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.

Sunday 29 September 2013

Nanaimo bird report, September 29, 2013


NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
” EXPLORE NATURE-GO BIRDING”

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, September 29, 2013:

The Sunday bird walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning started out sunny and warm but we finished the walk early when heavy rain started falling.

We spotted seven Pectoral Sandpipers feeding on the gravel bar not far from the parking area. Four Sandhill Cranes flew in low above us and landed in the grassy area towards Holden Creek.  A small flock of American Pipits flew over us as they headed towards Holden Creek.
Seven hardy birders saw and heard the following twenty-seven species:

Great Blue Heron, Sandhill Cranes, Green-winged Teal, Common Merganser, Belted Kingfisher,  European Starling,  Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk,  Northern Harrier,  Pectoral Sandpiper, American Pipits,  Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing,  Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Brewer’s Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch and House Finch. 

 

Pectoral Sandpiper: Ralph Hocken Photo.

A Townsend’s Warbler was seen in with ten Yellow-rumped Warblers at the Morningstar Ponds in French Creek.

 

A Wilson’s Snipe was spotted in a backyard at Craig Bay in Parksville.

 

Saturday, September 28:

 A flock of nine Sandhill Cranes were seen flying over the Englishman River in Parksville. 

 

Tuesday, September 24:

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning started out cloudy with light rain but ended with a little bit of sunshine and no rain. Throughout the morning we saw and heard a large number of American Robins and Northern Flickers. We spotted a pair of Cooper’s Hawks perched side by side on a snag across the river. Many Pacific Loons and a few Common Murre were seen flying low just above the water heading down the Strait of Georgia. A Savannah Sparrow was perched on a low bush in the meadows giving us great looks. We watched as nine Turkey Vultures were catching a thermo and heading down the island.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:

Canada Geese, American Widgeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Common Merganser,  Red-breasted Merganser, Pelagic Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Murre, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Killdeer, Long-billed Dowitcher, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow , White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch , House Finch, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch

 



Cooper’s Hawk; Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

 “Rare Bird Alert-Blue-Footed Booby”

A Blue-footed Booby was seen and photographed near Telegraph Cove off Stubbs Island.

 

Sunday, September 22: 

RARE BIRD ALERT—Sabine ’s Gull”

A Sabine’s  Gull was seen off shore at Moorecroft Regional Park in Nanoose Bay

 

 A Common Tern was spotted at Columbia Beach. 

 

A Wilson’s Snipe and an American Tree Sparrow were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo.

 

Wednesday, September 25:

A Lapland Longspur was seen near College Drive at Fifth Street and Highway 19  in Nanaimo.

 

Thursday, September 26:

”Rare Bird Alert-Great Egret”

A Great Egret was seen from the Viewing Platform at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south 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 October 01 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 9:00 am or the main parking area at Rathtrevor Park at about 9:10 am.

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The Sunday Bird Walk on October 06 will be going to the Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Meet at the birdstore at 9:00 am or at the parking lot off Bowen Road on Buttertubs Drive at about 9:15 am.
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British Columbia rare bird alert link--- http://www.bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/  
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WildResearch link---http://www.wildresearch.ca/

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How does the Hummingbirds tongue work?—Check this video--

 


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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
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Wednesday 25 September 2013

RBA - BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY

A BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY was photographed near Telegraph Cove off of Stubbs Island September 24.
source BC Rare Bird Alert http://bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, September 24, 2013

Hi birders,

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning started out cloudy with light rain but ended with a little bit of sunshine and no rain. Throughout the morning we saw and heard a large number of American Robins and Northern Flickers. We spotted a pair of Cooper’s Hawks perched side by side on a snag across the river. Many Pacific Loons and a few Common Murre were seen flying low just above the water heading down the Strait of Georgia. A Savannah Sparrow was perched on a low bush in the meadows giving us great looks. We watched as nine Turkey Vultures were catching a thermo and heading down the island.

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:

Canada Geese, American Widgeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Horned Grebe,Red-necked Grebe, Common Merganser,  Red-breasted Merganser, Pelagic Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Murre, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Killdeer, Long-billed Dowitcher, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow , White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Brewer's Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch , House Finch, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch. 

Cooper’s Hawk; Ralph Hocken photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk on October 01 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 9:00 am or the main parking area at Rathtrevor Park at about 9:10 am.

 

How does the Hummingbirds tongue work?—Check the
Video-- 

 


 

Our thoughts are with you Katie.  We look forward to seeing you soon. 

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Sunday 22 September 2013

Nanaimo bird report, September 22, 2013


NANAIMO BIRD REPORT
” EXPLORE NATURE-GO BIRDING”

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, September 22, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning started out with light rain but  it soon turned to heavy and the walk ended early.  The big highlight of the morning was the sighting of a flock of eleven Black Swifts at the end of the walk, flying overhead in the rain.

Seven birders saw and heard the following twenty-two species:

Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Common Mergansers, Common Loons, a Pacific Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Black Swifts, Northwestern Crow, Song Sparrow and House Sparrow.

 


California Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

 

Tuesday, September 17:

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach.
It was a beautiful fall morning with very little breeze.  We spotted several Black Swifts flying overhead near the parking area.  There were also several Great Blue Herons all along our beach walk this morning. 
18 birders saw and heard the following 39 species:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Common Loon, Marbled Murrelet, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black Turnstone, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Western Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Black Swift, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Cedar Waxwing, Savannah Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, Eurasian-collared Dove, Rock Pigeon and Anna's Hummingbird. 

 

 

Black Oystercatcher: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

Sunday, September 15:

A Cassin’s Auklet, Lincoln’s Sparrows and American Pipits were seen at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo.  

Wednesday, September 11:

A Red-breasted Sapsucker was spotted at Colliery Dam Park. 

Sunday, September 08:
A Black-backed Woodpecker was seen and heard on Cortes Island.

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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 September 24 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lions Playground parking lot at 9:00 am or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of Highway 19A. at about 9:10 am.

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The Sunday Bird Walk on September 29 will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. Meet at the store at 9:00 am or at the end of Raines Road off Cedar Road at about 9:30 am.
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For anyone interested, we have a trip list and a lot of photos on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/WildResearch/171922462820335 ***********************************************************************

British Columbia rare bird alert link--- http://www.bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/https://www.facebook.com/pages/WildResearch/171922462820335
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WildResearch link---http://www.wildresearch.ca/

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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
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

 

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, September 17, 2013

The September 17, 2013 Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach.
It was a beautiful fall morning with very little breeze.  We spotted several Black Swift flying overhead near the parking area.  There were also several Great Blue Herons all along our beach walk this morning. 
18 birders saw and heard the following 39 species:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Common Loon, Marbled Murrelet, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black Turnstone, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Western Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Black Swift, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Cedar Waxwing, Savannah Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, Eurasian-collared Dove, Rock Pigeon, Anna's Hummingbird
 
 

Black Oystercatchers: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

The Tuesday bird walk on September 17 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lions Playground parking lot at 9:00 am or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of Highway 19A. at about 9:10 am.
 

Good birding
Rhonda

Sunday 15 September 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, September 15th , 2013:


The Sunday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.  The morning was foggy and cool with poor visibility over the water.

 



Fox Sparrow, Ralph Hocken photo

 

Highlights included first of season Fox Sparrow and three Common Loons still in partial breeding plumage. Sixteen birders saw and heard the following twenty-eight species: Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Great-blue Heron, Glaucous-winged Gull, Merlin, Killdeer, Anna’s Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-necked Grebe, Gadwall, Harlequin Duck, Common Loon, Northern Pintail, Western Grebe, Bewick’s Wren, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Purple Finch, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Brewer’s Blackbird.

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 11th,  2013:

 

An AMERICAN PIPIT was seen on Hodges Road in French Creek.

 

Tuesday, September 10th , 2013:

 

RARE BIRD ALERT: NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH

 

A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was seen in the mud pond by the parking lot at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

 

An adult WESTERN GULL was seen at the Englishman River Estuary.

 

A RED-THROATED LOON was seen at the end of Entwhistle Drive in Lantzville

 

An early LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen offshore in Lantzville.

 

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Little Qualicum River Estuary. The morning was sunny, calm, and warm.  We were rewarded with the sighting of a Western Grebe at the Viewing Station.  At the Estuary we watched as a Northern Harrier searched the grasses for food.  A few other highlights of the morning were the sighting of both Common and Caspian Terns, as well as a Wandering Tattler.
22 birders saw and heard the following 44 species:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Murre, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Wandering Tattler, Black Turnstone, Killdeer, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Common Tern, Caspian Tern, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, House Finch, Barn Swallow, Eurasian-collared Dove and Rock Pigeon.

 

 

Monday, September 9th, 2013:

 

RARE BIRD ALERT: SABINE’S GULLS

 

Two SABINE’S GULLS were seen at Deep Bay with 1 PARASITIC JAEGER.

 

Three more SABINE’S GULLS and 2 PARASITIC JAEGERs were seen offshore at Nile Creek north of Qualicum.

 

A first of season FOX SPARROW was seen at Holden Creek.

 

RARE BIRD ALERT: BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER

 

A BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen at French Creek.

 




Buff-breasted Sandpiper, John Purves photo

 

RARE BIRD ALERT:  STILT SANDPIPER

 

Two STILT SANDPIPERs were seen in the mudflats at the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side in Parksville.

 

 

RARE BIRD ALERT:  LAZULI BUNTING

 

A first year LAZULI BUNTING was spotted at Robins Park on Fifth and Park Ave in Nanaimo.  The bird was seen along the edge of the Cat Stream. 

 



Lazuli Bunting, Russell Cannings photo

 

Sunday, September 8th , 2013:

 

Four SANDHILL CRANEs were seen flying over the south end of Gabriola Island.

 

 

 

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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 September 17th will be going to Columbia Beach. Meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lions Playground parking lot at 9:00 am or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:15 am.
 
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The Sunday Bird Walk on September 22nd will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary.  Meet at the store at 9:00 am or at the Brant viewing platform on Highway 19a near Garret Road at 9:30 am.  We will then proceed to the old A-frame house at the Estuary.
 
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Good birding,
Ryan Cathers

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
 
 

Thursday 12 September 2013

MORE BIRD SIGHTINGS

- Tuesday bird walk highlights: Wandering Tattler, Caspian and Common Tern, seen at the Little Qualicum River Estuary.

- Western Grebe was seen at the viewing stand at the north end of Qualicum Beach.

- 2-Stilt Sandpipers were seen on the mud flats at Englishman River Estuary on Monday Sept 9.

- American Pipit and Ring-necked Pheasant were seen on Hodges road in French Creek on Wednesday Sept 11.

Fall migration is busy and a great time to check out the water birds.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH - RED-THROATED LOON - WESTERN GULL

RARE BIRD:

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was seen at Neck Point park, beside the pond next to the parking lot.

RED-THROATED LOON was seen of the end of Entwhistle drive , Nanaimo.

WESTERN GULL was seen at the mouth of the Englishman River Estuary.

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Tuesday bird walk, September 10, 2013

The September 10, 2013 Bird Walk went to Little Qualicum River Estuary.
The morning was sunny, calm, and warm.  We were rewarded with the sighting of a Western Grebe at the Viewing Station.  At the Estuary we watched as a Northern Harrier searched the grasses for food.  A few other highlights of the morning were the sighting of both Common and Caspian Terns, as well as a Wandering Tattler.
22 birders saw and heard the following 44 species:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Merganser, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Murre, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Wandering Tattler, Black Turnstone, Killdeer, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Common Tern, Caspian Tern, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, House Finch, Barn Swallow, Eurasian-collared Dove and Rock Pigeon.

 

Common Terns & Bonaparte's Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

The Tuesday bird walk on September 17 will be going to Columbia Beach. Meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lions Playground parking lot at 9:00 am or at the parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:15 am.

Good birding
Rhonda

 

Once again, thank-you John, Rhonda and Paul for leading the Tuesday Bird Walk.  It’s so nice to be back!  Neil 

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE

6314 Metral Drive

Nanaimo B.C.

V9T-2L8

Phone: 250-390-3669

Fax: 250-390-1633


Buff-breasted Sandpiper

A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen near  Hodge’s Road in French Creek.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper: John Purves Photo.

 

Monday 9 September 2013

Nanaimo bird report, September 08, 2013

NANAIMO BIRD REPORT

” GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”

Please remember, when reporting a sighting to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.

To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at
thebackyard@shaw.ca
Sunday September 8, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. It was a beautiful day, warm and no wind. Enjoyed watching a couple of Anna’s Hummingbirds as one was hawking insects and another as it was displaying. 14 birders saw and heard the following 31 species: Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Brandt’s Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Glaucous-winged Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Black Oystercatcher, Turkey Vulture, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned hawk, Band-tailed pigeon, Anna’s Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Pacific Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Warbling Vireo, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler,  Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee,
 
 

MacGillivray’s Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.
 
Friday September 6 2013:
Peregrine Falcon, Purple Martins and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were seen off of Hodge’s Road in French Creek.
 
Thursday September 5 2013:
6 Red-neck Phalaropes were seen flying over the mud flats of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.
 
Tuesday September 3 2013:
“RARE BIRD” A Northern Waterthrush was observed for ten minutes at the pond and water fountain in a backyard on Meridian way in Parksville.
 
Great Horned Owl was seen and heard by the Pleasant Valley school near Doumont road in Nanaimo.
 
The September 3, 2013 Bird Walk went to Plummer Road.
The morning started out with light rain and got heavy enough to keep the optics wet and fogged.  Fortunately it cleared somewhat before the walk ended.
Even with the damp weather we were rewarded with some great sightings of migrating birds.  One of the highlights were several Lincoln Sparrows seen throughout the walk.
A Merlin perched long enough for some great views and 3 Bonaparte's Gull were seen flying over the ocean side.  We were also treated to two Western Tanager's feeding in the bushes.
8 wet but cheerful birders saw and heard the following 42 species:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Red-necked Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Pigeon Guillemot, Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron,
Lesser Yellowlegs, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Merlin, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Warbling Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Willow Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, European Starling, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, House Finch.
 
 
 
Lincoln’s Sparrow: John Purves Photo.
 

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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 September 10 will be going to The Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach –  meet at the Viewing Platform near Garrett Road and Highway 19a at about 9:20 a.m. ( if the viewing platform is closed go to the parking area near the “A” Frame house at the Estuary.

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The Sunday Bird Walk on September 15 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary, the Plummer road side. Meet at the store at 9:00 am or at the estuary at 9:20.
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Monday, September 23rd:
 
Arrowsmith Naturalists - GENERAL MEETING - at Knox United Church, 345 Pym, Parksville @ 7:30 p.m.
Topic:  “Grizzly Bears and Arctic Penguins” with Derek Kyosta a leader in the Adventure Tours.  More info 250-752-7588
 
 
 
 
Good birding, Colin.

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