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.

Sunday 28 February 2010

Nanaimo Bird Alert, February 28, 2010


Greater Scaup: Ralph Hocken Photo.


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 February 28, 2010:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.
The morning was cloudy but winds were calm.
We saw large rafts of Bufflehead, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Common Goldeneye, Double-crested Cormorant,
Pelagic Cormorant, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck and Common Merganser offshore at the viewing platform. One Black-bellied Plover, six Dunlin and three Black Oystercatchers were along the tide line near the viewing platform. Hugh rafts of Pacific Loons, Common Loons and Red-breasted Mergansers were further offshore.
Twelve birders found the following forty-eight species of birds:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, Brant, Eurasian Wigeon, American Widgeon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Mallard, Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Common Goldeneye, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Long-tailed Ducks, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Killdeer, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Thayer's Gull, Herring Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Belted Kingfisher, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Red Crossbill.

Over thirty Trumpeter Swans were seen in the fields at the Ugly Dwarf Meadows in Nanoose Bay.

Saturday February 27:
Six Band-tailed Pigeon have been visiting feeders all winter in the 1100 block of Stymie Close in the Eaglecrest area of Qualicum Beach.

Tuesday February 23:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning started off cloudy with calm winds and just a ripple on the Strait of Georgia. However, near the end of the walk it was raining.
There was a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched in a tall fir tree at the beginning of the walk. The morning was filled with the sightings of seabirds on the water. There were rafts of Brant Geese, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, American Wigeons, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, a lone Common Merganser and Red-breasted Mergansers. A White-winged Scoter flew by and three Long-tailed Ducks flew in and landed not far from shore. We saw a large raft of Pacific and Common Loons near the horizon. Many flocks of twenty and thirty Brant Geese flew up and down the Strait all morning. We saw Black-bellied Plovers, three Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, one Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstones, a large cloud of Dunlin, one Bonaparte's Gull as well as several Mew Gulls, California Gull, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls at the gravel bar in front of the Pebble Beach townhouses.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-six species of birds:
Canada Goose, Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser,
Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.

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 March 11, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Guest Speaker, Guy Monty--topic Black Brant.
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Guest Speaker-Colin Bartlett
Monday March 22, 2010 @ 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 March 02, 2010 will be going to little Qualicum River Estuary.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions playground at 9 A.M. or at the viewing platform near Highway 19a and Garrett Road at about 9:20 A.M.
*****************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on March 07, 2010, will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area off Bowen Road near Buttertubs Marsh at about 9: 20 A.M.
*******************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.3669
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk, February 23, 2010


Barrow's Goldeneye: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning started off cloudy with calm winds and just a ripple on the Strait of Georgia. However, near the end of the walk it was raining.
There was a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched in a tall fir tree at the beginning of the walk. The morning was filled with the sightings of seabirds on the water. There were rafts of Brant Geese, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, American Wigeons, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, a lone Common Merganser and Red-breasted Mergansers. A White-winged Scoter flew by and three Long-tailed Ducks flew in and landed not far from shore. We saw a large raft of Pacific and Common Loons near the horizon. Many flocks of twenty and thirty Brant Geese flew up and down the Strait all morning. We saw Black-bellied Plovers, three Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, one Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstones, a large cloud of Dunlin, one Bonaparte's Gull as well as several Mew Gulls, California Gull, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls at the gravel bar in front of the Pebble Beach townhouses.

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-six species of birds
Canada Goose
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 21 February 2010

Nanaimo bird alert, February 21, 2010


Red Crossbill: Ralph Hocken Photo.



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 February 21, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Nanoose Bay.
The morning started off sunny and cool but soon became sunny and warm with calm winds and seas.
Eight Red Crossbills came down to low bushes near us to give us close looks. A large raft of Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead were on the far side of the bay. A Gadwall and an Eurasian Wigeon were in with a large raft of Northern Pintails and American Widgeon on the estuary. We were able to make a good comparison as a California Gull roosted in with a flock of Mew Gulls.

Sixteen birders found the following forty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Widgeon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Northern Shrike, Belted Kingfisher, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Bewick's Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskins.

Saturday February 20: A single Tree Swallow was spotted over the Dock Road at Cowichan Bay.

Tuesday February 16:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
The morning was bright and sunny and the winds over the Strait of Georgia were calm.
We heard Red Crossbills singing all morning. A Western Meadowlark was singing when we first arrived at the estuary. We heard a Townsend's Warbler and a Hutton's Vireo and saw a Warbling Vireo. Spring was in the air with the morning filled with song. The Peregrine Falcon was in it's usual perch on a snag. Brant Geese, Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were heading up the Strait of Georgia. A large raft of Mew, California, Thayer's and Glaucous-winged Gulls were just off the point. We saw eight Snow Geese, high above us, heading south. A Turkey Vulture, our first sighting of the year, was drifting above us at the end of the walk.
Twenty-five birders saw and heard the following fifty-six species of birds:
Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Killdeer, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Townsend's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, House Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

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 March 11, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists
Monday March 22, 2010 @ 7:30 pm.
Guest Speaker-Colin Bartlett
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 February 23, 2010 will be going to Columbia Beach.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions playground at 9 A.M. or at the parking area off Admiral Tyron Blvd. at about 9:15 A.M.
*****************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 28, 2010, will be going to the little Qualicum River Estuary.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the viewing platform near highway 19A and Garrett Road at about 9: 30 A.M.
*******************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.3669
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk, February 16, 2010


Dunlin: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
The morning was bright and sunny and the winds over the Strait of Georgia were calm.
We heard Red Crossbills singing all morning. A Western Meadowlark was singing when we first arrived at the estuary. We heard a Townsend's Warbler and a Hutton's Vireo and saw a Warbling Vireo. Spring was in the air with the morning filled with song. The Peregrine Falcon was in it's usual perch on a snag. Brant Geese, Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were heading up the Strait of Georgia. A large raft of Mew, California, Thayer's and Glaucous-winged Gulls were just off the point. We saw eight Snow Geese, high above us, heading south . A Turkey Vulture, our first sighting of the year, was drifting above us at the end of the walk.

Twenty-five birders was and heard the following fifty-six species of birds:
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Killdeer
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Townsend's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 14 February 2010

Nanaimo bird alert, February 14, 2010


Pigeon Guillemot: Ralph Hocken Photo.

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 February 14, 2010:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.
The morning started with rain but soon became sunny with calm winds and seas.
Spring was in the air. We heard a Hutton's Vireo and Red Crossbills were singing overhead all morning. We watched a male Anna's Hummingbird displaying high up. Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones, Dunlin and Black Oystercatchers were on the rocks near the point. We spotted a Pigeon Guillemot in the bay near the parking lot. Surf Scoters, Pelagic and Doubled-crested Cormorants, Common and Pacific Loons were out further on the Strait of Georgia.
Twelve birders found the following forty species of birds:
Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Harlequin Duck, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Dunlin, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, Black-bellied Plover, Pigeon Guillemot, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Anna's Hummingbird, Northwestern Crow, European Starling, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Winter Wren, Bewick's Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hutton's Vireo, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskins.

Friday February 12:
A Peregrine Falcon was spotted swooping over Brewer's Blackbirds in the Country Club Mall parking lot. The Falcon made one fast pass and failed to flush any blackbirds who took refuge under cars. The Peregrine Falcon headed towards the forested area near Beban Park.

Tuesday February 09:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.
The morning was sunny at times and the winds over the Strait of Georgia were calm.
A female Red Crossbill perched at the top of a Fir Tree just off the parking lot giving us great views and a great start to the morning. We watched a Ruby-crowned Kinglet feeding on a low bush near the trail. The Strait of Georgia was alive with seabirds. A large flock of over five hundred Dunlin, five Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls were on the sandbars just offshore. Eight Brant Geese flew in and eventually landed offshore. Large flocks of Surf Scoters flew low over the water heading down the Strait of Georgia. Rafts of Mallards, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergansers, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes and a Western Grebe were offshore all morning. We spotted a Pigeon Guillemot near the horizon.
Sixteen birders was and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose, Brant, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling,
Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

February 08:
A Rufous Hummingbird has been coming to feeders all winter between Walker and Neville in Ladysmith.

February 07:
Fourteen Common Ravens were spotted, foraging and playing around the head waters of Craig Creek outside Parksville.


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
Guest Speaker-Guy Monty
Monday February 15, 2010 @ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Thursday March 11, 2010 @ 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 February 16, 2010 will be going to The Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions playground at 9 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road at about 9:15 A.M.
*****************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 21, 2010, will be going to Nanoose Bay.
Meet at the Birdstore 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

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.3669
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk, February 09, 2010


Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny at times and the winds over the Strait of Georgia were calm.
A female Red Crossbill perched at the top of a Fir Tree just off the parking lot giving us great views and a great start to the morning. We watched a Ruby-crowned Kinglet feeding on a low bush near the trail. The Strait of Georgia was alive with seabirds. A large flock of over five hundred Dunlin, five Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls were on the sandbars just offshore. Eight Brant Geese flew in and eventually landed offshore. Large flocks of Surf Scoters flew low over the water heading down the Strait of Georgia. Rafts of Mallards, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergansers, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes and a Western Grebe were offshore all morning. We spotted a Pigeon Guillemot near the horizon.

Sixteen birders was and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Greater White-fronted Goose
Canada Goose
Brant
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black Oystercatcher
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 7 February 2010

Nanaimo bird alert, February 07, 2010


Western Meadowlark at the Nanaimo River Estuary: Ralph Hocken Photo

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 February 07, 2010:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was mostly sunny and calm.
Five Western Meadowlarks were singing from a small bush all morning. A Northern Shrike spent the morning on three perches close to us. A White-throated Sparrow and a Fox Sparrow put in a quick appearance near the viewing platform. A female Northern Harrier flew low over the estuary in search of prey. A Merlin and a Peregrine Falcon flew past us very fast.
Seventeen birders found the following thirty-seven species of birds:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Shrike, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Steller's Jay, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin, Western Meadowlark, European Starling, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Purple Finch, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

A juvenile Trumpeter Swan was seen swimming in Sunset Bay at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Tuesday February 02:
The Tuesday, February 2nd Bird Walk went to Deep Bay.
The morning was cloudy with fog and misty rain, but the winds were calm and the Strait of Georgia was like glass.
The Black Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks were singing and diving just off shore. We spotted a Pigeon Guillemot near Denman Island. A huge raft of Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergansers and Brant Geese were not far from shore. A flock of Brandt's Cormorants, Double-crested Cormorants and Pelagic Cormorants flew over the water, heading toward Denman Island.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds.
Canada Goose, Brant, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, California Quail, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and House Finch.

Sunday January 31:
Two Barred Owls were calling near the lower lake at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a
bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ 250-390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail: thebackyard@shaw.ca
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists
Guest Speaker, Carolyn Masson. Her topic is The Status Of The Garry Oak Ecosystems.
Thursday February 11, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Nanoose Library,
Nanoose Bay
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Arrowsmith Naturalists
Guest Speaker Guy Monty
Monday February 15, 2010 @ 7:30 pm.
Springwood School
Parksville
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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 February 09, 2010 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions playground at 9 A.M. or at the main parking lot in Rathtrevor Provincial Park at about 9:15 A.M. Please note there is a parking fee at the Park.
*****************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 14, 2010, will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.
Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area in Neck Point off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.3669
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Friday 5 February 2010

FREE MASON BEE SEMINAR

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2010
11:00 am

Speaker: Gail Mitchell of Bee Haven Farm, Duncan

It feels like spring is here and soon the fruit trees will be blooming. Attracting or introducing Mason Bees is a natural way to make sure that your fruit trees are pollinated.

This seminar will help you with all the information needed to learn about Mason Bees and to get started and maintain healthy populations that will provide you with a bounty of fruit.

Due to limited space we ask that you please call ahead a reserve a seat. Depending on the response a second seminar may be held.

For more information and to reserve a seat please email or call the store at:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
250-390-3669
Toll free: 1-888-249-4145

Tuesday 2 February 2010

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk, February 02, 2010


Long-tailed Duck; Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday, February 2nd Bird Walk went to Deep Bay.
The morning was cloudy with fog and misty rain, but the winds were calm and the Strait of Georgia was like glass.
The Black Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks were singing and diving just off shore. We spotted a Pigeon Guillemot near Denman Island. A huge raft of Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergansers and Brant Geese were not far from shore. A flock of Brandt's Cormorants, Double-crested Cormorants and Pelagic Cormorants flew over the water, heading toward Denman Island.

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds.
Canada Goose
Brant
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Rock Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia