Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, February 26, 2013

               California Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with strong biting winds and misty rain at the end of the walk. We saw nine Northern Flickers perched throughout the forest during the morning. A Northern Shrike put in several appearances perching in different locations after chasing prey. We spotted two California Gulls roosting on a sand bar near shore in with a huge number of Mew Gulls, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls.

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

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Bufflehead

Greater Scaup

Long-tailed Duck

Common Goldeneye

Barrow’s Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Dunlin

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Northern Shrike

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer's Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Common Murre

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet,

Belted Kingfisher

Anna’s Hummingbird

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Pine Siskin

House Finch

The Tuesday bird walk on March 05, 2013 will be going to Columbia Beach.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, February 24, 2013

      

                             Gadwall: 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, February 24, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with rain showers and a strong cold wind. The highlights included seeing Marsh Wrens and hearing a Virginia Rail. We saw Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers feeding on the trees. A flock of eight Cedar Waxwings were perched on top of a Hawthorne Bush. Pied - billed Grebes and Gadwall were spotted on the water.
Fifteen hardy birder saw and heard the following forty-two species:
Canada Goose,  Great Blue Heron, Mallard,  Bufflehead,  Gadwall,  Hooded Merganser,  Ring-necked Duck,  Pied-billed Grebe,  Wood Duck,  American Coot,  Virginia Rail, Bald Eagle,  Glaucous-winged Gull,  California Quail,  Rock Pigeon,  Eurasian-collared Dove,  Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker,  Common Raven,  Northwestern Crow,  Chestnut-backed Chickadee,   Brown Creeper,  Bewick's Wren,  Marsh Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,  Anna's Hummingbird,  American Robin,  Cedar Waxwing,  Varied Thrush, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird,  Spotted Towhee,  Song Sparrow,  Fox Sparrow,  Golden-crowned Sparrow,  House Finch,  Dark-eyed Junco,  Pine Siskins and House Sparrows.

Saturday, February 23:
Over Forty Surf Scoters were seen in Departure Bay near the Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo.

Thursday, February 21:
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail”
The Citrine Wagtail has been seen again in Courtenay on February 21.
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 Northern Shrike was seen in a backyard in the 2700 block of Neyland Road in Nanaimo.

Tuesday, February 19:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Victoria Quay and Somass Estuary in Port Alberni. The morning started out cloudy but soon turned sunny and warm. The highlight of the morning was great views of five Yellow-rumped Warblers fly catching along the Somass Estuary. A large flock of Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks were on the sewage ponds. We saw a Northern Shrike four different times during the morning. Two Western Grebe greeted us on the Alberni Inlet at the end of the walk. The Tuesday morning birders would like to say a special thanks to Sandy McRuer for guiding us--it turned out to be a marvelous morning of birding!
Seventeen birders including four birders from Port Alberni saw and heard the following fifty-three Species:
Trumpeter Swan, Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Shrike, American Coot, Virginia Rail, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Western Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.
****************************************************************
Monday, February 25:
Arrowsmith Naturalists will meet at 7.30pm at Knox United Church in Parksville.
Guest speaker will be Ramona de Graff. Her talk
"Forage Fish" All are welcome. For more info phone 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 on February 26, 2013 will be going to the Shelly 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 the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of highway 19a in Parksville at about 9:10 a.m.
.*************************************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on March 03, 2013, will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo.  We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area at end of Raines Road in 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

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, February 19, 2013

                                 

Lesser Scaup: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Victoria Quay and Somass Estuary in Port Alberni. The morning started out cloudy but soon turned sunny and warm. The highlight of the morning was great views of five Yellow-rumped Warblers flycatching along the Somass Estuary. A large flock of Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks were on the sewage ponds. We saw a Northern Shrike four different times during the morning. Two Western Grebe greeted us on the Alberni Inlet at the end of the walk.
The Tuesday morning birders would like to say a special thanks to Sandy McRuer for guiding us--it turned out to be a marvelous morning of birding!

Seventeen birders including four birders from Port Alberni saw and heard the following fifty-three Species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon

Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle

Merlin
Red-tailed Hawk

Northern Shrike
American Coot

Virginia Rail
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull

Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren

Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow

Spotted Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch

Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin

The Tuesday bird walk on February 26, 2013 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

Nanaimo bird report, February 17,. 2013

 

                                                  Turkey Vulture: 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, February 17, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. The morning was clear with calm winds. The highlights included seeing the first Turkey Vulture that the Birdwalk has seen this season soaring high up in the sky. We saw three Eurasian Widgeon on the estuary.  Large numbers of Greater Scaup, Scurf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were on the water.
Nineteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Canada Goose,  Eurasian Wigeon,  American Wigeon,  Mallard, Gadwall,  Greater Scaup,  Northern Pintail,  Green-winged Teal,  Surf Scoter,  White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead,  Common Goldeneye,  Barrow's Goldeneye,  Red-breasted Merganser, Horned Grebe,  Great Blue Heron, Steller’s Jay, Northwestern Crow, Pacific Loon,  Common Loon,  Bald Eagle,  Red-tailed Hawk,  Turkey Vulture,  Northern Shrike,  Chestnut-backed Chickadee,  Killdeer, Mew Gull, Thayer’s Gull,  California Gull,  Glaucous-winged Gull,  Downy Woodpecker,  American Robin, Varied Thrush,  Spotted Towhee,    Song Sparrow,  Red Crossbills,  House Finch,  Red-winged Blackbird and Pine Siskin.

Friday, February 15:
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail”
The Citrine Wagtail has been seen again 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.
One hundred and twenty Brant were seen at Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.
A Northern Pygmy Owl was seen in Yellow Point south of Nanaimo.

Tuesday, February 12:  Monday, February 25:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a few light showers throughout the morning. A large mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones, Dunlin and two Black Oystercatchers greeted us at the tide line as the bird walk began. The large flock lifted several times giving us great views as the huge cloud of shorebirds danced over the water. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of a Northern Goshawk that passed overhead and then disappeared into the forest. Flock after flock of Common Murre flew down the Strait of Georgia just above the water for most of the morning. Four Pine Grosbeaks were spotted feeding on the buds on an apple tree not far from the trail near the old homestead.
Fifteen birders including visiting birders from Alberta saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant,
Bald Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Black Oystercatcher, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Pacific Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Spotted Towhee, Pine Grosbeak, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco  and Pine Grosbeak.
A Turkey Vulture was seen over Turner and Uplands Road in Nanaimo.
Monday, February 11:
Twelve Cedar Waxwings were seen along the Long Lake Trail in Nanaimo.
****************************************************************
Monday, February 25:
 Arrowsmith Naturalists will meet at 7.30pm at Knox United Church in Parksville.
 Guest speaker will be Ramona de Graff.  Her talk "Forage Fish"  All are welcome. 
For more info phone 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 on February 19, 2013 will be going to Port Alberni.
We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 8:00 a.m. and drive up to Port Alberni.
Sandy McRuer will meet us at Victoria Quay in Port Alberni at 9:00 a.m.
We will go onto the Somass Estuary for the bird walk.

*************************************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 24, 2013, 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 at Buttertubs Marsh off Bowen Road in Nanaimo 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, February 12, 2013

Pine Grosbeak: John Purves Photo.

                                Pine Grosbeak: Marie Spandal

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a few light showers throughout the morning. A large mixed flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Black Turnstones, Dunlin and two Black Oystercatchers greeted us at the tide line as the birdwalk began . The large flock lifted several times giving us great views as the huge cloud of shorebirds danced over the water. The big surprise of the morning was the sighting of a Northern Goshawk that passed overhead and then disappeared into the forest. Flock after flock of Common Murre flew down the Strait of Georgia just above the water for most of the morning. Four Pine Grosbeaks were spotted feeding on the buds on an apple tree not far from the trail near the old homestead.

 

 

Fifteen birders including visiting birders from Alberta saw and heard the following thirty-five species:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Northern Goshawk

Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin

Black Oystercatcher
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Pacific Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Spotted Towhee

Pine Grosbeak
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

Pine Grosbeak
 

The next Tuesday bird walk on February 19, 2013 will be going to Port Alberni.

We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 8:00 a.m. and drive up to Port Alberni.
Sandy will meet us at Victoria Quay in Port Alberni at 9:00 a.m.
 

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

Nanaimo bird report, February 10, 2013

                                        White-winged Scoter: 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, February 10, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to Columbia Beach.  The morning was cloudy with calm winds.  We saw large numbers of Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters and one Black Scoter  and Long-tailed Duck on the Strait of Georgia.  A large number of Pacific Loons were seen further offshore.
Ten birders saw and heard the following thirty-eight species:
Canada Geese, Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe,
Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone,
Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Eurasian-collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and Pine Siskin.

Saturday February 06:
A Northern Shrike was seen in a backyard along Meridian Way in Parksville.

Tuesday, February 05:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning was cloudy with rain showers
and a strong wind off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing
Long-tailed Ducks in their usual spot just off shore at the point (we have decided to
call it the Long-tail Point). We saw and heard the Black Scoters singing through-out
the morning. Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were plenty-full on the water.
A Sharp-shinned Hawk was perched high up in a tree, giving us great views
Fourteen wet hardy birders saw and heard the following forty-five species:
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard,
Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter,
Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow’s Goldeneye,
Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe,
Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Brandt’s Cormorant, Pelagic
Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone,
Dunlin, Pigeon Guillemot, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,
Rock Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven,
Steller’s Jay, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow,
White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch
and House Finch.

We are planning to go Port Alberni on Tuesday, February 19:
Monday, February 04:
 Two winter plumage American Goldfinch were spotted at Divers Lake in Nanaimo
Friday, February 01:
Three Cackling Geese were seen at the Morningstar Ponds at French Creek.

*****************************************************************TThursday, February 14:
Everyone is invited to attend the Nanoose Naturalists’ Thursday, February 14 meeting where we will hear a presentation “Alpine Plants of BC” by Andy MacKinnon (co-author of Native Plants of BC). Arrive before 7 pm to the Nanoose Library Hall.  Admission by donation. Call Margot @ 250-468-9167.
****************************************************************************
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 Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville on Tuesday, February 12, 2013. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lion’s Playground at 9:00, p.m. or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor, at about 9:10 a.m.
*************************************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 17, 2013, will be going to Nanoose Bay.  We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area  behind the church camp off highway 19 and Arlington Road at about 9:15 A.M.

A local birder has just returned from a vacation in the Baja and has recommended the following website for some fascinating birding..
www.bcsbirds.com   Enjoy!
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, February 05, 2013

Long-tailed Ducks: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to Deep Bay. The morning was cloudy with rain showers and a strong wind off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing Long-tailed Ducks in their usual spot just off shore at the point (we have decided to call it the Long-tail Point). We saw and heard the Black Scoters singing through-out the morning. Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were plenty-full on the water. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was perched high up in a tree, giving us great views.

Fourteen wet hardy birders saw and heard the following forty-five species:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Greater Scaup

Lesser Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow’s Goldeneye

Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Brandt’s Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle

Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin

Pigeon Guillemot
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian-collared Dove
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven

Steller’s Jay
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
House Finch

The next Tuesday bird walk on February 12th will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park.

 

Long-tailed Ducks: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

PS—We are planning on going to Port Alberni on February 19:

Nanaimo bird report, February 03, 2013

 

                                Red Crossbill: 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, February 03, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy with calm winds.  We spotted a Brandt’s Cormorant on the Strait of Georgia.  A large flock of Red Crossbills flew into a tall conifer tree and started feeding on the acorns,  giving us good views of them.
Fifteen birders including visiting birders from Ontario, saw and heard the following thirty-three species:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Bufflehead, Harlequin Duck, Common Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Brandt’s Cormorant,  Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Surf Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Marbled Murrelet, Bald Eagle, Thayer’s  Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Anna’s Hummingbird, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow and  Red Crossbill.

Saturday February 02:
A Palm Warbler and a Western Meadowlark were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Wednesday, January 30:
Fifty Evening Grosbeaks were seen along Bob-O-Link Way in Nanaimo.

Tuesday, January 29:
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 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 and House Sparrow.

*****************************************************************
Thursday, February 14:
Everyone is invited to attend the Nanoose Naturalists’ Thursday, February 14 meeting where we will hear a presentation “Alpine Plants of BC” by Andy MacKinnon (co-author of Native Plants of BC).  Arrive before 7 pm to the Nanoose Library Hall.  Admission by donation.  Call Margot @ 250-468-9167.
****************************************************************************

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 Deep Bay on Tuesday, February 05, 2013. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lion’s Playground at 9:00, p.m. or at the Deep Bay Marine near the café, at about 9:35 a.m.
*************************************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on February 10, 2013, will be going to Columbia Beach. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area along Admiral Tryon Blvd.  (Turn into Columbia Beach off Highway 19A onto Columbia Drive.  Turn right onto Admiral Tryon Blvd and go about 100 yards, past the mail boxes until you come to a parking area along the beach.)
****************************************************************************************************
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