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

                  Red-tailed Hawk: John Purves Photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm with calm winds off the Strait of Georgia. Large numbers of Pine Siskins were with us throughout the morning. We saw huge flocks of Red Crossbills in the forest and huge rafts of seabirds on the Strait. A Red-tailed Hawk perched close to the trail giving us great views to finish off a perfect morning of birding. A special thanks to John Purves for leading this mornings bird walk!

Nineteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species.

Canada Geese

Brant

American Widgeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Greater Scaup

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Harlequin Duck

Common Goldeneye

Barrow's Goldeneye

Red-necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Western Grebe

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Pelagic Cormorant

Common Murre

Great Blue Heron

Belted Kingfisher

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Black Oystercatcher

Eurasian-collared Dove

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer's Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Violet-green Swallow

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Steller’s Jay

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Red-winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch

Pine Siskins

House Finch 

The Tuesday bird walk on April 02 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

                                  Western Grebe: John Purves.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

Nanaimo bird report, March 24, 2013

 

Brandt's Cormorant: 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, March 24, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and there was a strong cold wind coming off the Strait of Georgia.  We saw several Double-crested Cormorants, Pelagic Cormorants and Brandt’s Cormorants in breeding plumage--- spring is getting closer!   A flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers kept us entertained as they sang and fed on the bushes close to us.  We also spotted a flock of Red Crossbills, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Golden-crowned Kinglets all feeding in the same area.
Twenty birders saw and heard the following forty-five species:
Canada Geese, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Brandt’s Cormorant, Bufflehead, Surf Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Merganser, Horned Grebe, Black Turnstones, Black Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle, Mew Gulls, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Common Murre, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, European Starling, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Anna’s Hummingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler ,Red-breasted Nuthatch, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bushtit, Pacific Wren, Bewick's Wren, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Red-winged Blackbird and Red Crossbill.

Saturday, March 23:
A pair of American Goldfinch were visiting feeders in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo.
A very large flock of possibly one thousand Brant were seen at Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville

Thursday, March 21:
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail” The Citrine Wagtail was seen once again in Courtenay on March 21.
Apparently the land is now being actively farmed and there is no longer any access to the original site/farm lane.

Tuesday, March 19:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a strong biting cold wind off the Strait of Georgia. Thousands of singing Brant were just offshore at the main beach. Hundreds of Mew Gulls, a number of California Gulls, many Thayer's Gulls, three Herring Gulls and several Glaucous-winged Gulls were along the shoreline. Thousands upon thousands of Surf Scoters, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks formed a huge raft further offshore. We spotted one lone Pigeon Guillemot swimming by itself along the Strait. We had good views of a Brown Creeper climbing a tree, with Golden-crowned Kinglets feeding above the Creeper.  A Pacific Wren sang in the forest and gave us good long views.
Nineteen birders saw and heard the following forty-four species:
Canada Geese, Brant, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon,Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Bald Eagle, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull,Thayer's Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot,Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Anna’s Hummingbird, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick’s Wren,
Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow,
Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.
****************************************************************************
Monday, March 25:
Arrowsmith Naturalists meet at 7.30pm at Knox United Church in Parksville.  Speaker Richard Varela: "Horne Lake Caves and Caves on Vancouver Island"  All welcome. More info 250-752-7588

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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 March 26, 2013 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:10 a.m.
.*************************************************************************************
There will be no Sunday Bird Walk on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013.  Happy Easter!
The Sunday Bird Walk on April 07, 2013, will be going to Buttertubs in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Buttertubs off Bowen 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

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

 

 

                 Ducks in flight--Herring Spawn: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a strong biting cold wind off the Strait of Georgia. Thousands of singing Brant were just offshore at the main beach. Hundreds of Mew Gulls, a number of California Gulls, many Thayer's Gulls, three Herring Gulls and several Glaucous-winged Gulls were along the shoreline. Thousands upon thousands of Surf Scoters, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Ducks, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks formed a huge raft further offshore. We spotted one lone Pigeon Guillemot swimming by itself along the Strait. We had good views of a Brown Creeper climbing a tree, with Golden-crowned Kinglets feeding above the Creeper.  A Pacific Wren sang in the forest and gave us good long views. 

Nineteen birders saw and heard the following forty-four species:

Canada Goose

Brant

Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Bald Eagle

Black-bellied Plover

Black Oystercatcher

Dunlin

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer's Gull

Herring Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Pigeon Guillemot

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow
Common Raven

Anna’s Hummingbird

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling
Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin  

 

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

 

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

 

 

Nanaimo bird report, March 17, 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, March 17, 2013:

The Sunday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was sunny and cool with a strong wind coming off  the water.  Thousands of gulls greeted us at the start of the walk.  We watched a large raft of Harlequin Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye were further off shore at the viewing platform off of Highway 19A. Tree Swallows and Violet-green Swallows were dancing over the river hawking insects.

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

Canada Goose, Brant, Mallard, American Widgeon,  Eurasian Widgeon, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, Killdeer, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco. 

Saturday, March 16:

Four Evening Grosbeaks, Tree Swallows and American Goldfinch were seen at the Morningstar Ponds in French Creek. 

Friday, March 15:

Three Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen at the Morningstar Ponds in French Creek. 

 Wednesday, March 13:

A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at Shore Drive and Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo.  This is our first report of a returning Rufous Hummingbird.  Spring is on its way!

Tuesday, March 12:

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.  The morning was cloudy and calm. The shoreline at the viewing platform  off Highway 19A was covered with gulls for as far as the eye could see. Brant Geese, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Bufflehead, Common   Goldeneye and Long-tailed  Ducks formed a massive raft further off shore. The Gulls took up the similar huge area at the estuary. They lifted and circled the sky and landed on the gravel bars when an Eagle flew over. There was a large  raft of Greater Scaup, Common  Goldeneye and Barrow’s Goldeneye near the  shoreline. Further off shore there were  large numbers of mixed flocks of  seabirds—much the same as we saw at the viewing platform earlier in the  morning. Over ten Violet-green Swallows flew over head hawking insects and we spotted a Red Crossbill at the top of a bush as we neared the estuary. We caught the sight of four White-winged Crossbills perched on top  of a conifer across the Conservation area. The bold white-wing markings and the black scapulars  of the White-winged Crossbills were very distinctive through our spotting scopes. The White-wing Crossbills stayed for a long period, giving us all long studying looks. The White-winged Crossbills are normally found in areas outside of southern  British Columbia. This is the first sighting of them for the Tuesday bird walks, making a terrific end to a great day of birding!. Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty-four species: Canada Goose, Brant, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Green-winged Teal, 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, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, Killdeer, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee,  Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, House Finch and  Song Sparrow.   “ Rare bird alert- Palm Warbler” A Palm Warbler was seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary near the Viewing Platform again today. The Palm Warbler is usually seen east of the Rockies.   Monday, March 11: Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Cedar Waxwings were seen at  Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.    “Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail” The Citrine Wagtail was seen once again in Courtenay on March 07. 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 on the left side of dirt road at the  furthest row of trees. *******************************************************************************

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 March 19, 2013 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville..

We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor Provincial Park at about 9:10 a.m.

.*************************************************************************************

 

The Sunday Bird Walk on March 24, 2013, will be going to Neck Point in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Neck Point Park off Hammond Bay 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

Yellow-rumped Warbler

            Yellow-rumped Warbler: John Purves Photo.

Hi birders,

Three Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen near the Morning Star ponds in French Creek on March 15, 2013

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, March 12, 2013

                                       White-winged Crossbill

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy and calm.

The shoreline at the viewing platform off Highway 19A was covered with gulls for as far as the eye could see. Brant Geese, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Long-tailed Ducks formed a massive raft further off shore. The Gulls took up the similar huge area at the estuary. They lifted and circled the sky and landed on the gravel bars when an Eagle flew over. There was a large raft of Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye and Barrow’s Goldeneye near the shoreline. Further off shore there were large numbers of mixed flocks of seabirds—much the same

as we saw at the viewing platform earlier in the morning. Over ten Violet-green Swallows flew over head hawking insects and we spotted a Red Crossbill at the top of a bush as we neared the estuary. We caught the sight of four White-winged Crossbills perched on top of a conifer across the Conservation area. The bold white-wing markings and the black scapulars of the White-winged Crossbills were very distinctive through our spotting scopes. The White-wing Crossbills stayed for a long period, giving us all long studying looks. The White-winged Crossbills are normally found in areas outside of southern British Columbia. This is the first sighting of them for the Tuesday bird walks, making a terrific end to a great day of birding!

Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty-four species:

Canada Goose

Brant

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck

Green-winged Teal

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

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Merlin

Black Turnstone

Black Oystercatcher

Killdeer
Mew Gull

California Gull

Herring Gull

Thayer's Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow
Common Raven

Violet-green Swallow

American Robin

European Starling
Spotted Towhee

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Red Crossbill

White-winged Crossbill

House Finch

Song Sparrow

The Tuesday bird walk on March 19, will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.

                                Violet-green Swallow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Good birding

Neil Robins

Parksville

Nnanaimo bird report, March 10, 2013

                                        Bewick's Wren: 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, March 10, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. The morning was
cloudy and  cool.  American Robins, Brown Creeper’s, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick’s and Pacific Wren’s were singing throughout the morning.
Seven birders saw and heard the following twenty species:
Mallard, Glaucous-winged Gull, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Anna's Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin and House Sparrow.  It was a quiet morning!

 Saturday, March 09:
Three tree Swallows were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

A flock of over fifty Evening Grosbeaks were seen at Holden Creek in Cedar.

Friday, March 08:
A Ruddy Duck and Tree Swallows were seen at Somenos Marsh.  A Canvasback was seen at Quammichan Lake and Lesser Scaup, Gadwall and Northern Shoveler  were seen at the Sewage Ponds in Duncan.

Thursday, March 07:
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail”
The Citrine Wagtail was seen once again in Courtenay on March 07.
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 on the left side of dirt road at the furthest row of trees.

Wednesday, March 06:
A Violet-green Swallow was spotted at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

A Rufous Hummingbird was reported visiting a feeder at Sealand and Sunset Road in north Nanaimo.

A Turkey Vulture was seen above McKeon Road in Harewood Plains in Nanaimo.

Tuesday, March 05:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was cloudy and the winds were calm. We were greeted with thousands upon thousands of gulls, huge numbers of sea lions, seals and fishing boats when we arrived.The Herring spawn has begun!
We spotted a Eurasian Wigeon and one Brant in with the gulls at the gravel bar. Several flocks of Brant flew over the water. Mew Gulls, California Gulls, a Ring-billed Gull, a Herring Gull,a Western Gull, a Glaucous Gull and a large number of Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls were seen throughout the morning.
Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species:
Brant, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck,
Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck,
Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser,
Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe,
Double-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, Black-bellied Plover,
Black Turnstone, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher,
Dunlin, Anna’s Hummingbird, Mew Gull, California Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull,
 Western Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous Gull,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Eurasian-collared Dove, California Quail,
Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, American Robin, European
Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned
 Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Sparrow.
*****************************************************************************************
Thursday, March 14, 2013.
The Nanoose Naturalists look forward to hearing biologist, Jessica Wolf, speak about
Edible Native Plants at their next meeting:  7 pm on Thursday, March 14th at the
Nanoose Library Hall on NW Bay Road.  Admission free.
 For more info, call Margot at 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 on March 12, 2013 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.
We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at the viewing platform near Garrett Road in Qualicum Beach at about 9:20 a.m.
.*************************************************************************************
The Sunday Bird Walk on March 10, 2013, will also be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the at viewing platform near Garrett Road in Qualicum Beach 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

Just a few new bird reports from this week:

CITRINE WAGTAIL - The Citrine Wagtail was behind the alder strip in the cornfield 200m down wagtail avenue Thur March 7^th 5.10pm and then flew into trees for 5 minutes then headed to Comox.

VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW - was seen Wednesday March 6 at Buttertubs Marsh. This is the first report of the year for Nanaimo.

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD - was reported visiting a feeder at Sealand and Sunset road in north Nanaimo.

The herring spawn is underway and it has been very activie in the Qualicum Beach and Parksville area. Hammond Bay is a spot to watch for the herring spawn along with all the birds that are attracked by it.

Good birding!!

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, March 05, 2013

Glaucous Gull, Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk went to Columbia Beach. The morning was cloudy and the winds were calm. We were greeted with thousands upon thousands of gulls, huge numbers of sea lions, seals and fishing boats when we arrived. The Herring spawn has begun! We spotted a Eurasian Wigeon and one Brant in with the gulls at the gravel bar. Several flocks of Brant flew over the water. Mew Gulls, California Gulls, a Ring-billed Gull, a Herring Gull, a Western Gull, a Glaucous Gull and a large number of Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls were seen through out the morning.

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species:

Brant

Eurasian Wigeon

American Wigeon

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Northern Pintail

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Barrow's Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Northern Shrike

Black-bellied Plover

Black Turnstone

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Dunlin

Anna’s Hummingbird
Mew Gull

California Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Western Gull

Thayer's Gull

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Common Murre

Eurasian-collared Dove

California Quail

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

American Robin

European Starling

Red-winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Sparrow
 

The Tuesday bird walk on March 12 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach.
 

Good birding!

Neil Robins

Parksville

British Columbia

RBA: CITRINE WAGTAIL

                Citrine Wagtail: John Purves Photo.

RBA: CITRINE WAGTAIL

The Citrine Wagtail, Canada's first (and only the second for the ABA Checklist Area), and originally found by David and Adele Routledge, continues in Courtenay was seen again on March 04, 2013. The Wagtail was seen by a birder from Oregon, two birders from Montana, two birders from Parksville and two birders from Nanoose Bay, it was feeding at the far end of the trail near the second row of bushes on the left side of the trail. It was feeding in the mud trail in the field for about one hour then it flew through the bushes and started feeding on the cornfield along the old cornstalks.

Palm Warbler seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary

                       Palm Warbler: John Purves Photo.

 

The Palm Warbler was seen on March 04, feeding with Dark-eyed Juncos and Golden-crowned Sparrows near the viewing platform and the hedgerow that runs along the river bank at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

Nanaimo bird report, March 03, 2013

                                 Western Meadowlark: 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, March 03, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was bright and sunny with a strong biting wind. The bird of the morning was a Palm Warbler.  The Palm Warbler is a rare bird for this area and it is the first one we have seen on the bird walks.  Normally it is seen east of the Rockies.  We saw five Western Meadowlarks fly in to a bush giving us great views.  A Northern Harrier flew low over the ground looking for prey.  We spotted two Northern Shrike at the end of the walk.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species:
Trumpeter Swan, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Shrike, Glaucous-winged Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Northern Flicker, Palm Warbler, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee,  Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren,  American Robin,  Western Meadowlark, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, House Finch and Dark-eyed Junco.

Tuesday, February 26:
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 and House Finch.
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail”
The Citrine Wagtail was seen once again in Courtenay on February 26.
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.
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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 on March 05, 2013 will be going to Columbia Beach.
We will meet at Parksville Bay at the Lion's Playground parking area in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd.  Turn onto Columbia Drive  from Highway 19A in Columbia Beach(on the ocean side of the highway) and then right onto Admiral Tryon Blvd and go for about 100 yards, just past the mail boxes at about 9:20 a.m.
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The Sunday Bird Walk on March 10, 2013, will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area off Bowen Road near the Lawn Bowling Green 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