Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk

                           Short-eared Owl: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road side in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with fog but the winds were calm. The bird of the morning was the sighting of a Short-eared Owl perched on a big log in the meadow, giving us great views through the spotting scopes. The Owl stayed in one spot for about thirty minutes, only turning it’s head to look at us and check for prey. Twenty-five Trumpeter Swans flew over heading east. Two Snow Geese were following three Trumpeter Swans heading down the Island. A flock of forty Greater White-fronted Geese flew low overhead going towards Victoria. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched atop a conifer tree at the point at the Surfside R.V. Resort. We saw four Pileated Woodpeckers throughout the morning. One female and three male Eurasian Widgeon were feeding in with the American Widgeon on the tideline. A pair of Common Goldeneye and several Long-tailed Ducks were seen further offshore. It was a great morning for birds!

Eleven birders saw and heard the following sixty species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Geese

Snow Geese

Greater White-fronted Geese
Eurasian Widgeon
American Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Doubled-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Short-eared Owl

Dunlin

Killdeer

Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Red-breasted Sapsucker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Shrike

Steller’s Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Brown Creeper
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Townsend's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

The Tuesday bird walk on November 06 will be going to Deep Bay.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, october 28, 2012

                    Northern Harrier: 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, October 28, 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and quite cool. The highlights included seeing a Merlin catch a Pine Siskin and then perch with his catch high up on conifer tree. We spotted two Northern Harriers perched on huge roots on the estuary.  There were Bushtits, Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the bushes close to the trail.

Sixteen birders including two visiting birders from Australia saw and heard the following fifty-six species: American Widgeon, Eurasian Widgeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser , Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Northern Harrier, Dunlin, Killdeer, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Marbled Murrelet,  Anna's Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pacific Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Bushtit, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,  Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin,  European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin. 

 

Saturday, October 27:

Six Yellow-rumped Warblers and an American Coot were seen at the Morningstar Ponds at French Creek. 

Friday, October 26

A Peregrine Falcon was spotted hunting near Old Victoria Road and Prideaux Street in Nanaimo. 

Thursday, October 25:

A Great Horned Owl was spotted along Morrell Circle in Nanaimo. 

Six Trumpeter Swans were seen above Cottonwood Golf Course in south Nanaimo. 

Wednesday, October 24:

Five Snow Geese were seen above Diver’s Lake in Nanaimo. 

One Snow Goose was spotted flying over highway 19a and Bowen Road in Nanaimo. 

Tuesday, October 23:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning started out cloudy with some sunshine but finished with a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia. We saw many small flocks of Common Murre, Bufflehead, and Common Golden-eye, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, White - winged Scoter, Black Scoter and Long - tailed Ducks heading down the Strait of Georgia just over the water. Flocks of American Widgeon, Mallards, Common Mergansers and Red-breasted Mergansers flew down the Strait in larger numbers.

Eighteen Black Oystercatchers were feeding along the shoreline. We spotted Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes and Western Grebes on the water not far from shore. 

Seven birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:

Canada Geese, American Widgeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Bufflehead, Common Golden-eye, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter,
White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Common Murre, Double-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Back-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling,
Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and House Finch.

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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. *************************************************************************************
The Tuesday bird walk on October 30, 2012 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of Highway 19A at about 9:10 A.M.

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The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday November 04, 2012 will going to the Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Buttertubs Marsh off Bowen Road at about 9:15 A.M.

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Christmas Bird Count—Parksville/Qualicum Beach, December 16, 2012.

Contact Sandra Gray at saninerr@shaw.ca or phone 250-248-5565

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Christmas Bird Count----Nanaimo, December 30, 2012

Contact Ryan Cathers at ryancathers@yahoo.com or phone 250-714-3947.

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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, October 23, 2012

          Common Golden-eye: Ralph Hocken Photo.


The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning started out cloudy with some sunshine but finished with a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia. We saw many small flocks of Common Murre, Bufflehead, Common Golden-eye, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter and Long-tailed Ducks heading down the Strait of Georgia just over the water.

Flocks of American Widgeon, Mallards, Common Mergansers and Red-breasted Mergansers flew down the Strait in larger numbers.

Eighteen Black Oystercatchers were feeding along the shoreline.

We spotted Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes and Western Grebes on the water not far from shore.

Seven birders saw and heard the following forty-one species:

Canada Geese
American Widgeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck

Bufflehead

Common Golden-eye

Northern Pintail
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe

Common Murre
Double-crested Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull

Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow

Common Raven
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch

The Tuesday bird walk on October 30 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, October 21, 2012

 

 

                                                      Red-tailed hawk; 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, October 21, 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay.  The morning was sunny with cloudy periods but finished with a cold strong wind off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing a Red-tailed Hawk perched on a tall snag. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched on a fence post not from us, giving us great looks for about ten minutes.  At one point  it flew from the perch only to return with prey.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species:
Canada Geese,  Mallard,  American Widgeon,  Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal,  Surf Scoter,  White-winged Scoter,  Black Scoter, Common Merganser, Common Loon,  Pacific Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe,  Double-crested Cormorant,  Pelagic Cormorant,  Great Blue Heron,  Greater Yellowlegs, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon,  Northern Shrike,   Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher,  Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtits, Northwestern Crow,   American Robin,  European Starling,  Song Sparrow,  Golden-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee,  Purple Finch,  Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and American Goldfinch.

Friday, October 19:
Four Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on the Nanaimo Golf Course in Nanaimo
Five Greater White-fronted Geese were seen at the Gabriola Golf Course on Gabriola Island.

Tuesday, October 16:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning started and ended sunny and warm with clouds and wind greeting us midmorning.  The highlights included seeing six Western Grebe not far off shores. We saw several Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, Pacific Loons and Common Loons on the open water.  One lone Long-tailed Duck flew low over the water heading up the Strait of Georgia.  We spotted a Northern Shrike perched on a post on the estuary.
Thirteen birders including a visiting birder from the United Kingdom saw and heard the following forty-six species.
Canada Geese, Mute Swan, American Widgeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter,
Black Scoter , Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Northern Shrike, Bald Eagle,
Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Western Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,
Belted Kingfisher , Northern Flicker, European Starling, American Robin,
Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Song Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird,
House Finch, Purple Finch

Monday, October 15:
Two Snow Geese, twenty-four Canada Geese, four Cackling Geese, one Muscovy Duck, dozens of American Widgeon, several Mallards, five Northern Shoveler, lots of Northern Pintail, a male and female Redhead, twelve Yellow-rumped Warblers, two Steller's Jays and a Peregrine Falcon were seen at the Morningstar Ponds in French Creek.

Sunday, October 07:
A Palm Warbler was seen in with Yellow-rumped Warblers near the point at Deep Bay.
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Monday, October 22nd: Arrowsmith Naturalists meet at Knox United Church at 7.30pm in Parksville. Speaker - Terry Thormin photographer and naturalist retired from 23 years at the Royal Alberta Museum where he curated the entomology collection.
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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. *************************************************************************************
The Tuesday bird walk on October 23, 2012 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 parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. in Columbia Beach turn unto Columbia drive from Highway 19A just north of the French Creek Bridge.
*************************************************************************************The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday October 28, 2012 will going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive in Parksville 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, October 16, 2012

           Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning started and ended sunny and warm with clouds and wind greeting us midmorning. The highlights included seeing six Western Grebe not far off shore. We saw several Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, Pacific Loons and Common Loons on the open water. One lone Long-tailed Duck flew low over the water heading up the Strait of Georgia. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched on a post on the estuary.

Thirteen birders including a visiting birder from the United Kingdom saw and heard the following forty-six species.

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
American Widgeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Northern Pintail
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe

Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron

Northern Shrike
Bald Eagle
Dunlin
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Western Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker

European Starling

American Robin
Northwestern Crow

Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Song Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

The Tuesday bird walk will be going to Columbia Beach on October 23, 2012.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

Sightings at Morningstar Ponds, October 15, 2012

                               Redhead: John Purves Photo.

 

Two Snow Geese, four Cackling Geese, one Muscovy Duck, dozens of American Widgeon, several Mallards, five Northern Shovelers, lots of

Northern Pintail, a male and female Redheads, twelve Yellow-rumped Warblers, two Steller's Jays and a Peregrine Falcon were seen at the Morningstar Ponds in French Creek.

Nanaimo bird report, October 14, 2012

                                          Baird's Sandpiper: Ralph Hocken Photo.

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT -----” GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”
Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday, October 14, 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay.  It was a short walk with two birders getting quite wet!   We will go to Nanoose Bay again next week, weather permitting.
Two birders saw and heard the following twenty-three species
Canada Geese,  Mallard,  American Widgeon,  Northern Pintail,  Green-winged Teal, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle,  Merlin,  Red-Tailed Hawk,  Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northwestern Crow,  Common Raven,  American Robin,  European Starling,  Savannah Sparrow,  Song Sparrow,  Fox Sparrow,  Golden-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Purple Finch and Dark-eyed Junco.

Friday, October 12:
An American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee and Canada Geese were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Greater White-fronted Geese were seen at the Gabriola Golf Course on Gabriola Island.

Thursday, October 11:
An American Golden Plover was seen feeding at the Pebble Beach Ponds on Columbia Beach.

Tuesday, October 09:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool but as the morning progressed it became sunny and warm. The highlights included seeing hundreds of American Robins with some Varied Thrush throughout the morning. Over twenty-five Killdeer were on the mudflats along with a Baird’s Sandpiper and one Western Sandpiper. One lone Greater White-fronted Goose flew overhead and disappeared heading south. We spotted a Eurasian Widgeon in with a flock of American Widgeon. A Northern Harrier flew low over the estuary hunting for prey. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched high on top of a Conifer Tree next to the road. Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer’s Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls were on the gravel bar just off shore on the Strait of Georgia. We spotted an adult nonbreeding Pigeon Guillemot along with several Pacific Loons and a raft of Harlequin Ducks and Surf Scoters on the Strait.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following sixty-one species:
Canada Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, American Widgeon, Eurasian Widgeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Pied-bill Grebe, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron,
Bald Eagle, Merlin, Northern Harrier, Northern Shrike, Baird’s Sandpiper, Killdeer, Western Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer’s Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Belted Kingfisher,Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Twelve Cedar Waxwings were seen eating berries on a Mountain Ash Tree in the 2700 block of Neyland Road in Nanaimo.

Monday, October 08:
An American Kestrel was spotted at Beachcomber Park overlooking Northwest Bay, just south of Cottam Point in Nanoose Bay.
 ************************************************************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 a.m. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community Park at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area. *************************************************************************************
The Tuesday bird walk on October 16, 2012 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the viewing platform along Highway 19a and Garnett Road at about 9:20 am.
*************************************************************************************The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday October 21, 2012 will again be going to Nanoose Bay.   We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the beach near the Church Camp off Highway 19 and Arlington Road at about 9:15 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
*********************************************************

American Golden Plover

                           American Golden Plover: Ralph Hocken Photo.

An American Golden Plover flew into the ponds near the Pebble Townhouses in Columnia Beach. Giving us close good looks at the Plover.

Good birding
Neil & Marilynne Robins
Parksville
British Columbia

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, October 09, 2012

Northern Shrike: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool but as the morning progressed it became sunny and warm. The highlights included seeing hundreds of American Robins with some Varied Thrush throughout the morning. Over twenty-five Killdeer were on the mudflats along with a Baird’s Sandpiper and one Western Sandpiper. One lone Greater White-fronted Goose flew overhead and disappeared heading south. We spotted an Eurasian Widgeon in with a flock of American Widgeon. A Northern Harrier flew low over the estuary hunting for prey. We spotted a Northern Shrike perched high on top of a Conifer Tree next to the road. Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gulls, California Gulls, Thayer’s Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls were on the gravel bar just off shore on the Strait of Georgia. We spotted an adult nonbreeding Pigeon Guillemot along with several Pacific Loons and a raft of Harlequin Ducks and Surf Scoters on the Strait.

Eighteen birders saw and heard the following sixty-two species:
Canada Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose
American Widgeon

Eurasian Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal

Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter

Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Pied-bill Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe

Western Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Merlin

Northern Harrier

Northern Shrike
Baird’s Sandpiper
Killdeer
Western Sandpiper

Greater Yellowlegs
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull

Thayer’s Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Pigeon Guillemot
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker

Steller’s Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow
Brewer's Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird

Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
 

The Tuesday bird walk on October 16, will go to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. Meet at the Viewing Platform in north Qualicum Beach at 9:00 A.M.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, October 07, 2012

                                              Black Oystercatchers: Ralph Hocken Photo.


NANAIMO BIRD REPORT -----” GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”
Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca

Sunday, October 07, 2012:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning
was sunny with a hint of autumn in the air.  Among the highlights was forty-five Black Oystercatchers and twenty Black Turnstones resting on the large rocks just offshore until a Bald Eagle flew over.  The Oystercatchers left and headed down the Strait of Georgia.
Eighteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-five species:
Canada Geese, Mallard,  Harlequin Duck,  Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter,  Common Mergansers, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe,  Common Loon,  Pacific Loon,  Double-crested Cormorant,  Pelagic Cormorant,  Great Blue Heron,  Spotted Sandpiper,  Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstones,  Bald Eagle,  Merlin, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk,  Mew Gull,  California Gull,  Thayer’s Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Western Gull,  Bonaparte's Gull,  Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Northwestern Crow,  Common Raven, European Starling,  Anna’s Hummingbird,  Belted Kingfisher, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren,  Brown Creeper,  Chestnut-backed Chickadee,  Golden-crowned Kinglet,  American Robin, Varied Thrush,  Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee,  White-crowned Sparrow,  Song Sparrow,  House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.
Saturday, October 06:
A Barred Owl was in the trees on the left hand side of the trail leading back from Sunset Beach to the Neck Point Park parking lot in Nanaimo ( where the first trail goes off to the left).
Two Cackling Geese were in with a flock of Canada Geese at the Morningstar ponds at French Creek.

Friday October 05:
A Snow Goose  and Yellow-Rumped Warblers were spotted at the Morningstar Ponds in French Creek.

Monday, October 01:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe,
Clark's Grebe, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Belted Kingfisher  were seen offshore at the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
A  Bald Eagle, Killdeer, two Pectoral Sandpipers were seen at Holden Creek in south Nanaimo.

Long-billed Dowitcher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, European Starling, Savannah Sparrow and Song Sparrow were seen along the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

Tuesday, October 02:
 The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny with a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia. The surf was up and fiercely pounding the shore. The highlights included seeing several Pacific Loons in the waves with Double-crested Cormorants and Pelagic Cormorants flying up the Strait. We spotted Golden-crowned Kinglets in with the Chestnut-backed Chickadees feeding in the high trees.
Ten birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Mergansers, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer’s Gull,
Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Anna’s Hummingbird, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper,
Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin,
European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco,
House Finch.
 Two Redheads, a large flock of Ring-necked Ducks and two Gadwalls were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Wednesday, October 03: Eighteen California Quail were spotted walking along the 2800 block of Skrimshire Road in Shawnigan Lake.
Thursday, October 04:
Steller's Jays were back late last week and the Varied Thrush arrived en masse along Colbourne Drive in Nanaimo
A report from the Biological Station along Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo:
The twelve Eurasian Collared-Dove population continues to grow and Ruby-Crowned Kinglets have arrived and are calling and singing.  An  Anna's Hummingbird male goes into display dives any time a ray of sunshine hits his sentry perch next to the feeder that he jealously guards. ************************************************************************
Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 a.m. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community Park at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area. *************************************************************************************
The Tuesday bird walk on October 09, 2012 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 corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood  Drive  at about 9:10 am.
*************************************************************************************The Sunday Bird Walk on Sunday October 14, 2012 will be going to the Nanoose Bay. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or the parking area behind the Church Camp off highway 19 and Arlington Road at about 9:15 a.m.
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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
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Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk

 

Golden-crowned Kinglet: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny with a strong biting wind off the Strait of Georgia. The surf was up and fiercely pounding the shore. The highlights included seeing several Pacific Loons in the waves with Double-crested Cormorants and Pelagic Cormorants flying up the Strait. We spotted Golden-crowned Kinglets in with the Chestnut-backed Chickadees feeding in the high trees.

Ten birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Common Mergansers

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Bonaparte's Gull

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Herring Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Anna’s Hummingbird

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick's Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

 

The Tuesday bird walk on October 09 will be going to Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia