The Backyard's Weekly Bird Walk locations are found in the Backyard Bird Report at the very end of the most recent report. Any cancellations will be posted here by 8am the day of the walk. Our first bird walks of the year are going out on Sunday February 4th and Tuesday February 6th. Locations will be posted to our next Bird Report.

Tuesday 26 March 2013

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

Sunday 24 March 2013

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

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

Tuesday 19 March 2013

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
 
 

Sunday 17 March 2013

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

Friday 15 March 2013

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

Tuesday 12 March 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

Sunday 10 March 2013

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

Friday 8 March 2013

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 7th 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!!

Tuesday 5 March 2013

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.

Sunday 3 March 2013

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