Nanaimo bird report, December 31, 2011

Snowy Owl: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

“HAPPY NEW YEAR”

From all of us at the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store

Denise, Colin, Tyler, Lexi, Ralph, Natalie, Ryan, Neil and Marilynne

Friday December 30:
A Snowy Owl was spotted flying across 10th Street and the Island Highway in south Nanaimo.

Wednesday December 28:
Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count preliminary results:

Nanaimo's annual Christmas Bird Count was held on December 28, 2011. The preliminary results revealed a total of 115 species.
The weather was nice in the morning (despite the monsoon the night before) but took a turn for the worse at around 1300hrs. Average temperatures were from 6-12ºC. To date we have had 26 people in the field return their results as well as 1 backyard feeder count.
Highlights were a Rough-legged Hawk at the Nanaimo River Estuary and a Northern Saw-whet Owl and a Northern-pygmy Owl.
There were an unheard of 31 Virginia Rail counted.
Thank you everyone who participated in the count this year. I look forward to next years count which i believe will be held on Sunday, December 30th 2012, so mark your Mayan calendars!

Good birding,
Ryan Cathers
Compiler, Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count, 2011/2012
Nanaimo,BC
http://ryancathers.zenfolio.com/

Wednesday December 28:
Three Northern Flickers, four Spotted Towhees, fifteen Pine Siskins, six Evening Grosbeaks, four Red-winged Blackbirds, three Anna’s Hummingbirds, European Starlings, Dark-eyed Juncos and two Steller’s Jays were seen in a backyard along Michigan Way in Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 27:
A Northern Shrike was spotted in a backyard on Valley Oak Drive in Nanaimo.

Friday December 23:
One American Dipper and eight Common Mergansers were seen at the lower lake at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.
****************************************************

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
January, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************

Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.

*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 will be going to Columbia Beach on January 03.
We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Bld. at Columbia Beach.
**************************************************************
The Sunday bird on January 08 walk will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.
We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Raines 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Nanaimo bird report, December 27, 2011

Red-necked Grebe: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

“HAPPY NEW YEAR”
From all of us at the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Denise, Colin, Tyler, Lexi, Ralph, Natalie, Ryan, Neil and Marilynne

Wednesday December 21:
A Snowy Owl has been sighted at Pauline Haarer School in downtown Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 20:
The Tuesday bird walk went the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly sunny with a strong biting wind that calmed down as the morning progressed, turning into a really great birding day to finish off 2011. The highlights included seeing a male Northern Harrier in his finest colors fly over the estuary and then circle over the forest close to us. We spotted a Downy Woodpecker perched in a tall tree not far from the trail. A pair of Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water, not far from shore, heading up the Strait of Georgia. We were treated with a spectacular sight of thousands of Common Murre and hundreds of Pacific Loons riding the waves on the Strait
Ten birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species:
Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, California Quail, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird and House Finch.

Saturday December 17:
A Clay-colored Sparrow was seen the Carmanah Point Light Station on the west side of Vancouver Island.

****************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
January, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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.

************************************************************
There will be no Tuesday Birdwalk on December 27. We will resume on January 3, 2012 and will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area of Admiral Tryon Bld. At Columbia Beach.
**************************************************************
There will no Sunday Birdwalk on December 25 or January 1, 2012.
We will resume on Sunday, January 08, 2012 and will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Raines 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

*************************************************************************************

“NANAIMO CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,December 20, 2011

Trumpeter Swans: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk went the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly sunny with a strong biting wind that calmed down as the morning progressed, turning into a really great birding day to finish off 2011. The highlights included seeing a male Northern Harrier in his finest colors fly over the estuary and then circle over the forest close to us. We spotted a Downy Woodpecker perched in a tall tree not far from the trail. A pair of Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water, not far from shore, heading up the Strait of Georgia. We were treated with a spectacular sight of thousands of Common Murre and hundreds of Pacific Loons riding the waves on the Strait.
Ten birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Ancient Murrelet
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 18, 2011

Harlequin Duck: Ralph Hocken Photo.



NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

*********************************************
“MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR”
From all of us at the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Denise, Colin, Ralph, Natalie, Ryan, Neil and Marilynne
*******************************************

Sunday December 18, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was partly sunny with a strong biting winds off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing several Common Redpolls in with a flock of Pine Siskins high up in an Alder Tree. A Spotted Sandpiper was busy pumping it’s tail on driftwood away from the rough seas next to Sunset Beach.
Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species:
Mallard, Bufflehead, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Common Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, Horned Grebe, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwest Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Anna's Hummingbird, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Song Sparrow, Common Redpoll and Pine Siskin.

Saturday December 17:
A Snowy Owl was observed as it was being harassed by a flock of Northwestern Crows at the Parksville Community Park in Parksville. (Please use caution and keep well away from the owls if you see them, as they are young ones who have left their homes on the arctic tundra in search of food and may well be weak and starving.)

Friday December 16:
A Northern Goshawk was seen in a large Dogwood tree near the intersection of Kennedy and Albert Street in south Nanaimo. It was seen feeding on something in the tree and there was a band noticed on one leg. Please let us know if you see this bird.

Wednesday December 14:
A Northern Goshawk was seen in a large Dogwood tree near the intersection of Kennedy and Albert Street in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 13:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two juvenile Glaucous Gulls, a Herring Gull, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and a Eurasian Wigeon from near the viewing platform. A Northern Harrier flew low across the estuary three times searching for prey and a Peregrine Falcon was perched in a tall conifer tree not far from us. A colourful male Purple Finch landed in a bush next to the trail and gave us great views.
Ten birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:
Canada Geese, Brant, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser,
Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Mew Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit,, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

A small flock of Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Beaconsfield Road and Howard Avenue in Nanaimo.

Two Evening Grosbeaks were seen near Forest Crescent and Highway 19 in Nanaimo.

****************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
January, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 December 20th will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive in Parksville (on the one ocean side of highway19a) at about 9:10 A.M.

There will be no Tuesday Birdwalk on December 27. We will resume on January 3, 2012 and will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area of Admiral Tyron Bld.
**************************************************************
There will no Sunday Birdwalk on December 25 or January 1, 2012.
We will resume on Sunday, January 08, 2012 and will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Raines 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

*********************************************************************

“NANAIMO CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,December 11, 2011

Glaucous Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two juvenile Glaucous Gulls, a Herring Gull, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and a Eurasian Wigeon from near the viewing platform. A Northern Harrier flew low across the estuary three times searching for prey and a Peregrine Falcon was perched in a tall conifer tree not far from us. A colourful male Purple Finch landed in a bush next to the trail and gave us great views.
Ten birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Peregrine Falcon
Mew Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick's Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 11, 2010

Anna's Hummingbird; Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday December 11, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was partly sunny and cool with misty rain. The highlights included seeing a Cooper’s Hawk that flew over the water and landed in a tall Oak tree giving us good looks. A male Anna’s Hummingbird flew next to the trail right in front of us and we watched as he gleaned insects for a few minutes---a great close sighting!
Eleven birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Mallard, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Ducks, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Hooded Mergansers, Glaucous-winged Gull, Great Blue Heron, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Marsh Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow

Saturday December 10:
A Cassin’s Vireo was seen at a pond in a backyard along Ventura Drive in Nanaimo.

Friday December 09:
Evening Grosbeaks were seen visiting feeders in a backyard along Doumont Road in Nanaimo.

Two Barred Owls were seen in a backyard in the Hospital area of Nanaimo.

White-Throated Sparrows and Townsend’s Warblers are visiting a backyard along Granite Park Road in Nanaimo.

Thursday December 08:
A Northern Saw-Whet Owl was seen at the corner of Little Ford Road and Fairview Drive in Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 06:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with fog over the calm water on the Strait of Georgia.
The highlights included seeing a large mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin on a gravel bar just off shore. We spotted one Common Murre further offshore. Five Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water. The find of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Solitaire high up in a conifer tree.

Nine birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Canada Geese, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch.

Saturday December 03:
A Snowy owl was seen at the top of Mount Benson.
******************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Monday, December 12 at 5:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Annual Christmas Potluck Supper.
Guest Speaker: Anne Sifon, a falconer will talk about and demonstrate Eddie-the Bald Eagle.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 December 13 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road (on the one ocean side of highway19a) at about 9:10 A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 18 will be going Neck Point in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the Neck Point Park parking area 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

FreePublicLecture Sponsored by the Nanaimo Historical Society

“North to the South Pole”
December 14th marks the centennial of Roald Amundsen’s arrival at Earth’s South Geographic Pole, man’s first ‘undisputed’ attainment of either pole.
To mark this incredible achievement, Bill Merilees, (former field biologist with the Australian Antarctic Research Program and Antarctic cruise ship lecturer) will chronicle this remarkable story with a slide illustrated lecture. Some of the illustrations to be used come from Amundsen’s expedition.
December 14th, 2011 – 7:00 p.m. at Beban Park

*************************************************************************************

“NANAIMO CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

”NANOOSE BAY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Friday December 16, 2011Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

”PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Sunday December 18, 2011 Contact Sandra Gray at 250-248-5565 email her at: saninerr@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,December 06, 2011

Dunlin and Black-bellied Plovers: Ralph Hocken Photo.



The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincal Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with fog over the calm water on the Strait Of Georgia. The highlights included seeing a large mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin on a gravel bar just off shore. We spotted one Common Murre further offshore. Five Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water. The find of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Solitaire high up in a conifer tree.
Nine birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Townsend's Solitaire
Varied Thrush
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 04, 2011, 2011

Belted Kingfisher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday December 04, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-six species:Canada Goose, Brant Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Killdeer, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Eurasian Collared-dove, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Saturday December 03:
A Chipping Sparrow was seen in the 2700 block of Neyland Road in Nanaimo.

Friday December 02:
Thirty Pine Siskins were seen flying over Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo.

Thursday December 01:
Over 300 Pine Siskins were seen in the Springwood area of Parksville.

Sunday November 27:
A Northern Goshawk was spotted flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Monday November 28:
A Snowy Owl has been sighted at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday, November 29:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning started out cloudy and calm, but soon turned cold and rainy with strong biting winds off the Strait of Georgia. Long-tailed Ducks are the highlight of our trip up to Deep Bay every year and we were not disappointed this year. We were treated with the sighting of four male and three female Long-tailed Ducks just offshore at the point. We saw several Varied Thrush on the Arbutus Trees near the parking area. We watched as two Pigeon Guillemot played hide and seek with us in the waves. Following the bird walk, Bob took us on an interesting tour of the Nile Creek Fish Hatchery.
Sixteen wet but determined birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and House Finch.
******************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Monday, December 12 at 5:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Annual Christmas Potluck Supper.
Guest Speaker: Anne Sifon, a falconer will talk about and demonstrate Eddie-the Bald Eagle.
********************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, December 26 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 December 06 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor Provincial Park, at about 9:10 A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 11 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at Buttertubs Marsh off Bowen 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com


“NANAIMO CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011. Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

”NANOOSE BAY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Friday December 16, 2011Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

”PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Sunday December 18, 2011 Contact Sandra Gray at 250-248-5565 or email her at: sanierr@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 29,2011

Long-tailed Duck: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning started out cloudy and calm, but soon turned cold and rainy with strong biting winds off the Strait of Georgia. Long-tailed Ducks are the highlight of our trip up to Deep Bay every year and we were not disappointed this year. We were treated with the sighting of four male and three female Long-tailed Ducks just offshore at the point. We saw several Varied Thrush on the Arbutus Trees near the parking area. We watched as two Pigeon Guillemot played hide and seek with us in the waves. Following the bird walk, Bob took us on an interesting tour of the Nile Creek Fish Hatchery.
Sixteen wet but determined birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian-collared Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, November 28, 2011

Summer Tanager:

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Monday November 28, 2011:
Twenty-five Common Redpolls were seen flying over Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo.
The Common Redpolls are usually found in northern Canada. This the first report of the Redpolls for a number of years in the Central Vancouver Island.

“Rare bird alert-Summer Tanager”
A Summer Tanager was seen and photographed at about 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 19 in the backyard of a private residence in the French Creek area (the owners request that their location be kept private).
The bird was last seen on Friday November 25. Check birdfeeders, fruit trees and berry bushes in the French Creek/Columbia Beach area.
The Summer Tanager is usually found in the southern United States, Central and South America, with only a few records of sightings in British Columbia.

A Snowy Owl was seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in South Nanaimo.

Sunday November 27:
A McGillivray’s Warbler was seen along Admiral Tryon Blvd. in Columbia Beach.

Thursday November 24:
A White-throated Sparrow was seen along Bluebell Terrace in the Hospital area of Nanaimo.

Friday November 25:
A Turkey Vulture was seen being attacked by a Common Raven and a Bald Eagle over Highway 19, between Jinglepot Road and Fifth Street in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday, November 22: The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was sunny and warm with calm winds, making for a great morning of birding. The highlights included seeing three Black-bellied Plover, several Black Oystercatcher, one Greater Yellowlegs, ten Black Turnstones and a large flock of Western Sandpipers on the gravel bar near Pebble Beach. Seven Eurasian-collared Doves were perched on trees along the road. We saw a large number of White-crowned Sparrows and Golden-crowned Sparrows near the end of the walk.

Twelve birders saw and heard the following forty-three species.
Canada Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Black Turnstone, Western Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian-collared Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrow.

Tuesday November 15:
A Hermit Thrush was seen along Hartwood Crescent in the Rocky Point area of Nanaimo

*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
Speaker: Brian Kingzett. Topic: Deep Bay Shellfish Research Station
*********************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Monday, December 12 at 5:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Annual Christmas Potluck Supper.
Speaker: Anne Sifon a falconer will talk about and demonstrate Eddie-the Bald Eagle.
**********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 29 will be going to Deep Bay. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at the Deep Bay Marina, at about 9:35 A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 04 will be going the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road (on the Oceanside off highway 19a) 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com


“NANAIMO CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

”NANOOSE BAY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Friday December 16, 2011
Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 22,2011

Greater Yellowlegs: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was sunny and warm with calm winds, making for a great morning of birding. The highlights included seeing three Black-bellied Plover, several Black Oystercatcher, one Greater Yellowlegs, ten Black Turnstones and a large flock of Western Sandpipers on the gravel bar near Pebble Beach. Seven Eurasian-collared Doves were perched on trees along the road. We saw a large number of White-crowned Sparrows and Golden-crowned Sparrows near the end of the walk.
Twelve birders saw and heard the following forty-three species.
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Black Turnstone
Western Sandpiper
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian-collared Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
House Sparrow

The Tuesday Bird Walk on November 29,2011 will be going to Deep Bay. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at the Deep Bay Marina at about 9:35A.M.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Rare bird alert

Summer Tanager:

"Rare bird alert-Summer Tanager"

A Summer Tanager was seen and photographed at about 10 a.m.on Saturday, November 19 in the backyard of a private residence in the French Creek area ( the owners request that their location be kept private).
The bird was not seen on Monday, but has been seen today Tuesday, November 22. Check birdfeeders, fruit trees and berry bushes in the French Creek area.

The Summer Tanager is usually found in the southern United States, Central and South America, with only a few records of sightings in British Columbia.

Nanaimo bird report, November 20, 2011

Mew Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

We are happy to report that Allan Hutley has returned home to recover after time spent in hospital in Victoria. Look forward to having you join us on the bird walk soon, Allan.

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday November 20, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. The morning was clear and cool with a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia.
The highlights included seeing a Northern Shrike, two Eurasian Wigeon, a Thayer’s Gull and a Herring Gull.

Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Eurasian Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Red-breasted Merganser, Killdeer, Black Oystercatchers, California Quail, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, Mew Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Bewick’s Wren, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco and Pine Siskin.

Friday November 18:
Two Barred Owls were heard calling in a backyard along Metral Drive near Pleasant Valley School.

Thursday November 17:
An Anna’s Hummingbird was seen at Neck Point Park.

Six Trumpeter Swans were seen flying over Cedar Road, south of Nanaimo.

Tuesday, November 15:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and clear but very cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two Eurasian Wigeon, near the shore. A Red-tailed Hawk was seen perched in a tall conifer tree across the River. Four Western Meadowlarks flew into a tree giving us great looks. A Peregrine Falcon was perched at the top of a tall tree on the edge of the forest. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched at the top of a small bush on the meadows. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Warbler near the end of the walk.

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following sixty-one species, making for a great morning of birding:
Canada Geese, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Greater Yellowlegs, Bonaparte's Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northern Shrike, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren,
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Townsend's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Western Meadowlark, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Monday November 14:
A large flock of Surfbirds being chased by a Peregrine Falcon were seen at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Sunday November 13:
A Pacific Wren and a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet were spotted in a backyard at Whiskey Greek.

*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
Speaker: Brian Kingzett. Topic: Deep Bay Shellfish Research Station
*********************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, December 08 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
**********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 15 will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:20A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 27 will be going the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road (on the Oceanside off highway 19a) 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com


“NANAIMO CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observers as possible.
Contact the Birdstore at 250-390--3669 or email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca

”NANOOSE BAY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Friday December 16, 2011
Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 15,2011

Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and clear but very cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two Eurasian Wigeon, near the shore. A Red-tailed Hawk was seen perched in a tall conifer tree across the River. Four Western Meadowlarks flew into a tree giving us great looks. A Peregrine Falcon was perched at the top of a tall tree on the edge of the forest. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched at the top of a small bush on the meadows. The big suprise of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Warbler near the end of the walk.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following sixty-one species, making for a great morning of birding:
Canada Goose
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Greater Yellowlegs
Bonaparte's Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northern Shrike
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Townsend's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Western Meadowlark
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, November 13, 2011

Short-eared Owl: Ralph Hocken Photo.


NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday November 13, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and cool but the winds were calm.
The highlights included seeing at least twelve Western Meadowlarks. We watched as a Common Raven chased after a Short-eared Owl giving us a spectacular display as the owl evaded the Raven. Later in the walk, we saw another Short-eared Owl fly low over the estuary looking for prey. A Northern Shrike perched on the top of a bush giving us great looks.
Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-four species:
Trumpeter Swan, Great Blue Heron, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Horned Grebe, Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Northern Shrike, Thayer’s Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, American Robin, Western Meadowlark, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lincolns Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Purple Finch and Red-winged Blackbird.

Thursday November 10:
Over thirty Trumpeter Swans were spotted flying south over Errington.

Wednesday November 07:
A Snowy Owl was seen near Taylor Bay Road and Twin Beaches Peninsula on Gabriola Island.

Tuesday, November 08:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. The morning was cloudy with a light rain falling but the winds were calm. We saw large numbers of Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco and one Anna's Hummingbird in the bushes just off the trail. We spotted a Merlin perched high in a conifer and there was a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched high in another conifer further away. Another Sharp-shinned Hawk flew in to attack a perched, much larger, Cooper's Hawk not far from us. The Cooper's Hawk, however, stood his ground and the Sharp-shinned Hawk flew off and perched a little further away. Several Horned Grebes, one Western Grebe, a Double-crested Cormorant and four Common Goldeneye were on the Strait Of Georgia. Six Long-tailed Ducks flew in and joined the other seabirds. Two Bald Eagles flew in to stir things up and thousands of gulls lifted off the water. We saw two Long-billed Dowitchers and a Western Sandpiper in with a flock of sixty Green-winged Teal on the mud flats.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ring-necked Pheasant, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, Western Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch and House Finch.

Monday November 07:
A flock of Greater White-fronted Geese were seen flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Saturday November 06:
Two Trumpeter Swans were seen on Craig Bay off Madonna Road in Parksville.

*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, December 08 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
**********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 15 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road (Oceanside side of Highway 19A) in Parksville at about 9:10A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 20 will be going to Nanoose Bay. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the beach side of the Church Camp (off highway 19 and Arlington 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com


“NANAIMO CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Will be held on Wednesday December 28th, 2011.
Organizers are looking for as many backyard feeders counter and field observes as possible.
Anyone who is interested in participating please contact the Birdstore for more information.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 08,2011

Anna's Hummingbird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. The morning was cloudy with a light rain falling but the winds were calm. We saw large numbers of Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco and one Anna's Hummingbird in the bushes just off the trail. We spotted a Merlin perched high in a conifer and there was a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched high in another conifer further away. Another Sharp-shinned Hawk flew in to attack a perched, much larger, Cooper's Hawk not far from us. The Cooper's Hawk, however, stood his ground and the Sharp-shinned Hawk flew off and perched a little further away. Several Horned Grebes, one Western Grebe, a Double-crested Cormorant and four Common Goldeneye were on the Strait Of Georgia. Six Long-tailed Ducks flew in and joined the other seabirds. Two Bald Eagles flew in to stir things up and thousands of gulls lifted off the water. We saw two Long-billed Dowitchers and a Western Sandpiper in with a flock of sixty Green-winged Teal on the mud flats.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Merlin
Western Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, November 06, 2011

Black Oystercatchers: Ralph Hocken Photo.


NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

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

To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday November 06, 2011:

The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and cool with a biting wind off the Strait of Georgia.
The highlights included seeing a flock of Pacific Loons off shore. We saw several Common Loons, Bufflehead, Red-necked Grebes and a Horned Grebe close to shore. A large flock of Pine Siskins, a Red-breasted Sapsucker and a flock of Bushtits were seen in the forest.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Mallard, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bufflehead, Surf Scoter, Harlequin Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Black Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, California Quail, Northwestern Crow, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, European Starling, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.

Saturday November 05:
Eight Trumpeter Swans were spotted flying south, south east above Parksville.

Thursday November 03:
A Fox Sparrow was heard singing and a flock of California Quail were visiting feeders at the Pacific Biological Station in the 3100 block of Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday: November 01:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. The tide was high. A flock of twenty-one Black Oystercatchers flew in and landed on the rocks right in front of us at the viewing platform off Highway 19A. A massive raft of gulls was further off shore. A raft of Black Scoters was on the ocean near the estuary and further off shore we spotted a flock of Long-tailed Ducks that flew in and landed giving us great views. There was a large flock of Bonaparte's Gulls near shore, one of them was still in breeding plumage. A flock of twenty-three singing Trumpeter Swans flew in low over the mouth of the river. They went past us giving us excellent views. We saw over thirty Bald Eagles perched, flying and circling high overhead during the morning. A female Northern Harrier flew low over the estuary, while eight Great Blue Herons lifted from the estuary at the end of the walk.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Canada Geese, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron,Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull,Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Red-winged Blackbird.
*******************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, November 10 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Guest Speaker-- Nick Raeside will speak on “The Use of Fire as a Forest Management Tool.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 08 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive in Parksville at about 9:10A.M.

**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 13 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the end of Raines 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

The Purple Martin charity dinner and silent auction:
Come join us on Saturday, November 12 at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo for "A Night in Brazil" charity dinner and silent auction for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. We are celebrating the most successful year of the 25-year nest box recovery program (730 pairs up from 5 pairs in 1985) and the fall migration of our Purple Martins to SE Brazil, a 11,000 km trip one way as well as raising funds for the 2012 recovery program.

Guest speakers:
Tony Ransom, retired geologist and current President of the Nanoose Naturalists, on " A Tour of Brazil's Pantanal - the World's Largest Freshwater Wetland"

Mike Yip, well known Bird Photographer, on "Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island"

No Host Bar at 5 pm with a buffet dinner at 6 pm. Tickets: $60/person (includes a $23 donation) available at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store in Nanaimo or by emailing Charlene at gbears@island.net. Advance purchase of tickets required.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, November 01,2011

Black Oystercatcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. The tide was high. A flock of twenty-one Black Oystercatchers flew in and landed on the rocks right in front of us at the viewing platform off Highway 19A. A massive raft of gulls were further off shore. A raft of Black Scoters was on the ocean near the estuary and further off shore we spotted a flock of Long-tailed Ducks that flew in and landed giving us great views. There was a large flock of Bonaparte's Gulls near shore, one of them was still in breeding plumage. A flock of twenty-three singing Trumpeter Swans flew in low over the mouth of the river. They went past us giving us excellent views. We saw over thirty Bald Eagles perched, flying and circling high overhead during the morning. A female Northern Harrier flew low over the estuary, while eight Great Blue Herons lifted from the estuary at the end of the walk.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, September 30, 2011

Glaucous-winged Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

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

To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday October 30, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with calm winds.
The highlights included seeing a Eurasian Wigeon in with American Coots when we first arrived at the marsh. Six Gadwall were seen swimming with American Widgeon. Five Trumpeter Swans flew over head. A Northern Shrike flew low over us and landed on the top of tree just off the trail giving us great views. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of Ruddy Duck on the water as we neared the end of the walk.

Eight birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Wood Duck, Ruddy Duck, Ringed Necked Duck, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Shrike, Great Blue Heron, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Band-tailed Pigeon, American Robin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Marsh Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and House Sparrows.

Friday October 28:
Over 150 Pine Siskins are visiting feeders along Lancashire Avenue in Nanaimo.

Tuesday: October 25:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. Two Trumpeter Swans flew high overhead to start the morning off. We saw Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters and our first sighting of the season of a Long-tailed Duck. There were Pacific Loons in breeding plumage, a large number of Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes. One lone Western Grebe was not far off shore. Further off shore we saw a long line covering miles of an estimated 1.5 million gulls that including Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls. They were in a hugh feeding frenzie--an awesome sight through the scopes as the sun shone down on them. Near the Pebble Beach gravel bar, close to shore, three Sea Lions put on a spectacular show as they fed on salmon.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-two species of birds:
Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter,
White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser,
Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe,
Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Black-bellied Plover,
Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian Collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, European Starling,
Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrow.

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, November 10 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Guest Speaker-- Nick Raeside will speak on “The Use of Fire as a Forest Management Tool.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 November 01 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at viewing platform near Garrett Road and Highway 19a at about 9:15A.M.

**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on November 6 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot at Neck Point Park, 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

The Purple Martin charity dinner and silent auction:

Come join us on Saturday, November 12 at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo for "A Night in Brazil" charity dinner and silent auction for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. We are celebrating the most successful year of the 25-year nest box recovery program (730 pairs up from 5 pairs in 1985) and the fall migration of our Purple Martins to SE Brazil, a 11,000 km trip one way as well as raising funds for the 2012 recovery program.

Guest speakers:
Tony Ransom, retired geologist and current President of the Nanoose Naturalists, on " A Tour of Brazil's Pantanal - the World's Largest Freshwater Wetland"
Mike Yip, well known Bird Photographer, on "Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island"

No Host Bar at 5 pm with a buffet dinner at 6 pm. Tickets: $60/person (includes a $23 donation) available at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store in Nanaimo or by emailing Charlene at gbears@island.net. Advance purchase of tickets required.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, October 25,2011

Long-tailed Duck: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was clear and cool with calm winds. Two Trumpeter Swans flew high overhead to start the morning off. We saw Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters and our first sighting of the season of a Long-tailed Duck. There were Pacific Loons in breeding plummage, a large number of Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes. One lone Western Grebe was not far off shore. Further off shore we saw a long line covering miles of an estimated 1.5 million gulls that including Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls. They were in a hugh feeding frenzie--an awesome sight through the scopes as the sun shone down on them. Near the Pebble Beach gravel bar, close to shore, three Sea Lions put on a spectacular show as they fed on salmon.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-two species of birds:
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian Collared Dove
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, September 23, 2011

Peregrine Falcon: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

“GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

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

To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday October 23, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was mostly sunny but cool with only calm winds.
The highlights included seeing a Townsend’s Warbler with a flock of Pine Siskins. Cedar Waxwings and Purple Finch were in the same bushes. We saw a large flock of Varied Thrush feeding on berries and a Steller’s Jay, with the usual attitude of a jay, flew overhead.

Nine birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:
American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Doubled-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Great Blue Heron, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Black Oystercatcher, Townsend’s Warbler, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Varied Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Friday October 21:
A Townsend’s Warbler was spotted at the Little Qualicum Village.

Wednesday October 19:
Six Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on Craig Bay Pond in Parksville.

Four Greater White-fronted Geese and one Snow Goose were seen at Parksville Bay in Parksville.

Tuesday: October 18:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning started off cool and foggy but the fog lifted and let the sun shine on the birds and the birders. A Merlin perching on the top of a tall Fir Tree greeted us near the parking lot. A large flock of American Robins were feasting on a berry bush near the trail. A Herring Gull was just off shore. A large flock of Pacific Loons, Common Loons, several Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes and two Western Grebes were further off shore. We saw Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Cedar Waxwings in the bushes just off the trail.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Canada Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon,Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring 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, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Monday October 17:
A White Throated Sparrow was seen visiting feeders along Pilot Way in Nanoose Bay.

There was a confirmed report of a female or immature Lark Bunting at Jordan River, on the west side of Vancouver Island. Lark Buntings are usually seen in the southern prairies in North America and are an unusual species for this area.

Sunday, October 16:
A Barred Owl, a Belted Kingfisher, a Steller’s Jay, a Bald Eagle and a flock of Northern Pintail were seen at Spider Lake.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, October 24 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
Guest speaker-- Faye Smith will bring us up to date on the current projects and findings of the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society.

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Thursday, November 10 at 7 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*********************************************************
Everyone is invited 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 October 25 will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at parking area off Admiral Tryon Bld. at about 9:20 A.M. (From highway 19a turn onto Columbia Drive across from Windsor Plywood, turn right on Admiral Tryon Bld. and go about 100 yards and turn left to the parking area)

***************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on October 30 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at Buttertubs Marsh off Bowen 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
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com




The Purple Martin charity dinner and silent auction:

Come join us on Saturday, November 12 at the Coast Bastion in Nanaimo for "A Night in Brazil" charity dinner and silent auction for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. We are celebrating the most successful year of the 25-year nest box recovery program (730 pairs up from 5 pairs in 1985) and the fall migration of our Purple Martins to SE Brazil, a 11,000 km trip one way as well as raising funds for the 2012 recovery program.

Guest speakers:
Tony Ransom, retired geologist and current President of the Nanoose Naturalists, on " A Tour of Brazil's Pantanal - the World's Largest Freshwater Wetland"
Mike Yip, well known Bird Photographer, on "Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island"

No Host Bar at 5 pm with a buffet dinner at 6 pm. Tickets: $60/person (includes a $23 donation) available at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store in Nanaimo or by emailing Charlene at gbears@island.net. Advance purchase of tickets required.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, October 18,2011

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning started off cool and foggy but the fog lifted and let the sun shine on the birds and the birders. A Merlin perching on the top of a tall Fir Tree greeted us near the parking lot. A large flock of American Robins were feasting on a berry bush near the trail. A Herring Gull was just off shore. A large flock of Pacific Loons, Common Loons, several Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes and two Western Grebes were further off shore. We saw Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Cedar Waxwings in the bushes just off the trail.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring 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
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia