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.

Tuesday 29 November 2011

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

Monday 28 November 2011

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

Tuesday 22 November 2011

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.

Sunday 20 November 2011

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

Tuesday 15 November 2011

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

Sunday 13 November 2011

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.

Tuesday 8 November 2011

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

Sunday 6 November 2011

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.
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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.
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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.

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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.

Tuesday 1 November 2011

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