Parksville/ Qualicum Tuesday bird walk, May 29, 2012

************************************************************* MacGillivray's Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo. *********************************************************** The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and a little cool with calm winds. We spotted and heard seven of the eight warbler species we get on the island---Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Wilson's Warbler. We had excellant views of the Black-throated Gray Warbler as he perched high up on a snag singing his heart out. We saw a Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher and heard a Pacific-slope Flycatcher singing for most of the morning. *********************************************************** Twenty-three birders saw and heard the following forty-four species: Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Band-tailed Pigeon Eyrasian-collared Dove Anna's Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Western Wood-Pewee Willow Flycatcher Hammond's Flycatcher Pacific-slope Flycatcher Northwestern Crow Common Raven Violet-green Swallow Barn Swallow Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Bewick's Wren Pacific Wren Swainson's Thrush American Robin European Starling Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Townsend's Warbler MacGillivray's Warbler Common Yellowthroat Wilson's Warbler Western Tanager Spotted Towhee Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Black-headed Grosbeak Red-winged Blackbird Purple Finch House Finch American Goldfinch ********************************************************** Good birding! Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, May 27, 2012

Cedar Waxwing: 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 May 27, 2012: The Sunday bird walk went to Morden Historic Park in south Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and warm. We had several sightings of Brown Creepers feeding on the trunks of trees. A flock of American Robins were mobbing a Barred Owl and the Owl flew towards us giving us great views. Twenty-three birders saw and heard the following thirty-seven species: Spotted Sandpiper, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Belted Kingfisher, Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, European Starling, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch. *********************************************************************** Saturday May 26: “ Rare bird alert-Lazuli Bunting” A Lazuli Bunting was seen in a backyard in Qualicum Beach. ******************************************************************* A Swainson’s Thrush and a Townsend’s Warbler were seen at Morden Park in south Nanaimo. ***************************************************************** A Greater Yellowlegs and a Spotted Sandpiper were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. ******************************************************************** A Cliff Swallow was spotted near Quennel Lake in Cedar. ***************************************************************************** Wednesday May 23: Eight Black Swifts were seen over Highway 19a at Wembly Road in Parksville. ************************************************************** A Great Horned Owl was seen in the forest at French Creek. ************************************************************************* Twelve Northern Shovellers and four Marbled Murrlets seen at the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. ********************************************************************* Tuesday May 22: A Swainson’s Thrush was seen and heard at the Cottonwood Golf Course in south Nanaimo.********************************************************************** Two Caspian Terns were spotted in with a flock of 20 or so gulls on a gravel bar off the Qualicum Beach viewing platform in north Qualicum Beach. ********************************************************************* The Tuesday bird walk went to Lot Ten off Kinkade Road in north Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy and cool with rain showers. We saw and heard Black-headed Grosbeaks as they added rich tones to the birdwalk. We had great looks at a Western Wood-Pewee as he perched in an Alder Tree and then flew about catching insects. A Hammond's Flycatcher also perched and gave us good views so we were able to identify it without it's song. We hear a Pacific-slope Flycatcher singing throughout the morning. We had several good looks at Wilson's Warblers as they were sang and were feeding on the lower bushes. The Red-breasted Sapsuckers put on a dazzling show as they moved across the Little Qualicum River---one being chased by a Wilson's Warbler. Nineteen birders saw and heard the following forty-three species: Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Wood-Pewee, Hammond's Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow. . ************************************************************************************ Arrowsmith Naturalists meet Monday, May 28th, 7.30pm at Springwood School. We will hear speakers from the Nile Creek Enhancement Society talk about their work. Everyone welcome. ********************************************************************************** Nanoose Naturalists Meeting Thursday, June 14th at 5:30 pm Summer picnic BBQ for members at the home of Tony and Jenny Ransom. ************************************************************************************* 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 29, 2012 will be going to Springwood Park ion 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 Avenue at about 9:10.a.m. *************************************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday June 03, 2012 will be going to Linley Valley in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at end of Burma Road (off Lost Lake Road) in Nanaimo 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 *

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, Tuesday May 22, 2012

Wilson's Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.
*************************************************************************** The Tuesday bird walk went to Lot Ten off Kinkade Road in north Qualicum Beach. ********************************************* *************The morning was cloudy and cool with rain showers. We saw and heard Black-headed Grosbeaks as they added rich tones to the birdwalk. We had great looks at a Western Wood-Pewee as he perched in an Alder Tree and then flew about catching insects. A Hammond's Flycatcher also perched and gave us good views so we were able to identify it without it's song. We hear a Pacific-slope Flycatcher singing throughout the morning. We had several good looks at Wilson's Warblers as they were sang and were feeding on the lower bushes. The Red-breasted Sapsuckers put on a dazzling show as they moved across the Little Qualicum River---one being chased by a Wilson's Warbler. ******************************************************************************************** Ninteen birders saw and heard the following forty-three species: Canada Goose Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Spotted Sandpiper Glaucous-winged Gull Band-tailed Pigeon Eurasian-collared Dove Rufous Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Red-breasted Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Western Wood-Pewee Hammond's Flycatcher Pacific-slope Flycatcher Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Northwestern Crow Common Raven Violet-green Swallow Chestnut-backed Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Pacific Wren Swainson's Thrush American Robin European Starling Cedar Waxwing Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Wilson's Warbler Western Tanager Spotted Towhee Chipping Sparrow Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Black-headed Grosbeak Brewer's Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Pine Siskin House Sparrow ***************************************************************** Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, May 20, 2012

Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo. NANAIMO BIRD REPORT ” GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE” Please remember, when reporting a sighting to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting. To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca ****************************************************************************** Sunday May 20, 2012: The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with misty rain all morning. We saw an American Robin on the nest. A pair of Downy Woodpecker’s were going into a nest cavity on a snag just off the trail. An Anna’s Hummingbird was sitting on a nest and were observed a Bushtit’s sock nest and watched as Bushtits flew in and out. Nesting time is here!! We spotted a Virginia Rail make a quick appearance from the reeds of the Marsh.***************************************************************************** Twenty birders saw and heard the following forty-six species: Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Virginia Rail, Killdeer, California Quail, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Eurasian-collared Dove, Rock Pigeon, Bushtit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren, Great Blue Heron, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch and House Sparrow ****************************************************************************** Saturday May 19: A Barred owl was spotted at the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. *************************************************************************** Thursday May 17: “Rare bird alert-Western Kingbird” A Western Kingbird was seen perched on a fence near South Road & Peterson Road on Gabriola Island. **************************************************************************************** A Bullock's Oriole was seen in a back garden in Ladysmith. *************************************************************** Tuesday, May 15: A special goodbye to Marion and Peter Coxon, who after spending five months on the Island, have returned to Australia. It has been been memorable having you spent time with us and a pleasure visiting and birding with you. **************************************************************************** The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was mostly sunny with a brisk wind. We heard and then saw a first of the year Yellow Warbler just off the trail. There were several Orange-crowned Warblers singing from perches in the low bushes. We had great views of three Semipalmated Plovers feeding on the low tide mud flats with a Killdeer. The male Common Mergansers were in stunning breeding plumage as they raced up the river just in front of us. A Northern Rough-winged Swallow put in a brief appearance over the river. *********************************************************************** Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-species: Canada Geese, Brant, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Bald Eagle, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Eurasian-collared Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird and American Goldfinch. Caspian Terns were seen and photographed at Kye Bay in Comox. ************************************************************************************ Arrowsmith Naturalists meet Monday, May 28th, 7.30pm at Springwood School. We will hear speakers from the Nile Creek Enhancement Society talk about their work. Everyone welcome. ********************************************************************************** Nanoose Naturalists Meeting Thursday, June 14th at 5:30 pm Summer picnic BBQ for members at the home of Tony and Jenny Ransom. ************************************************************************************* 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 22, 2012 will be going to the Lot Ten north of Qualicum Beach. We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at end of Kinkade Road (on the mountain side of highway 19a) at about 9:20.a.m.****************************************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday May 27, 2012 will be going to Morden Provincial Park in south Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area at Morden Provincial Park off Morden Road in south Nanaimo at about 9:30 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 15,2012

Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo. **************************************************************************************** A special goodbye to Marion and Peter Coxon, who after spending five months on the Island have returned to Australia. It has been been memorable having you spent time with us and a pleasure visiting and birding with you. ************************************************************************************** The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The morning was mostly sunny with a brisk wind. We heard and then saw a first of the year Yellow Warbler just off the trail. There were several Orange-crowned Warblers singing from perches in the low bushes. We had great views of three Semipalmated Plovers feeding on the low tide mud flats with a Killdeer. The male Common Mergansers were in stunning breeding plumage as they raced up the river just in front of us. A Northern Rough-winged Swallow put in a brief appearance over the river. ******************************************************************************* Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-species: Canada Goose Brant Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Pacific Loon Bald Eagle Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Mew Gull California Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Pigeon Guillemot Eurasian-collared Dove Rufous Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Warbling Vireo Northwestern Crow Common Raven Violet-green Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Chestnut-backed Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Bewick's Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin European Starling Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow Warbler Wilson's Warbler Spotted Towhee Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Brown-headed Cowbird American Goldfinch ******************************************************************************* Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, May 13, 2012

Barred 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 May 13, 2012: The Sunday bird walk went to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. The morning was sunny and warm. We heard a Northern Mockingbird not far from the river. We had great looks at a Barred Owl that was being mobbed by American Robins, a Red-breasted Sapsucker and even an Anna’s Hummingbird. Fourteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-one species: Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Barred Owl, Anna’s Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, California Quail, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Eurasian-collared Dove, Bushtit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick’s Wren, Pacific Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Mockingbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, and House Sparrow. *********************************************************************** Friday, May 11: A Black-headed Grosbeak and two Evening Grosbeaks were feeding at bird feeders in the 100 block of Meridian Way in Parksville. ************************************************************************* Thursday, May 10: A Western Tanager was seen at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo. ************************************************************************** “Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird “ A Northern Mockingbird was seen at the end of Sunderland Avenue (off Townsite Road) near the Millstone River just at the edge of the trees. This is at the edge of Bowen Park in Nanaimo. **************************************************************************** Wednesday, May 09: A bBlack-headed Grosbeak was seen along Mountain Road in Duncan. ************************************************************************* Tuesday, May 08: The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning was cloudy but warm with calm wind. The bird of the morning was the many Chipping Sparrows we saw and heard. We also saw and heard male Rufous Hummingbirds throughout the morning, with two males doing their courting dive. The Warbling Vireos were singing most of the morning and we had the good fortune to see them high in the Alder trees. Twenty birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species: Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow,White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch and American Goldfinch. ************************************************************************************ Arrowsmith Naturalists meet Monday, May 28th, 7.30pm at Springwood School. We will hear speakers from the Nile Creek Enhancement Society talk about their work. Everyone welcome. ********************************************************************************** Nanoose Naturalists Meeting.Thursday, June 11th 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 May 15, 2012 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:10.a.m. *************************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday May 20, 2012 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area off Bowen Road at Buttertubs Marsh 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

WILSON'S PHALAROPE

Rod Hall called to let us know that he has seen a Wilson's Phalarope at Panama Flats Saanach today Saturday May 12. Good birding.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK / WESTERN TANAGER

This week we have recieved a few reports of Black-headed Grosbeaks by Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary, Rocky Point and upper Lantzville. Also our first report of a Western Tanager that was seen Thursday May 10 a the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo. Good birding.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach,Tuesday bird walk, May 08, 2012

Chipping Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo: ********************************************************* The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning was cloudy but warm with calm wind. The bird of the morning was the many Chipping Sparrows we saw and heard. We also saw and heard male Rufous Hummingbirds throughout the morning, with two males doing their courting dive. The Warbling Vireos were singing most of the morning and we had the good fortune to see them high in the Alder trees. ********************************************************* Twenty birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species: Canada Goose Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Killdeer Rufous Hummingbird Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Pacific-slope Flycatcher Warbling Vireo Northwestern Crow Common Raven Violet-green Swallow Chestnut-backed Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Bewick's Wren Pacific Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin Varied Thrush European Starling Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Spotted Towhee Chipping Sparrow Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Brown-headed Cowbird Purple Finch American Goldfinch ********************************************************* Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia

Bohemain Waxwing-Keith MacDonald Photo

Bohemain Waxwing-Keith MacDonald Photo:

Nanaimo bird report, May 06, 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 May 06, 2012: The Sunday bird walk went to Legacy Marsh in Upper Lantzville. The morning was sunny and warm. We watched as a House Wren was building a nest in a tall snag. A Golden Eagle was soaring very high up in the sky with a Bald Eagle. A Warbling Vireo was singing from a perch near the trail giving us great looks. We spotted our first of the year Wilson’s Warbler just off the road. Twenty-eight birders saw and heard the following forty-one species: Canada Geese, Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, California Quail, Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Band-tailed Pigeon, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Marsh Wren, House Wren, Pacific Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling, Warbling Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Black Throated-grey Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s Warbler, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, and Dark-eyed Junco. Friday May 04: A large flock of Bohemian Waxwings were seen at Brookwood Marsh near the kid’s park in north Nanaimo. Thursday, May 03: An Orange-crowned Warbler was seen in the 500 block of Glenayr Crescent in Nanaimo. A large flock of Evening Grosbeaks are back at feeders in the Cinnabar Valley. “Rare Bird Alert- Northern Mockingbird “A Northern Mockingbird was seen at the end of Sunderland Avenue (off Townsite Road) near the Millstone River just at the edge of the trees. This is at the edge of Bowen Park in Nanaimo. Tuesday, May 01: The Tuesday bird walk went to Moorcroft Regional Park in Nanoose Bay. The morning was filled with a mix of clouds, sunshine, wind and rain--a typical spring morning! We were fascinated as we watched a female Downy Woodpecker excavating a nest hole in a snag and a little later as the male Downy took over the task while the female hunted for insects. We saw a Hutton's Vireo and a Hammond's Flycatcher and heard a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, a Warbling Vireo and a Cassin's Vireo singing as we walked the trails. We searched the big leaf Maple Trees and found Orange-crowned Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers and Townsend's Warblers feeding on insects high up the trees. Twenty-six birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species of birds:Wood Duck, Harlequin Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch. Anna’s Hummingbirds, Rufous Hummingbirds, White- crowned and Gold-crowned, Sparrows, House Sparrows and a pair of Savannah Sparrows. American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Brewers Blackbirds, California Quail, and a Wilson’s Warbler were seen in a yard along on Foxtail Avenue in Parksville. ********************************************************* 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 the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at parking lot along Industrial Way near Tuan Road at about 9:10.a.m. *************************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday May 13, 2012 will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot in front of the Bowling Green at Bowen Park 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

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was seen on Thursday May 3 at the end of Sunderland ave (off Townsite road)by the Millstone River. it was seen working in the edge of the trees. This is also the border of Bowen Park.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 01, 2012

Warbling Vireo: Ralph Hocken Photo. The Tuesday bird walk went to Moorcroft Regional Park in Nanoose Bay. The morning was filled with a mix of clouds, sunshine, wind and rain--a typical spring morning! We were fascinated as we watched a female Downy Woodpecker excavating a nest hole in a snag and a little later as the male Downy took over the task while the female hunted for insects. We saw a Hutton's Vireo and a Hammond's Flycatcher and heard a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, a Warbling Vireo and a Cassin's Vireo singing as we walked the trails. We searched the big leaf Maple Trees and found Orange-crowned Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers and Townsend's Warblers feeding on insects high up the trees. Twenty-six birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species of birds: Wood Duck Harlequin Duck Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Common Loon Pelagic Cormorant Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Black Oystercatcher Mew Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Common Murre Anna's Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Red-breasted Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Pacific-slope Flycatcher Hammond's Flycatcher Cassin's Vireo Hutton's Vireo Warbling Vireo Northwestern Crow Common Raven Violet-green Swallow Chestnut-backed Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Pacific Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush American Robin European Starling Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Townsend's Warbler Spotted Towhee Chipping Sparrow Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Purple Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia