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 29 April 2014

Parksville/Qualicum beach Tuesday bird walk, April 29, 2014

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with a wind off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights of the morning included the sighting of two Bald Eagle, young fledglings seen in their nest close to the river. Several flocks of Brant Geese flew in and rested just off shore. A pair of Gadwall were in with the American Wigeon near the shoreline at low tide. We saw many Savannah Sparrows perched on the shrubs and stumps in the meadow area next to the trail. A flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers along with a few Orange-crowned Warblers followed us along the meadow trail singing and feeding on the low shrubs.

 

                                                               Orange-crowned Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

 

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following sixty-three species:
Canada Goose
Brant
Mallard
Green-wing Teal
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Northern Pintail
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Harlequin Duck
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Dunlin
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Bonaparte's Gull
California Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Eurasian-collared Dove
California Quail
Ring-necked Pheasant
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Brown Creeper
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bushtit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Bewick’s Wren
Pacific Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Grey Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Red-winged Blackbird
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
 

 
                                                  Brant: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

The Tuesday bird walk on May 06, 2014 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery in Qualicum Beach.  

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Sunday 27 April 2014

Nanaimo bird report, April 27, 2014

 

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, April 27, 2014:
The Sunday bird walk went to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. The morning was cloudy with a stiff breeze blowing at the end of the walk.
There were many Violet-green Swallows, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and a Cliff Swallow flying low over the marsh. Two Red-breasted Sapsuckers put on a great show for us near the top of a tall snag. We saw Orange-crowned Warblers, Black Throated-grey Warblers Yellow-rumped Warblers and several Townsend’s Warblers feeding on a Cedar and Big Leaf Maple trees close to the trail giving us great views. We saw and heard a Pacific-sloped Flycatcher. We heard a Willow Flycatcher,  a Cassin’s Vireo, and a Warbling Vireo.
Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species: Canada Geese, Mallard,  Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck,  Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Wilson's Snipe,  Bald Eagle,  Cooper’s Hawk,  Anna’s Hummingbird,  Rufous Hummingbird,  Red-breasted Sapsucker,  Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker,  Pileated Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay,  Common Raven,  Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow,  Bushtits,  Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren,  Marsh Wren,  Pacific Wren,  Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Varied Thrush,  European Starling,  Cassin’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo,  Orange-crowned Warbler,  Black Throated-grey Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler,  Wilson’s Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Willow Flycatcher,  Pacific-sloped Flycatcher,  Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow,  Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird,  Purple Finch,  American Goldfinch and Dark-eyed Junco. 

                                            Yellow-rumped Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Tuesday, April 22:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm with calm winds. We were greeted with the sound of Chipping Sparrows singing as we started the walk. Rufous Hummingbirds caught our attention throughout the morning and we spotted one Anna’s Hummingbird during the walk. We were royally entertained by a singing Cassin’s Vireo as he followed us along the trail, perching not far up on the trees once in a while to give us great views. We heard a Townsend's Warbler and a Willow Flycatcher singing in the distance. We spotted a Black-throated Gray Warbler singing high up in the deciduous trees just off the trail—again giving us more great views. Spring migration has arrived in Parksville.

                                            Black-throated Gray Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.     
 
Thirteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Canada Goose, Common Merganser, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bushtit, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Hermit Thrush, Eurasian-collared Dove, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, Cassin’s Vireo, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch and American Goldfinch. 

Monday, April 21:
A large Flock of American Wigeon, a Eurasian Wigeon and six male Northern Shoveler's were seen from a boat just south of Round Island (located just about a mile south from Dodd’s Narrows).
 

A Northern Pygmy Owl was seen in a backyard at the Little Qualicum Village.

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

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. on 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 April 29, 2014 will be going to The Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 9:00 am or at the end of Shelly Road of highway 19a at about 9:10 am. 

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

The Sunday bird walk on May 04 will be going to Morrell Sanctuary in Nanaimo. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 a.m. or at Morrell Sanctuary off Nanaimo Lakes Road at about 9:15 a.m. 

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

British Columbia rare bird alert link---
 http://www.bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/  

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

WildResearch link---
http://www.wildresearch.ca/

Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip Announced – May 11, 2014
WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's 2014 Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip will run on Sunday May 11, 2014! Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs.

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

West coast environment link--


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

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 22 April 2014

Parksville/Qualicum Beach tuesday bird walk, April 22, 2014

 

The Tuesday birdwalk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm with calm winds. We were greeted with the sound of Chipping Sparrows singing as we started the walk. Rufous Hummingbirds caught our attention throughout the morning and we spotted one Anna’s Hummingbird during the walk. We were royally entertained by a singing Cassin’s Vireo as he followed us along the trail, perching not far up on the trees once in a while to give us great views. We heard a Townsend's Warbler and a Willow Flycatcher singing in the distance. We spotted a Black-throated Gray Warbler singing high up in the deciduous trees just off the trail—again giving us more great views. Spring migration has arrived in Parksville.      

 
                                                    Black-throated Warbler; Ralph Hocken Photo.                              
 
Thirteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Canada Goose
Common Merganser
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bushtit
Varied Thrush
American Robin
Hermit Thrush
Eurasian-collared Dove
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Willow Flycatcher
Cassin’s Vireo
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch

 
                                                Rufous Hummingbird: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk on April 29, 2011 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. 

Good birding!
Neil Robins
Parksville

Saturday 19 April 2014

Nanaimo bird report, April 19, 2014

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.  

Saturday, April 19, 2014:
THERE WILL BE NO BIRDWALK ON APRIL 20, 2014
The Sunday bird walk on April 27 will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. 

Friday, April 18:
Seventeen Sandhill Cranes were singing and catching a thermal above the Harwood area of Nanaimo. After several minutes they had gained enough altitude and headed north. 

Thursday, April 17:
A Chipping Sparrow was seen near the Morningstar Ponds in French Creek. 

Tuesday, April 15:

The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was mostly sunny with cloudy periods and calm winds.
We spotted a Townsend's Warbler feeding high up in a Big Leaf Maple tree.  We saw and heard several Orange-crowned Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers throughout the morning.  Four Common Yellowthroats kept us entertained singing and moving through the scotch broom next to the road.  A Red-tailed Hawk was being mobbed by a Common Raven high up in the sky.  A Great Horned Owl flew in and perched on a tree giving us great views.  A second Great Horned Owl was being mobbed by a flock of American Robins nearby giving us more great views of the owls.  We saw a Barred Owl near the end of the walk.  The owl was perched on a limb out in the open which made for more great views and a great finish to our walk.

 
                                            Common Yellowthroat: Ralph Hocken Photo.                   

 Sixteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-six species:
Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Glaucous-winged Gull, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Purple Finch and American Goldfinch.
 
                                                  Great Horned Owl: Hans Laue Photo.

  Monday, April 14:
A raft of thousands of Surf Scoters along with White-winged Scoters, Brant, Greater Scaup and Red-necked Grebes were seen just off shore at Parksville Bay stretching to French Creek. 

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

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. on 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 April 22, 2014 will be going to Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 9:00 am or at the parking area along Enterprise Way at about 9:10 am.
***************************************************

There is no Sunday bird walk on April 20, 2014 

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

The Sunday bird walk on April 27 will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 a.m. or under the Hydro lines along  Normarel Drive at about 9:15 a.m. 

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

British Columbia rare bird alert link---
 http://www.bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/  

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

WildResearch link---http://www.wildresearch.ca/
Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip Announced – May 11, 2014
WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's 2014 Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip will run on Sunday May 11, 2014! Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs.

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

West coast environment link--
http://coastaltarsands.ca/w1/videos/
*******************************************************************************

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 15 April 2014

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 15, 2014

The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was mostly sunny with cloudy periods and calm winds.
We spotted a Townsend's Warbler feeding high up in a Big Leaf Maple tree.  We saw and heard several Orange-crowned Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers throughout the morning.  Four Common Yellowthroats kept us entertained singing and moving through the scotch broom next to the road.  A Red-tailed Hawk was being mobbed by a Common Raven high up in the sky.  A Great Horned Owl flew in and perched on a tree giving us great views.  A second Great Horned Owl was being mobbed by a flock of American Robins nearby giving us more great views of the owls.  We saw a Barred Owl near the end of the walk.  The owl was perched on a limb out in the open which made for more great views and a great finish to our walk.
            
              Common Yellowthroat: Ralph Hocken Photo.                                                                                      
 
 
 
                                                            Great Horned Owl: Hans Laue Photo. 

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Purple finch
American Goldfinch 

The Tuesday bird walk on April 22, 2014 will be going to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. 

                                                 Barred Owl: John Purves Photo. 

Many of the birders saw the eclipse of the moon early this morning.  Thanks for the heads-up, David.  

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Sunday 13 April 2014

Nnanaimo bird report, April 13, 2014

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, April 13, 2014:

The Sunday bird walk went the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was sunny and the winds were calm. The highlights included seeing a Blue-winged Teal and a Eurasian Teal in with the Green-winged Teal on the mud flats. Thousands of Greater Scaup, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters and Brant Geese were in a large raft along the far shore where the estuary meets the ocean.  The raft extended on past French Creek. We saw several Ruby-crowned Kinglets feeding as we walked along the trail. 
                                                   Blue-winged Teal: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Seventeen birders saw and heard the following sixty-two species:
Canada Geese, Brant,  American Wigeon, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal,  Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, 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, Doubled-crested Cormorant, Marbled Murrelet, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer, California Quail, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Bonaparte’s Gull, Glaucous Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,  Violet-green Swallow, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Raven, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,  American Robin, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Purple Finch, House Finch and American Goldfinch.  

A Mourning Dove was calling in the 800 block of Harewood Mines Road in Nanaimo.  

Friday, April 11:
 Two Mountain Bluebirds were seen at Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. 

 Tuesday, April 08:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Alberni Inlet in Port Alberni. The morning was mostly sunny with a strong wind off the inlet but it was calm in the forest.  We were greeted at the start of the walk with singing Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Orange-crowned Warbler just off the trail. We spotted four Red Crossbills down low to the ground, close to the trail, drinking at the waters edge.  A male and female Mountain Bluebird gave us great views on the meadow area near the pipeline right of way. We had great looks at a female American Kestrel perched on a hydro line near the pipeline trail. We heard and saw many Marsh Wrens throughout the morning.  A good number of Northern Shoveler's, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup were on the ponds.          

                                                   Northern Shoveler: Ralph Hocken Photo.
 
Fifteen Birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, American Coot, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Pacific Wren, Rufous Hummingbird, American Robin, Mountain Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin. 

Monday, April 07:
Thousands of Mew Gulls, Thayer's Gulls, California Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls were seen on the mud flats at the Plummer road side of the Englishman River Estuary. Further off shore were hundreds of Pacific Loons and Common Murre. 
***********************************************************************************

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. on 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 April 15, 2014 will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 9:00 am or at the west end of Despard Avenue at about 9:15 am. 

****************************************************************************
There will not be a Sunday Bird Walk on Easter Sunday, April 20, The Sunday bird walks will resume on April 27.  

****************************************************************************  
British Columbia rare bird alert link---
 http://www.bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/  
****************************************************************************

WildResearch link---
http://www.wildresearch.ca/

Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip Announced – May 11, 2014
WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's 2014 Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip will run on Sunday May 11, 2014! Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs. 

******************************************************************************
West coast environment link--


*******************************************************************************
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 8 April 2014

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 08, 2014

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Alberni Inlet in Port Alberni. The morning was mostly sunny with a strong wind off the inlet and calm in the forest.  We were greeted at the start of the walk with singing Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Orange-crowned Warbler just off the trail. We spotted four Red Crossbills close to the trail down low, drinking at the waters edge. A male and female Mountain Bluebird gave us great views on the meadow area near the pipeline right of way. We had great looks at a female American Kestrel perched on a hydro line near the pipeline trail. We heard and saw many Marsh Wrens throughout the morning. A good number of Northern Shoveler's, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal,  Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup were on the ponds.           

                                               
                                                               Mountain Bluebird: Ralph Hocken Photo.                                

 Fifteen Birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
American Kestrel
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
American Coot
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Northern Flicker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Pacific Wren
Rufous Hummingbird
American Robin
Mountain Bluebird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin 

                                                                    Red Crossbill: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

The Tuesday bird walk on April 15, 2014 will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville. 
 
Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville

Sunday 6 April 2014

Nanaimo bird report, April 06, 2014

 

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, April 06, 2014:
The Sunday bird walk went the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. The morning was partly with sunny periods and calm winds. Tree Swallows and a few Violet-green Swallows were chasing insects all morning as well as perching a few times. We saw Savannah Sparrows for most of the morning. Three Short-eared Owls put in an appearance then flew out of sight.
Twenty birders including a visiting birder from North Carolina saw and heard the following thirty-five species:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Mergansers, Green-winged Teal, Greater Yellowlegs, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Short-eared Owl, Northern Harrier. Red-tailed Hawk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eurasian-collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Violet-green Swallows, Tree Swallows, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin, European Starling, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, House Finch, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow and House Sparrow.

A male American Kestrel was seen along Macmillan Road in Cedar. 

 Tuesday, April 01:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm with a breeze off the Strait of Georgia. We estimated that we saw at least three thousand Brant flocking and then landing near shore after the Bald Eagle flew over. Further off shore we saw Western Grebes, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemots and Brandt’s Cormorant. Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes showed off their colorful breeding plumage not far from shore. Yellow-rumped Warblers were singing and we spotted our first of the season Orange-crowned Warbler also singing from a perch not far from us.                   
Twenty-four birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
Brant, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Brandt’s Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Anna’s Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Bushtit, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco. 

A Ring Necked Pheasant walked through a front garden along Benson Street in Parksville. 

One hundred Greater White-fronted Geese were seen flying past Parksville Beach in Parksville.  

  Monday, March 31:
A Townsend’s Solitaire was seen on the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. 

Sunday, March 30:
A Barn Swallow was seen at Somonos Marsh in Duncan. 

A Ruddy Duck was seen at Quennel Lake in Cedar.
 

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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. on 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 April 08, 2014 will be going to the ponds in Port Alberni. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot near the Lions Club playground at 8:00 am or at Tim Horton's on highway four going into Port Alberni at at about 8:45 am. 

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The Sunday Bird Walk on April 13, 2014 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary Plummer road side in Parksville. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 am or at the corn of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive in Parksville at about 9:25 a.m. 

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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/
 

Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip Announced – May 11, 2014 

WildResearch is pleased to announce that WildResearch's 2014 Spring Pelagic Seabird Trip will run on Sunday May 11, 2014! Proceeds generated from the pelagic trip fundraiser will go towards running WildResearch’s research programs. 

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West coast environment link-- 


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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
Blog:  www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Parksville/Qualicum Baech Tuesday bird walk

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm with a breeze off the Strait of Georgia. We estimated that we saw at least three thousand Brant flocking and then landing near shore after the Bald Eagle flew over. Further off shore we saw Western Grebes, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemots and Brandt’s Cormorant. Horned Grebes and Red-necked Grebes showed off their colorful breeding plumage not far from shore. Yellow-rumped Warblers were singing and we spotted our first of the season Orange-crowned Warbler also singing from a perch not far from us.                                                    
                                                                        
                                                        Orange-crowned Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.                          

Twenty-four birders saw and heard the following forty-nine species:
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Brandt’s Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Turkey vulture
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Dunlin
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Anna’s Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Bushtit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco  

                                                             Pigeon Guillemot:  Ralph Hocken Photo. 

The Tuesday bird walk on April 08, 2014 will be going to the ponds in Port Alberni. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the Lions Club Playground area at 8 am or at Tim Horton's on the Highway 4 as you go into the Port at about 8:45 am. 

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville