:Rare Bird Alert Arctic Loon:

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary and found an Arctic Loon.
“ Rare Bird Alert Arctic Loon”----- We found an Arctic Loon feeding near the far shore at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River. We watched the Loon for thirty minutes (11:20 until 11:50 a.m.) through our scopes. The adult, non-breeding Loon displayed a dark nape with white cheeks, and extensive bright white tuft along its flank. The Arctic Loon was smaller than the Common Loon that swam near it. We used The Sibley Guide to Birds, page 24, first edition, published October 2000 to confirm the identification of the Arctic Loon.

Parksville/ Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, January 29, 2013

    

Black Scoter: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy but quite warm. The highlights included seeing five Long-tailed Ducks, hundreds of Red-necked Grebes and many Horned Grebes off shore from the viewing platform off Highway 19A. A large flock of Black Scoters were seen not far from shore at the estuary. Further off shore there were thousands of Common Murre on the water.

“ Rare Bird Alert Arctic Loon”----- We found an Arctic Loon feeding near the far shore at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River. We watched the Loon for thirty minutes (11:20 until 11:50 a.m.) through our scopes. The adult, non-breeding Loon displayed a dark nape with white cheeks, and extensive bright white tuft along its flank. The Arctic Loon was smaller than the Common Loon that swam near it. We used The Sibley Guide to Birds, page 24, first edition, published October 2000 to confirm the identification of the Arctic Loon.

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species:

Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Mallard

American Widgeon

Eurasian Widgeon

Green-winged Teal
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead

Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon

Arctic Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
California Gull
Western Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Common Murre
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow

Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee

European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
House Sparrow

The next Tuesday bird walk on February 05, 2013 will be going to Deep Bay.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, January 27, 2013

                                           Merlin: Ralph Hocken photo.



NANAIMO BIRD REPORT -----” GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”
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.
Sunday, January 27, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with misty rain.  The several highlights of the morning included seeing a Red-tailed Hawk perched high up in a tree checking out the birders below. A Merlin was perched high above us feeding on a Pine Siskin when a Bald Eagle came along and chased the Merlin away.  The Merlin returned and chased the Eagle.  A Sharp-shinned Hawk joined the chase and the Eagle quickly left.  It was a frenzy of activity to finish a great walk.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-three species:, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Hooded  Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Northern Shrike, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Marbled Murrelet, Common Murre, Ringed-neck Pheasant, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird,  European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Evening Grosbeak, Brewer’s Blackbird, Pine Siskin, House Finch, Purple Finch and Red Crossbill.


RARE BIRD ALERT-RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL”
13 Jan - 25 Jan -- RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL
in New Westminster!
A first-winter Red-flanked Bluetail is currently showing well in Queens Park, New Westminster. (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=209184547269960571857.0004d346cbbf81bb15d10&msa=0&ll=49.216111,-122.907829&spn=0.014997,0.042272).
From the main parking lot, walk 1 minute north towards the playground where the bird was seen feeding around the picnic tables and the base of conifers as of January 25.

Thursday, January 24:
A Townsend’s Warbler was spotted in a backyard in the Eaglecrest area of Qualicum Beach.

Tuesday, January 22:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with sight breeze off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing a mixed flock of Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets feeding low in bushes next to the trail. We saw large numbers of Common Murre and one Rhinoceros Auklet on the Strait. The species of the morning was the sighting of three
Pine Grosbeaks ( russet variant) feeding on Hawthorn berries in the bushes not far from the viewing platform along the trail.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Brant, American Widgeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Gadwall
Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Gadwall, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Rhinoceros Auklet, Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Black Turnstone, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Eurasian Collared Dove, Anna’s Hummingbird, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Pine Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.


 Sunday, January 27:
Evening Grosbeaks were seen in the 800 block of Douglas Avenue in Nanaimo.

Sunday, January 13:
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail”
The Citrine Wagtail was heard today in Courtenay.
Directions to specific location: From Courtenay, cross the 17th St. Bridge (Courtenay River). Turn right onto Comox Road (Dyke Rd) until the Pumping Station on the right hand side of the road. There is a dirt road across the road with a For Sale sign on the left. Walk up the dirt road towards the steel chain blocking vehicle access. The Wagtail has been observed next to the dirt road, at the furthest brush pile.
Eight Evening grosbeaks and a Townsend’s Warbler were seen visiting a backyard in Chartwell area of Qualicum Beach.
Two Evening Grosbeaks visited a backyard feeder in the 800 block of Patrick Drive in French Creek.
**************************************************************************

Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting---Monday, January 28th Arrowsmith Naturalists meet at Knox United Church in Parksville at 7.30pm. Members Night - we share our photos. Bring your favorites and an item for the raffle. More info 250-752-7588

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 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lion’s Playground at 9:00, p.m. or at the viewing platform near Garrett Road. at about 9:10 a.m.
*************************************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 03, 2013, will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Neck Point off Hammond Bay 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, January 22, 2013

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 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 with sight breeze off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing a mixed flock of Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets feeding low in bushes next to the trail. We saw large numbers of Common Murre and one Rhinoceros Auklet on the Strait. The species of the morning was the sighting of three Pine Grosbeaks ( russet variant) feeding on Hawthorn berries in the bushes not far from the viewing platform along the trail.

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose Brant American Wigeon Mallard Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Harlequin Duck Gadwall Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Pacific Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Pelagic Cormorant Belted Kingfisher Great Blue Heron Bald Eagle Mew Gull Thayer's Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Common Murre Rhinoceros Auklet Black-bellied Plover Dunlin Black Turnstone Northern Flicker Steller’s Jay Northwestern Crow Common Raven Eurasian Collared Dove Anna’s Hummingbird Chestnut-backed Chickadee Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin Varied Thrush European Starling Pine Grosbeak Spotted Towhee Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Red Crossbill Purple Finch Pine Siskin thebirdstore.blogspot.com thebackyard@shaw.ca  Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia

 

 

Nanaimo bird report, January 20, 2013

 

 

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT -----” GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

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.

Sunday, January 20, 2013:

The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary. The morning was foggy and quite cool. The bird of the day was the sighting of two Short-eared Owls, as they perched giving us great views and then flew low over the Estuary hunting prey.  A Northern Harrier also flew low over the grass hunting.

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

Trumpeter Swan,  Mallard,  Northern Pintail,  Green-winged Teal,  American Widgeon,  Bufflehead,  Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser,  Common Merganser, Doubled-crested Cormorant, Great-blue Heron, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Bald Eagle,  Northern Harrier,  Red-tailed Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Northern Shrike, Thayer’s Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,  Mew Gull,  Belted Kingfisher,  Northern Flicker,  Northwestern Crow,  Common Raven,  Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet,   Eurasian Starling, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee,  Song Sparrow,  Dark-eyed Junco,  Fox Sparrow,  Golden-crowned Sparrow, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.

 

Rare bird alert-Red-flanked Bluetail”

13 Jan - 20 Jan -- RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL in New Westminister!

A first-winter Red-flanked Bluetail is currently showing well in Queens Park, New Westminster. (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=209184547269960571857.0004d346cbbf81bb15d10&msa=0&ll=49.216111,-122.907829&spn=0.014997,0.042272).
From the main parking lot, walk 1 minute north towards the playground where the bird was seen feeding around the picnic tables and the base of conifers as of January 20.

A Eurasian-collared Dove was seen in a yard near Diver Lake in Nanaimo. 

 

Friday, January 18:

An Orange-crowned Warbler was visiting a backyard at Wildwood Avenue and Dearborn Place in Nanaimo. 

Tuesday, January 15:

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy but quite warm. The highlights included seeing twenty Brant racing down the Strait of Georgia. We saw a Northern Shrike at six different perches throughout the morning. A Varied Thrush gave great views as it perched for a long time quite close to us.

 

Fourteen birders including visiting birders from Chicago and Belgium saw and heard the following fifty-four species:

Brant, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Herring Gull, Common Murre, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, California Quail, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, House Finch and Red Crossbill. 

Fifteen Pine Grosbeaks were seen at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. 

Twelve Evening Grosbeaks were seen in the 700 block of Kasba circle in Parksville.  

Monday, January 14:

 Fifty American Widgeons were seen on the grass at the Kin Hut, Departure Bay in Nanaimo.  

A Barred Owl was seen being mobbed by an Anna’s Hummingbird along Quilchenia Crescent in Nanaimo. 

Sunday, January 13:
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail”
The Citrine Wagtail is still being seen in Courtenay.
Directions to specific location: From Courtenay, cross the 17th St. Bridge (Courtenay River). Turn right onto Comox Road (Dyke Rd) until the Pumping Station on the right hand side of the road. There is a dirt road across the road with a For Sale sign on the left. Walk up the dirt road towards the steel chain blocking vehicle access. The Wagtail has been observed next to the dirt road, at the furthest brush pile.  

Eight Evening grosbeaks and a Townsend’s Warbler were seen visiting a backyard in Chartwell area of Qualicum Beach.  

Two Evening Grosbeaks visited a backyard feeder in the 800 block of Patrick Drive in French Creek.

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

Arrowsmith Naturalists meeting---Monday, January 28th Arrowsmith Naturalists meet at Knox United Church in Parksville at 7.30pm.  Members Night - we share our photos.  Bring your favorites and an item for the raffle.  More info 250-752-7588

*************************************************************************************
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 will be going to Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville on Tuesday, January 22, 2013. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lion’s Playground at 9:00, p.m. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive on the ocean side of Highway 19A. at about 9:10 a.m.

*************************************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on January 27, 2013, will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of highway 19a 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

 

Birds at risk!---Check this out…

http://www.straight.com/news/342221/anne-murray-enbridge-pipeline-threat-important-marine-birds-bc?qt-article-tabs=0#qt-article-tabs

 

 

 

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

 

"RARE BIRD-Red-flanked Bluetail"

Rare bird alert”

13 Jan - 17 Jan -- RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL in Vancouver!

A first-winter Red-flanked Bluetail is currently showing well in Queens Park, New Westminster, Vancouver (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=209184547269960571857.0004d346cbbf81bb15d10&msa=0&ll=49.216111,-122.907829&spn=0.014997,0.042272).
From the main parking lot, walk 1 minute north towards the playground where the bird was seen feeding around the picnic tables and the base of conifers as of 8 am on January 16.

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, January 15,,2013

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy but quite warm. The highlights included seeing twenty Brant racing down the Strait of Georgia. We saw a Northern Shrike at six different perches through out the morning. A Varied Thrush gave great views as it perched for a long time quite close to us.

Fourteen birders including visiting birders from Chicago and Belgium saw and heard the following fifty-four species:

Brant

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Greater Scaup

Green-winged Teal

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Northern Shrike

Mew Gull

Thayer's Gull

Western Gull

Herring Gull

Common Murre

Black-bellied Plover

Black Turnstone

California Quail

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bewick's Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Belted Kingfisher

Anna’s Hummingbird

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Pine Siskin

Common Redpoll

House Finch

Red Crossbill

 

The Tuesday bird walk on January 22 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. High tide is at 12:55 p.m. and is 13.5 feet.

 

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

 

P/S...

“Rare bird alert”

13 Jan - 15 Jan -- RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL in Vancouver! A first-winter Red-flanked Bluetail is currently showing well in Queens Park, New Westminster, Vancouver (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=209184547269960571857.0004d346cbbf81bb15d10&msa=0&ll=49.216111,-122.907829&spn=0.014997,0.042272).
From the main parking lot, walk 1 minute north towards the playground where the bird was seen feeding around the picnic tables and the base of conifers as of 8 am on the 15.

Nanaimo bird report, January 13, 2013

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT -----” GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

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.

Sunday, January 13, 2013:

The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. The morning was cloudy and quite cool. The highlights included seeing five Fox Sparrows near the parking area.  A large raft of Greater Scaup were seen on the opposite shore line near the wharf.  Four Trumpeter Swans were seen feeding near shore.

Six birders saw and heard the following thirty-nine species:

Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Greater Scaup, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveller,  Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Merganser, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorant,  Doubled-crested Cormorant, Black Oystercatcher, Killdeer,  Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Killdeer, Mew Gull, Thayer’s Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Downey Woodpecker, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow and Red-winged Blackbird. 

Wednesday, January 09
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail”
The Citrine Wagtail is still being seen in Courtenay.
Directions to specific location: From Courtenay, cross the 17th St. Bridge (Courtenay River). Turn right onto Comox Road (Dyke Rd) until the Pumping Station on the right hand side of the road. There is a dirt road across the road with a For Sale sign on the left. Walk up the dirt road towards the steel chain blocking vehicle access. The Wagtail has been observed next to the dirt road, at the furthest brush pile.

A Red-throated Loon was spotted in with Common Loons, Common Murre’s and Mew Gulls at Pipers Lagoon Park in central Nanaimo. 

Tuesday, January 08: 

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was wet with rain all morning and the wind was picking up at the end of the walk. Great for the hardy to be outside birding along the Strait of Georgia! The highlight of the morning was the sighting of over ten flocks of Common Murre racing just above the water with Pacific Loons down the Strait . We saw an Eurasian Widgeon in with a flock of American Widgeon on the pond near the Pebble Beach Townhouses.

Nine wet birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species:

Mallard, American Widgeon, Eurasian Widgeon, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead,
Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Murre, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe,
Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian-collared Dove, Northern Shrike, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, European Starling, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco. 

Four Evening Grosbeaks and five Black-headed Grosbeaks were seen in the eight hundred block of Douglas Avenue in Nanaimo. 

Monday, January 07:

A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen in Saltair.

*************************************************************************************
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 will be going to Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lion’s Playground at 9:00, p.m. or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of Highway 19A. at about 9:10 a.m.

*************************************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on January 20, 2013, will be going to Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the end of Raines Road at about 9:30 a.m.

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

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo B.C. V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669
Fax: 250-390-1633

 

Birds at risk!---Check this out…

http://www.straight.com/news/342221/anne-murray-enbridge-pipeline-threat-important-marine-birds-bc?qt-article-tabs=0#qt-article-tabs

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, January 08, 2013

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was wet with rain all morning and the wind was picking up at the end of the walk. Great for the hardy to be outside birding along the Strait of Georgia! The highlight of the morning was the sighting of over ten flocks of Common Murre racing just above the water with Pacific Loons down the Strait . We saw an Eurasian Widgeon in with a flock of American Widgeon on the pond near the Pebble Beach Townhouses.

Nine wet birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species:

Mallard

American Widgeon

Eurasian Widgeon

Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Murre

Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher

Black Turnstone
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian-collared Dove

Northern Shrike

Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow

European Starling
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

The Tuesday bird walk on January 15 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary Shelly Road side in Parksville.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

Nanaimo bird report, January 06, 2013

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT -----” GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

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.

Sunday, January 06, 2013:

The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and quite cool. The highlights included seeing four Varied Thrush, three Downy Woodpeckers and a Northern Shrike. Two Gadwall were seen on the marsh.

Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty species:

Canada Geese, Mallard, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Ducks, Gadwall, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Shrike, Common Merganser, Hooded Mergansers, Glaucous-winged Gull, Great Blue Heron, Anna's Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Steller’s Jay, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Marsh Wren, Bewick's Wren, Bushtit, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Pine Siskin,  Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Purple Finch and House Sparrow.

 
Thursday, January 03
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail”
The Citrine Wagtail is still being seen in Courtenay.
Directions to specific location: From Courtenay, cross the 17th St. Bridge (Courtenay River). Turn right onto Comox Road (Dyke Rd) until the Pumping Station on the right hand side of the road. There is a dirt road across the road with a For Sale sign on the left. Walk up the dirt road towards the steel chain blocking vehicle access. The Wagtail has been observed next to the dirt road, at the furthest brush pile.  

Thursday January 10, 2013
Nanoose Naturalists begin the New Year by sharing nature artifacts, photos and stories from 2012. Everyone is invited on January 10^th at 7:00 P.M. We meet at Nanoose Library Hall on NW Bay Road. nanoosenaturalists.org.
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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.
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The Tuesday bird walk will be going to Columbia Beach on Tuesday, January 08, 2013. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lion’s Playground at 9:00, p.m. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:15 a.m.

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The Sunday Bird Walk on January 13,2013, will be going to Nanoose Bay. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or behind the Church Camp off Arlington Road and Highway 19 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