morning was the Sea Lions, who stole the show from the birds. A pair of Sea Lions came to the surface with Chum Salmon in their mouths, thrashing about and eventually swallowing the salmon. Not far from shore, several immature Gulls, a large flock of Common Mergansers and a few Harlequin Ducks were competing for the scraps of Salmon that were left behind from the huge Sea Lions.
The tide was up and heavy waves pounded the shore. Between the waves we saw eight Black Turnstones and one Dunlin racing towards the estuary. Further out on the Strait,there were several Pacific Loons flying just above the water. A Common Loon, a Horned Grebe and a Western Grebe gave us quick glances between waves.
Along the boardwalk, we saw a large flock of Bushtits and Golden-crowned Kinglets fly quickly in the bushes and then disappear. A pair of Bald Eagles were perched high in a Fir Tree off the trail.

A Ring-necked Duck and six Hooded Mergangers were seen at the French Creek pond.

Sunday November 02:
A Peregrine Falcon and a Merlin were seen in a yard in the 200 block of Ravere Place in Nanaimo.

Ten Black Oystercatchers were seen on the South-east shore of Protection Island.

Four Greater White-fronted Geese have spent the last month on a farm in the 6900 block of Eyelash Drive near Brannen Lake in Nanaimo.

Saturday November 01:
Twenty American Wigeons were spotted on the south-east shore of Protection Island.

Friday October 31:
A female Ring-necked Pheasant was spotted in a Herb Garden in Deep Bay.

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
Ross Peterson will present an update on the Enos Lake Project.
Thursday November 13, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday November 24, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
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 Tuesday November 11 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, in the parking area in front of the playground at 9 A.M. or at the Brant Geese, Viewing Tower at Highway 19A and Garrett Road in Qualicum Beach at about 9:15 A.M..
***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 16, 2008 will be going to the Buttertubs Marsh.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or the parking area on the Bowen Road side of Buttertubs Marsh. at about 9:15 A.M.
***************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Tuesday bird walk, November 04, 2008

Pacific Loons: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side in Parksville.

Sixteen birders saw and heard forty species of birds during a blustery fall morning.

The highlight of the morning was the Sea Lions, who stole the show from the birds. A pair of Sea Lions came to the surface with Chum Salmon in their mouths, thrashing about and eventually swallowing the salmon. Not far from shore, several immature Gulls, a large flock of Common Mergansers and a few Harlequin Ducks were competing for the scraps of Salmon that were left behind from the huge Sea Lions.

The tide was up and heavy waves pounded the shore. Between the waves we saw eight Black Turnstones and one Dunlin racing towards the estuary. Further out on the Strait,there were several Pacific Loons flying just above the water. A Common Loon, a Horned Grebe and a Western Grebe gave us quick glances between waves.

Along the boadwalk, we saw a large flock of Bushtits and Golden-crowned Kinglets fly quickly in the bushes and then disappear. A pair of Bald Eagles were perched high in a Fir Tree off the trail.

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants meet at the at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the playground at 9 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.

Sixteen birders found the following forty species of birds on November 04, 2008:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Western Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Black Turnstone

Dunlin

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer's Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Northern Flicker

Steller's Jay

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Golden-crowned Kinglet

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Purple Finch

House Finch

Pine Siskin

Red-throated Loons at Lantzville: 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

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

Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with:
http://www.birdingpal.org/

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

Sunday, November 02, 2008:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.
Among the highlights were the sightings of seven Long-tailed Ducks, a Western Grebe and Red-necked Grebes, off the viewing tower in Qualicum Beach.
We watched a Northern Shrike move from shrub to shrub along the beach and were astonished to see a Bald Eagle swoop down and pick off the Shrike and fly off, with several immature Bald Eagles in pursuit. We saw an estimated sixty Bald Eagles riding some thermals high in the sky. Chum Salmon swam close to the shore at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River in an attempt to stay away from several Sea Lions that were swimming in the middle of the River. We witnessed a Sea Lion swallow a Salmon, head first--much the same way a Great Blue Heron eats a fish.
Nineteen birders found the following forty-seven species of birds:
Common Loon, Red-necked Grebes, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Shrike, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstones, Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Brewer's Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and House Sparrow.

Saturday November 01:
A Rusty Blackbird was spotted at Whiffin Spit in Sooke.

Friday October 31:
Two Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders at Boat Harbour.

Thursday October 30:
A Barred Owl was seen in the 6200 block of Forest Crescent in Nanaimo.

A Cassin's Finch was seen visiting feeders across from the Civic Center in Port Hardy.

Tuesday October 28:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach.
Among the highlights of the morning were the sightings of one Long-tailed Duck, a large raft of Surf Scoters and White-wing Scoters and several Black Scoters who entertained us with their singing throughout the morning. We spotted a Merlin chasing some song birds and a Cooper's Hawk put in a brief appearance. Several Pacific Loons, still in breeding plumage, with gorgeous silver necks and heads, were bobbing in the water. Four Dunlin, two Black-bellied Plovers, several Black Oystercatchers and a Killdeer were seen near the gravel bar. Large flocks of Harlequin Ducks flew past us and landed on the water within our viewing range.
Seventeen birders found the following thirty-nine species of birds.
Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead , Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch.

Sunday October 26:
Two Western Meadowlarks, a Northern Shrike, Bufflehead and Surf Scoters, were seen at Nanoose Bay.

An Anna's Hummingbird was seen visiting feeders in the Springbrook area 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
Ross Peterson will present an update on the Enos Lake Project.
Thursday November 13, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monthly Meeting,
Monday November 24, 2008@ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
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 Tuesday November 04 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville..
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, in 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 9:15 A.M.

***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 09, 2008 will be going to the Nanoose Bay.
Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or behind the Church Camp off highway 19 and Arlington Road at about 9:15 A.M.
***************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo