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.

Tuesday 30 June 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk, June 30, 2009




Violet-green Swallow:Ralph Hocken Photo


The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was pleasant and the sun was shining. The highlights of the morning included watching Willow Flycatchers low down in the shrubs along the trail and hearing them and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher singing. We watched as Violet-green Swallows flew low over the mudflats--it was great to look down on them from the trail above. There were several Rufous Hummingbirds and House Finches at the feeders along Shorewood Drive.

Twenty birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species of birds
Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

Sunday 28 June 2009

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, Bird alert, June 28, 2009




Cedar Waxwing: 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 June 28, 2009:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to McGregor Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny but cool.
The highlights included seeing two Belted Kingfishers at the first marsh at the start of the walk. We saw and heard Willow Flycatchers and a Black-headed Grosbeak singing. Cedar Waxwings were perched on snags above a marsh. A Merlin flew in above the marsh to end the walk.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species of birds:
Turkey Vulture, Mallard, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Merlin, California Quail, Band-tailed Pigeon, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Belted Kingfisher, Warbling Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven ,Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, House Finch and American Goldfinch.

The male American Kestrel was seen again on the hydro lines overlooking the Ugly Dwarf Meadows at Nanoose Bay.

Evening Grosbeaks have been visiting feeders in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

Saturday June 27:
An American Kestrel was seen on the hydro lines overlooking the Ugly Dwarf Meadows at Nanoose Bay.

Six Caspian Terns and two Osprey were seen on the flats at the Nanaimo River Estuary near the Living Forest Campground in south Nanaimo.

Thursday June 25:
A aberrant brown Pileated Woodpecker was seen in the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.

Wednesday June 24:
Two Vesper Sparrows were seen along the fields at the Nanaimo Airport in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday June 23:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was pleasant with periods of sunshine and was filled with bird songs. The highlights of the morning was seeing and hearing Willow Flycatchers and a Yellow Warbler singing. We saw a family of five Belted Kingfishers perched on a snag just above the River giving us close views as the young were being fed.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species of birds.
Canada Goose, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Winter Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin,
European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch and House Finch.

An Evening Grosbeak was spotted near Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

Monday June 22:
A Great Horned Owl was seen perched by the north side trail about 150 meters east of the deep bay, at the western side of Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

A Ring-necked Pheasant was seen in the Chase River area near Beck Creek in south Nanaimo.

Sunday June 21:
Over ten Cedar Waxwings were seen near the Beaver Ponds at Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

Black-headed Grosbeaks are visiting feeders along Extension Road in south Nanaimo.

A male and female California Quail with fourteen puffball chicks were seen in a yard in Fairwinds in Nanoose Bay.

Saturday June 20:
An adult female Lark Bunting was seen in the parking lot at Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew.

Wednesday June 10:
An Eastern Kingbird was spotted perching and flycatching on Mittlenatch Island.

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 September 10, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday September 28, 2009 @ 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 June 30, 2009 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's
Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:20 a.m.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on July 05 will be going to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay.
Meet at the Bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area about 100 yards past the fourway stop along Powerpoint Road at about 9:20 a.m.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 23, 2009







Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was pleasant with periods of sunshine and was filled with bird songs. The highlights of the morning was seeing and hearing Willow Flycatchers and a Yellow Warbler singing. We saw a family of five Belted Kingfishers perched on a snag just above the River giving us close views as the young were being fed.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species of birds.
Canada Goose
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Winter Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch

Sunday 21 June 2009

Nanaimo Vancouver Island Bird Alert, June 21, 2009




Eastern Kingbird: Heidi Krajewsky Photo.


"Rare bird alert-Eastern Kingbird"
An Eastern Kingbird was seen perched and flycatching on Mittlenatch Island.
This bird is usually found east of the Coastal Mountains.


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 June 21, 2009:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Linley Valley in Nanaimo.
The morning started out cloudy but turned sunny and warm. We had great close
looks at Western Tanagers. We saw a Black-throated Gray Warbler and heard
Orange-crowned Warblers,Townsend's Warblers, Common Yellow-throats and a
Wilson's Warbler through out the morning. We saw a Red-breasted Sapsucker and a
Northern Flicker perched on a snag. A flock of Violet-green Swallows and one
Northern Rough-winged Swallow flew low over Cottle Lake hawking insects.
Twenty-two birders saw and heard the following forty-two species of birds.
Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Rufous Hummingbird, Band-tailed Pigeon,
Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted
Sapsucker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher,
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow,
Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee,
Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Swainson's
Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated
Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellow-throat, Wilson's Warbler,
Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brewer's Blackbird,
Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, Red
Crossbills, American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin.

Saturday June 20:
A Merlin was spotted chasing a Bald Eagle above Corfield Avenue in Parksville.

Two Northern Harrier's were seen near Kaye Road, behind the Weigh Scale, in
Parksville.

A Eurasian Collared Dove has been heard along Kasba Circle near Wembly Mall in
Parksville.

Tuesday June 16:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning
was pleasant with periods of sunshine and was filled with bird songs. The
highlights of the morning was seeing Willow Flycatchers perching and hearing
them singing. We spotted an American Dipper feeding near a big rock in the
Englishman River. A family of Chipping Sparrows entertained us near the trail.
A Pileated Woodpecker was clinging to a tree, giving us a great view.
Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Warbling Vireos, Winter Wrens and Swainson's Thrush
sang thought the morning.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following twenty-nine species of birds.
Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated
Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed
Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, American Dipper, Swainson's Thrush,
American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler,
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Spotted
Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's
Blackbird and Purple Finch.

Monday June 15:
A pair of Blue-winged Teal and an adult male Purple Martin were seen at
Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Sunday June 14:
A Great Horned Owl was seen close to the path just up from Sunset Beach at Neck
Point in Nanaimo.

Wednesday June 10:
"Rare bird alert-Eastern Kingbird"
An Eastern Kingbird was seen perched and flycatching on Mittlenatch Island.
This bird is usually found east of the Coastal Mountains.

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
Join guest speaker Tony Ransom, co-founder of the Nanoose Naturalists and a
retired Geologist from South Africa for a slideshow journey to the Galapagos
Islands.
Monday June 22, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday September 10, 2009 @ 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 June 23, 2009 will be going to Shelly Road side of the
Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's
Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road (on the oceanside of
highway 19a) Road at about 9:20 a.m.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on June 28 will be going to McGregor Marsh in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the top of Rutherford Road across from
the Quilted Duck at about 9:20 a.m.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Wednesday 17 June 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 16, 2009




American Dipper: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning was pleasant with periods of sunshine and was filled with bird songs. The highlights of the morning was seeing Willow Flycatchers perching and hearing them singing. We spotted an American Dipper feeding near a big rock in the Englishman River. A family of Chipping Sparrows entertained us near the trail. A Pileated Woodpecker was clinging to a tree, giving us a great view. Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Warbling Vireos, Winter Wrens and Swainson's Thrush sang throught the morning.

Eighteen birders saw and heard the following twenty-nine species of birds.
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
American Dipper
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch

Monday 15 June 2009

Nanaimo bird alert, June 14, 2009




Caspian Tern: 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 June 14, 2009:
A Barred Owl was spotted at the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville.
The morning was sunny and warm. The highlights of the morning included a Chipping Sparrow feeding a fledgling and several California Quail chicks moving through the underbrush at their parent's command. We saw three sets of Brown Creeper families moving up the trees. We saw Warbling Vireos high up in the trees and although we didn't see him, a Red-eyed Vireo sang non-stop.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-one species of birds.
Canada Geese, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Merlin, California Quail, Killdeer, Ring-necked Pheasant, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird , Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Black-throated Grey Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellow-throat, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, White-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch and Pine Siskins.

Saturday June 13:
A Red Crossbill was seen at backyard feeders in the 5100 block of Laguna Way in Nanaimo.

A Western Tanager and Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Hewstone Road in Cedar.

Friday June 12:
Four American White Pelicans and fourteen Caspian Terns were seen along the tideline at the Cowichan Estuary in Cowichan Bay.

Thursday June 11:
A pair of Blue-winged Teal were seen on the pond near the forestry museum in Duncan.

Wednesday June 10:
An Olive-sided Flycatcher was seen and heard singing for about three hours in a garden at the Little Qualicum River Village.

Tuesday June 09:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and calm and was filled with bird songs. The highlight of the day was hearing a Red-eyed Vireo singing non stop from high up in the forest canopy for about twenty minutes. Warbling Vireos, Orange-crowned Warblers and a Townsend's Warbler serenaded us as well for most of the morning. We watched as two Brown Creepers took nesting material into a nest under the bark of a big leaf maple tree. We saw Red-breasted Nuthatches gleaning insects high up in a tree. There was a fledgling Pileated Woodpecker clinging to the bark of a tree, not daring to move and a family of Bewick's Wrens low in the bushes, next
to the trail, scurrying about.
Twenty birders saw and heard the following thirty species of birds.
Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker,
Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo,
Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird and Purple Finch

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
Monday June 22, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday September 10, 2009 @ 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 June 16, 2009 will be going to Top Bridge Trail in Parksville.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's
Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area along Industrial Way near Tuan Road at about 9:20 a.m.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on June 14 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 at about 9:20 a.m.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Wednesday 10 June 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk, June 09, 2009




Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and calm and was filled with bird songs. The highlight of the day was hearing a Red-eyed Vireo singing non stop from high up in the forest canopy for about twenty minutes. Warbling Vireos, Orange-crowned Warblers and a Townsend's Warbler serenaded us as well for most of the morning. We watched as two Brown Creepers took nesting material into a nest under the bark of a big leaf maple tree. We saw Red-breasted Nuthatches gleaning insects high up in a tree. There was a fledgling Pileated Woodpecker clinging to the bark of a tree, not daring to move and a family of Bewick's Wrens low in the bushes, next to the trail, scurring about.

Twenty birders saw and heard the following thirty species of birds.
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Orange-crowned Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch

Monday 8 June 2009

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, bird alert, June 07, 2009




Common Yellowthroat: 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 June 07, 2009:
A pair of Ring-necked Turtle Doves were seen at feeders in a backyard in the 1600 block of Casper's Way in Nanaimo.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Morden Colliery Historic Park in south Nanaimo.
The morning was sunny and warm. Sixteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species of birds.
Canada Geese, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Anna's Hummingbird, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Common Yellow-throat, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch and House Finch.


Saturday June 06:
A Green Heron was seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Friday June 05:
A pair of Evening Grosbeaks were seen visiting feeders in the 400 block of Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

Wednesday June 03:
A Red-eyed Vireo was seen and heard just over the Railway Tracks at Springwood Park in Parksville.

A Golden Eagle was seen at Witchcroft Lake off Benson View Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday June 02:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Lot Ten along the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach. The morning was sunny and calm. A Warbling Vireo was singing as we started the walk and we continued to hear them sing for most of the morning. We saw Orange-crowned Warblers and a Black-throated Gray Warbler high up in the trees. A Townsend's Warbler and a Hammond's Flycatcher were singing. We saw two Spotted Sandpipers several times during the morning flying just above the water on the Little Qualicum River. We watched as two Brown Creepers took insects into a nest under the bark of a snag. A Red-breasted Sapsucker was gleaning insects just above us giving us great close-up looks. We watched a Pacific-slope Flycatcher hawking insects as it flew from it's perch several times.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following thirty species of birds.
Canada Goose, Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper,
Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher,
Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Swainson's Thrush,
American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak and Brown-headed Cowbird.


Sunday May 31:
Caspian's Terns were spotted at the Cowichan River Estuary in Cowichan Bay.

Friday May 29:
A pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks were seen along Harlequin Crescent in Nanoose 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
Thursday June 11, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday June 22, 2009 @ 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 June 09, 2009 will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville.
Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's
Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the west end of Despard Avenue at about 9:20 a.m.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on June 14 will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville.
Meet at the Bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the west end of Despard Avenue at about
9:30 a.m.( From Highway 19 turn into Parksville at the Highway 4A exit, cross the Railway tracks and turn left at the first set of lights at Despard Avenue. Go to the end of Despard Avenue and park)
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Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 02, 2009



Pacific-slope Flycatcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.



The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Lot Ten along the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach. The morning was sunny and calm. A Warbling Vireo was singing as we started the walk and we continued to hear them sing for most of the morning. We saw Orange-crowned Warblers and a Black-throated Gray Warbler high up in the trees. A Townsend's Warbler and a Hammond's Flycatcher were singing. We saw two Spotted Sandpipers several times during the morning flying just above the water on the Little Qualicum River. We watched as two Brown Creepers took insects into a nest under the bark of a snag. A Red-breasted Sapsucker was gleaning insects just above us giving us great close-up looks. We watched a Pacific-slope Flycatcher hawking insects as it flew from it's perch several times.

Eihteen birders saw and heard the following thirty species of birds.
Canada Goose
Mallard
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Spotted Sandpiper
Band-tailed Pigeon
Rufous Hummingbird
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Brown-headed Cowbird