Nanaimo bird report, March 06, 2011

Hooded Merganser: 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 March 06, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and cool, with light rain. The sun did come out for part of the morning. The bird songs of spring highlighted the morning---the Marsh Wrens, Song Sparrows, Bushtits, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Anna's Hummingbirds American Robins, Varied Thrush, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Goldfinch and Chestnut-backed Chickadees were singing throughout the morning.
Seventeen birders saw and heard the following thirty-eight species of birds: Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Bufflehead, American Wigeon, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Anna's Hummingbird, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch and House Sparrows

Saturday March 04:
Seven Evening Grosbeaks were seen in a tall maple tree along Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 01:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.
The morning was cool and cloudy, but the rain held off. We were fortunate enough to see a large flock of Evening Grosbeak high in the trees near the parking area. As well, there was a Northern Shrike spotted sitting atop a tree in the meadow area.
Special thanks to John for leading the walk and to Rhonda for the tally.
Ten birders identified the following forty-four species of birds: Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Long-tailed Duck, Common Murre, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Shrike, Glaucous-winged Gull, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Mew Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, North-western Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, Stellar Jay,
Song Sparrow and House Finch.

A possible female Western Tanager was seen on sun-deck rail this morning and later seen in a Dogwood tree across the parking lot at the west end of Dingwall Street area in Duncan.

Sunday February 27:
A pair of Golden-crowned Sparrows were seen visiting feeders along Meridian Way in Parksville.

An American Kestrel was spotted on hydro lines and a White Albino Raven was perched in a tree along Headquarters Road just north of Bridges crossroad near Oyster River.

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Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, March 10th, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
Guest Speaker Ron Tanasichuk, will be sharing results from the Neptune Project: "The Biology of Herring & Salmon Population Fluctuations in Southern BC".
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Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting
Monday March 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
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Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area.
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The Tuesday Bird Walk on March 08, 2011 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary. 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 viewing platform near Garrett Road and highway 19a at about 9:20A.M.
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The Sunday Bird Walk, March 13, 2011 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at end of Raines Road at about 9: 30 A.M.
Remember that the clocks spring ahead an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday Morning!
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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.