Nanaimo bird report, March 13, 2011

Rufous 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
e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday March 13, 2011:
Due to the weather, the Sunday bird walk to the Nanaimo River Estuary was postponed until March 20th.

Saturday March 12:
A Rufous Hummingbird was spotted near Dover Bay and Dickinson Road in north Nanaimo.


Friday March 11:
Hundreds of Long-tailed Ducks, Greater Scaup, Surf, Black and White-winged Scoters were in a raft not far from shore at Columbia Beach. There were thousands of gulls along the shoreline at Columbia Beach. The annual Herring Spawn has begun!

About thousand Brant were seen lifting from the tideline and then settling down again off Johnstone Road near French Creek.

A Rufous Hummingbird was visiting feeders in the College Heights area of Nanaimo.

Thursday March 10:
Two Barred Owls were calling from a tree top at the Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 08:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary near Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy with a brisk wind and a bit of sun throughout the morning.
Gulls flew overhead all morning. We saw over four hundred Brant Geese near shore at the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones were also along the shoreline. Red-throated Loons, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes were further offshore. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was perched along the Little Qualicum River at the estuary on a tall snag giving us great looks. A large raft of Surf Scoters, Black Scoters, White-winged Scoters and Greater Scaup were seen near the gravel bar.

Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species of birds.
Canada Goose, Brant, 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, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot,
Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling and Red-winged Blackbird.

An American Kestrel was seen along the Yellowpoint Road near the Crow & Gate Pub in Cedar.

An American Pipit was spotted at Morrell Circle and Nanaimo Lane near Morrell Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

Friday March 04:
A small flock of Red Crossbills were spotted flying above the houses along the 800 block of Harewood Mines Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 02:
Four Red Crossbills were seen in the trees at the junction of the Island Highway and Harewood Mines Road.
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Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday March 28, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
Guest Speaker-Bill Merilees will speak on Mega Herbs of Sub-Antarctic.
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, April 14, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
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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 15, 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 parking area along Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:20A.M. (Turn off Highway 19a at Columbia Drive on the Oceanside of the highway go to Admiral Tryon Blvd. Turn right go about 100 yards and turn left into the parking area.
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The Sunday Bird Walk, March 20, 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.
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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.