Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 27, 2017

 Please note-- This is the final Tuesday bird walk of the season.

The Tuesday bird walks will resume on September 5, 2017. 

The Tuesday bird walk went to Lot Ten in north Qualicum Beach. The morning was sunny and very warm, but cooler in the forest.  A Barred Owl was spotted deep in the forest after we heard many loud noisy birds likely mobbing him at the start of the walk. Several Warbling Vireos, a Common Yellowthroat, a Black-throated Gray Warbler, a MacGillivray’s Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler  and Swainson's Thrush’s made appearances during the morning.  A Spotted Sandpiper was spotted feeding along the edge of the river. We watched as two Northern Rough-winged Swallows flew into their nest hole in the bank of the river.  A  Black-headed Grosbeak was singing continually from the top of a very tall conifer tree.

Nine birders including a visiting birder from California saw and heard the following thirty-three Species:

Bald Eagle

Barred Owl

Turkey Vulture

Spotted Sandpiper

Belted Kingfisher

Common Raven

Northwester Crow

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

 Red-breasted Sapsucker

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

 Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

 Warbling Vireo

 Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

 Chestnut-backed Chickadee

 Pacific Wren

  Swainson's Thrush

American Robin

Black-throated Gray Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

                                                            Common Yellowthroat

 Spotted Towhee

 Song Sparrow

 Black-headed Grosbeak

European Starling 

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

We will be opened on Saturday--Canada Day--from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   We will be opened for our regular hours on Sunday and Monday.  Have a great weekend. 

Sunday Bird Walk, June 25, 2017:

The Sunday bird walk went to Legacy Marsh in Upper Lantzville. The morning was clear, the winds were calm and it was hot!  Mallards, Wood Ducks and a

Great Blue Heron were seen on the marsh. Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and Violet-green Swallows flew overhead. Warbling Vireos, a Hutton’s Vireo and Cassin’s Vireos were heard and seen just off the trail.  We had great views of several Willow Flycatchers perched and singing along the marsh. We heard and then saw a Western Tanager at the top of a conifer tree.

Western Tanager: Ralph Hocken Photo:

Eleven birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species:

Mallard

Wood Duck

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Cooper’s Hawk

Turkey Vulture

Band-tailed Pigeon

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Northwestern Crow

Rufous Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird

Common Yellowthroat

Orange-crowned Warbler

Black-throated Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Warbling Vireo

Hutton’s Vireo

Cassin’s Vireo

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

Western Tanager

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Marsh Wren

Pacific Wren

Bewick’s Wren

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Hammonds Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Black-headed Grosbeak

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Spotted Towhee

Dark-eyed Junco

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

                                                American Goldfinch

Purple Finch

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 20, 2017
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Hatchery in Qualicum Beach. The morning was mostly  sunny with calm winds.  Canada Geese,four White-wing Scoters, a Common Loon and four Killdeer were seen at the Brant viewing platform.  An American Dipper was seen on the river searching and finding food.  We saw an adult Red-breasted Sapsucker and a fledgling Red-breasted Sapsucker on a tree just off the trail. Several Black Swifts, a Vaux’s Swift and many Violet-green Swallows flew overhead during the morning.  Yellow-rumped Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Willow Flycatchers and Warbling Vireos were heard during the walk.  A family of Western Tanagers were spotted flying just off the trail.  A Common Yellowthroat, a Wilson's Warbler and a Yellow Warbler feeding near the trail. Two Red-tailed Hawks were flying high overhead at the end of the walk.

Twenty birders including visiting birders from Australia, California, Manitoba, Washington and Alberta saw and heard the following forty-three species:

Canada Geese

White-wing Scoter

Common Loon

Killdeer

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

California Gull

Mew Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Belted Kingfisher

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Northern Flicker

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Warbling Vireo

American Dipper

Northwestern Crow

European Starling

Black Swift

Vaux’s Swift

Violet-green Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Pacific Wren

Brown Creeper

Rufous Hummingbird

Swainson's Thrush

American Robin

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Wilson's Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Black-headed Grosbeak

American Goldfinch 

Red-Tailed Hawk: Ralph Hocken Photo:

The Tuesday bird walk on June 27,2017 will be going to Lot Ten in north Qualicum Beach. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot next to the Lions Club Kids playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area on the forest side of highway 19a on Kinkade Road at about 9:20 a.m. 

This will be the last Tuesday Birdwalk until September 5, 2017.  Join us for the Sunday Bird walks in Nanaimo for the summer.

The Sunday Birdwalk on July 02/17 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Neck Point off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20 A.M.

Good birding

Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE

314 Metral Drive

 Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8

Phone: 250-390-3669

Fax: 250-390-1633

Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca

Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Parksville/Qualicum beach Tuesday bird walk, June 20, 2017

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Hatchery in Qualicum Beach. The morning was mostly  sunny with calm winds.  Canada Geese,

four White-wing Scoters, a Common Loon and four Killdeer were seen at the Brant viewing platform.  An American Dipper was seen on the river searching and finding food.  We saw an adult Red-breasted Sapsucker and a fledgling Red-breasted Sapsucker on a tree just off the trail. Several Black Swifts, a Vaux’s Swift and many Violet-green Swallows flew overhead during the morning.  Yellow-rumped Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Willow Flycatchers and Warbling Vireos were heard during the walk.  A family of Western Tanagers were spotted flying just off the trail.  A Common Yellowthroat, a Wilson's Warbler and a Yellow Warbler feeding near the trail. Two Red-tailed Hawks were flying high overhead at the end of the walk.

Twenty birders including visiting birders from Australia, California, Manitoba, Washington and Alberta saw and heard the following forty-three species:

Canada Geese

White-wing Scoter

Common Loon

Killdeer

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

California Gull

Mew Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Belted Kingfisher

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Northern Flicker

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Warbling Vireo

American Dipper

Northwestern Crow

European Starling

Black Swift

Vaux’s Swift

Violet-green Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Pacific Wren

Brown Creeper

Rufous Hummingbird

Swainson's Thrush

American Robin

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Wilson's Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Black-headed Grosbeak

American Goldfinch 

The Tuesday bird walk on June 27,2017 will be going to Lot Ten in north Qualicum Beach. Meet at the Parksville Community Park at the parking lot next to the Lions Club Kids playground at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area on the forest side of highway 19a on Kinkade Road at about 9:20 a.m.

Good birding

Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE

314 Metral Drive

 Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8Phone: 250-390-3669

Fax: 250-390-1633

Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca

Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Sunday Bird Walk, June 18, 2017:

The Sunday bird walk went to the Beaver Ponds in Nanoose Bay.

The morning was cloudy and the winds were calm.  We had great views of a Black-throated Gray Warbler.  We heard and then saw several Willow Flycatchers around the pond.  A family of Purple Martins was perched in a snag along the pond.  Violet-green Swallows were seen hawking insects just above the pond.  Swainson’s Thrush entertained  us all morning with their songs.  Red-breasted Nuthatch’s were spotted feeding in a tall tree near the trail.

Black-throated Gray Warbler:

Nine birders, including birders from Leamington, Ontario, Seattle, Washington and St Albert, Alberta, saw and heard the following twenty-five species:

Northern Flicker

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Swainson’s Thrush

Common Raven

Northwestern Crow

Purple Martin

Violet-green Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bewick’s Wren

Bushtit

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

American Robin

Red-winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Dark-eyed Junco

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Red Crossbill

House Finch

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 13, 2017

The Tuesday Bird Walk on June 13, 2017 went to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville.  The morning was cloudy with a strong wind off the Strait of Georgia. Four Black Swifts were seen hawking insects high above us at the beginning of the walk. Two Caspian Terns were spotted, one was resting on a gravel bar and the other one was plunging in the water in search of prey further offshore. Two Pigeon Guillemots and an Marbled Murrelet were seen further off shore. A Great Horned Owl being mobbed by a flock of American Robins was seen at the end of the walk.

Fifteen birders including visiting birders from Seattle and Australia saw and heard the following forty-two species:
Canada Geese
Red-breasted Merganser

Common Merganser
Surf Scoter

Pelagic Cormorant

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Bald Eagle
Great Horned Owl

Cooper’s Hawk

Glaucous-Winged Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Caspian Tern

Pigeon Guillemot

Marbled Murrelet

Black Oystercatcher

European Starling
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker 
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-Slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Black Swift

Tree Swallow

Violet-Green Swallow
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Swanson’s Thrush
American Robin
Orange-Crowned Warbler 
Black-throated Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow
White-Crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch

                                                     Caspian Tern: Ralph Hocken Photo:

 A flock of Evening Grosbeaks were seen in a backyard near Andover and Fairwinds in Nanoose Bay.

A flock of thirty Great Blue Herons were seen flying over the Casino in downtown Nanaimo.

Saturday, June 10:

Red Crossbills were seen above the Boat Harbour in Nanaimo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk on June 20/17 will be going to The Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery.  Meet at The Parksville Community Park at the parking lot in front of the Lion's Playground at 9 a.m. or at the Brandt Viewing Platform in north Qualicum Beach at about 9:20 a.m.

The Sunday Birdwalk on June 25/17 will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or under the hydro lines on Normarel Drive (off Superior Road & highway 19) at about 9:20 A.M.

Good birding

Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE

314 Metral Drive

 Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8

Phone: 250-390-3669

Fax: 250-390-1633

Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca

Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 13, 2017

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, June 13, 2017

The Tuesday Bird Walk on June 13, 2017 went to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville.  The morning was cloudy with a strong wind off the Strait of Georgia. Four Black Swift were seen hawking insects high above us at the beginning of the walk. Two Caspian Terns were spotted one was resting on a gravel bar and the other one was plunging in the water further offshore in search of prey. Two Pigeon Guillemots and an Marbled Murrelet were seen further off Shore. A Great Horned Owl was seen at the end of the walk being mobbed by a flock of American Robins.

Fifteen birders including visiting birders from Seattle and Australia saw and heard the following forty-two species:
Canada Geese
Red-breasted Merganser

Common Merganser
Surf Scoter

Pelagic Cormorant

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Bald Eagle
Great Horned Owl

Cooper’s Hawk

Glaucous-Winged Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Caspian Tern

Pigeon Guillemot

Marbled Murrelet

Black Oystercatcher

European Starling
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker 
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-Slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Black Swift

Tree Swallow

Violet-Green Swallow
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Swanson’s Thrush
American Robin
Orange-Crowned Warbler 
Black-throated Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow
White-Crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch

Orange-crowned Warbler:

The Tuesday Bird Walk on June 20/17 will be going to The Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery.  Meet at The Parksville Community Park at the parking lot in front of the Lion's Playground at 9 a.m. or at the Brandt Viewing Platform in north Qualicum Beach at about 9:20 a.m.

Good birding

Neil Robins 

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE 

314 Metral Drive 

 Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8 

Phone: 250-390-3669          

                                          Fax: 250-390-1633 

Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca 

Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Nanaimo bird report, June 11, 2017

Sunday Bird Walk, June 11, 2017:

The Sunday bird walk went to Hemer Provincial Park in Cedar.

The morning was mostly sunny and the winds were calm. We had great views of Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Willow Flycatcher at the start of the walk. Two Cedar Waxwings flew in close to the trail and perched for us all to see.  A Chipping Sparrow was perched and singing from the top of a tall bush.

Willow Flycatcher:   Ralph Hocken Photo:

Sixteen birders saw and heard the following thirty-five species:

Mallard

Wood Duck

Hooded Merganser

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Northern Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Orange-crowned Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Yellow Warbler

Black-throated Warbler

Swainson’s Thrush

Common Raven

Northwestern Crow

Violet-green Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Pacific Wren

Bewick’s Wren

Brown Creeper

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Warbling Vireo

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

Western Tanager

Red-winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Dark-eyed Junco

Chipping Sparrow

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Song Sparrow

Saturday, June 10:

A Peregrine Falcon was seen at Cobble Hill.

Two Red-tailed Hawks were seen in Ladysmith.

A Great Horned Owl was seen roosting in a tree in a backyard along Rosstown Road in Nanaimo.

Friday, June 09:

 Flocks of American White Pelicans were seen along Lantzville Beach off Sebastian Road in Lantzville.

A flock of American White Pelicans were seen flying past Blueback Drive in Nanoose Bay.

A flock of American Pelicans were seen flying by Front Street in downtown Nanaimo. 

Thursday, June 08:

Several reports of a flock of American White Pelicans were seen at Craig Bay in Parksville.

The Tuesday Bird Walk on June 6, 2017 went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.  The morning was sunny & warm. The highlights included seeing Yellow Warblers, Willow Flycatchers, Pacific-Slope Flycatchers, Savannah Sparrows & a family of Barred Owls. 
Eleven Birders saw and heard the following forty-three species:

Canada Geese
Double Crested Cormorant
Mallard Duck
Common Merganser
Bald Eagle
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Glaucous-Winged Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Barred Owl
European Starling
Band-Tail Pigeon
Eurasian-Collared Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker 
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-Slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Violet-Green Swallow
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Pacific Wren
Bushtit
Swainson's Thrush
Cedar Waxwing
American Robin
Orange-Crowned Warbler 
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Western Tananger
Spotted Towhee
Brown-Headed Cowbird
Song Sparrow
White-Crowned Sparrow
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch

Yellow Warbler: Ralph Hocken Photo:

Sunday, June 04:
A Common Nighthawk was seen flying over Honeysuckle Terrace in Nanaimo.

The Tuesday Birdwalk on June 13/17 will be going to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville.  Meet at The Parksville Community Park at the parking lot in front of the Lion's Playground at 9 a.m. or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor Park at 9:10 a.m.

The Sunday Birdwalk on June 18/17 will be going to the beaver ponds in Nanoose Bay. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking area off Power-Point Road about one hundred yards past the four way stop at about 9:25 a.m.

Good birding

Neil Robins 

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE 

314 Metral Drive 

 Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8 

Phone: 250-390-3669                

                                          Fax: 250-390-1633 

Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca 

Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com