The Backyard's Weekly Bird Walk locations are found in the Backyard Bird Report at the very end of the most recent report. Any cancellations will be posted here by 8am the day of the walk. Our first bird walks of the year are going out on Sunday February 4th and Tuesday February 6th. Locations will be posted to our next Bird Report.

Sunday 27 February 2011

Nanaimo bird report, February 27, 2011


Black Scoter: 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
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday February 27, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy and cool. Light rain finished off the morning walk.
The highlights included seeing at least four hundred Black Scoters not far from shore. We watched in awe as forty Black Turnstones fed along the incoming tide not five feet from us. Pacific Loons, Common Loons and Long-tailed Ducks were seen further offshore.

Seven birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, 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, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser , Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, American Robin, European Starling, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, House Finch and Red-winged Blackbird.

An American Kestrel was spotted perched on a hydro line overlooking the Ugly Dwarf Meadows near the ESSO gas station at Nanoose Bay.

A Peregrine Falcon was seen just off Highway 4 between Highway 19 and Qualicum Beach.

Saturday February 26:
A Rock Sandpiper was spotted on the rocks off Dallas Road in Victoria.

Sixteen Evening Grosbeaks and a flock of Bushtits are visiting backyard feeders along Lantzwood Drive in lower Lantzville.

Thursday February 24:
Two short-eared Owls and a pair of Northern Harriers were spotted at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant,
Pelagic Cormorant, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch and Purple Finch were seen at Deep Bay.

Wednesday, February 23:
An Eurasian Collared Dove, a Song Sparrow, two Spotted Towhees, a Fox Sparrow, a pair of House Finch, a Varied Thrush, twelve to twenty Dark-eyed Juncos, thirty to forty Brewer's Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds and European Starlings are all visiting feeders along Meridian Way in Parksville.

Tuesday February 22:
The Tuesday bird walk went to French Creek. The morning was mostly clear with a very strong wind. The surf was up and pounding at Columbia Beach making it too windy for birding so we ventured into the woods along French Creek. Among the highlights was the sighting of our first Orange-crowned Warbler of the year. A mixed flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Chestnut-backed Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatches were feeding high up on the Alder Trees in the forest along French Creek. Purple Finch, House Finch, Song Sparrows and Fox Sparrows were feeding on low bushes. We had great close views of a Downy Woodpecker feeding on an alder tree close to the trail. A Greater Yellowlegs flew past us to finish off the walk.

Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty-six species of birds:
Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Spotted Towhee,
Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow,
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch,
Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.

Two pairs of Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders at the Living Forest Campground in south Nanaimo.

Monday February 21:
An adult Sharp-Shinned Hawk was spotted sitting in a tree on the edge of a field in Cedar By The Sea.

Sunday February 20:
A Golden Eagle was seen in a front yard along Ocean Trail in Bowser.

Four Barn Swallows were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Thursday February 17:
A Golden Eagle was seen at the edge of a previously logged and not heavily-wooded area along Cochrane Road, about three km from the Old Island Highway, near Qualicum Bay. The eagle was at the side of the road and flew into a tree close by. The bird was viewed from a car at close range.

For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird
please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
@ 250-390-3669
Toll Free @ 1-888-249-4145
e-mail: thebackyard@shaw.ca

**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting
Monday February 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
Guest Speaker will be Lisa Spaven, coordinator of B.C. Marine Mammal Response Network. She will share her knowledge of the behavioural and environmental aspects of marine mammals such as seals, sea lions and whales.
*********************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, March 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
**********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area.
************************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 29, 2011 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road side. We will meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area in front of the Lions Playground at 9 A.M. or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of highway 19A at about 9:10A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, March 06, 2011 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the parking area 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
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@...
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com


Big Day For The Brant – 2011 Birding Competition

For the 18th year a Big Day competition will be held to crown the teams that can see the most species of birds in one day.
WHERE: Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC.
WHEN: Saturday April 9, 2011 from 4:30am to 3:00pm.
WHO: Teams of 3 to 5 in both Green and Motorized Categories. Novice, Intermediate, Experienced & young birders all welcomed.
PRIZES: Awards Presentations immediately following at Deez Bar & Grill, Qualicum Beach.
COST: $10 cash per person at the door.
HOW: TO REGISTER, contact RHYS HARRISON rhysharrison@shaw.ca or (250) 248-5305 with team names, category & experience level.
PROCEEDS: To the BRANT WILDLIFE FESTIVAL.
DETAILS: Instructions, Map, Checklist & Suggested Hotspots will be emailed to Team Members on registration.
EXTRAS:
Space may be limited so register early.
Singles & Couples are encouraged to enter and will be helped to form a team.
Several special prize categories have been added this year.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

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


Downy Woodpecker: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to French Creek. The morning was mostly clear with a very strong wind. The surf was up and pounding at Columbia Beach making it too windy for birding so we ventured into the woods along French Creek. Among the highlights was the sighting of our first Orange-crowned Warbler of the year. A mixed flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Chestnut-backed Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatches were feeding high up on the Alder Trees in the forest along French Creek. Purple Finch, House Finch, Song Sparrows and Fox Sparrows were feeding on low bushes. We had great close views of a Downy Woodpecker feeding on an alder tree close to the trail. A Greater Yellowlegs flew past us to finish off the walk.

Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty-six species of birds:
Canada Goose
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Orange-crowned Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 20 February 2011

Nanaimo bird report, February 20,2011


Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 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
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday February 20, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point in Nanaimo . The morning was sunny but there was a stiff wind off the water.
The highlights included seeing a Hutton’s Vireo feeding on an Alder tree.
A Double-crested Cormorant and two Pelagic Cormorants were resting on a close gravel bar giving us great looks at the coloring of both species. We saw several small flocks of Ruby-crowned Kinglets gleaning insects from the Alder Trees-- one gave us views of his ruby crown. We heard a flock of Pine Siskins from high up in the Alder Trees.

Thirteen birders saw and heard the following forty species of birds:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Harlequin Duck, Horned Grebe, Common Goldeneye, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Oystercatcher, Pigeon Guillemot, Bald Eagle, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Anna's Hummingbird, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hutton's Vireo, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and Pine Siskins.

Saturday February 19:
A Turkey Vulture was spotted over Beban Park in Nanaimo.

Friday February 16:
Two Turkey Vultures were seen soaring above the Chase River Osprey nest near Colliery Dam in Nanaimo.

Over forty Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders along Forest Crescent in Nanaimo.

Thursday February 17:
Six Evening Grosbeaks and fifty Brewers Blackbirds are visiting feeders in the Columbia Beach area.

A Common Loon and two Red-throated Loons were seen at Biggs Park in south Nanaimo.

A Northern Harrier, eight Western Meadowlarks, five Trumpeter Swan and several Northern Pintail were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo

Three Greater White-fronted Geese were seen at Holden Creek in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday February 15:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a stiff wind off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing thirty-eight Brant Geese fly in and land just off shore. A large flock of Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover and
Black Turnstone were seen right on the tide line. A large flock of Mew Gulls, California Gulls,
Thayer's Gulls and several Glaucous-winged Gulls were roosting on a gravel bar near the shore. Several flocks with six to nine Common Murre flew down the Strait of Georgia throughout the morning. We spotted a Pigeon Guillemot, a Marbled Murrelet and a Cassin's Auklet bouncing on the waves further off shore.

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-nine species of birds:
Brant, Mallard, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck,
Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser,
Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Brandt's Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot,
Marbled Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow,
Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren,
American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

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@...

**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting
Monday February 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
Guest Speaker will be Lisa Spaven, coordinator of B.C. Marine Mammal Response Network. She will share her knowledge of the behavioural and environmental aspects of marine mammals such as seals, sea lions and whales.
*********************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, March 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
**********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area.
**************************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 22, 2011 will be going to Columbia Beach We will meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the Lions Playground at 9 A.M. or at the
main parking area off Admiral Tryon Boulavard at about 9:20A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, February 27, 2011 will be going the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the viewing platform along highway 19a near Garrett Road at about 9: 30 A.M.
*******************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@...
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Big Day For The Brant – 2011 Birding Competition

For the 18th year a Big Day competition will be held to crown the teams that can see the most species of birds in one day.
WHERE: Parksville/Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC.
WHEN: Saturday April 9, 2011 from 4:30am to 3:00pm.
WHO: Teams of 3 to 5 in both Green and Motorized Categories. Novice, Intermediate, Experienced & young birders all welcomed.
PRIZES: Awards Presentations immediately following at Deez Bar & Grill, Qualicum Beach.
COST: $10 cash per person at the door.
HOW: TO REGISTER, contact RHYS HARRISON rhysharrison@shaw.ca or (250) 248-5305 with team names, category & experience level.
PROCEEDS: To the BRANT WILDLIFE FESTIVAL.
DETAILS: Instructions, Map, Checklist & Suggested Hotspots will be emailed to Team Members on registration.
EXTRAS:
Space may be limited so register early.
Singles & Couples are encouraged to enter and will be helped to form a team.
Several special prize categories have been added this year.

Tuesday 15 February 2011

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


Dunlin: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi Birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a stiff wind off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing thirty-eight Brant Geese fly in and land just off shore. A large flock of Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover and Black Turnstone were seen right on the tide line. A large flock of Mew Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and several Glaucous-winged Gulls were roosting on a gravel bar near the shore. Several flocks with six to nine Common Murre flew down the Strait of Georgia throughout the morning. We spotted a Pigeon Guillemot, a Marbled Murrelet and a Cassin's Auklet bouncing on the waves further off shore.

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-nine species of birds:
Brant
Mallard
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet
Cassin's Auklet
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

Good birding,
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Monday 14 February 2011

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walks-2010


Peregrine Falcon: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walks went to the following sites during 2010--Beaver Ponds at Nanoose Bay, Rathtrevor Provincial Park, Plummer Road side and the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary, Top Bridge Trail, Parksville Bay, French Creek, Columbia Beach,Lot Ten, Little Qualicum River Estuary, Nile Creek and Deep Bay.

We saw and heard the following one hundred and fifty-five (155) different species of birds:
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Brant
Canada Goose
Cackling Goose
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Gadwall
Mallard
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Eurasian Teal
Lesser Scaup
Greater Scaup
Ring-necked Duck
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
Yellow-billed Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
Eared Grebe
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Ring-necked Pheasant
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Northern Harrier
Peregrine Falcon
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Northern Shrike
Osprey
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Black Turnstone
Long-billed Dowitcher
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Sanderling
Dunlin
California Quail
Parasitic Jaeger
Heermann's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Herring Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Tern
Marbled Murrelet
Cassin's Auklet
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Belted Kingfisher
Band-tailed Pigeon
Rock Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Common Nighthawk
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Rock Pigeon
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Black Swift
Vaux's Swift
Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Cassin's Vireo
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Black-and-white Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Western Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Western Tanager
Bullock's Oriole
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
House Finch
House Sparrow

Sunday 13 February 2011

Nanaimo bird report, February 13, 2011


Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@...

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

"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in
Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
A Grey Catbird is still visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

Sunday February 13, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. The morning started out clear and
sunny but ended up cloudy with a stiff wind off the water. The
highlights included seeing a Northern Shrike perched on a short shrub. Three
Eurasian Wigeon were spotted in with a flock of American Wigeon feeding in the
estuary. We spotted a large flock of Surf Scoters, White-winged and two Black
Scoters further off shore.

Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species of birds:
Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter ,White-winged Scoter, Black
Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-breasted
Merganser, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Pelagic
Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, Mew Gull, California
Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven,
Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow,
Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird and House Finch.

"AN EARLY SIGHTING"
An Osprey was seen flying low over Jade Avenue in north Nanaimo and then headed
straight north.

Saturday February 12:
"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in
Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
A Grey Catbird is still visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

Over forty Evening Grosbeaks were seen in the Cinnabar Valley in south Nanaimo.

Friday February 11:
An American Kestral was seen in a field near the Crow and Gate Pub in Cedar.

A Northern Pygmy Owl was heard calling near Lancashire Avenue and Northfield
Road in Nanaimo.

Thursday February 10:
Two Northern Harriers were spotted at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south
Nanaimo.

Tuesday February 08:

The Tuesday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. The morning was cloudy and the wind
was calm. The highlights included seeing a large flock of Northern Pintail
resting near shore on the estuary. Two Eurasian Wigeon were feeding with a
flock of American Wigeon. A pair of Barrow's Goldeneye were spotted further out
on the Bay. Five Black Oystercatchers flew in and started feeding along the
tide line.

Fifteen birders saw thirty species of birds.
Trumpeter Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter,
White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye,
Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon,
Horned Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black
Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northwestern Crow,
Common Raven, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow and Golden-crowned Sparrow.

A female Anna's Hummingbird was observed gathering cattail fluff for nesting
material and a Lincoln's Sparrow, a White-throated Sparrow and Townsend's
Warbler were seen in the 5300 block of Hammond Bay Road 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@...

**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting
Monday February 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.

Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, March 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
**********************************

Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a
different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community
Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside
area.
**************************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 15, 2011 will be going to Rathtrevor
Provincial Park in Parksville. We will meet at the Parksville Beach Community
Park, at the parking area in front of the Lions Playground at 9 A.M. or at the
main parking lot at Rathtrevor at about 9:20A.M. Please note there is a parking
fee at Rathtrevor Park.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, February 20, 2011 will be going to Neck Point in Nanaimo.
We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the parking lot at Neck
Point off Hammond Bay Road at about 9: 20 A.M.
*******************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@...
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

"GO BIRDING—EXPLORE NATURE"

"LINKS"

Post your sightings on this site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birding in Central and South America:
www.wildbirdtours.ca


Identify backyard birds:
National Geographic Bird Identifier Site
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

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/

Tuesday 8 February 2011

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


Barrow's Goldeneye: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. The morning was cloudy and the wind was calm. The highlights included seeing a large flock of Northern Pintail resting near shore on the estuary. Two Eurasian Wigeon were feeding with a flock of American Wigeon. A pair of
Barrow's Goldeneye were spotted further out on the Bay. Five Black Oystercatchers flew in and started feeding along the tideline.

Fifteen birders saw thirty species of birds.
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black Oystercatcher
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Sunday 6 February 2011

Nanaimo bird report, February 06, 2011


Northern Harrier: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
To report your sightings
phone the Store at 250-390-3669
e-mail us at thebackyard@...

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

"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in
Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
A Grey Catbird is still visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

Sunday February 06, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.. The
morning was foggy with misty rain and a cool breeze off the Strait of Georgia.
The highlights included seeing a Northern Harrier flying just above the grass
looking for prey. We watched a Ruby-crowned Kinglet feeding low down on the
Blackberry Bushes. We spotted a Red-tailed Hawk perched on a tall tree just off
Raines Road.

Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty species of birds:
Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, Common
Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk,
Cooper's Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow,
Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Steller's Jay, Belted Kingfisher, Western
Meadowlark, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed
Junco, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and Brewers Blackbird..

Northern Harrier: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Saturday February 05:
"Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird"
The Northern Mockingbird is still along Dumont Road near Eyelash Road in
Nanaimo.

"Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird"
The Grey Catbird is still visiting a backyard suet feeder in North Nanaimo.

A large flock of Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Crescent Road in Qualicum
Beach.

A large flock of Red-winged Blackbirds were spotted in Cedar.

A Hairy Woodpecker, a Northern Flicker , a Varied Thrush, Evening Grosbeak,
Chestnut-backed Chickadees , Dark-eyed Junco, Steller's Jay, and Spotted Towhee
are visiting feeders in the 2300 block of Hemer Road in Cedar.

A Northern Shoveler and a Northern Shrike were seen at the Morningstar Ponds
near French Creek.

A Red-throated Loon was spotted along French Creek.

Friday February 04:
A Pileated Woodpecker is visiting a suet feeder along Departure Road near Rock
City School in Nanaimo.

Wednesday February 02:
An immature Glaucous Gull was seen in a group of Glaucous-winged and Thayer's
Gulls on the roof of the Rupert Square Mall in downtown Prince Rupert.

Tuesday February 01:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer road side.
The morning was sunny but quite cool with a stiff breeze off the Strait of
Georgia. The highlights included seeing three Anna's Hummingbirds perched on a
bush along the trail at the first of the walk. We saw twelve Gadwall feeding
just off the mudflats and a large raft of Pacific Loons on the Strait of
Georgia.

Anna's Hummingbird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following fifty species of birds:
Canada Goose, Brant, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common
Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, California Quail, Pacific
Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Brandt's Cormorant,
Double-crested Cormorant,
Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Mew
Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Anna's
Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern
Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American
Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow,
White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged
Blackbird,
Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

A Pileated Woodpecker was feeding on one side of a suet feeder while a Northern
Flicker was feeding on the other side in the Rocky Point area of Nanaimo. Male
and Female Anna Hummingbirds are also visiting the backyard.

Five Hooded Mergansers, several Canada Geese, Mallards, Red-winged Blackbirds
and a Northern Shrike were seen at Cathers Lake in Nanaimo.

Monday January 31:
Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders along Homestead Way in Ladysmith.

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@...
**********************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, February 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
Greg Thomas will give a talk and slide presentation on BC Herring Fisheries
Management.
**********************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting
Monday February 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
*********************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and
Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a
different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community
Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside
area.
**************************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 08, 2011 will be going to Nanoose Bay. We will
meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the
Lions Playground at 9 A.M. or on the beach behind the church camp at the end of
Arlington Road off Highway 19 just south of The Petro-Can at Northwest Bay Road
at about 9:20A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, February 13, 2011 will be going Nanoose Bay. We will meet
at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or on the beach behind the church camp at the
end of Arlington Road off Highway 19 just south of The Petro-Can at Northwest
Bay Road at about 9: 20 A.M.
*******************************************************

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD
Wildbird & Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
250.390.36621
250.390.1633 fax
thebackyard@...
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com


"GO BIRDING—EXPLORE NATURE"



"LINKS"

Post your sightings on this site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages

Birding in Central and South America:
www.wildbirdtours.ca

Identify backyard birds:
National Geographic Bird Identifier Site
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

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/

Tuesday 1 February 2011

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


Anna's Hummingbird, Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer road side. The morning was sunny but quite cool with a stiff breeze off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing three Anna's Hummingbirds perched on a bush along the trail at the first of the walk. We saw twelve Gadwall feeding just off the mudflats and a large raft of Pacific Loons on the Strait of Georgia.

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following fifty species of birds
Canada Goose
Brant
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Anna's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

"GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE"