Nanaimo bird report, April 29, 2012

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 29, 2012 The Sunday bird walk went to Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy but warm. The highlights included hearing a Hammond’s Flycatcher singing throughout the morning. Twenty-seven birders saw and heard the following forty species: Canada Geese, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Common Raven, Steller’s Jay, Band-tailed Pigeon, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Re-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, varied Thrush, American Robin, Cassin’s Vireo, Hutton’s Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler. Brown-headed Cowbird, Spotted Towhee, Evening Grosbeak, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin. Saturday April 28: A Great Egret has been seen at the Little Qualicum River Estuary at the end of Kinkade Road in Qualicum Beach. It was first sighted at noon on April 26 and then again at 4:30pm today along with a Greater Yellowlegs. American Goldfinch, Band-tailed Pigeons and Bushtits were seen along Lakeside Drive in Cinnabar Valley in south Nanaimo. Thursday, April 26: A Great Egret was seen at about 7:45pm, in the Marshall-Stevenson Wildlife Sanctuary off Surfside Drive, at the Little Qualicum River Estuary, north of Qualicum Beach. The egret was fishing on the far side of the marsh towards the right. Large flocks of twenty to thirty Golden-crowned Sparrows have been reported in several yards in our area. Tuesday, April 24: The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy but warm with calm winds. Highlights included seeing five species of Warblers--Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Townsend's Warblers and a Common Yellowthroat. We also saw six species of sparrows--Chipping Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrows and Golden-crowned Sparrows. There were three Hermit Thrush along the trail, giving us great looks. Twenty-six birders saw and heard the following forty-six species: Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow,Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow,Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch and Evening Grosbeak. Saturday, April 21: Purple Martins have returned to Ladysmith and Cowichan. Evening Grosbeaks and American Goldfinch were seen along Cedar Road in Cedar. Chipping Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, a White-throated Sparrow and American Goldfinch were seen at Cathers Lake in Nanaimo. Friday, April 20: An Osprey and Wood Ducks was seen at Brookwood Marsh in Nanaimo. *********************************************************Nanoose Naturalists Meeting.Thursday, May 10th at 7pm at the Nanoose Library Centre on NW Bay Road. The speaker is Hans Boerger who will give a presentation entitled "Blood, Phantoms and Ghosts" - all about pond critters. Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting, Monday May 28, 7:30 p.m. Springwood School, 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 Birdwalk on May 01, 2012 will be going to Moorecroft Park in Nanoose Bay. We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at parking lot at Moorecroft Park off Stewart Road at about 9:15.a.m. *************************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday May 06, 2012 will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or under the Hydro Lines at Normarel Drive (off Superior Road from highway 19 ) ********************************************************* Good birding Neil Robins THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE 6314 Metral Drive Nanaimo B.C. V9T-2L8 Phone: 250-390-3669 Fax: 250-390-1633 Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

GREAT EGRET

The GREAT EGRET was seen again today April 27 at the Little Qualicum River Estuary.

Great Egret

Great Egret; Ralph Hocken Photo. Marilynne and I went in search of the Great Egret reported at the Little Qualicum River Estuary north of Qualicum Beach. We saw the Great Egret at about 7:45pm, April 26, in the Marshall-Stevenson Wildlife Sanctuary off Surfside Drive. The egret was fishing on the far side of the marsh towards the right side. We also saw a Black Bear in the ditch just before we got to Qualicum Beach on Highway 4. Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia

GREAT EGRET

GREAT EGRET has been seen today at the Little Qualicum River Estuary at the end of Kinkad road in Qualicum Beach. It was first seen around noon April 26 and then again at 4:30pm. Also seen was a GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Please report any further sightings, thank you.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW & more

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was seen along with CHIPPING SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and a large flock of GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS visiting a backyard feeder at Cathers Lake in Nanaimo BC. BLACK-THROATED WARBLERS begining to arrive in the central island area. They have been seen at Moorecroft Regional Park and Springwood Park in Parksville.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 24, 2012

Yellow-rumped Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo. The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy but warm with calm winds. Highlights included seeing five species of Warblers--Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Townsend's Warblers and a Common Yellowthroat. We also saw six species of sparrows--Chipping Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrows and Golden-crowned Sparrows. There were three Hermit Thrush along the trail giving us great looks. Twenty-six birders saw and heard the following forty-six species: Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Glaucous-winged Gull Band-tailed Pigeon Anna's Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Red-breasted Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Northwestern Crow Common Raven Violet-green Swallow Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Bewick's Wren Pacific Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush American Robin Varied Thrush European Starling Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Townsend's Warbler Common Yellowthroat Spotted Towhee Chipping Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Purple Finch House Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Evening Grosbeak Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, April 22, 2012

Black-throated grey Warbler; Ralph Hocken Photo.

” 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

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 22: 2012:
An American Tree Sparrow was seen in a backyard at Nanoose Bay.

The Sunday bird walk went to Moorecroft Regional Park in Nanoose Bay. The morning was cloudy but warm with calm winds. The highlights included seeing and hearing Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Townsend’s Warbler and a Black-throated Grey Warbler. We saw two Marbled Murrelets on the water off Vesper Point.
Twenty four birders saw and heard the following thirty-nine species: Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, Bufflehead, Harlequin Ducks Western Grebe, Horned Grebe, Greater Scaup, Common Loons, Pacific Loons, Pelagic Cormorant, Marbled Murrelets, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Glaucous-winged Gull, Barred Owl, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Black-throated Grey Warbler, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco and Red-winged Blackbird.

Saturday April 21:
A Swainson's Thrush was spotted at the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville

Friday April 20:
A Warbling Vireo was seen in the tops of the deciduous trees at the Collier Dam park parking lot off Nanaimo Lakes Road in Nanaimo.

A Say’s Phoebe was seen in a backyard along Meridian Way in Parksville. It was seen at a bird feeding station for about thirty seconds and then flew away.

Wednesday, April 18:
Four Evening Grosbeak were seen at feeders in the 180 block of Holland Road off Jingle Pot Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday, April 17:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a strong wind off the Strait of Georgia. For the first time this year we saw a Band-tailed Pigeon, several Savannah Sparrows and one Orange-crowned Warbler this morning. We also saw and heard four species of Woodpeckers-- Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker and Pileated Woodpecker.
Twenty-three birders saw and hear the following fifty-seven species:
Canada Goose, Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, California Quail, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull,
Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Band-tailed Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green, Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, 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, Evening Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch.

An American Tree Sparrow was seen in a backyard at Stephenson Point in Nanaimo.

Monday, April 16:
A Townsend's Solitaire was seen feeding among Alders at the back of Wexford Creek Care Home at 10th St in Nanaimo.

********************************************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting, Monday April 23, 7:30 p.m. Springwood School, Parksville. "Birds of Iowa and the Midwest" with presenter Lynne Brooks, Ph.D. Visitors welcome. More information at 250-752-7588.
**********************************************************************************

Nanoose Naturalists Meeting.Thursday, May 10th at 7pm at the Nanoose Library Centre on NW Bay Road. The speaker is Hans Boerger who will give a presentation entitled "Blood, Phantoms and Ghosts" - all about pond critters.
***********************************************************************************
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 Birdwalk on April 24, 2012 will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at west end of Despard Road in Parksville at about 9:15.a.m.
***************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday April 29, 2012 will be going to Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary off Nanaimo Lakes Road at about 9:20 a.m.
*********************************************************
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669
Fax: 250-390-1633
Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Say's Phoebe

A Say's Phoebe at Okanagan Falls: Peter Coxon Photo.

A Say's Phoebe was seen in a backyard along Meridian Way in Parksville. It was seen at a bird feeding station for about thirty seconds and then flew away. I recognized the very distinctive pale rufous belly with a pale gray back and it's phoebe shape.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 17, 2012

Orange-crowned Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a strong wind off the Strait of Georgia. For the first time this year we saw a Band-tailed Pigeon, several Savannah Sparrows and one Orange-crowned Warbler this morning. We also saw and heard four species of Woodpeckers-- Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker and Pileated Woodpecker.
Twenty-three birders saw and hear the following fifty-seven species:
Canada Goose
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
California Quail
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian-collared Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
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
Evening Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, April 15, 2012

Tree Swallow: Ralph Hocken.

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 15: 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was sunny and warm with calm winds. The highlights included seeing and hearing many Savannah Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows and Common Ravens throughout the morning. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched on a short shrub.
Thirty-two birders saw and heard the following twenty-six species: Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Common Mergansers, Bufflehead, Northern Shrike, Turkey Vulture, Merlin, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallows, Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Bewick’s Wren, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Juncos and House Finch.

Two Sooty Grouse, a Barred Owl and a Northern Pygmy Owl were seen along Westwood Ridges in Nanaimo.

Nanaimo Museum Birdwalk, April 15:
Seven birders saw and heard the following seventeen birds:

herring gull
glaucous-winged gull
bald eagle
european starling
house sparrow
bufflehead
american gold finch
yellow-rumped warbler
yellow warbler
double crested cormorant
song sparrow
white crowned sparrow
chestnut-backed chick-a-dee
rock pigeon
spotted towhee
american robin
northwest crow

Saturday April 14:
A Lincoln’s Sparrow was seen in a backyard along Bellflower Way in Nanaimo.
A Mountain Bluebird was seen along Westwood Road near Wellington Road in Nanaimo.

Friday April 13:
Orange-crowned Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen at the Morningstar Ponds in French Creek.

Thursday April 12:
A large flock of Evening Grosbeaks were seen at the end Grafton Road in Errington.
Two Cinnamon Teal were seen at Morningstar Ponds in French Creek.

Tuesday, April 10:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Hatchery north of Qualicum Beach. The morning was sunny and warm. Harlequin Ducks were just below us on the rocks at the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach as we gathered for our walk. Huge numbers of seabirds were further off shore. An American Dipper welcomed us as we entered the Hatchery area. We saw and heard Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Downy Woodpeckers, a Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flickers and a Pileated Woodpecker throughout the morning. There were many Yellow-rumped Warblers that greeted us as we walked through the woods.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species.
Canada Geese, Brant, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, American Dipper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

Monday, April 09:
A pair of Mountain Bluebirds was seen at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo.

A pair of Mountain Bluebirds was spotted at Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.

Saturday, April 07:
Eight Mountain Bluebirds were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in South Nanaimo.

Two Merlin’s were seen along Bayshore Drive in Nanaimo.

Thursday April 05:
A White-crowned Sparrow was seen along Neyland Road in Nanaimo.
**********************************************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting, Monday April 23, 7:30 p.m. Springwood School, Parksville. "Birds of Iowa and the Midwest" with presenter Lynne Brooks, Ph.D. Visitors welcome. More information at 250-752-7588.
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.Thursday, May 10th at 7pm at the Nanoose Library Centre on NW 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 Birdwalk on April 17, 2012 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at end of Shelly Road ( ocean side of highway 19a) at 9:15.a.m.
***************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday April 22, 2012 will be going to Moorecroft Park in Nanoose bay. Meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Moorecroft Park( Follow Northwest Bay Road turn at Stewart Road turn off Stewart Road where it meets Davenham 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 BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669
Fax: 250-390-1633
Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 10, 2012

American Dipper: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Hatchery north of Qualicum Beach. The morning was sunny and warm. Harlequin Ducks were just below us on the rocks at the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach as we gathered for our walk. Huge numbers of seabirds were further off shore. An American Dipper welcomed us as we entered the Hatchery area. We saw and heard Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Downy Woodpeckers, a Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flickers and a Pileated Woodpecker throughout the morning. There were many Yellow-rumped Warblers that greeted us as we walked through the woods.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species.
Canada Goose
Brant
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Black Oystercatcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
American Dipper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, April 07, 2012

Northern Pintail: 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 08: 2012:
There will be no Sunday Bird Walk on Easter Sunday, April 08, 2012
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume on April 15, 2012. We will be going to The Nanaimo River Estuary on April 15.

Saturday April 07:
A White-throated Sparrow, a Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, a Varied Thrush, Golden-crowned Kinglet and a Bewick’s Wren are visiting backyard feeders in the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.

Friday April 06:
A Marbled Godwit was seen feeding along the shoreline off the end of Shorewood Drive. Follow Plummer Road in Parksville, along the Englishman River until it turns into Shorewood Drive, follow Shorewood Drive to the end and go to the Strait of Georgia look along the shore line for the Godwit.

A female American Kestrel was seen at Church Road and Coldwater Road in Parksville.

Tuesday, April 03:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary. The morning was cloudy with sunny periods and a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia for most of the morning. Large rafts with thousands of Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Barrow's Goldeneye were seen off the mouth of the Englishman River. We saw a flock of over fifty Yellow-rumped Warblers moving along the wooded area towards the river that kept us entertained as we headed back to the parking area. A Mountain Bluebird made our morning complete as it perched on the goose pens off Surfside Drive. We watched for the better part of thirty minutes as it hawked insects and flew back to its perch.
Fourteen birders saw and hear the following sixty-four species:
Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon,
Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, 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, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Mountain Bluebird, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler , Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.

***********************************************************************************
Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.Thursday, April 12th at 7pm at the Nanoose Library Centre on NW Bay Road for a talk and slide presentation by Wendy Huntbatch, “Parrots in the Wild & in Captivity”. Visitors and new members welcome. nanoosenaturalists.org
************************************************************************************
Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting,
Monday April 23, 7:30 p.m. Springwood School, 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 Birdwalk on April 10, 2012 will go to the Little Qualicum River Hatchery in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at viewing platform off highway 19a and Garrett Road about 9:15.a.m
***************************************************
There will be NO Sunday Bird Walk on Easter Sunday April 08, 2012
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume on April 15, 2012. We will be going to The Nanaimo River Estuary on April 15. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00a.m. or at the end of Raines Road at 9:30a.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

Marbled Godwit

Marbled Godwit: John Purves Photo.


A Marbled Godwit was seen feeding along the shoreline off the end of Shorewood Drive. Follow Plummer Road in Parksville, along the Englishman River until it turns into Shorewood Drive, follow Shorwood Drive to the end and go to the Strait of Georgia look along the shore line for the Godwit.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 03, 2012

Mountain Bluebird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary. The morning was cloudy with sunny periods and a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia for most of the morning. Large rafts with thousands of Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Barrow's Goldeneye were seen off the mouth of the Englishman River. We saw a flock of over fifty Yellow-rumped Warblers moving along the wooded area towards the river that kept us entertained as we headed back to the parking area. A Mountain Bluebird made our morning complete as it perched on the goose pens off Shorewood Drive. We watched for the better part of thirty minutes as it hawked insects and flew back to it's perch.
Fourteen birders saw and hear the following sixty-four species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
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
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Mountain Bluebird
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, April 01, 2012

Surf Scoters: 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 01: 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny and quite warm in the sunshine. The highlights included seeing a large number of Yellow-rumped Warblers. We heard Marsh Wren sing all morning. There were large flocks of Violet-green Swallows flying over the marsh all morning. Spring has arrived!
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following forty-four species of birds:
Canada Geese, American Wigeon, Mallard, Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Gadwall, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Virginia Rail, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Brewer’s Blackbird, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Eurasian-collared Dove, Bushtit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Great Blue Heron, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and House Sparrow.

A Great Horned Owl was seen in Yellowpoint Park in Cedar.

Saturday March 31:
A Mountain Bluebird was seen hawking insects at Sandwell Provincial Park on Gabriola Island.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler, a Townsend’s Warbler, a White-crowned Sparrow, a Varied Thrush and a Golden-crowned Kinglet were visiting feeders in a backyard along Granite Park Road in the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.

Friday March 30:
A Yellow Warbler was seen at the top of Fifth Street and Highway 19 in Nanaimo.

Six Mute Swans were seen in the Ladysmith Harbour.

Evening Grosbeaks seen in a backyard at feeders at the end of Extension Road in south Nanaimo.

Thursday, March 29:
Western Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitcher and a Osprey were seen at Piper’s lagoon in Nanaimo.

Large rafts of Surf Scoters were seen on Hammond Bay in Nanaimo.

A Northern Shrike was seen at Buttertubs March in Nanaimo.

A Yellow Warbler was seen at the top of Vancouver Island University in a strand of conifers in Nanaimo.

Wednesday, March 28:
A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at feeders in Port Alberni.

Tuesday, March 27:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with light rain showers and a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of a flock of Bonaparte's Gulls flying low over the water down the Strait of Georgia. Hundreds of Brant Geese were flying in and landing near the shore all morning. Black-bellied Plovers, Black Oystercatchers and Dunlin were feeding along the shoreline. We saw several flocks of Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the tall trees. To finish off a great morning of birding, a male Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) hawked insects from a nearby bush as we were doing the tally at the end of the walk.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-five species:
Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch.

Monday March 26:
A Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen at a suet feeder at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Sunday March 25:
A Rufous Hummingbird was spotted at feeders along Cross Road in Nanoose Bay.

A Tree Swallow was seen flying over Divers Lake in Nanaimo.

Twelve Trumpeter Swans were seen on Divers Lake in Nanaimo.

Three Mountain Bluebirds were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

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Nanoose Field Naturalists Meeting.
Thursday, April 12th at 7pm at the Nanoose Library Centre on NW Bay Road for a talk and slide presentation by Wendy Huntbatch, “Parrots in the Wild & in Captivity”. Visitors and new members welcome. nanoosenaturalists.org
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Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting,
Monday April 23, 7:30 p.m. Springwood School, Parksville.
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Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area.
************************************************************************************TThe Tuesday Birdwalk on April 03, 2012 will go to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at viewing platform off highway 19a and Garrett Road about 9:15.a.m
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There will be no Sunday Bird Walk on Easter Sunday April 08, 2012
The Sunday Bird Walks will resume on April 15, 2012. We will be going to The Nanaimo River Estuary on April 15.
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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