Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 29, 2010

MacGillivray's Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.
The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was mostly sunny but cool in the forest. The Swainson's Thrush and Warbling Vireo were singing throughout the morning. We watched several Willow Flycatcher's singing their hearts out from different perches. A flock of Cedar Waxwings were perched in a tall snag. A MacGillivray's Warbler made a quick appearance.

Sixteeen birders saw and heard the following thirty-seven species:
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
American Goldfinch

Nanaimo bird report, June 27, 2010

Wilson's Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
**************************************************************
It is with great sadness that we want to let you know that Gordon Dodds
passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2010 . We will miss Gordon on the Tuesday
bird walks.
****************************************************************
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Report 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 27, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville.
The morning was mostly cloudy with a light breeze.
It was a slow birding morning this morning, but the Swainson's Thrush,
Purple Finch and Warbling Vireo entertained us all morning and we spotted a
Western Tanager up high on a snag.
Five birders saw and heard the following thirty-four species of birds:
Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Killdeer, California Quail,
Violet-green Swallow, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Willow
Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit,
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Swainson's Thrush,
American Robin, European Starling, Western Tanager, Orange-crowned Warbler,
Black-throated Grey Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song
Sparrow,White-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, American Goldfinch,
Red Crossbill, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin.

Friday June 25:
Two Whimbrels, four Caspian Terns and ten male Harlequin Ducks were seen at
Columbia Beach.

Tuesday June 22:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Plummer Road side of the Englishman River
Estuary, in Parksville. The morning was sunny and the winds were calm.
The highlight of the morning included seeing a Whimbrel landing in front of
us on the beach at the end of Mariner Way, giving us a great view. A pair
of Spotted Sandpipers were moving together in and out of the grass near the
viewing stand.
Thirteen birders saw and heard the following forty-two species of birds:
Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Common
Murre, Cassin's Auklet, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Common Merganser,
Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Whimbrel, Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer,
Glaucous-winged Gull, 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, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet,
Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling,
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Spotted
Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple
Finch, 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

Arrowsmith Naturalist meeting
Monday. June 28th –7:30 p.m.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
General Meeting
Speaker: Hans Boerger will share his knowledge on pond life.
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists meetings will resume in September, 2010
**********************************
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 29, 2010 will be going to Springwood 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 west end of Despard Avenue at about 9:15 A.M.
This will be the last Tuesday Birdwalk until September 7, 2010.
**************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on July 04, 2010 will be going to Legacy Marsh in
upper Lantzville.
We will meet at The Backyard Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or under the Hydro Line
along Normarel Drive 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 22, 2010

Swainson's Thrush: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk went to Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary, in Parksville. The morning was sunny and the winds were calm.

The highlight of the morning included seeing a Whimbrel landing in front of us on the beach at the end of Mariner Way, giving us a great view. A pair of Spotted Sandpipers were moving together in and out of the grass near the viewing stand.

Thirteen birders saw and heard the following forty-two species of birds:
Common Loon
Pelagic Cormorant
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet
Common Murre
Cassin's Auklet
Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Common Merganser
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Whimbrel
Spotted Sandpiper
Killdeer
Glaucous-winged Gull
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
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Sparrow

Nanaimo bird report, June 21, 2010

Chipping Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo



NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
********************************************
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Report 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 20, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk today was cancelled due to illness, but eight dedicated birders did a self guided walk to the Beaver Ponds in Fairwinds. Thanks to you all for your understanding!

Friday June 18:
Violet-green Swallows, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were seen hawking insects at Rivers Edge behind the Government Weigh Scale in Parksville. High above the Swallows, three Common Nighthawks were spotted. A Red-breasted Sapsucker was seen on a tree at the forest edge. The evening was full of the sounds of White Crowned Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows, with the occasional croak of a Bull Frog!

Tuesday June 15:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Lot Ten along the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach.
The morning was cloudy with a light breeze, but no rain fell during the morning.
We spotted a Peregrine Falcon flying above us as we started out from the Parksville Community Park. There was a Great Blue Heron perched on a rock at Qualicum Beach just past the tide line. We heard and then saw a Red-breasted Sapsucker tapping on a tall snag at the start of the walk on Lot Ten. We had great long looks at a Black-throated Gray Warbler perched in a tall snag at the edge of the forest. An Orange-crowned Warbler flew into the forest edge. As we walked towards the river we heard and then spotted a Red-eyed Vireo gleaning insects, high up in a Big Leaf Maple tree above us. We saw and heard many Swainson's Thrush throughout the morning and we watched a Swainson's Thrush having a bath along the rivers edge. A family of Belted Kingfishers were resting along the rivers edge. A fledging Red-breasted Sapsucker was sitting on the hydro lines above our cars at the end of the walk.
Nine birders including a visiting birder from Seattle saw and heard the following thirty-four species of birds:
Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker,
Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo,
Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven,
Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee , Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler,
Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow,
Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch and American Goldfinch.

A Western Wood-pewee and a Willow Flycatcher was seen in the wild rose patch, on the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

A pair of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were seen at the Nanoose Estuary in Nanoose Bay.

Monday June 14:
Three Osprey were observed flying overhead near the 3km mark Westwood Lake in Nanaimo.

A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen along Roxanne Drive in Nanaimo.

Sunday June 13:
A Mountain Bluebird was seen at the end of Gerald Street in Nanoose Bay.

Thursday June 10:
Great Horned Owl fledglings were seen near Northfield Road and Highway 19, in Nanaimo.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird please
call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ 250-390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail: thebackyard@shaw.ca
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist meeting, Monday. June 28th –7:30 p.m.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
Guest Speaker: Hans Boerger: Close Encounters with Pond Critters.
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists meetings will resume in September, 2010
**********************************
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 22, 2010 will be going to the Plummer 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 corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:15 A.M.
**************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on June 27, 2010 will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville.
We will meet at The Backyard Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the west end of Despard Avenue 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 15, 2010

Red-breasted Sapsuaker: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk went to Lot Ten along the Little Qualicum River in Qualicum Beach.
The morning was cloudy with a light breeze, but no rain fell during the morning.
We spotted a Peregrine Falcon flying above us as we started out from the Parksville Community Park. There was a Great Blue Heron perched on a rock at Qualicum Beach just past the tide line. We heard and then saw a Red-breasted Sapsucker tapping on a tall snag at the start of the walk on Lot Ten. We had great long looks at a Black-throated Gray Warbler perched in a tall snag at the edge of the forest. An Orange-crowned Warbler flew into the forest edge. As we walked towards the river we heard and then spotted a Red-eyed Vireo gleaning insects, high up in a Big Leaf Maple tree above us. We saw and heard many Swainson's Thrush throughout the morning and we watched a Swainson's Thrush having a bath along the rivers edge. A family of Belted Kingfishers were resting along the rivers edge. A fledging Red-breasted Sapsucker was sitting on the hydro lines above our cars at the end of the walk.

Nine birders including a visiting birder from Seattle saw and heard the following thirty-four species of birds:
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, June 13, 2010

Western Tanager: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
********************************************
It is with great sadness that we want to let you know that Jack Lasure passed away on May 30, 2010. We will miss Jack on the Tuesday bird walks .
**********************************************
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Report 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 13, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Linley Valley in Nanaimo.
The morning was partly cloudy with a light breeze. At the start of the walk we heard an Olive-sided Flycatcher and we then spotted him high up in the top of a tall snag. We saw several Western Tanagers through out the morning.
Twenty-one birders saw and heard the following thirty-nine species of birds:
Canada Geese, Hooded Merganser, Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, 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, Common Yellow-throat, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, Red Crossbills and American Goldfinch.

"Evening Grosbeaks"
The birdstore has received several reports of Evening Grosbeaks in Nanaimo this week.

Saturday June 12:
Two Common Nighthawks were seen over Morrell Circle in Nanaimo.

A Black-headed Grosbeak is visiting feeders along Gainsburg Road in Deep Bay.

Thursday June 10:
A male Northern Harrier was seen circling low by the road between Rupert Road and Highway 19, along Highway 4 near Qualicum Beach.

A Black Headed Grosbeak was seen visiting feeders at the north end of Jingle Pot Road in Nanaimo.

Wednesday June 09:
A Common Nighthawk was seen over the Northfield Road and Highway 19 at the rest stop in Nanaimo.

Tuesday June 08:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
The morning was mostly sunny and the wind was calm. The forest was filled with the sounds of spring.
We saw and heard a large number of Chestnut-backed Chickadee families feeding their young throughout the morning. The Willow Flycatchers were perching and singing on the lower bushes near the meadows, giving us good views as they put their heart into their songs. We spotted Savannah Sparrows flycatching from the short snags in the meadows. There were Pacific-slope Flycatchers singing from high up in the Fir trees throughout the morning. We watched as a Barred Owl was flushed from it's perch by an American Robin.
Fourteen Birders saw and heard the following forty species of birds:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Band-tailed Pigeon, Barred Owl, Black Swift, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit,
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird,Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, House Finch , Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

An Evening Grosbeak was seen along Lakeview Crescent in Nanaimo.

Monday June 07:
A male Mountain Bluebird was seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Two Caspian Terns were seen at the Cottonwood Golf Course in south Nanaimo.

A Marbled Murrelet was seen in Stuart Channel just outside of Ladysmith harbour.

Thursday June 03:
A Lazuli Bunting was seen again today in the 2600 block of Kevan Drive on Gabriolia Island.

Wednesday June 02:
A Steller's Jay was seen in the trees along Bay Street in Nanaimo.

A Pigeon Guillemot and several Black Oystercatchers were seen in Departure
Bay in Nanaimo.

Tuesday June 01:
A Barred Owl was seen in the 800 block of Harewood Mines Road in Nanaimo.

Monday May 31:
A Baird's Sandpiper was seen near the Surfside R.V. site at Parksville Bay.

Monday May 26:
An Eurasian Collared Dove was seen in the 100 block of Bird Sanctuary in Nanaimo,

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird please
call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ 250-390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail: thebackyard@shaw.ca
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist meeting
Monday. June 28th –7:30 p.m.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
General Meeting---Speaker: Hans Boerger will share his knowledge on pond life.
**********************************
The Nanoose Naturalists meetings will resume in September, 2010
**********************************
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 15, 2010 will be going to Lot Ten in Qualicum Beach.
We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions
playground at 9 A.M. or at the end of Kinkade Road (the mountain side of Highway 19a) at about 9:25 A.M.
**************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on June 20, 2010 will be going to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay.
We will meet at The Backyard Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area about 100 feet past the fourway stop on Power Point Road in Nanoose Bay 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 08, 2010

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
The morning was mostly sunny and the wind was calm. The forest was filled with the sounds of spring.
We saw and heard a large number of Chestnut-backed Chickadee families feeding their young throughout the morning. The Willow Flycatchers were perching and singing on the lower bushes near the meadows, giving us good views as they put their heart into their songs. We spotted Savannah Sparrows flycatching from the short snags in the meadows. There were Pacific-slope Flycatchers singing from high up in the Fir trees throughout the morning. We watched as a Barred Owl was flushed from it's perch by an American Robin.

Fourteen Birders saw and heard the following forty species of birds:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Great Blue Heron
TurTkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Barred Owl
Black Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Jack Lasure

It is with great sadness that we want to let you know that Jack Lasure passed away on May 30,2010. We will miss Jack on the Tuesday bird walks .

Nanaimo bird report, June 06, 2010

Warbling Vireo: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
call the Bird Report 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 06, 2010:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to McGregor Marsh in Nanaimo
The morning was cloudy with light rain showers throughout the morning.
We heard and had great looks at a number of Black-headed Grosbeaks through out the morning. A Western Tanager perched high in a fir tree. We spotted a Warbling Vireo low in the bushes gleaning insects. A Merlin, hawking Dragonflies over the pond, kept us entertained at the end of the walk .
Twenty-one birders saw and heard the following forty-two 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, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch, Red Crossbill.

Friday June 04:
A pair of Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

Tuesday June 01:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and windy, but there was no rain and we did have a few sunny periods. We had great looks at Willow Flycatchers throughout the morning. A large flock of Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures soared high over Little Mountain. We watched families of Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Bushtits and Red-breasted Nuthatches feeding their young. We heard a MacGillivray's Warbler singing close by and then got a good look at him. There was a Black-throated Gray Warbler gleaning insects high up in a Cedar tree.
Fourteen birders, including two visiting birders from Wales, saw and heard the following thirty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Swift, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

A flock of Band-tailed pigeons was spotted flying and alighting in trees in the Sherwood Forest area just off Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

Monday May 31:
A pair of Lazuli Buntings were seen visiting feeders in the 2600 block of Kevan Drive on Gabriola Island.

Cedar Waxwings, a female Rufous Hummingbird picking fluff off cattails, a Western Tanager and two Red-breasted Sapsuckers hawking insects were seen at Westwood Lake in Nanaimo.

Four pairs of Band Tailed Pigeon's, Evening Grosbeak's, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrows, Pine Siskin's, Spotted Towhee's and Red-breasted Nuthatches were visiting a backyard behind the Red Gap Center at 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
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Arrowsmith Naturalist meeting
Monday. June 28th –7:30 p.m.
Springwood Middle School,Parksville.
General Meeting
Speaker: Hans Boerger will share his knowledge on pond life.

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The Nanoose Naturalists meetings will resume in September, 2010
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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.
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The Tuesday Bird Walk on June 08, 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 oceanside end of Shelly Road in Parksville at about 9:20 A.M.
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The Sunday Bird Walk on June 13, 2010 will be going to Linley Valley in Nanaimo.
We will meet at The Backyard Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Burma Road, off Lost Lake Road at about 9:20 A.M.
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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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach tuesday bird walk, June 01, 2010

Willow Flycatcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and windy, but there was no rain and we did have a few sunny periods. We had great looks at Willow Flycatchers throughout the morning. A large flock of Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures soared high over Little Mountain. We watched families of Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Bushtits and Red-breasted Nuthatches feeding their young. We heard a MacGillivray's Warbler singing close by and then got a good look at him. There was a Black-throated Gray Warbler gleaning insects high up in a Cedar tree.

Fourteen birders including two visiting birders from Wales saw and heard the following thirty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Spotted Sandpiper
Black Swift
Rufous Hummingbirdbird
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia