The Backyard's Weekly Bird Walks are starting up again. Our first Tuesday walk of the fall is going to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side on Sept. 3rd. Our Sunday walk is going to Neck Point Park on Sept. 8th.

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 28, 2013

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side in Parksville.

The morning started with a slight drizzle, which soon tapered off, but with strong winds on the water side.  Highlights of the walk were the sight of a mother Killdeer with four young.  These little ones spent most of their time under the belly protection of the adult, but they did venture out giving us quick views.  We also spotted a Wilson's Phalarope feeding with another adult Killdeer in the mud flats.  We had a great sighting of a Western Tanager perched on a branch in the meadow area, and three Cedar Waxwings perched atop a conifer.

 
Wilson's Phalarope: John Purves Photo.
 
Thirteen birders (including one visitor from Calgary), saw or heard the following  40 species.
Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Pelagic Cormorant
Harlequin Duck
Common Merganser
Bald Eagle 
Killdeer
Wilson's Phalarope
Western Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Pacific-sloped Flycatcher
Willows Flycatcher
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Swainson's Thrush
Western Tanager
Cedar Waxwing
Black-headed Grosbeak
Evening Grosbeak
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
American Goldfinch
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird 
Killdeer: Ralph Hocken Photo.

A special thanks to Rhonda and Paul for leading the walk this week! 

The Tuesday bird walk will be going to Springwood Park on June 04, 2013. 

Good birding!

Monday 27 May 2013

Magnificent Frigatebird sighting in Parksville

Saturday morning I noticed a large bird (very wide humped wings, long scissor tail) soaring above our property in Nanoose Bay.  Later that morning when my husband and I were driving into Parksville, I again saw the same bird soaring over the town along the main drag.  I pointed him out to my husband and mentioned that I had forgotten about the one earlier in the morning.  We looked him up (I am assuming it is the same bird as Nanoose is fifteen minutes into Parkville. 

 

We have determined it to be a Magnificent Frigatebird.  It was soaring very high but very distinctive wing span and long tail. 

Sightings at Morningstar Ponds at French Creek.

Western Wood-Pewee: John Purvis Photo.

Red-necked Phalarope: John Purves Photo.

Cliff Swallow: John Purves Photo.

The sky was full of Barn Swallows, Northern Rough-wing Swallows, Tree Swallows, Cliff Swallows and Violet-green Swallows over the ponds. On the ponds were Red-necked Phalaropes, Wood Ducks, Mallards and Ring-necked Ducks.

Sunday 26 May 2013

Nanaimo bird report, May 26, 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, May 26, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Morden Colliery Historic Park in south Nanaimo.  The morning was cloudy and calm. There was a symphony of bird sounds as we started the bird walk. Over twenty Black Swifts circled high above the river.
 A Northern Goshawk  was catching a thermo high above us  giving us great views. We spotted a Red-breasted Sapsucker tapping on a tree just off the trail.  We watched as a Red-breasted Nuthatch brought food to a nest hole in a tall snag several times.

 

Red-breasted Sapsucker:  Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

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

Barred Owl, Northern Goshawk, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker,  Red-breasted Sapsucker,  Rufous Hummingbird,   Pacific-slope Flycatcher,  Warbling Vireo,  Northwestern Crow,  Common Raven,  Band-tailed Pigeon, California Quail, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow,  Black Swift,   Chestnut-backed Chickadee,  Brown Creeper,  Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet,  Bewick's Wren,  Pacific Wren,  Marsh Wren,  European Starling,  Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler,  Black-throated Gray Warbler,  Wilson's Warbler,  Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Western Tanager,  Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird,  Spotted Towhee,  White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow,  Dark-eyed Junco and Purple Finch, Pine Siskin.

 

Thursday, May 23”

Four  Whimbrel were spotted between Newcastle Island and Protection Island.

 

Wednesday, May 22:

Twelve Red Crossbills were seen at backyard feeders along Oakmont Place in Nanaimo.

 

 

Tuesday, May 21:

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning started off with rain showers but soon turned quite pleasant. We heard a Wilson's Warbler singing and then caught a glimpse of him as he flew over us.  A Yellow Warbler was perched close to the trail for a long time giving us great views as he looked us over from his perch. We watched a Merlin give chase to a Northern Harrier, who was flying low over the meadow in search of prey. We spotted four Spotted Sandpipers feeding along the edge of the river. We heard and saw two Western Tanagers singing and feeding across the river. Three Western Tanagers flew over the river and landed in a conifer tree above us giving us good views through the scopes.



Western Tanager: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

Ten birders saw and heard the following fifty species. 

Canada Goose, Mallard, Surf Scoter, Harlequin Duck, Common Merganser, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture,
Bald Eagle, Merlin,
Northern Harrier, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,
Band-tailed Pigeon, Eurasian-collared Dove, California Quail, Ring-necked Pheasant, Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird,
Northern Flicker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow,

Barn Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtit, Bewick’s Wren, Pacific Wren, Swainson’s Thrush, Varied Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and Pine Siskin.
 
An American Dipper with chicks was seen at the Morden Park in Nanaimo.
 
Monday, May 20:
A Western Tanager was seen in the Seal Bay area of Courtney.
 
A Cinnamon Teal was seen at the east end of Brookwood Park Pond in Nanaimo.
 
Sunday, May 19:
An Olive-sided Flycatcher was spotted at the Little Qualicum River Village.
 
 

Thursday, June 13:

 7pm, Nanoose Naturalists will hold their June Meeting at the Nanoose Library Hall in Nanoose Bay.  The speaker will be Geologist Tony Ransom and the topic ---"Earthquakes - Why We Should Be Concerned About the Next BIG ONE!"
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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 May 28 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Bay next to the Lions Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive on the ocean side of Highway 19a at about 9:10 a.m.

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The Sunday Bird Walk on June 02, 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 Road about 9:15 a.m.
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Good birding
Neil Robins

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

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Parksville/Qualicum Beach,Tuesday bird walk, May 21, 2013

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning started off with rain showers but soon turned quite pleasant. We heard a Wilson's Warbler singing and then caught a glimpse of him as he flew over us.  A Yellow Warbler was perched close to the trail for a long time giving us great views as he looked us over from his perch. We watched a Merlin give chase to a Northern Harrier, who was flying low over the meadow in search of prey. We spotted four Spotted Sandpipers feeding along the edge of the river. We heard and saw two Western Tanagers singing and feeding across the river. Three Western Tanagers flew over the river and landed in a conifer tree above us giving us good views through the scopes.

 
Western Tanager: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

Ten birders saw and heard the following fifty species.   not sixty as I counted earlier!
Canada Goose
Mallard 
Surf Scoter
Harlequin Duck
Common Merganser
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Northern Harrier
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Spotted Sandpiper
Bonaparte's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian-collared Dove
California Quail
Ring-necked Pheasant
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bushtit
Bewick’s Wren
Pacific Wren
Swainson’s Thrush
Varied Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Warbling Vireo
Yellow Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Pine Siskin 
Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk on May 28 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville.

 

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville.

Sunday 19 May 2013

Nanaimo bird report, May 19, 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, May 19, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Linley Valley in Nanaimo.  The morning was sunny but windy. We heard and then had great views of a Wilson’s Warbler and a Cassin’s Vireo very close to the trail.  A MacGillivray’s Warbler was singing as he perched high in a tree giving us great views from the trail. Two Warbling Vireos showed up in the parking area at the end of the walk.
Wilson’s Warbler:  Ralph Hocken Photo.

Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-nine species:
Mallard, Wood Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker,  Rufous Hummingbird, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Cassin’s Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Purple Martin, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Bushtit, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, Red-wing Blackbird, Brown-headed Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin. 

Friday, May 17:
Swainson’s Thrush were calling at dawn near Colbourne Drive in north Nanaimo.  

Thursday, May 16: 
A Merlin, an American Dipper and a Great Horned Owl were seen at Lot Ten in Qualicum Beach. 

An Olive-sided Flycatcher was spotted feeding from a tall snag behind Colbourne Drive in north Nanaimo. 

Wednesday, May 15:
Eight Western Tanagers were seen along Marlborough Drive in the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo. 

One greater White-fronted Goose was seen on Departure Bay in Nanaimo. 

Tuesday, May 14:
 The Tuesday bird walk went to Lot Ten in Qualicum Beach.  The morning was clear and sunny with calm winds. A Black-headed Grosbeak was singing loudly when we arrived at Lot Ten.  We spotted the Grosbeak high in a tree and shortly after another Grosbeak started singing to give us a very musical start to the morning.  American Robins were everywhere this morning. We heard Pacific-sloped Flycatchers, Orange-crowned Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Wilson's Warblers and Townsend’s Warblers singing all morning. We watched a Belted Kingfisher chase a Varied Thrush up the river flying just above the water. A Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Vaux’s Swifts gave us quick looks as they flew over.  We spotted a Pine Marten looking down at us from a small tree to add a little more nature to our walks!
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species:
Common Merganser, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker,
Northern Flicker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Vaux’s Swift, Warbling Vireo, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pacific Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.
 
Pine Marten
The pine marten is a carnivorous member of the weasel family. The marten's coat is characterized by soft, dense fur which varies in color from tan to dark brown and mostly black on the feet and legs. Lighter colored martens tend to have grayish brown tails, while darker animals have dark brown to almost black tail fur. The fur around the muzzle varies from gray to light brown with a short dark line running up the forehead from the corner of each eye. The marten's throat and upper chest are a tan color.
The ears give the pine martens a cat like look.. Martens vary in body length from 48 to 65 cm, not including the tail which can be a third of the overall body length. They may weigh up to nearly 2 kilos. Males are larger than females. Martens have sharp claws which they use for climbing as well as for holding their prey.
Martens depend on voles and mice, which are their primary food source over much of Southern Vancouver Island  The second important food source is berries, especially blueberries, followed by small birds, eggs, and vegetation. Marten will also eat squirrels and if food is scarce enough will occasionally exhibit cannibalism.
The Marten is a an opportunistic feeder. Carrion such as the remains of wolf kills, dead spawning salmon remains or winter killed deer and elk are all eaten.  Although martens are suited for nocturnal foraging, they are also active during mornings and evenings, especially during the long days of summer.
The Pine Martens of Vancouver Island are rare to see and they only inhabit the south Island.

Monday, May 13:
A Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen along the Nanoose Estuary just off Northwest Bay Road in Nanoose Bay. 

A Sooty Grouse was spotted walking just off Chemainus Road not far from the railway tracks in Ladysmith. 

A pair of American Kestrels was seen in the 3400 block of Harris Crescent in Whisky Creek.  
 
Eurasian-collared Doves are visiting Cowichan Bay. 

Sunday, May 12:
A female Black-headed Grosbeak, an American Goldfinch, male and female Red-wing Blackbirds were seen along Dunster Road in north Nanaimo. 

Saturday, May 11: 
A Ring-necked Pheasant was seen in the Divers Lake area of Nanaimo.

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Monday, May 17:
Arrowsmith Naturalists meet at Knox United Church on Pym Road in Parksville.   Don Doyle will give a talk about Vancouver Island Marmots.  All are welcome.  For more info-phone 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.  
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The Tuesday bird walk on May 21 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Bay next to the Lions Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of Highway 19a at about 9:10 a.m. 

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The Sunday Bird Walk on May 26, 2013, will be going to Morden Colliery Historic Park. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the end of Morden Road off Highway One south of Nanaimo about 9:25 a.m.

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WildResearch

WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's Fall Pelagic Trip Fundraiser will run on Sunday September 15, 2013!
Itinerary:
The upcoming pelagic trip will follow the same itinerary as WildResearch's previous pelagic trips; the ship we charter (M.V. Frances Barkley) will leave from the dock in Ucluelet BC at 7am on Sunday Sept 15, travel to La Perouse Bank, and return to Ucluelet at 2:30pm (on the same day). WildResearch's pelagic trips are a fantastic opportunity to view pelagic seabird species rarely seen from shore click here for previous trip details and photos.
Cost:
WildResearch will offer an early bird booking rate of $200 from April 1 - July 31 2013, after which the price will increase to $250. In addition to purchasing a ticket, all trip participants will be required to hold a current WildResearch membership at the time of the pelagic trip. For more details, see membership information. Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs.
How to book:
Space on the boat is limited! We are providing this information to our current members in good standings, with a one-month advanced notification about the trip's date and an early opportunity to book the trip. WildResearch will begin advertising the pelagic trip trip beyond its membership by the end of April. 
If you would like to guarantee your spot on the ship prior to public advertisement, please follow these instructions:
If your membership is active until Sept 15th, 2013:
·     purchase your early bird ticket ($200) using the below PayPal button OR by mailing a cheque made payable to WildResearch.
If your membership expires before Sept 15th, 2013:
·       purchase your early bird ticket ($200) using the below PayPal button OR by mailing a cheque made payable to WildResearch.
·       renew your WildResearch membership ($25 for students, $30 for non-students, active for 1 full year after purchase) using the PayPal button on our website click here to renew membership OR by mailing a cheque payable to WildResearch.
·        complete the required membership forms indicated on our website and email OR mail to WildResearch.
We are very excited about the fall pelagic trip! Looking forward to the great birding and an opportunity to meet with old friends, and make new ones. If you have any questions or inquires about the pelagic trip email us at: info [at] wildresearch [dot] ca.

Sincerely, 
Christine Rock
Vice President
WildResearch

Note: If you do not see the paypal button immediately above this line of text it is likely that you do not have image viewing activated. The following link may be used instead: https://www . paypal . com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YMBBRLHZSRFUL

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
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Parksville/Qualicum beach Tuesday bird walk, May 14, 2013

The Tuesday bird walk went to Lot Ten in Qualicum Beach.  The morning was clear and sunny with calm winds. A Black-headed Grosbeak was singing loudly when we arrived at Lot Ten.  We spotted the Grosbeak high in a tree and shortly after another Grosbeak started singing to give us a very musical start to the morning.  American Robins were everywhere this morning. We heard Pacific-sloped Flycatchers, Orange-crowned Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Wilson's Warblers and Townsend’s Warblers singing all morning. We watched a Belted Kingfisher chase an Varied Thrush up the river flying just above the water. A Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Vaux’s Swifts gave us quick looks as they flew over.  We spotted a Pine Marten looking down at us from a small tree to add a little more nature to our walks!
 Martes americana or Pine Marten, American Sable at Lot Ten: John Purves Photo.
 
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-three species:
Common Merganser
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Spotted Sandpiper
Belted Kingfisher
Pileated Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Vaux’s Swift
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pacific Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
 Pacific-slope Flycatcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.
 
The Tuesday bird walk on Tuesday May 21 will be going to Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. 
Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville 
Pine Marten
The pine marten is a carnivorous member of the weasel family. The marten's coat is characterized by soft, dense fur which varies in color from tan to dark brown and mostly black on the feet and legs. Lighter colored martens tend to have grayish brown tails, while darker animals have dark brown to almost black tail fur. The fur around the muzzle varies from gray to light brown with a short dark line running up the forehead from the corner of each eye. The marten's throat and upper chest are a tan color.
 
The ears give the pine martens a cat like look.. Martens vary in body length from 48 to 65 cm, not including the tail which can be a third of the overall body length. They may weigh up to nearly 2 kilos. Males are larger than females. Martens have sharp claws which they use for climbing as well as for holding their prey.
 
Martens depend on voles and mice, which are their primary food source over much of Southern Vancouver Island  The second important food source is berries, especially blueberries, followed by small birds, eggs, and vegetation. Marten will also eat squirrels and if food is scarce enough will occasionally exhibit cannibalism.  
The Marten is a an opportunistic feeder. Carrion such as the remains of wolf kills, dead spawning salmon remains or winter killed deer and elk are all eaten.  Although martens are suited for nocturnal foraging, they are also active during mornings and evenings, especially during the long days of summer.  
The Pine Martens of Vancouver Island are rare to see and they only inhabit the south Island. 

Pine Marten seen at the Tuesday bird walk to Lot Ten

Pine Marten at Lot Ten: John Purves Photo.

Sunday 12 May 2013

Nanaimo bird report, May 12, 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, May 12, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay.  The morning was cloudy with sunny periods. We heard and saw Cassin’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black Throated-grey Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler and Black-headed Grosbeak.  We were entertained by Swainson’s Thrush, Willow Flycatchers, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher and Western Tanager singing throughout the morning. 

Black-headed Grosbeak:  Ralph Hocken Photo.

Six birders saw and heard the following thirty-two species: 
Canada Geese, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Turkey Vulture,  Bald Eagle, Rufous Hummingbird,  Northern Flicker,  Pileated Woodpecker,  Common Raven, Northwestern Crow,  Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee,  Red-breasted Nuthatch,  American Robin, Swainson’s Thrush,  European Starling, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cassin’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo,  Orange-crowned Warbler,  Black Throated-grey Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow,  Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and  Pine Siskin.    

A Black Headed Grosbeak was seen in a backyard along Meridian Way in Parksville. 

Saturday, May 11
A Sooty Grouse was spotted along Westwood Ridges in Nanaimo. 

Friday, May 10:
A Wilson’s Snipe was seen at the Cottonwood Golf Club in south Nanaimo.  
 
Thursday, May 09:
A Green Heron was spotted at the Englishman River Estuary on the Plummer Road side in Parksville. 

Tuesday, May 07:
 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 and the ocean was as smooth as glass. A singing Chipping Sparrow greeted us at the start of the walk. We saw several male Rufous Hummingbirds perched and then doing their courtship dives during the walk. We heard a Warbling Vireo singing near the river and then we had great views of him as he put in an appearance. Several Orange-crowned Warblers were spotted feeding near the trail. We caught a glimpse of a singing Yellow Warbler near the trail.  Over two hundred Brant were on the Strait of Georgia and fifty more flew in and landed near shore. Ten Pacific Loon, two Marbled Murrelet and one Pigeon Guillemot were on the Strait. Five Western Sandpipers, three Least Sandpipers, two Semipalmated Plovers, two Braid’s Sandpipers and one Greater Yellowlegs were feeding on the mud flats as the tide started to come in.
Eleven birders saw and heard the following fifty two Species:
Canada Geese, Brant, Mallard, Bufflehead, American Widgeon, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon,
Common Loon, Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Great Blue Heron, Killdeer, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Braid’s Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, California Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Marbled Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, Rufous Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick’s Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Brown-headed Cowbird, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, Red Crossbills,
House Finch and Pine Siskin. 

A pair of Red-tailed Hawks was seen at the south end of the Nanaimo Airport and near Adshead Road in south Nanaimo.  

Sunday, May 05:
A Western Tanager was seen in a backyard along East Wellington Road near Holland Avenue in Nanaimo.
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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 May 14 will be going to Lot Ten in Qualicum Beach. We will meet at Parksville Bay next to the Lions Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at Kinkade Road on the forest side of Highway 19a at about 9:20 a.m.

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 The Sunday Bird Walk on May 19, 2013, will be going to Linley Valley. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the end of Burma Road off Lost lake Road about 9:20 a.m.
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WildResearch

WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's Fall Pelagic Trip Fundraiser will run on Sunday September 15, 2013!

Itinerary:
The upcoming pelagic trip will follow the same itinerary as WildResearch's previous pelagic trips; the ship we charter (M.V. Frances Barkley) will leave from the dock in Ucluelet BC at 7am on Sunday Sept 15, travel to La Perouse Bank, and return to Ucluelet at 2:30pm (on the same day). WildResearch's pelagic trips are a fantastic opportunity to view pelagic seabird species rarely seen from shore click here for previous trip details and photos.
 
Cost:
WildResearch will offer an early bird booking rate of $200 from April 1 - July 31 2013, after which the price will increase to $250. In addition to purchasing a ticket, all trip participants will be required to hold a current WildResearch membership at the time of the pelagic trip. For more details, see membership information. Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs. 

How to book:
Space on the boat is limited! We are providing this information to our current members in good standings, with a one-month advanced notification about the trip's date and an early opportunity to book the trip. WildResearch will begin advertising the pelagic trip trip beyond its membership by the end of April.  

If you would like to guarantee your spot on the ship prior to public advertisement, please follow these instructions:
 
If your membership is active until Sept 15th, 2013:  

·     purchase your early bird ticket ($200) using the below PayPal button OR by mailing a cheque made payable to WildResearch.

If your membership expires before Sept 15th, 2013: 

·       purchase your early bird ticket ($200) using the below PayPal button OR by mailing a cheque made payable to WildResearch.

·       renew your WildResearch membership ($25 for students, $30 for non-students, active for 1 full year after purchase) using the PayPal button on our website click here to renew membership OR by mailing a cheque payable to WildResearch.

·        complete the required membership forms indicated on our website and email OR mail to WildResearch.

We are very excited about the fall pelagic trip! Looking forward to the great birding and an opportunity to meet with old friends, and make new ones. If you have any questions or inquires about the pelagic trip email us at: info [at] wildresearch [dot] ca. 

Sincerely,  

Christine Rock
Vice President
WildResearch 

Note: If you do not see the paypal button immediately above this line of text it is likely that you do not have image viewing activated. The following link may be used instead: https://www . paypal . com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YMBBRLHZSRFUL 

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
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 7 May 2013

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 07, 2013

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 and the ocean was as smooth as glass. A singing Chipping Sparrow greeted us at the start of the walk. We saw several male Rufous Hummingbird perched and then doing their courtship dives during the walk. We heard a Warbling Vireo singing near the river and then we had great views of him as he put in an appearance. Several Orange-crowned Warblers were spotted feeding near the trail. We caught a glimpse of a singing Yellow Warbler near the trail.  Over two hundred Brant were on the Strait of Georgia and fifty more flew in and landed near shore. Ten Pacific Loon, two Marbled Murrelet and one Pigeon Guillemot were on the Strait. Five Western Sandpipers, three Least Sandpipers, two Semipalmated Plovers, two Braid’s Sandpipers and one Greater Yellowlegs were feeding on the mud flats as the tide started to come in. 

Semipalmated Plover, Western and Least Sandpipers: John Purves Photo. 

Eleven birders saw and heard the following fifty two Species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Mallard
Bufflehead
American Widgeon
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Great Blue Heron
Killdeer
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated Plover
Braid’s Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
California Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Marbled Murrelet
Pigeon Guillemot
Rufous Hummingbird
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
Northwestern Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick’s Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Warbling Vireo
Pacific-sloped Flycatcher
Brown-headed Cowbird
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Purple Finch
Red Crossbills
House Finch
Pine Siskin  

The Tuesday bird walk on May 14 will be going to Lot Ten in Qualicum Beach. 

Baird’s Sandpiper: John Purves Photo.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Sunday 5 May 2013

Nanaimo bird report, may 05, 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, May 05, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville.  The morning was sunny and warm. We watched a female
Rufous Hummingbird gathering nesting material. A Black Throated-grey Warbler caught our attention with his song and we spotted him on the top of a Big Leaf Maple Tree giving us great views. We also heard a MacGillivray’s Warbler singing and then saw him, after a lot of searching, on some short bushes under the Hydro Lines.
 
 
 

MacGillivray’s Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-two species:

 
 
Mallard, Wood Duck, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Barred Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Virginia Rail, Rufous Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Purple Martin, Band-tailed Pigeon, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Marsh Wren, Pacific Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling, Cassin’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black Throated-grey Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, McGillivray’s Warbler, Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin.  

A Black Headed Grosbeak was seen in a backyard along Railway Avenue in Nanaimo. 

Wednesday, May 01:
A Violet-green Swallow was spotted sitting on the wire, preening himself in the 1800 block of Deerborne Place in the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.
 
 

 
 
Monday, April 29:
 
A Mourning Dove was visiting a backyard feeder for most of the day along Meridian Way in Parksville.


Tuesday, April 30:

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning started out cloudy with a cool wind, but turned sunny and warm. We saw an Orange-crowned Warbler and heard a Chipping Sparrow at the start of the walk. We heard and then had excellent views of a Cassin’s Vireo singing and feeding on a tree not far from the trail. Black-throated Gray Warblers were singing throughout the morning and one made an appearance late in the morning.
 
 
Chipping Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.
 
 
 
Eighteen birders including a visiting birder from Calgary saw and heard the following thirty-nine species:
Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Rufous Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow , Tree Swallow, Purple Martin, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Hermit Thrush, Band-tailed Pigeon, California Quail, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Cassin’s Vireo, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White - crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, House Finch and Pine Siskin. 



 
 
 
 
 
Monday, April 29:

Six Red Crossbills are visiting feeders in a backyard in the Parkwood area of Nanaimo.





Sunday, April 28:

Four Golden-crowned Sparrows and two White-crown Sparrows were spotted in a garden in the Chartwell area of Qualicum Beach.


Sunday April 21:

Over three thousand Greater White-fronted Geese and over five hundred Brant were seen flying over Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

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

 

 Thursday, May 09:

Nanoose Naturalists meet at 7 p.m. at the Nanoose Library Hall on NW Bay Road.  The club looks forward to a video presentation by photographer, Eric Pittman, on Hummingbirds of Vancouver Island at their next meeting; Visitors are welcome.  For more info, call Joe at 250-468-1728.
*************************************************************

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 May 07 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. We will meet at Parksville Bay next to the Lions Playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive in Parksville at about 9:10 a.m.

 



The Sunday Bird Walk on May 12, 2013, will be going to Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or about 100 yards past the four way stop on Power Point Road (off Northwest Bay Road) about 9:20 a.m.
************************************************************************************

 


 



 





WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's Fall Pelagic Trip Fundraiser will run on Sunday September 15, 2013!

Itinerary:
The upcoming pelagic trip will follow the same itinerary as WildResearch's previous pelagic trips; the ship we charter (M.V. Frances Barkley) will leave from the dock in Ucluelet BC at 7am on Sunday Sept 15, travel to La Perouse Bank, and return to Ucluelet at 2:30pm (on the same day). WildResearch's pelagic trips are a fantastic opportunity to view pelagic seabird species rarely seen from shore
click here for previous trip details and photos.

Cost:
WildResearch will offer an early bird booking rate of $200 from April 1 - July 31 2013, after which the price will increase to $250. In addition to purchasing a ticket, all trip participants will be required to hold a current WildResearch membership at the time of the pelagic trip. For more details, see
membership information. Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs.

How to book:
Space on the boat is limited! We are providing this information to our current members in good standings, with a one-month advanced notification about the trip's date and an early opportunity to book the trip. WildResearch will begin advertising the pelagic trip trip beyond its membership by the end of April.

If you would like to guarantee your spot on the ship prior to public advertisement, please follow these instructions:

If your membership is active until Sept 15th, 2013:
·     purchase your early bird ticket ($200) using the below PayPal button OR by mailing a cheque made payable to WildResearch.
If your membership expires before Sept 15th, 2013:
·       purchase your early bird ticket ($200) using the below PayPal button OR by mailing a cheque made payable to WildResearch.
·       renew your WildResearch membership ($25 for students, $30 for non-students, active for 1 full year after purchase) using the PayPal button on our website click here to renew membership OR by mailing a cheque payable to WildResearch.
·        complete the required membership forms indicated on our website and email OR mail to WildResearch.
We are very excited about the fall pelagic trip! Looking forward to the great birding and an opportunity to meet with old friends, and make new ones. If you have any questions or inquires about the pelagic trip email us at: info [at] wildresearch [dot] ca.



Sincerely,

Christine Rock
Vice President
WildResearch
Note: If you do not see the paypal button immediately above this line of text it is likely that you do not have image viewing activated. The following link may be used instead: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YMBBRLHZSRFUL
 
Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669
Fax: 250-390-1633
Email:
thebackyard@shaw.ca
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com