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 by 8am the day of the walk.

Sunday 27 January 2013

Nanaimo bird report, January 27, 2013

                                           Merlin: Ralph Hocken photo.



NANAIMO BIRD REPORT -----” GO BIRDING--EXPLORE NATURE”
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca
Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number along with the date, the species and location of your sighting.
Sunday, January 27, 2013:
The Sunday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with misty rain.  The several highlights of the morning included seeing a Red-tailed Hawk perched high up in a tree checking out the birders below. A Merlin was perched high above us feeding on a Pine Siskin when a Bald Eagle came along and chased the Merlin away.  The Merlin returned and chased the Eagle.  A Sharp-shinned Hawk joined the chase and the Eagle quickly left.  It was a frenzy of activity to finish a great walk.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-three species:, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Hooded  Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Northern Shrike, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Marbled Murrelet, Common Murre, Ringed-neck Pheasant, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Belted Kingfisher, Anna’s Hummingbird,  European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Evening Grosbeak, Brewer’s Blackbird, Pine Siskin, House Finch, Purple Finch and Red Crossbill.


RARE BIRD ALERT-RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL”
13 Jan - 25 Jan -- RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL
in New Westminster!
A first-winter Red-flanked Bluetail is currently showing well in Queens Park, New Westminster. (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=209184547269960571857.0004d346cbbf81bb15d10&msa=0&ll=49.216111,-122.907829&spn=0.014997,0.042272).
From the main parking lot, walk 1 minute north towards the playground where the bird was seen feeding around the picnic tables and the base of conifers as of January 25.

Thursday, January 24:
A Townsend’s Warbler was spotted in a backyard in the Eaglecrest area of Qualicum Beach.

Tuesday, January 22:
The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy and cool with sight breeze off the Strait of Georgia. The highlights included seeing a mixed flock of Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets feeding low in bushes next to the trail. We saw large numbers of Common Murre and one Rhinoceros Auklet on the Strait. The species of the morning was the sighting of three
Pine Grosbeaks ( russet variant) feeding on Hawthorn berries in the bushes not far from the viewing platform along the trail.
Fifteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-four species:
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Brant, American Widgeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Gadwall
Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Gadwall, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Rhinoceros Auklet, Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Black Turnstone, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Eurasian Collared Dove, Anna’s Hummingbird, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Pine Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.


 Sunday, January 27:
Evening Grosbeaks were seen in the 800 block of Douglas Avenue in Nanaimo.

Sunday, January 13:
“Rare Bird Alert- Citrine Wagtail”
The Citrine Wagtail was heard today in Courtenay.
Directions to specific location: From Courtenay, cross the 17th St. Bridge (Courtenay River). Turn right onto Comox Road (Dyke Rd) until the Pumping Station on the right hand side of the road. There is a dirt road across the road with a For Sale sign on the left. Walk up the dirt road towards the steel chain blocking vehicle access. The Wagtail has been observed next to the dirt road, at the furthest brush pile.
Eight Evening grosbeaks and a Townsend’s Warbler were seen visiting a backyard in Chartwell area of Qualicum Beach.
Two Evening Grosbeaks visited a backyard feeder in the 800 block of Patrick Drive in French Creek.
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Arrowsmith Naturalists Meeting---Monday, January 28th Arrowsmith Naturalists meet at Knox United Church in Parksville at 7.30pm. Members Night - we share our photos. Bring your favorites and an item for the raffle. More info 250-752-7588

Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 a.m. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community Park at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area.
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The Tuesday bird walk will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. We will meet at Parksville Community Park at the Lion’s Playground at 9:00, p.m. or at the viewing platform near Garrett Road. at about 9:10 a.m.
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The Sunday Bird Walk on February 03, 2013, will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. We will meet at the bird store at 9:00 a.m. or at the parking lot at Neck Point off Hammond Bay at about 9:15 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

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