Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, May 28, 2013

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side in Parksville.

The morning started with a slight drizzle, which soon tapered off, but with strong winds on the water side.  Highlights of the walk were the sight of a mother Killdeer with four young.  These little ones spent most of their time under the belly protection of the adult, but they did venture out giving us quick views.  We also spotted a Wilson's Phalarope feeding with another adult Killdeer in the mud flats.  We had a great sighting of a Western Tanager perched on a branch in the meadow area, and three Cedar Waxwings perched atop a conifer.

 

Wilson's Phalarope: John Purves Photo.

 

Thirteen birders (including one visitor from Calgary), saw or heard the following  40 species.

Canada Goose

Great Blue Heron

Pelagic Cormorant

Harlequin Duck

Common Merganser

Bald Eagle 

Killdeer

Wilson's Phalarope

Western Gull

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer's Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna's Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Pacific-sloped Flycatcher

Willows Flycatcher

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

American Robin

Swainson's Thrush

Western Tanager

Cedar Waxwing

Black-headed Grosbeak

Evening Grosbeak

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

American Goldfinch

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird 

Killdeer: Ralph Hocken Photo.

A special thanks to Rhonda and Paul for leading the walk this week! 

The Tuesday bird walk will be going to Springwood Park on June 04, 2013. 

Good birding!