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Monday 31 October 2022
October 27 Bird Report
Sunday 23 October 2022
Clear Skies - the ISS and the Moon and Planets
On Monday, Oct 24, the ISS will rise in the WSW at
7:11 a.m. and pass almost directly overhead.
It will then drop to the ENE horizon at 7:18.
On Wednesday, Oct 26, ISS will appear low in the west
at 7:12 a.m. as it emerges from Earth’s shadow.
It will then climb two thirds of the way up the sky in the north at 7:15
and will drop towards the ENE horizon about 7:20.
Thursday, Oct 28, will the ISS appear in the WNW at
7:13, climb high in the north by 7:16 and then descend to the eastern horizon
at 7:21.
Finally, on Saturday, Oct 30, ISS will appear in the WNW at 7:13 a.m., climb two thirds of the way up the sky in the north, and then set in the east at 7:22.
The Moon
There is a New Moon, meaning the Moon passes near the Sun, on Tuesday, Oct 25. Over the next few days, look for a thin crescent Moon low to the horizon near where the Sun sets. By the weekend, you should be able to see the crescent and the face of the Moon lighted with Earthshine, which can make a very pretty photo.
The planets
Saturn is still visible in the south, about 20 degrees
above the horizon around 9 p.m. Although
not really bright, it is the brightest object in that part of the sky.
On November 1, the Moon will be just below and left of
Saturn
Jupiter is shining brightly in the southeast in the
evening, reaching its highest point in the south about 11 p.m. As a reminder, with a pair of binoculars, you
may be able to make out the four bright moons of Jupiter.
On November 4, the Moon will be just to the lower left
of Jupiter.
Mars is rising in the ENE around 9 p.m. It is easily identified by being almost as
bright as the star Aldebaran, which is to its upper right. Both may have a reddish cast, but Mars is
more distinctly so. Mars will remain
visible most of the night as it travels across the sky towards the west. Of course, it doesn’t travel that way; it
appears to as we rotate under it.
On November 10, the Moon will be to the upper right of Mars.
There will be an eclipse of the Moon in a couple
weeks, followed by a potentially nice meteor shower a few days later, both of
which I’ll talk about in my next Clear Skies.
Clear skies.
David
Wednesday 19 October 2022
The Backyard's Bird Report October 19, 2022
The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
October 19, 2022
“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 was seen and
location of your sighting.
*********************************************************
Long-tailed Duck (R. Hocken)
Tuesday October 18, 2022:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach in French Creek. The weather was sunny, winds calm, tide going out and 12 degrees. A few highlights from the walk were, a pair of Yellow-rumped Warblers in the bushes near French Creek, a Long-tailed Duck in with a flock of Surf Scoters and hearing the call of a Common Loon while standing on the shore looking for birds.
10 birders saw and heard the following 48 bird species:
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
California Quail
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Merlin
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Greater Yellowlegs
Bonaparte’s Gull
Short-billed Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Thayer’s Gull
California Gull
Marbled Murrelet
Rock Pigeon
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
American Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
House Sparrow
Long-billed Dowitcher (R. Hocken)
Sunday October 16, 2022:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The weather was sunny and 11 degrees. A Long-billed Dowitcher was seen foraging along the marsh edge along with a Common Snipe. 4 Snow Geese fly over heading south and a Northern Shoveler was seen in the marsh near the entrance at Buttertubs Drive. The birds were a little busier than the last walk here.
10 birders saw and heard the following 35 bird species:
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard.
Green-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Kill Deer
Long-billed Dowitcher
Common Snipe
American Coot
Anna’s Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick’s Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Spotted Towhee (R. Hocken)
Backyard Bird Notes:
Well, it seems our long summer is going to change
quickly to fall. This week was the first time there was dew on the vehicles in
the morning and the birds are noticing the difference in the weather as well. With
how dry it has been the birds have been quiet at the backyard feeders but this week
I have had what feels like an explosion of activity in the backyard. Juncos,
towhees, chickadees, and Golden-crowned Sparrows are all back and it is great
to see. I am waiting to see if the Steller’s Jays return this year or if there
is enough natural seed that they stay up at the higher elevations.
With the weather changing and the rain coming make
sure you bird feeders are kept dry. Using a cover will help but also only use
enough seed for a day or two, so if your feeder does get soaking wet, it is
easier to clean and less bird seed is wasted.
Have your bird feeders clean and ready as they will be busy with the change in the weather.
If you have any birds to report or need help
identifying, just email or call the store, thebackyard@shaw.ca or 250-390-3669,
toll-free 1-888-808-BIRD (2473).
The Backyard
Bird Walks
Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in
Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three
hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide. The
walks are weather pending.
Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.
The Tuesday Bird Walk, October 25, 2022
The
Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to the Englishman River Estuary on Plummer
Road.
Please meet directly at the entrance to the trail at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.
The Sunday Bird Walk, October 23, 2022
This week’s Sunday Bird Walk will be going to the
Nanaimo River Estuary in South Nanaimo.
Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Raines Road at 9:15 am. Weather cooperating.
For cancelled bird walks due to weather, please check The Backyard blog at www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com on the day of the bird walk. A notice will be up before 8:00am if there is a cancelation.
Good
birding! Colin Bartlett
Wednesday 12 October 2022
The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
October 12, 2022
“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 was seen and
location of your sighting.
*********************************************************
Greater White-fronted Goose (R. Hocken)
Tuesday October 11, 2022:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went up to the Little Qualicum River Estuary with a stop at the Brant viewing stand. The weather was sunny, winds calm, tide going out and 15 degrees. A few highlights from the walk were, a Greater White-fronted Goose that flew low right in front of the viewing platform following a group of Canada Geese, a Yellow-billed Loon near the mouth of the river, and a small flock of 6 Brant flying up the strait. We also saw a pod of Orcas moving south and two Humpback Whales which look to be feeding.
12 birders saw and heard the following 54 bird species:
Brant
Canada Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Yellow-billed Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Least Sandpiper
Baird’s Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Bonaparte’s Gull
Short-billed Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Thayer’s Gull
California Gull
Common Murre
Eurasian Collared Dove
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
American Crow
American Robin
European Starling
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
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Sunday October 9, 2022
The Sunday Bird Walk was cancelled for the Thanksgiving Weekend.
A lone Turkey Vulture was seen soaring by the cliffs on Gabriola Island.
Monday October 10, 2022:
Varied Thrush was heard and seen on Gabriola Island.
If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, thebackyard@shaw.ca or 250-390-3669, toll-free 1-888-808-BIRD (2473).
The Backyard
Bird Walks
Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in
Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three
hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide. The
walks are weather pending.
Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.
The Tuesday Bird Walk, October 18, 2022
The
Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Columbia Beach in French Creek.
Meet at the Parksville Tourist Information Center parking lot, located by Hwy 19A, Northwest Bay Road and Franklin’s Gull Road in Parksville, at 9:00 am or meet at the parking area on Admiral Tryon Blvd, off Columbia Drive and Hwy 19A, at 9:15. Weather cooperating.
The Sunday Bird Walk, October 16, 2022
This week’s Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs
Marsh in Nanaimo.
Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the marsh entrance at the end of Buttertubs Drive off Bowen Road at 9:15 am. Weather cooperating.
For cancelled bird walks due to weather, please check The Backyard blog at www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com on the day of the bird walk. A notice will be up before 8:00am if there is a cancelation.
Good birding! Colin Bartlett
Wednesday 5 October 2022
Bird Report October 5, 2022
The Backyard Wildbird
and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
October 5, 2022
“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 was seen and
location of your sighting.
*********************************************************
Harlequin Duck (R. Hocken)
Tuesday October 4, 2022:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went up to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road. The weather was sunny, winds calm, tide was out and on the way in and 14 degrees. A few highlights from the walk were, Yellow-rumped Warblers feeding the shrubs along the trail, many flocks of Pacific Loons flying, past and 3 Common Murres was seen out in the strait, along with two Humpback Whales moving north.
15 birders saw and heard the following 47 bird species:
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Common Murre
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
American Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick’s Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Kestrel
Killdeer
Short-billed Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
California Gull
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Purple Finch
Yellow-rumped Warbler (R. Hocken)
Sunday October 2, 2022:
Unfortunately, the Sunday Bird Walk was cancelled this week and will also be cancelled for October 9, Thanksgiving Weekend.
A flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen on the Maki Road Trail, along the Nanaimo River.
Backyard Bird Notes:
With the continuing warm dry weather one thing the birds are looking for is water. There are no water puddles or small streams for the to drink from as they have all dried up. Providing a simple shallow water source to your backyard will attract a variety of birds. Songbirds prefer a shallow water source so they can easily wade into the water, like a saucer from a planter that is an inch or so deep. Place it in an open area where birds can see it but still a few feet away from a shrub or tree if they need shelter. Change the water regularly, and clean with the bleach solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Birds have great hearing, and the sound of moving water helps to attract them. Birds can hear the simple dripping sound of water from a great distance and will be attract to the water. Adding a fountain or dripper to your water source will help the birds find your backyard. Make your own dripper with a pop bottle. Tie a string or wire around the neck of the bottle so it can be hung above your water source. Poke a small pin hole in the bottom, fill with water and replace the cap. Hang over your water source and slowly unscrew the cap to achieve a slow steady drip.
If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, thebackyard@shaw.ca or 250-390-3669, toll-free 1-888-808-BIRD (2473).
The Backyard
Bird Walks
Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in
Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three
hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide. The
walks are weather pending.
Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.
The Tuesday Bird Walk, October 11, 2022
The
Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Little Qualicum River Estuary (Marshall
Stevenson Estuary), stopping first at the Brant Veiwing Stand in
Qualicum Beach.
Meet at the Parksville Tourist Information Center parking lot, located by Hwy 19A, Northwest Bay Road and Franklin’s Gull Road in Parksville, at 9:00 am or meet at the Brant Viewing Stand at the end of Qualicum Beach at 9:15am or at the end of Surfside Drive off of Kinkade Road at 9:45. Weather cooperating.
The Sunday Bird Walk, CANCELLED
This week’s Sunday Bird Walk will be cancelled but
will resume on October 16th.
Check the blog for updates and location.
For cancelled bird walks due to weather, please check The Backyard blog at www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com on the day of the bird walk. A notice will be up before 8:00am if there is a cancelation.
Good birding! Colin Bartlett
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