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.

Thursday 28 April 2016

RARE BIRD ALERT


British Columbia Bird Alert




Posted: 27 Apr 2016 10:44 PM PDT
On the morning of April 27th, 2016 Adrian Dorst photographed a White-cheeked Starling in Tofino. This bird could be ship assisted or an escapee. There is only one ABA record from 1998 in Homer, Alaska and the bird was presumed to be ship assisted but was rejected due to provenance.

Adrian found this bird on a local lawn in Tofino but was not able to relocate the bird this afternoon.
So far there is no more information as to where in Tofino the bird was seen or if it is located on public property. As soon as more details come in they will be posted here.

Photos: Adrian Dorst

For more information see bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca




Tuesday 26 April 2016

Parksville/Qualicum beach Tuesday bird walk, April 26, 2016

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with calm winds. A Chipping Sparrow greeted us at the parking lot and was seen throughout the morning. We heard and then saw five Red Crossbills high up in a tree.   A young Trumpeter Swan flew over heading down island. We watched as a Brewer’s Blackbird chased a Sharp-shinned Hawk.  We heard and then caught a quick glimpse of a Wilson’s Warbler.  Black-throated Gray Warblers and Pacific-slope Flycatchers were singing for most of the morning.  An American Dipper was preening itself on a log near the Bridge.
                                               Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ralph Hocken Photo:
 
Fourteen Birders saw and heard the following thirty-seven species:
Trumpeter Swan
Canada Goose
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
American Robin
American Dipper
Band-tailed Pigeon
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin’s Vireo
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin


                                                   Trumpeter Swan: Ralph Hocken Photo: 

The Tuesday bird walk on May 03, 2016 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery in north Qualicum Beach. Meet at the Parksville Community Park near the Lions Club Kids Playground in Parksville at 9:00 a.m. or at the Brant viewing platform (along highway 19a near the Strait of Georgia) in north Qualicum Beach at about 9:20 a.m. 

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville.
 
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.co

Monday 25 April 2016

Nanaimo bird report, April 24, 2016

 

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 24, 2016: 
The Sunday bird walk went to Legacy Marsh in Lantzville. The morning was cloudy with light rain and calm winds. We spotted a McGillivray Warbler perched on a snag not far from the trail giving us great views.  Orange-crowned Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Black-throated Grey Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Townsend’s Warblers were seen and we were entertained by their singing all morning. We spotted a Golden Eagle ( unusual, exciting sighting for this area) flying high overhead. Warbling Vireos and Cassin's Vireos were heard during the walk. A Purple Martin and a Barn Swallow were seen hawking insects overhead.

                                         McGillivray Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

Fifteen birders saw and heard the following forty-seven species:
Canada Geese
Mallard
Ring-neck Duck
Wood Duck
Hooded Merganser
  Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
Northern Harrier
Cooper’s Hawk
Wilson’s Snipe
Rufous Hummingbird
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
European Starling
Common Raven
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Marsh Wren
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bushtit
Warbling Vireo
Cassin's Vireo
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
McGillivray Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Pine Siskin   

 
                                    Warbling Vireo: Ralph Hocken Photo  

A Yellow Warbler was seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. 

Tuesday, April 19:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm with a breeze off the forest side of the strait.  A Black-bellied Plover in full breeding plumage was feeding along the shoreline.  Dunlin,  Bonaparte's Gulls, Pacific Loons, Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes and Pelagic Cormorants were all showing their breeding plumage, giving us a very colorful showing on the Strait of Georgia. A mixed flock of  Surf Scoters and  Black Scoters floated by on the water. We heard and then saw a Townsend’s Warbler singing just overhead.  

                                     Horned Grebe: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Seventeen birders including two visiting birders from Red Deer saw and heard the following fifty-eight species:
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Dunlin
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Marbled Murrelet
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Marsh Wren
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Red-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-wing Blackbird
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
 
                                        Savannah Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Sunday, April 17:
Over one thousand Pacific Loons were seen on the Strait of Georgia off Dickson Road in Lantzville
------------------------------------------------------ 

TOFINO SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL 

April 29 - May 1, 2016 

tofinoshorebirdfestival.com 

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

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 26, 2016 will be going to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park near the Lions Club Kids playground parking lot at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Tuan Road on Industrial Way in Parksville at about 9:10 a.m. 

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

The Sunday bird walk on May 01, 2016 will be going to Morrell Wild Life Sanctuary in Nanaimo. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or follow Highway 19 to 5th Street, turn right on Wakesiah Avenue turn right on Nanaimo Lakes Road go under highway 19,( look for sign) turn right to Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary and the parking lot at about 9:20 a.m.
 

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

Good birding
Neil Robins 

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

Wednesday 20 April 2016

Spring 2016 Newsletter

Spring has sprung! With all of the nice weather we have been having, us at the store are all thinking of sunny day activities. In this newsletter we discuss mason bees as well as nest boxes to answer some questions one might have on the topics.




If you wish to download the PDF document for further reading please use the link below:

We would love to hear from you about what you think about this edition of the newsletter, email us at: thebackyard@shaw.ca


Tuesday 19 April 2016

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 17, 2016

The Tuesday bird walk went to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. The morning was sunny and warm with a breeze off the forest side of the strait.  A Black-bellied Plover in full breeding plumage was feeding along the shoreline.  Dunlin,

 Bonaparte's Gulls, Pacific Loons, Horned Grebes, Red-necked Grebes and  Pelagic Cormorants were all showing their breeding plumage, giving us a very colorful showing on the Strait of Georgia. A mixed flock of  Surf Scoters and

 Black Scoters floated by on the water. We heard and then saw a Townsend’s Warbler singing just overhead. 



Horned Grebe: Ralph Hocken Photo.


Seventeen birders including two visiting birders from Red Deer saw and heard the following fifty-eight species:
Brant
 American Wigeon
 Mallard
 Harlequin Duck
 Surf Scoter
 Black Scoter
 Bufflehead
 Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser 
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
 Pelagic Cormorant
 Great Blue Heron
 Turkey Vulture
 Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
 Black-bellied Plover
 Black Oystercatcher
 Dunlin
 Bonaparte's Gull
 Mew Gull
 California Gull
Thayer's Gull
 Glaucous-winged Gull
Marbled Murrelet
 Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
 Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
 Common Raven
 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Marsh Wren
 Bewick's Wren
 Pacific Wren
 Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
 Varied Thrush
Red-breasted Nuthatch
 European Starling
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
 Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
 Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
 Song Sparrow
Red-wing Blackbird
 Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

Savannah Sparrow: Ralph Hocken Photo.

The Tuesday bird walk on April 26, 2016 will be going to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park near the Lions Club Kids playground parking lot at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Tuan Road on Industrial Way in Parksville at about 9:10 a.m.

Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville 
thebirdstore.blogspot.com

thebackyard@shaw.ca

Monday 18 April 2016

Killer Whales

Hi birders,

I was out birding with John Purves earlier today we spotted about 3000 Pacific Loons and a Pod of Killer Whales off Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. The Whales entertained us for about one hour, great birding!!!

Neil Robins
Parksville

Nanaimo bird report, April 17, 2016

 

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 17, 2016:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Moorecroft Regional Park in Nanoose Bay. The warm morning was mostly sunny.  We heard and saw Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Black-throated Grey Warblers throughout the morning.  Near the end of the walk we heard two Hutton’s Vireos singing their awesome songs near the trail. 

                                                    Hutton’s Vireo: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

Twenty-one birders saw and heard the following forty-two species:
Canada Geese
Mallard
Bufflehead
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Horned Grebe
Common Loon
Pelagic Cormorant
Pigeon Guillemot
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Barred Owl
Mew Gull
Bonaparte’s Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Grey Warbler
Hutton’s Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pacific Wren
Marsh Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Red-winged Blackbird
Pine Siskin 

Saturday, April 16:
Two Peregrine Falcons were seen in a backyard near Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo. 

Tuesday, April 19:
The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with light rain and calm winds. We watched as a pair of Bushtits entered their moving nest and settled inside. A Cooper’s Hawks flew over head screaming and then disappeared. Orange-crowned Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers were feeding high up in the big leaf maple trees throughout the morning.  We heard many Black-throated Gray Warblers singing during the bird walk.
 

                                      Black-throated Gray Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

Nineteen birders including a visiting birder from Red Deer saw and heard the following twenty-nine species:
Canada Geese
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Anna's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Band-tailed Pigeon
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Red-wing Blackbird
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
 
                                                  Bushtit: Ralph Hocken Photo.

-----------------------------------------------------

TOFINO SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL 

April 29 - May 1, 2016 

tofinoshorebirdfestival.com 

********************************************************************
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 19, 2016 will be going to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park near the Lions Club Kids Playground Parking Lot at 9:00 a.m.. or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor Park, at about 9:10 a.m.

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

The Sunday bird walk on April 24, 2016 will be going to the Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or under the hydro lines along Normarel Drive. ( turn off highway 19 at Superior Road stay right and follow Vandenhoek Road to Normarel Drive, turn left go to hydro lines and park) at about 9:20 a.m.

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

Good birding
Neil Robins 

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

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Parksville/qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, April 12, 2016

The Tuesday bird walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with light rain and calm winds. We watched as a pair of Bushtits entered their moving nest and settled inside. A Cooper’s Hawks flew over head screaming and then disappeared. Orange-crowned Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers were feeding high up in the big leaf maple trees throughout the morning.  We heard many Black-throated Gray Warblers singing during the bird walk.
Black-throated Gray Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo. 
Nineteen birders including a visiting bird from Red Deer saw and heard the following twenty-nine species:
Canada Geese
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Anna's Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Band-tailed Pigeon
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Red-wing Blackbird
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
 
                       Bushtit: Ralph Hocken Photo. 
The Tuesday bird walk on April 19, 2016 will be going to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park near the Lions Club Kids Playground Parking Lot at 9:00 a.m.. Or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor Park, at about 9:10 a.m. 
Good birding
Neil Robins
Parksville 
thebirdstore.blogspot.com
  thebackyard@shaw.ca
 
 
 

Monday 11 April 2016

Nanaimo bird report, April 10, 2016

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 10, 2016: 
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly road side of the Englishman River in Parksville.. The morning was cloudy and calm. We spotted a Townsend’s Solitaire Perched on a snag close to the trail, giving us good views. A Hairy Woodpecker flew in and started feeding on a tree close to the trail. A Red-breasted Sapsucker was spotted climbing a tree and stopped to preen itself for a long time, giving us long looks. Violet-green Swallows and Tree Swallows were seen flying high over head. 

                               
Townsend’s Solitaire: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Twenty birders saw and heard the following fifty-two species:
Canada Geese
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Horned Grebe
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Turkey Vulture
Black Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Bonaparte’s Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
  Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northwestern Crow
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bewick’s Wren
Pacific Wren
American Robin
Townsend’s Solitaire
European Starling
Red-winged Blackbird
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Purple Finch
House Finch
Dark-eyed Junco
Pine Siskin 

A House Wren, a Pacific Slope Flycatcher, a Black-throated Grey Warbler, several Rufous and Anna’s Hummingbirds, White-crowned Sparrows, Red Crossbills, Hutton's and Cassin's vireos were seen along the power lines right of way off Harwood Mines Road in Nanaimo.

 
                                                                                    Hermit Thrush:
 
 Friday, April 08: 
A Townsend’s Solitaire was seen on Little Mountain in Parksville. 

Tuesday, April 05:
The Tuesday Birdwalk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a light shower but calm winds. We watched a Greater Yellowlegs sleeping on the mudflats while Killdeer sang and ran about nearby.  A Northern Harrier flew over the estuary looking for prey.  A fast flying Merlin flew over head. A Greater Scaup was spotted with a flock of Surf Scoters racing down the Strait of Georgia.  Common Loons, Red-necked Grebes, Horned Grebes, Common Merganser and Red-breasted Mergansers were on the strait sporting their new breeding plumage---a colorful sight!  A Common Murre, a Marbled Murrelet and Brandt’s Cormorant were also spotted on the strait.  A flock of Bonaparte's Gulls flew just over the water heading south.  Western Gulls, a Herring Gull and a Glaucous Gull were resting with a large number of gulls on a gravel bar.  
 
                                                   Glaucous Gull: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Twenty birders, including visiting birders from Saskatchewan and Edmonton, saw and heard the following sixty-seven species:
Canada Geese
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Gadwall
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Greater Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Brandt’s Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Greater Yellowlegs
Black Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Harrier
Merlin
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Collared Dove
California Quail
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
American Robin
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bushtit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Marsh Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Fox Sparrow
Red-wing Blackbird
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

 
                                                 Northern Harrier: Ralph Hocken Photo.
------------------------------------------------------ 

TOFINO SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL
April 29 - May 1, 2016
tofinoshorebirdfestival.com
******************************************************************** 

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 will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville. Meet at the parking lot near the Lions Club Kids playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the west end of Despard Avenue at about 9:10 a.m.  

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

The Sunday bird walk on April 17, 2016 will be going to the Moorcroft Regional Park in Nanoose Bay. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the end parking lot at Moorecroft at about 9:30 a.m. 

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

Good birding
Neil Robins 

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

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk

The Tuesday Birdwalk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with a light shower but calm winds. We watched a Greater Yellowlegs sleeping on the mudflats while Killdeer sang and ran about nearby.  A Northern Harrier flew over the estuary looking for prey.  A fast flying Merlin flew over head.  A Greater Scaup was spotted with a flock of Surf Scoters racing down the Strait of Georgia.  Common Loons, Red-necked Grebes, Horned Grebes, Common Merganser and Red-breasted Mergansers were on the strait sporting their new breeding plumage---a colorful sight!  A Common Murre, a Marbled Murrelet and Brandt’s Cormorant were also spotted on the strait.  A flock of Bonaparte's Gulls flew just over the water heading south.  Western Gulls, a Herring Gull and a Glaucous Gull were resting with a large number of gulls on a gravel bar.   

                                             Glaucous Gull: John Purves Photo. 
Twenty birders, including visiting birders from Saskatchewan and Edmonton, saw and heard the following sixty-seven species:
Canada Geese
Brant
American Wigeon
Mallard
Gadwall
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Greater Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Brandt’s Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Greater Yellowlegs
Black Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Harrier
Merlin
Bonaparte's Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Western Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Collared Dove
California Quail
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
American Robin
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bushtit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Marsh Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Rufous Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Fox Sparrow
Red-wing Blackbird
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

 

                                           Northern Harrier: Ralph Hocken Photo. 

The Tuesday bird walk will be going to Springwood Park in Parksville. Meet at the parking lot near the Lions Club Kids playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the west end of Despard Avenue at about 9:10 a.m.  

Good birding
Neil Robins

thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Sunday 3 April 2016

Nanaimo bird report, April 03, 2016

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.

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Sunday, April 03, 2016: 
The Sunday bird walk went to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy and calm.  Pacific Wrens were singing all morning. A Red-breasted Sapsucker was feeding near the trail. Orange-crowned Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warblers were feeding high up in the trees. We spotted a Townsend’s Warbler in a conifer tree playing hide and seek with us. American Robins were plentiful on the walk. We heard a Varied Thrush and had great views of a Hermit Thrush feeding near the trail.
Twenty-two birders saw and heard the following thirty-one species:
Mallard
Wood Duck
Glaucous-wing gull
Bald Eagle
  Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Band-tail Pigeon
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Hermit Thrush
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Spotted Towhee,
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow 



                                                                        Hermit Thrush:

Tuesday, March 29: 
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was partly cloudy with calm winds. We watched in fascination as a Hairy Woodpecker went into a hole in the tree near the trail and started excavating the hole for it’s nest.  Two Downy Woodpeckers were tapping trees nearby.  We had good looks at a Swainson's Hawk flying overhead---an unusual sighting for this area. For the first time this season, we heard and then saw several Orange-crowned Warblers feeding near the trail.  Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were along the trail for most of the morning.  A Band-tailed Pigeon was perched in a tree over the trail--another first of the season bird.

                                        Rufous Hummingbird: Len Bettam Photo. 

Twenty-one birders including a visiting birder from Edmonton saw and heard the following sixty species:
Canada Goose
Brant
American Widgeon
Eurasian Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
White-crowned Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Northern Shrike
Mew Gull
California Gull
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
American Coot
California Quail
Band-tailed Pigeon
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Steller’s Jay
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Anna’s Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Bushtit
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow 


                                            Orange-crowned Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo.

Wednesday, March 30:
A single Tundra Swan flew over a backyard near Planta Park in Nanaimo.

A Common Yellowthroat was seen at Buttertubs Marsh west in Nanaimo.

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TOFINO SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL

April 29 - May 1, 2016

tofinoshorebirdfestival.com 

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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. *******************************************************************************
The Tuesday bird walk on April 05, 2016 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the Lions Club Kids Playground parking area at 9:00 a.m. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:10 a.m.

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The Sunday bird walk on April 10, 2016 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the end of Shelly Road (on the ocean side of highway 19a)in Parksville at about 9:30 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
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.co

Common Yellowthroat.

The birdstore has received a report of a Common Yellowthroat seen at Buttertubs west in Nanaimo.

The Yellowthroat was seen on March 30, 2016
 
Common Yellowthroat: Ralph Hocken Photo.