Nanaimo bird report, December 31, 2011

Snowy 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

“HAPPY NEW YEAR”

From all of us at the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store

Denise, Colin, Tyler, Lexi, Ralph, Natalie, Ryan, Neil and Marilynne

Friday December 30:
A Snowy Owl was spotted flying across 10th Street and the Island Highway in south Nanaimo.

Wednesday December 28:
Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count preliminary results:

Nanaimo's annual Christmas Bird Count was held on December 28, 2011. The preliminary results revealed a total of 115 species.
The weather was nice in the morning (despite the monsoon the night before) but took a turn for the worse at around 1300hrs. Average temperatures were from 6-12ºC. To date we have had 26 people in the field return their results as well as 1 backyard feeder count.
Highlights were a Rough-legged Hawk at the Nanaimo River Estuary and a Northern Saw-whet Owl and a Northern-pygmy Owl.
There were an unheard of 31 Virginia Rail counted.
Thank you everyone who participated in the count this year. I look forward to next years count which i believe will be held on Sunday, December 30th 2012, so mark your Mayan calendars!

Good birding,
Ryan Cathers
Compiler, Nanaimo Christmas Bird Count, 2011/2012
Nanaimo,BC
http://ryancathers.zenfolio.com/

Wednesday December 28:
Three Northern Flickers, four Spotted Towhees, fifteen Pine Siskins, six Evening Grosbeaks, four Red-winged Blackbirds, three Anna’s Hummingbirds, European Starlings, Dark-eyed Juncos and two Steller’s Jays were seen in a backyard along Michigan Way in Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 27:
A Northern Shrike was spotted in a backyard on Valley Oak Drive in Nanaimo.

Friday December 23:
One American Dipper and eight Common Mergansers were seen at the lower lake at Colliery Dam Park in Nanaimo.
****************************************************

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
January, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************

Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.

*********************************************************
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 will be going to Columbia Beach on January 03.
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 Bld. at Columbia Beach.
**************************************************************
The Sunday bird on January 08 walk will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south 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

Nanaimo bird report, December 27, 2011

Red-necked Grebe: 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

“HAPPY NEW YEAR”
From all of us at the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Denise, Colin, Tyler, Lexi, Ralph, Natalie, Ryan, Neil and Marilynne

Wednesday December 21:
A Snowy Owl has been sighted at Pauline Haarer School in downtown Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 20:
The Tuesday bird walk went the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly sunny with a strong biting wind that calmed down as the morning progressed, turning into a really great birding day to finish off 2011. The highlights included seeing a male Northern Harrier in his finest colors fly over the estuary and then circle over the forest close to us. We spotted a Downy Woodpecker perched in a tall tree not far from the trail. A pair of Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water, not far from shore, heading up the Strait of Georgia. We were treated with a spectacular sight of thousands of Common Murre and hundreds of Pacific Loons riding the waves on the Strait
Ten birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species:
Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, California Quail, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird and House Finch.

Saturday December 17:
A Clay-colored Sparrow was seen the Carmanah Point Light Station on the west side of Vancouver Island.

****************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
January, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
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.

************************************************************
There will be no Tuesday Birdwalk on December 27. We will resume on January 3, 2012 and 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 of Admiral Tryon Bld. At Columbia Beach.
**************************************************************
There will no Sunday Birdwalk on December 25 or January 1, 2012.
We will resume on Sunday, January 08, 2012 and will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south 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

*************************************************************************************

“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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,December 20, 2011

Trumpeter Swans: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk went the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly sunny with a strong biting wind that calmed down as the morning progressed, turning into a really great birding day to finish off 2011. The highlights included seeing a male Northern Harrier in his finest colors fly over the estuary and then circle over the forest close to us. We spotted a Downy Woodpecker perched in a tall tree not far from the trail. A pair of Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water, not far from shore, heading up the Strait of Georgia. We were treated with a spectacular sight of thousands of Common Murre and hundreds of Pacific Loons riding the waves on the Strait.
Ten birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Ancient Murrelet
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 18, 2011

Harlequin Duck: 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

*********************************************
“MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR”
From all of us at the Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store
Denise, Colin, Ralph, Natalie, Ryan, Neil and Marilynne
*******************************************

Sunday December 18, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was partly sunny with a strong biting winds off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing several Common Redpolls in with a flock of Pine Siskins high up in an Alder Tree. A Spotted Sandpiper was busy pumping it’s tail on driftwood away from the rough seas next to Sunset Beach.
Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species:
Mallard, Bufflehead, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Common Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, Horned Grebe, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwest Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Anna's Hummingbird, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Song Sparrow, Common Redpoll and Pine Siskin.

Saturday December 17:
A Snowy Owl was observed as it was being harassed by a flock of Northwestern Crows at the Parksville Community Park in Parksville. (Please use caution and keep well away from the owls if you see them, as they are young ones who have left their homes on the arctic tundra in search of food and may well be weak and starving.)

Friday December 16:
A Northern Goshawk was seen in a large Dogwood tree near the intersection of Kennedy and Albert Street in south Nanaimo. It was seen feeding on something in the tree and there was a band noticed on one leg. Please let us know if you see this bird.

Wednesday December 14:
A Northern Goshawk was seen in a large Dogwood tree near the intersection of Kennedy and Albert Street in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 13:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two juvenile Glaucous Gulls, a Herring Gull, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and a Eurasian Wigeon from near the viewing platform. A Northern Harrier flew low across the estuary three times searching for prey and a Peregrine Falcon was perched in a tall conifer tree not far from us. A colourful male Purple Finch landed in a bush next to the trail and gave us great views.
Ten birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:
Canada Geese, Brant, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser,
Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Mew Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit,, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

A small flock of Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Beaconsfield Road and Howard Avenue in Nanaimo.

Two Evening Grosbeaks were seen near Forest Crescent and Highway 19 in Nanaimo.

****************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
January, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
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 December 20th 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 (on the one ocean side of highway19a) at about 9:10 A.M.

There will be no Tuesday Birdwalk on December 27. We will resume on January 3, 2012 and 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 of Admiral Tyron Bld.
**************************************************************
There will no Sunday Birdwalk on December 25 or January 1, 2012.
We will resume on Sunday, January 08, 2012 and will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south 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

*********************************************************************

“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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,December 11, 2011

Glaucous Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with calm winds. The highlights included seeing two juvenile Glaucous Gulls, a Herring Gull, Thayer's Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls and a Eurasian Wigeon from near the viewing platform. A Northern Harrier flew low across the estuary three times searching for prey and a Peregrine Falcon was perched in a tall conifer tree not far from us. A colourful male Purple Finch landed in a bush next to the trail and gave us great views.
Ten birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Peregrine Falcon
Mew Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick's Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 11, 2010

Anna's 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 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday December 11, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was partly sunny and cool with misty rain. The highlights included seeing a Cooper’s Hawk that flew over the water and landed in a tall Oak tree giving us good looks. A male Anna’s Hummingbird flew next to the trail right in front of us and we watched as he gleaned insects for a few minutes---a great close sighting!
Eleven birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Mallard, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Ducks, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Hooded Mergansers, Glaucous-winged Gull, Great Blue Heron, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Marsh Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow

Saturday December 10:
A Cassin’s Vireo was seen at a pond in a backyard along Ventura Drive in Nanaimo.

Friday December 09:
Evening Grosbeaks were seen visiting feeders in a backyard along Doumont Road in Nanaimo.

Two Barred Owls were seen in a backyard in the Hospital area of Nanaimo.

White-Throated Sparrows and Townsend’s Warblers are visiting a backyard along Granite Park Road in Nanaimo.

Thursday December 08:
A Northern Saw-Whet Owl was seen at the corner of Little Ford Road and Fairview Drive in Nanaimo.

Tuesday December 06:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with fog over the calm water on the Strait of Georgia.
The highlights included seeing a large mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin on a gravel bar just off shore. We spotted one Common Murre further offshore. Five Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water. The find of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Solitaire high up in a conifer tree.

Nine birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Canada Geese, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch.

Saturday December 03:
A Snowy owl was seen at the top of Mount Benson.
******************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Monday, December 12 at 5:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Annual Christmas Potluck Supper.
Guest Speaker: Anne Sifon, a falconer will talk about and demonstrate Eddie-the Bald Eagle.
*******************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2012 at,7:30 pm. Members night.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
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 December 13 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 (on the one ocean side of highway19a) at about 9:10 A.M.
**************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on December 18 will be going Neck Point in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the Neck Point Park parking area 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
250-390-3669
thebackyard@shaw.ca
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

FreePublicLecture Sponsored by the Nanaimo Historical Society

“North to the South Pole”
December 14th marks the centennial of Roald Amundsen’s arrival at Earth’s South Geographic Pole, man’s first ‘undisputed’ attainment of either pole.
To mark this incredible achievement, Bill Merilees, (former field biologist with the Australian Antarctic Research Program and Antarctic cruise ship lecturer) will chronicle this remarkable story with a slide illustrated lecture. Some of the illustrations to be used come from Amundsen’s expedition.
December 14th, 2011 – 7:00 p.m. at Beban Park

*************************************************************************************

“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, 2011Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

”PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Sunday December 18, 2011 Contact Sandra Gray at 250-248-5565 email her at: saninerr@shaw.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk,December 06, 2011

Dunlin and Black-bellied Plovers: Ralph Hocken Photo.



The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincal Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with fog over the calm water on the Strait Of Georgia. The highlights included seeing a large mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin on a gravel bar just off shore. We spotted one Common Murre further offshore. Five Trumpeter Swans flew low over the water. The find of the morning was the sighting of a Townsend's Solitaire high up in a conifer tree.
Nine birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Townsend's Solitaire
Varied Thrush
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, December 04, 2011, 2011

Belted Kingfisher: 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 December 04, 2011:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-six species:Canada Goose, Brant Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Killdeer, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Eurasian Collared-dove, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Saturday December 03:
A Chipping Sparrow was seen in the 2700 block of Neyland Road in Nanaimo.

Friday December 02:
Thirty Pine Siskins were seen flying over Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo.

Thursday December 01:
Over 300 Pine Siskins were seen in the Springwood area of Parksville.

Sunday November 27:
A Northern Goshawk was spotted flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Monday November 28:
A Snowy Owl has been sighted at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Tuesday, November 29:
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 and House Finch.
******************************************************
Nanoose Naturalists Meeting
Monday, December 12 at 5:30 pm.
@ The Library Centre along Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay
Annual Christmas Potluck Supper.
Guest Speaker: Anne Sifon, a falconer will talk about and demonstrate Eddie-the Bald Eagle.
********************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalist Meeting
Monday, December 26 at 7:30 pm.
Springwood Middle School, Parksville.
*********************************************************
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 December 06 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park 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 main parking lot at Rathtrevor Provincial Park, at about 9:10 A.M.
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The Sunday Bird Walk on December 11 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at Buttertubs Marsh 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
250-390-3669
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, 2011Contact Rhys Harrison at 250-248-5305 or email him at: rhysharrison@shaw.ca

”PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT”
Sunday December 18, 2011 Contact Sandra Gray at 250-248-5565 or email her at: sanierr@shaw.ca