BAMFIED PELAGIC TRIP

Pink-footed Shearwater: Mike Ashbee Photo.

Hey guys,

After 5 years in Bamfield we moved out to Newfoundland, but we still love getting your email updates!
Anyway, we are coming home for May, and hoping to keep our tradition of a mid-May pelagic trip out of Barkley Sound going. Last year we had a bit more local interest that usual and we had a great day in a charter fishing boat we rented from our friend and took out to Swiftsure Bank, La Perouse Bank and beyond.

Highlights included drifting among a group of over a hundred of humpbacks with thousands of Sooty Shearwaters streaming by, tens of thousands of migrating phalaropes, Sooty, Short-tailed and Pink-footed shearwater, Tufted Puffin, Cassin's and Rhinoceros Auklet. etc....Other years we have seen Buller's and Flesh-footed Shearwater, Arctic Tern, Northern Fulmar, flocks of Sabine's Gulls, Ancient Murrelet, Brown Pelican and other great birds.

Obviously the more people, the cheaper the individual cost, and ultimately, the larger the boat that can be chartered, and the further it is possible to go!
I was wondering if you would be willing to post an 'ad' to let interested birders know that they could get in touch with me if they would like to participate in something like that. Basically a FULL day on the water in a smaller boat that would travel out to the La Perouse Bank, Barkely Canyon area or somthing similar. Target species would be albatrosses and other deep water seabirds. Last year the cost worked out to around $140 per person all in, and hopefully that might even come down with more people, on the other hand, if there is interest in chartering a larger faster boat, the cost could be slightly higher. The cost of the trip is strictly to cover charter and fuel, I am not making any profit on this at all - I just want to see good birds with good people!

The trip would leave from Bamfield in the morning on a day with good weather and calm seas sometimes between May 13-16 or so.
People can email me at: mark.maftei@gmail.com for details or more info.

If you can spread the word, it would be much appreciated!
Let me know what you think.
-Mark Maftei

--
Mark Maftei
Department of Biology,
Memorial University,
St, John's, Newfoundland
709 864 8141

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 26, 2011

Red-tailed Hawk: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was mostly sunny with a few clouds and calm winds. A male Anna's Hummingbird perched next to the trail giving us nice views at the beginning of the walk. We heard three Cassin's Vireos singing in the forest. We watched as four Red-breasted Nuthatches played on a tall conifer tree. Several Townsend's Warblers moved about high up in the Alder Trees. Throughout the morning we saw Orange-crowned Warblers gleaning insects and Yellow-rumped Warblers flycatching. A Red-tailed Hawk was perched on the big hydro lines for a good part of the morning. Our hearts were warmed by the sight of a female Mallard slowing crossing the road with ten Mallard Chicks following closly behind.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species of birds:
Mallard
Ring-necked Pheasant
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Cassin's Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Naniamo bird report, April 25, 2011

Western Sandpiper: 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

Monday April 25, 2011:
Three Evening Grosbeaks, twelve American Goldfinch, six Dark-eyed Juncos, ten Band-tailed Pigeons, two Golden-crowned Sparrows and a White-crowned Sparrow are visiting feeders in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville.

Sunday April 24:
”Rare bird alert-Canada Warbler” The Canada Warbler first reported on Thursday April 21 has not been relocated again.

A flock of Red Crossbills were seen feeding on fir cones on Little Mountain in Parksville. A pair of Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warblers, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Orange-crowned Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cassin's Vireo and Purple Finch were heard and seen on Little Mountain.

A Barred Owl and two Townsend's Warblers were exchanging calls from the tall Fir Trees next to the Englishman River in Parksville. A Cassin's Vireo was calling near the observation tower, a couple of Cooper's Hawks were interacting over the flats and a flock of over twenty-five Band-tailed Pigeons were in the trees above the path near the pond at the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

A mixed flock of Dunlin, Least and Western Sandpipers was seen along the mud flats on the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

Saturday April 23:
Rufous Hummingbirds, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Common Yellowthroat and two Cassin's Vireos were seen at Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville.

Friday April 22:
A flock of Greater White-fronted Geese was seen flying high over Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

Over fifty Greater White-fronted Geese were seen high over Madrona Point.

Four Black-bellied Plovers were seen along the incoming tide at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo.

Thursday April 21:
“Rare Bird Alert-Canada Warbler”-- A possible Canada Warbler was seen in the area of 9th Street and Douglas Avenue in south Nanaimo. The Warbler had hit a window and then rested on a stump to recover. The owners of the property were able to identify the bird by it’s white eye ring, bold black necklace and yellow front throat, breast and underbelly. The back of the warbler was dark with no markings. The bold necklace is unique to the Canada Warbler.


A Hermit Thrush was seen in a backyard along Monterey Drive in Nanaimo.

Violet-green, Tree, Northern Rough-winged, Cliff and Barn Swallows were seen flying low over Morningstar Ponds off Lee Road in Parksville.

A Townsend's Solitaire was seen eating berries from a Maple Tree in the small green space on Ermineskin Avenue at the junction with Lodgepole Avenue in Parksville.

Tuesday April 19:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach and French Creek. The morning was a perfect spring morning--sunny with a breeze off the Strait of Georgia. There were several flocks of Brant flying just above the water. Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Mergansers, a Common Murre, a Marbled Murrelet, a Horned Grebe and a Red-necked Grebe were on the Strait. We saw several Yellow-rumped Warblers high up in the Alder trees along French Creek. An Orange-crowned Warbler was perched and singing at the top of a bush giving us great views. We spotted two Savannah Sparrows fly into the grass near French Creek. The Sparrows both perched on a Blackberry branch for us to view.

Twenty birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species of birds:
Canada Geese, Brant, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard,
Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser,
California Quail, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Rock Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren,
Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped A Flock of Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco,
Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin,
House Sparrow.

Monday April 18:
An Osprey was seen flying above Cox Bay in Tofino.

A large flock of Greater White-fronted Geese were seen heading north above Cox Bay in Tofino.

Tuesday April 19:
A Mountain Bluebird was seen at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo. A Downy Woodpecker was seen in a front yard in the 5400 block of Oceanside Terrace in north Nanaimo.

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Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, May 12, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
*************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday May 16, 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 April 26, 2011 will be going to Springwood 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 west end of Despard Avenue at about 9:20 A.M.
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The Sunday Bird Walk on May 01, will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. We will met at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or under the hydro lines along Normarel Drive off Superior Road, (off highway 19 )
*********************************************************

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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 19, 2011

Savannah Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach and French Creek. The morning was a perfect spring morning--sunny with a breeze off the Strait of Georgia. There were several flocks of Brant flying just above the water. Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Mergansers, a Common Murre, a Marbled Murrelet, a Horned Grebe and a Red-necked Grebe were on the Strait. We saw several Yellow-rumped Warblers high up in the Alder trees along Frech Creek. An Orange-crowned Warbler was perched and singing at the top of a bush giving us great views. We spotted two Savannah Sparrows fly into the grass near French Creek. The Sparrows both perched on a Blackberry branch for us to view.
Twenty birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species of birds:
Canada Goose
Brant
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Black Oystercatcher
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Rock Pigeon
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Tuesday bird walk, April 19, 2011

Brant: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk on April 19, 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 off Admiral Tryon Blvd off
Columbia Drive on the Oceanside of Highway 19a at about 9:20 A.M

Nanaimo bird report, April 17, 2011

Anna's Hummingbird on nest, April 13, 2011: Keith MacDonald Photo.

NANIMO 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 April 17, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny with a cool wind. The highlights included seeing a pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers playing on the high trees. A Barred Owl called from the forest. We watched as Yellow-rumped Warblers and Orange-crown Warblers gleaned insects from the tall Alder Trees.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-one species of birds: Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Barred Owl, Glaucous-winged Gull, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.

Violet-green Swallows were seen swooping and circling over Millard Drive in Lantzville.

Saturday April 16:
The Birdstore has received three different reports of Anna’s Hummingbirds nesting. This is likely their second brood as probably the first brood failed because of the cold weather that we had in February. We had reports from Shell Beach Road in Evening Cove south of Nanaimo, Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo and along Aulds Road in north Nanaimo.

A Mountain Blue Bird was seen at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo.

A Townsend’s Warbler was observed feeding the nectar feed from a hummingbird feeder and from a suet feeder at Long Lake Heights in Nanaimo

Friday April 15:
A Sooty grouse and a Northern Pygmy Owl were seen along Westwood Ridge in Nanaimo.

Two American Goldfinch were seen along Dawkins Lane in Nanaimo.

Thursday April 14: One Yellow-rumped Warbler, five Orange-crowned Warblers, fifteen Violet-green Swallows, two Tree Swallows, one Barn Swallow, two Wood Ducks, two Anna’s Hummingbirds and three Rufous Hummingbirds were seen at Cathers Lake in Nanaimo

Wednesday April 13:
A flock of Evening grosbeaks and a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds are visiting feeders in South Wellington.

Two Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Violet-green Swallows, Tree Swallows and Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen at the Morningstar Ponds off Lee Road in Parksville.

A Townsend’s Solitare was spotted in a backyard along Cameo Place on Gabriola Island.

Tuesday April 12:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary on the Plummer Road side. The morning was cloudy with a strong biting wind. At the start of the walk we saw a Rufous Hummingbird perched on the top of a short bush on one side of the trail. On the other side of the trail an Anna's Hummingbird was perched on top of a short bush. Just off the Englishman River, we spotted a Northern Shoveler and a Gadwall roosting in among a flock of Mallards, American Wigeon and Northern Pintail. A large flock of Green-winged Teal were feeding on the mud flats. Three Marbled Murrellets flew by just above the water heading down the Strait of Georgia and a Pigeon Guillemot was riding the waves offshore. Large numbers of Brant Geese, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Mergansers were moving down the Strait throughout the morning, giving us great views.

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species of birds:
Canada Geese, Brant, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard,
Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, California Quail, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit,Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Purple Finch.

American Goldfinch and a large flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen at Buttertubs Marsh In Nanaimo.

Monday April 11:
A Flock of Pine Siskins and one Bewick’s Wren were seen visiting a backyard in the 2700 block of Neyland Road in Nanaimo.

April 06:
Two Common Red Polls were seen along Dover Road in Nanaimo.

**********************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday April 18, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
Guest Speaker—Dr. John Gunton will speak on “Geo-hazards of the Georgia Basin”

Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, May 12, 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 April 19, 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 off Admiral Tryon Blvd off Columbia Drive on the Oceanside of Highway 19a at about 9:20 A.M.
*******************************************************
There will be no Sunday Bird Walk on Easter Sunday April 24, 2011. The Sunday bird walks will resume on May 01, 2011.
*********************************************************

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

Sunday bird walk, April 17, 2011

Chipping Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, April 17, 2011 will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the parking lot in front of the Lawn Bowling Green at Bowen Park at about 9:20A.M.
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Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 12, 2011

Pigeon Guillemot: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary on the Plummer Road side. The morning was cloudy with a strong biting wind. At the start of the walk we saw a Rufous Hummingbird perched on the top of a short bush on one side of the trail. On the other side of the trail an Anna's Hummingbird was perched on top of a short bush. Just off the Englishman River, we spotted a Northern Shoveler and a Gadwall roosting in among a flock of Mallards, American Wigeon and Northern Pintail. A large flock of Green-winged Teal were feeding on the mud flats. Three Marbled Murrelets flew by just above the water heading down the Strait of Georgia and a Pigeon Guillemot was riding the waves offshore. Large numbers of Brant Geese, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Mergansers were moving down the Strait throughout the morning, giving us great views.

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species of birds:
Canada Goose
Brant
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Black Oystercatcher
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Tuesday bird walk, April 12, 2011

Mew Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk on April 12, 2011 will be going to the Plummer Road side
of the Englishman River Estuary 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 corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:15 A.M.

Nanaimo bird report, April 10, 2011

Osprey: 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 April 10, 2011:
The Rufous Hummingbirds have arrived---we have had numerous reports from Cedar to Deep Bay of Rufous Hummingbirds.

Two Band-tailed Pigeons were seen perched on a high snag along Despard Avenue near Meridian Way in Parksville.

The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. It was cloudy with light rain and strong winds throughout the morning. The highlights included seeing an Osprey fly over and circle above us at the start of the walk. Over one hundred Violet-green Swallows and a few Tree Swallows were hawking insects just above the water. We heard and then saw one Purple Martin at the end of the walk.
Twelve hardy birders saw and heard the following forty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Virginia Rail, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Purple Martin, Rock Pigeon, Bushtit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Great Blue Heron, American Robin, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, House Sparrow

Thursday April 07:
Five Evening Grosbeaks were spotted landing in a group of Alder Trees at the Fairwinds Golf Course in Nanoose Bay.

An Osprey was seen flying high and calling over the Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.

A Silver Pheasant was seen along Fillinger Crescent in Nanaimo.

Tuesday April 05:
An Osprey, carrying a fish, was seen heading south from Highway 19 and Nanaimo Lakes Road in Nanaimo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary. The morning started out cloudy with rain and a sharp wind off the Strait of Georgia, however the morning finished with only cloudy skies and no rain. Harlequin Ducks, Black Oystercatchers, Black Turnstones and large numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and a Herring and Western Gull lined the rocks along the shore line from the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. A hugh raft of Brant Geese, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergansers, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebe's and a Red-necked Grebe were just off shore from the viewing platform. We spotted a Northern Shrike at the estuary. As we left the mouth of the river we saw a massive flock of Gulls lift from the water. The flock stretched from Qualicum Bay past Chrome Island and on towards the mainland---IT WAS A SPECTACULAR SIGHT!

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one 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, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe,
Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Bonaparte's Gull,
Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian Collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Violet-green Swallow, American Robin,
European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.

Monday April 04:
An Osprey was heard calling from above Harewood Creek off Glengary Crescent in Nanaimo.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler was spotted in the 2000 block of Labrieux Road in “Nanaimo.

Sunday April 03:
Rare bird alert—“Northern Mockingbird” The Northern Mockingbird is still being seen along Doumont Road in Nanaimo

Violet-green Swallows were seen along Doumont Road in Nanaimo.

Saturday March 26:
”Rare bird alert-Red-breasted Grosbeak”
The Bird Store just received a late unconfirmed report of a Red-breasted Grosbeak at feeders along Cedar by the Sea in Cedar.

*********************************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, April 14, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.

Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday April 18, 7.30 pm at Springwood School in Parksville.
Guest Speaker—Dr. John Gunton will speak on “Geo-hazards of the Georgia Basin”
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 April 12, 2011 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary 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 corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:15 A.M.
*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, April 17, 2011 will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the parking lot in front of the Lawn Bowling Green at Bowen Park at about 9:20A.M.
*******************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins
Nanaimo
British Columbia

Sunday bird walk, April 10, 2011

Barrow's Goldeneye: Ralph Hocken Photo.

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The Sunday Bird Walk, April 10, 2011 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the parking lot off Bowen Road at about 9:20A.M.
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Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 05, 2011

Harlequin Duck: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary. The morning started out cloudy with rain and a sharp wind off the Strait of Georgia, however the morning finished with only cloudy skies and no rain. Harlequin Ducks, Black Oystercatchers, Black Turnstones and large numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and a Herring and Western Gull lined the rocks along the shore line from the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. A hugh raft of Brant Geese, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergansers, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebe's and a Red-necked Grebe were just off shore from the viewing platform. We spotted a Northern Shrike at the estuary. As we left the mouth of the river we saw a massive flock of Gulls lift from the water. The flock stretched from Qualicum Bay past Chrome Island and on towards the mainland---IT WAS A SPECTACULAR SIGHT!

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one 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
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Northern Shrike
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian Collared Dove
Northern Flicker
Violet-green Swallow
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

Good birding!
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 05, 2011

Black Turnstones: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Hi birders,

The Tuesday Bird Walk on April 05, 2011 will be going to the little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum 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 viewing platform near Garrett Road and Highway 19a at about 9:20 A.M.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, April 03, 2011

Orange-crowned Warbler: 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 April 03, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with strong winds. The highlights included several flocks of Bonaparte’s Gulls flying low over the water. A huge flock of Mew Gulls, Thayer's Gull, California Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls was perched near shore until a couple of Bald Eagles flew overhead. The Gulls all lifted from the water but returned shortly after. There were several Yellow-rumped Warblers in some Alder Trees and we spotted two Yellow-rumped Warblers feeding on the rocks near the shore. We heard an Orange-crowned Warbler singing along the trail—a first for the year.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-three species of birds:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Brandt's Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bufflehead, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Merganser, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Bonaparte’s Gull, Mew Gulls, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Loon, Pigeon Guillemot, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, European Starling, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Anna’s Hummingbird, California Quail, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Red-winged Blackbird and Dark-eyed Junco.

Saturday April 02:
Six to eight Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders in a backyard in the Hospital area in Nanaimo.

Over thirty Evening Grosbeaks are visiting feeders in the Cinnabar area of south Nanaimo.

Thursday March 31:
Two Eurasian Doves were seen along Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.

A Rufous Hummingbird of the season was spotted visiting feeders in Fanny Bay for the first time this year.

Wednesday March 30:
A Yellow-rumped Warbler was visiting a suet feeder in Pheasant Valley in Nanaimo.

Tuesday March 29:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary on the Shelly Road side. The morning was cloudy with light winds. We heard a Red-breasted Sapsucker tapping on a tree near the parking area at the start of the walk but were not able to spot it. However, we did see it near the end of the walk as we neared the parking area when it flew and perched on a snag not far from us. The big highlight of the morning was the sighting of a Mountain Bluebird. We spotted the Bluebird perched in a short shrub in the meadows and watched it for about 30 minutes as it hawked insects and returned to it's perch. We also saw a Northern Shrike perched on a snag close to the R.V. Park behind the meadows. Two Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen--one flying over the Englishman River and another on the bushes along the bank of the river.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-three species of birds:
Canada Goose, Bran, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Mountain Bluebird, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch and House Finch.

“Rare Bird Alert-Grey Catbird “
The Gray Catbird is still visiting Suet Feeders along Carlton Road in Nanaimo.

An Orange-crowned Warbler was spotted in a Plum Tree at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Sunday March 27:
A Rufous Hummingbird is visiting feeders along the Nanaimo River Road in south Nanaimo.

Wednesday March 23:
Rufous Hummingbirds, Downy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers are visiting feeders at Sea Otter Place in Nanoose Bay

Tuesday March 22:
A Rufous Hummingbird was spotted at a feeder on Turner Road in Parksville.

******************************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting .
Thursday, April 14, 7 pm in the Library on Northwest Bay Road.
Guest Speaker--Professor Tim Stokes (Chair of the Department of Earth Sciences VIU) will give a presentation on the Geology of Vancouver Island.
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Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting
Monday April 25, 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 April 05, 2011 will be going to the little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum 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 viewing platform near Garrett Road and Highway 19a at about 9:20 A.M.
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The Sunday Bird Walk, April 10, 2011 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Backyard Store at 9:00A.M. or at the parking lot off Bowen Road at about 9:20A.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

“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/

Nanaimo, Sunday bird walk, April 03, 2011

Yellow-rumped Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

*******************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk, April 03, 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 9:20A.M.
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