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19 Nov RBA. Black Tailed Gull Seen Again ["Christopher Stephens" ] 19 Nov RBA!!! Black Tailed Gull In Parksville ["Christopher Stephens" ] 19 Nov Tuesday bird walk ["canadianrobin2003" ] 16 Nov RBA Victoria, BC Sunday Nov. 16 2008 ["Rick Schortinghuis" ] 16 Nov Sharp-tailed Sandpiper ["backyard_store" ] 16 Nov Nanaimo,Vancouver Island-- bird alert-- November 16, 2008, ["backyard_store" ] 16 Nov Sunday bird walk, November 16, 2008 ["backyard_store" ] 15 Nov Herring Gulls & Barrow's Goldeneyes ["Newell, Dave" ] 16 Nov *RARE BIRD ALERT--LITTLE GULL*** ["backyard_store" ] 14 Nov RBA Victoria, BC Friday Nov. 14 2008 ["Rick Schortinghuis" ] 14 Nov RBA Victoria, BC Friday Nov. 14 2008 ["Rick Schortinghuis" ] 11 Nov Slate-coloured Junco ["Newell, Dave" ] 11 Nov Many interesting birds at Martindale Flats ["Newell, Dave" ] 11 Nov RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 11 2008 ["Rick Schortinghuis" ] 12 Nov Tuesday bird walk, November 11, 2008 ["canadianrobin2003" ] 11 Nov Little Gull ["canadianrobin2003" ] 10 Nov Re: Deformed Hummingbird bill ["Joachim Ruhstein" ] 10 Nov Re: Mystery bird ["jediredtails" ] 9 Nov Re: Mystery bird [Roger Taylor ] 9 Nov Mystery bird [Roger Taylor ] 10 Nov Deformed Hummingbird bill ["kirsten_456" ] 09 Nov SNOW GEESE in Nanaimo ["backyard_store" ] 09 Nov Nanaimo,Vancouver Island-- bird alert-- November 09, 2008, ["backyard_store" ] 09 Nov Snow Bunting in Nanaimo ["backyard_store" ] 09 Nov Sunday bird walk, November 09, 2008 ["backyard_store" ] 09 Nov Re: Tuesday bird walk, November 04, 2008 ["backyard_store" ] 8 Nov Re: Tuesday bird walk, November 04, 2008 [Roger Taylor ] 7 Nov RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 7 ["Rick Scortinghuis" ] 08 Nov Probable RBA, plus a late Rufous in Langford ["David Allinson" ] 7 Nov RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 6 ["Rick Scortinghuis" ] 5 Nov RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 5 ["Rick Scortinghuis" ] 05 Nov Tuesday bird walk, November 04, 2008 ["canadianrobin2003" ] 3 Nov Very interesting sandpiper [Roger Taylor ] 2 Nov RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 2 2008 ["Rick Scortinghuis" ] 02 Nov Nanaimo,Vancouver Island-- bird alert-- November 02, 2008, ["backyard_store" ] 02 Nov Sunday bird walk, November 02, 2008 ["backyard_store" ] 30 Oct RBA Victoria, BC October 30 ["Rick Scortinghuis" ] 31 Oct Tuesday bird walk, October 28, 2008 ["canadianrobin2003" ] 27 Oct Re: Brown Pelican ["mcbirder" ] 27 Oct Brown Pelican ["Malcolm" ] 26 Oct Nanaimo,Vancouver Island-- bird alert-- October 26, 2008, ["backyard_store" ] 26 Oct Sunday bird walk, October 26, 2008 ["backyard_store" ] 26 Oct Re: RBA: Cassin's Finch ["mcbirder" ] 26 Oct RBA: Cassin's Finch [Roger Taylor ] 24 Oct SWainson's Thrush Victoria ["kirsten_456" ] 24 Oct RBA: Pine Grosbeak ["Christopher Stephens" ] 24 Oct Black Turnstones ["canadianrobin2003" ] 23 Oct RBA Victoria, BC Oct. 23 ["Rick Scortinghuis" ] 23 Oct Sightings at Oceanside ["canadianrobin2003" ] 23 Oct Parksville Qualicum Beach CBC date set ["Sandra Gray" ] 23 Oct Birding World ["canadianrobin2003" ] 22 Oct RBA Victoria, Oct. 22 2008 ["Rick Scortinghuis" ] Subject: RBA. Black Tailed Gull Seen Again From: "Christopher Stephens" <mnc.stephens AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:39:43 -0000 Hi all, I just went down to the Parksville Community Park with my camera to try for a photo of the BLACK TAILED GULL. It was out on the gravel bar/island in the south side of Parksville Bay. The bird flew out of the flock of California Gulls roosting there, giving me great veiws of it's bright white tail with WIDE BLACK BAND the bird settled in the water, and I got a few distant shots. I will post a couple on here soon. I lost track of the the bird again, and I believ it may have flown down to the second gravel bar a few hundred meters south, just off the englsishman estuary, in front of the R.V park. the two gravel bars are the gulls day roosts it seems, if you come early in the morning when there is little human disturbance, you can see many of the gulls on the vollyball sandpit in the field beside the skate park, which is easier than looking through the birds on the gravel bar. That is how I saw the bird originally. Christopher Stephens, Parksville B.C Subject: RBA!!! Black Tailed Gull In Parksville From: "Christopher Stephens" <mnc.stephens AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:37:23 -0000 Hi all, seeing the report from Courteny of a Black tailed Gull, I thought it would be worth checking out the Parksville comunity park to see if there was anything of interest. In the volleyball sandpit near the gazebo was a group of california and other gulls, and in with them sharply stood out a a gull with yellow legs, slightly smaller than the californias, with a noticably darker back, about intermediate between breeding and winter plumage, with BRIGHT YELLOW EYES, AND A BILL TIP THAT WAS SOLID DEEP RED WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BLACK. The bird had a "lower to the ground, I guess shorter legs, than the California gulls. the flock flushed, circled around, and most of them landed back in the volleyball sandpit. I couldnt see the bird among them as they landed. It could be anywhere in the several reasonably sized groups of gulls in the park. The big gull roosts are on the vollyball sandpit, the roof of the old skating rink, and the little island just of the "point" of the park. also check the playground, lamps, and the road. Christopher Stephens, Parksville B.C Subject: Tuesday bird walk From: "canadianrobin2003" <nmrobins AT telus.net> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:14:18 -0000 Hi birders, The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Deep Bay. Sixteen birders saw and heard forty-five species of birds on a sunny November morning. Highlights of the morning included the sighting of over five hundred Dunlin who came towards us in a huge cloud and moved along the shore. We followed one Clark's Grebe in our scopes as it swam towards Denman Island. Eight Western Grebes off shore caught our attention throughout the morning. We watched over three hundred Red-necked Grebes and at least thirty Horned Grebes. Huge rafts of Surf, Black and White-winged Scoters stretched on for the length of Denman Island. There were several Long-tailed Ducks off shore. The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants meet at the at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the playground at 9 a.m. Rain and/or heavy winds will deter us--but we will plan a walk for every week. Everyone is welcome to bring their binoculars and join us for a morning of birding. For the weekly location of the birdwalk, please call Neil Robins at 250-954-1928 or The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 1-888-249-4145. Sixteen birders found the following forty-five species of birds on November 18, 2008: Canada Goose Trumpeter Swan American Wigeon Mallard Greater Scaup Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Pacific Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Western Grebe Clark's Grebe Brandt's Cormorant Double-crested Cormorant Pelagic Cormorant Great Blue Heron Bald Eagle Dunlin Mew Gull California Gull Thayer's Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Pigeon Guillemot Rock Dove Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Steller's Jay Northwestern Crow Common Raven Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit European Starling Spotted Towhee Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco House Finch House Sparrow Subject: RBA Victoria, BC Sunday Nov. 16 2008 From: "Rick Schortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:28:42 -0800 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. * Nov. 16, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Sunday Nov. 16, 11:00pm update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Announcement The VNHS Sat. Birding Group will be going to Gyro Pk, Mystic Vale, Haro Woods this coming Sat Nov.22. Meet at Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay at 8:00am. Feature Birds American Kestrel Herring Gull Snow Goose Northern Shrike Sunday Nov. 16 Highlights of a VNHS birding walk to Martindale were: 15 birders saw a total of 44 species. Highlights were 1 Snow Goose, 60 Cackling Canada Geese, Greater White-Fronted Geese. 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Sky Lark, 25 Western Meadowlarks, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon. At the corner of Island View Rd and McHugh Rd there were 25 Mourning Doves Up Island there was an Iceland Gull seen at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River in Parksville. Yesterday there was an adult Little Gull. Saturday Nov. 15 1 American Kestrel seen from Malcolm Rd. in Central Saanich. 50 Bald Eagles, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin, 25 Wood Ducks seen from the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd in Duncan. 10 Herring Gulls, 20 Bald Eagles, 1 Western Gull seen at Goldstream Pk. Friday Nov. 14 RBA 6 Pine Grosbeaks were seen on Mt. Wells. At Panama Flats there was, 1 Peregrine Falcan, 1 Merlin, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Northern Shrike, 3 Wilsons Snipe, 26 Canvasbacks, 6 Eurasian Wigeon, 6 Trumpeter Swans. At the Red Barn Market there were 70 Trumpeter Swans. Thursday Nov. 13 4 Tundra Swans, 1 Snow Goose, 9 Greater White-fronted Geese and many Cackling Geese seen south of Martindale Rd. Other birds in the area include, 20 Western Meadowlarks, 10 Sky Larks, 10 American Pipits, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Northern Harriers, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Tuesday Nov. 11 130 Ancient Murrelets were seen off the Chinese Cemetary. At Swan Lk there was 1 Northern Shrike, 1 northern Harrier, 2 Ruddy Ducks and 5 Virginia Rails. At Clover Point there were hundreds of Ancient Murrelets seen flying east, also there 15 Bonaparte Gulls A White-throated Sparrow was seen in the 2900 block of Wascana St. in the Gorge area. Off the south side of Martindale Rd there were 4 Tundra Swans, 1 Snow Goose, 1 Bar Headed Goose, 14 Greater White-fronted Geese, 40 Cackling Geese and 1 Northern Harrier. At McIntyre Reservoir there was one Wilsons Snipe, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 19 American Pipits, 1 Western Meadowlark Monday Nov. 10 A Northern Shrike was seen in Summit Pk. in Saanich. Friday Nov. 7 RBA. The possible Brewers Sp. was positively identified as a Grasshopper Sparrow, this is the 5th record for the VNHS checklist. It was seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terrace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. RBA for a possible Prothonotary warbler seen in the north side of Cuthbert Holmes Pk. in Saanich. Park at Kelsey's Restaurant at Tillicum Mall, walk west along the edge of the highway exit and then cutting south into the bramble on the narrow trails at the top of a small "hill" The warbler was seen in the spot where the brambles give way to hawthorns on the other side of this hill. A Swamp Sparrow was seen from the viewing tower at Viaduct Flats. 16 Mourning Doves were seen on hydro wires along Island View Rd. near McHugh Rd. 12 Cackling Geese, 1 Snow Goose and a Bar-headed Goose(probably the same one that has been seen at Esquimalt Lagoon), on the south side of Martindale Rd. 4 Tundra Swans seen on the north side of Martindale Rd. 4 Snow Geese were seen on the Dinsdale Farm at Cowichan Bay in Duncan. A late Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a feeder off Happy Valley Rd in Langford Thursday Nov. 6 RBA for a possible Brewers Sparrow seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale Wednesday Nov 5 A Rock Sandpiper was see at Cattle Point A Ruffed Grouse was see on Jocelyn Hill. A Eurasian Collared Dove was seen on hydro wires along Dallas Rd near Clover Point Tues. Nov. 4 2 Snow Buntings and 2 Lapland Longspurs were seen at Cattle Point. 2 Rock Sandpipers were seen from the end of Rutland Rd north of Cattle Point. 1 Rough-legged Hawk over Swan Lake, also there 2 Ruddy Ducks. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale. 1 female Redhead at the north end of Elk Lk. Monday Nov. 3 1 Palm Warbler was seen near the bridge over Swan Creek in Swan Lake. Sunday Nov. 2 A birding walk along Lockside Trail from Blenkinsop Lk. to Martindale produced the following highlights. Several Cackling Geese at Blenkinsop Lk. 1 White-throated Sparrow between Cordova Bay Rd and Lockside Pk. 12 Snow Geese south of Martindale Rd. 1 brown-headed Cowbird seen with a mixed flock of sparrows near Mitchels Farm Market Saturday Nov. 1 Highlights of the VNHS Sat. Birding Group Walk to Islandview Beach and the bulbfields were. The group of 15 birders saw 56 species. The highlights were from the Vantrieght bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. 3 Snow Geese 3 Mourning Doves 10 Skylarks 3 Wilsons Snipe 15 Western Meadowlarks Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: Sharp-tailed Sandpiper From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:26:14 -0000 Hi birders, We have just received a report of a juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in Bamfield B.C. The Sandpiper was seen all day on November 12,2008. Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo British Columbia Subject: Nanaimo,Vancouver Island-- bird alert-- November 16, 2008, From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:10:26 -0000 The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store Nanaimo Bird Alert To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 e-mail us at thebackyard AT shaw.ca call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029 Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Post your sightings on these site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages Birds of British Columbia: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html International Birdwatching Guides http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with: http://www.birdingpal.org/ Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number, along with the date, name and location of your sighting. Sunday, November 16, 2008: The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Among the highlights were the sightings of a female Wilson's Warbler and a Barred Owl, sleeping on a branch not far off the ground. A large flock of Pine Siskins and American Goldfinch landed in the top of the tall bush near the trail. We spotted two Black Bears near the River sitting in a tree looking us over. We watched a River Otter catch an American Coot and then scurry off into the reeds near the shore, with the American Coot in it's mouth. Thirty-one birders found the following thirty-four species of birds. Canada Goose, Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, American Wigeon, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Barred Owl, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Rock Pigeon, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Steller's Jay, Red-winged Blackbird, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut- backed Chickadee, Wilson's Warbler, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrows Saturday November 15: The little Gull was seen again near the large Gravel Bar at the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. Friday November 14: An American Dipper was seen at Skutz falls. Wednesday November 12: A Rufous Hummingbird is coming to feeders along Denver Way in Crestview Modular Home Park in north Nanaimo. Tuesday November 11: The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary, in Qualicum Beach. Highlights of the morning included the sighting of over two hundred Bald Eagles perched in the conifer trees around the Estuary and along the River. We saw at least one hundred Trumpeter Swans near the mouth of the Little Qualicum River. Throughout the morning, the Swans left in groups of six or eight and flew right over us as they left the Estuary. We spotted a rare Little Gull among the Bonaparte's, Mew and Thayer's Gulls near the mouth of the River. Further out on the water were large flocks of Black, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Common Mergansers and Harlequin Ducks. Dozens of Harbour Seals and Sea Lions were resting in the water past the Gravel Bar--likely after having a grand feast on the abundant Chum Salmon in the Strait. Eight birders found the following forty-four species of birds. Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Little Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark- eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird and House Finch. Rare Bird Alert "Little Gull" A Little Gull was seen with Bonaparte's and Thayer's Gulls at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River on the Tuesday bird walk. Monday November 10: A Peregrine Falcon and a Northern Shrike were seen at the Cowichan Bay Dock Road in Cowichan Bay. A Varied Thrush was seen at Boat Harbour in south Nanaimo. Sunday November 09: Anna's hummingbirds are coming to feeders in the 700 Block of Doehle Street in Parksville. A Brown Creeper was seen on Lundgren Road in the Diver Lake area of Nanaimo. Saturday November 08: Twenty-five Snow Geese were spotted flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store AT (250) 390-3669 Toll Free AT 1-888-249-4145 e-mail: thebackyard AT shaw.ca *********************************** The Nanoose Naturalists Ross Peterson will present an update on the Enos Lake Project. Thursday November 13, 2008 AT 7:00 pm Nanoose Library, Nanoose Bay ********************************** Arrowsmith Naturalists Guess Speaker " Chris Czajkowski," naturalist and author, will speak on "The plants of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park". Monday November 24, 2008 AT 7:30 pm. Springwood School Parksville ******************************** 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. ***************************************** The Tuesday Bird Walk on Tuesday November 18 will be going to the Deep Bay. Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, in the parking area in front of the playground at 9 A.M. or at the parking area at the Marina at Deep Bay at about 9:35 A.M. *************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on November 23, 2008 will be going to Neck Point in Nanaimo. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or the parking area at Neck Point off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20 A.M. *************************************** Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo Subject: Sunday bird walk, November 16, 2008 From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:30:49 -0000 Hi birders, The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Among the highlights were the sightings of a female Wilson's Warbler and a Barred Owl, sleeping on a branch not far off the ground. A large flock of Pine Siskins and American Goldfinch landed in the top of the tall bush near the trail. We spotted two Black Bears near the River sitting in a tree looking us over. We watched a River Otter catch an American Coot and then scurry off into the reeds near the shore, with the American Coot in it's mouth. Thirty-one birders found the following thirty-four species of birds. Canada Goose, Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, American Wigeon, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Barred Owl, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Rock Pigeon, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Steller's Jay, Red-winged Blackbird, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut- backed Chickadee, Wilson's Warbler, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, House Finch and House Sparrows. Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo British Columbia Subject: Herring Gulls & Barrow's Goldeneyes From: "Newell, Dave" <dnewell AT sd61.bc.ca> Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:06:26 -0800 Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 Goldstream Park: About 10 adult & immature Herring Gulls, many Glaucous-winged Gulls and just a few Thayer's and Mew Gulls were along the stream near the picnic area. 1 Western Gull out on the estruary with the many other gulls as well as about 20 Bald Eagles. 2 Barrow's Goldeneyes (1 male & 1 female) with a small flock of about 10 Buffleheads were in the inlet just beyond the estruary. Good Birding!!! David, Brigitte, Geoffrey & Jean Newell Subject: *RARE BIRD ALERT--LITTLE GULL*** From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:13:01 -0000 Hi birders, The Little Gull first spotted at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River Estuary on the Tuesday bird walk on November 11, 2008-- was seen again today. Today it was off the mouth of the river, and out about where the main large gravel bar is just east of the river mouth. The Gull was seen on its own, but quickly joined in with a Bonaparte's Gull flock There is a huge flock of Gulls in this area of the Little Qualicum River. Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo British Columbia Subject: RBA Victoria, BC Friday Nov. 14 2008 From: "Rick Schortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:56:08 -0800 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. * Nov. 14, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Friday Nov. 14, 10:00pm update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Announcement The VNHS Sat. Birding Group will be going to Centenial Pk this coming Sat Nov.15 not Martindale as mentioned in the last update. Take the Hovey Rd entrance off Wallace Dr. Park by the Lawn Bowling Club. Meet at at 8:00am. Feature Birds RBA Pine Grosbeak Northern Shrike Friday Nov. 14 RBA 6 Pine Grosbeaks were seen on Mt. Wells. At Panama Flats there was, 1 Peregrine Falcan, 1 Merlin, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Northern Shrike, 3 Wilsons Snipe, 26 Canvasbacks, 6 Eurasian Wigeon, 6 Trumpeter Swans. At the Red Barn Market there were 70 Trumpeter Swans. Thursday Nov. 13 4 Tundra Swans, 1 Snow Goose, 9 Greater White-fronted Geese and many Cackling Geese seen south of Martindale Rd. Other birds in the area include, 20 Western Meadowlarks, 10 Sky Larks, 10 American Pipits, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Northern Harriers, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Tuesday Nov. 11 130 Ancient Murrelets were seen off the Chinese Cemetary. At Swan Lk there was 1 Northern Shrike, 1 northern Harrier, 2 Ruddy Ducks and 5 Virginia Rails. At Clover Point there were hundreds of Ancient Murrelets seen flying east, also there 15 Bonaparte Gulls A White-throated Sparrow was seen in the 2900 block of Wascana St. in the Gorge area. Off the south side of Martindale Rd there were 4 Tundra Swans, 1 Snow Goose, 1 Bar Headed Goose, 14 Greater White-fronted Geese, 40 Cackling Geese and 1 Northern Harrier. At McIntyre Reservoir there was one Wilsons Snipe, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 19 American Pipits, 1 Western Meadowlark Monday Nov. 10 A Northern Shrike was seen in Summit Pk. in Saanich. Friday Nov. 7 RBA. The possible Brewers Sp. was positively identified as a Grasshopper Sparrow, this is the 5th record for the VNHS checklist. It was seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terrace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. RBA for a possible Prothonotary warbler seen in the north side of Cuthbert Holmes Pk. in Saanich. Park at Kelsey's Restaurant at Tillicum Mall, walk west along the edge of the highway exit and then cutting south into the bramble on the narrow trails at the top of a small "hill" The warbler was seen in the spot where the brambles give way to hawthorns on the other side of this hill. A Swamp Sparrow was seen from the viewing tower at Viaduct Flats. 16 Mourning Doves were seen on hydro wires along Island View Rd. near McHugh Rd. 12 Cackling Geese, 1 Snow Goose and a Bar-headed Goose(probably the same one that has been seen at Esquimalt Lagoon), on the south side of Martindale Rd. 4 Tundra Swans seen on the north side of Martindale Rd. 4 Snow Geese were seen on the Dinsdale Farm at Cowichan Bay in Duncan. A late Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a feeder off Happy Valley Rd in Langford Thursday Nov. 6 RBA for a possible Brewers Sparrow seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale Wednesday Nov 5 A Rock Sandpiper was see at Cattle Point A Ruffed Grouse was see on Jocelyn Hill. A Eurasian Collared Dove was seen on hydro wires along Dallas Rd near Clover Point Tues. Nov. 4 2 Snow Buntings and 2 Lapland Longspurs were seen at Cattle Point. 2 Rock Sandpipers were seen from the end of Rutland Rd north of Cattle Point. 1 Rough-legged Hawk over Swan Lake, also there 2 Ruddy Ducks. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale. 1 female Redhead at the north end of Elk Lk. Monday Nov. 3 1 Palm Warbler was seen near the bridge over Swan Creek in Swan Lake. Sunday Nov. 2 A birding walk along Lockside Trail from Blenkinsop Lk. to Martindale produced the following highlights. Several Cackling Geese at Blenkinsop Lk. 1 White-throated Sparrow between Cordova Bay Rd and Lockside Pk. 12 Snow Geese south of Martindale Rd. 1 brown-headed Cowbird seen with a mixed flock of sparrows near Mitchels Farm Market Saturday Nov. 1 Highlights of the VNHS Sat. Birding Group Walk to Islandview Beach and the bulbfields were. The group of 15 birders saw 56 species. The highlights were from the Vantrieght bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. 3 Snow Geese 3 Mourning Doves 10 Skylarks 3 Wilsons Snipe 15 Western Meadowlarks Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: RBA Victoria, BC Friday Nov. 14 2008 From: "Rick Schortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:36:35 -0800 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. * Nov. 14, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Friday Nov. 14, 7:00am update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Announcement The VNHS Sat. Birding Group will be going to Centenial Pk this coming Sat Nov.15 not Martindale as mentioned in the last update. Take the Hovey Rd entrance off Wallace Dr. Park by the Lawn Bowling Club. Meet at at 8:00am. Feature Birds Tundra Swan Northern Shrike Thursday Nov. 13 4 Tundra Swans, 1 Snow Goose, 9 Greater White-fronted Geese and many Cackling Geese seen south of Martindale Rd. Other birds in the area include, 20 Western Meadowlarks, 10 Sky Larks, 10 American Pipits, 1 Northern Shrike, 2 Northern Harriers, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Tuesday Nov. 11 130 Ancient Murrelets were seen off the Chinese Cemetary. At Swan Lk there was 1 Northern Shrike, 1 northern Harrier, 2 Ruddy Ducks and 5 Virginia Rails. At Clover Point there were hundreds of Ancient Murrelets seen flying east, also there 15 Bonaparte Gulls A White-throated Sparrow was seen in the 2900 block of Wascana St. in the Gorge area. Off the south side of Martindale Rd there were 4 Tundra Swans, 1 Snow Goose, 1 Bar Headed Goose, 14 Greater White-fronted Geese, 40 Cackling Geese and 1 Northern Harrier. At McIntyre Reservoir there was one Wilsons Snipe, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 19 American Pipits, 1 Western Meadowlark Monday Nov. 10 A Northern Shrike was seen in Summit Pk. in Saanich. Friday Nov. 7 RBA. The possible Brewers Sp. was positively identified as a Grasshopper Sparrow, this is the 5th record for the VNHS checklist. It was seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terrace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. RBA for a possible Prothonotary warbler seen in the north side of Cuthbert Holmes Pk. in Saanich. Park at Kelsey's Restaurant at Tillicum Mall, walk west along the edge of the highway exit and then cutting south into the bramble on the narrow trails at the top of a small "hill" The warbler was seen in the spot where the brambles give way to hawthorns on the other side of this hill. A Swamp Sparrow was seen from the viewing tower at Viaduct Flats. 16 Mourning Doves were seen on hydro wires along Island View Rd. near McHugh Rd. 12 Cackling Geese, 1 Snow Goose and a Bar-headed Goose(probably the same one that has been seen at Esquimalt Lagoon), on the south side of Martindale Rd. 4 Tundra Swans seen on the north side of Martindale Rd. 4 Snow Geese were seen on the Dinsdale Farm at Cowichan Bay in Duncan. A late Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a feeder off Happy Valley Rd in Langford Thursday Nov. 6 RBA for a possible Brewers Sparrow seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale Wednesday Nov 5 A Rock Sandpiper was see at Cattle Point A Ruffed Grouse was see on Jocelyn Hill. A Eurasian Collared Dove was seen on hydro wires along Dallas Rd near Clover Point Tues. Nov. 4 2 Snow Buntings and 2 Lapland Longspurs were seen at Cattle Point. 2 Rock Sandpipers were seen from the end of Rutland Rd north of Cattle Point. 1 Rough-legged Hawk over Swan Lake, also there 2 Ruddy Ducks. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale. 1 female Redhead at the north end of Elk Lk. Monday Nov. 3 1 Palm Warbler was seen near the bridge over Swan Creek in Swan Lake. Sunday Nov. 2 A birding walk along Lockside Trail from Blenkinsop Lk. to Martindale produced the following highlights. Several Cackling Geese at Blenkinsop Lk. 1 White-throated Sparrow between Cordova Bay Rd and Lockside Pk. 12 Snow Geese south of Martindale Rd. 1 brown-headed Cowbird seen with a mixed flock of sparrows near Mitchels Farm Market Saturday Nov. 1 Highlights of the VNHS Sat. Birding Group Walk to Islandview Beach and the bulbfields were. The group of 15 birders saw 56 species. The highlights were from the Vantrieght bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. 3 Snow Geese 3 Mourning Doves 10 Skylarks 3 Wilsons Snipe 15 Western Meadowlarks Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: Slate-coloured Junco From: "Newell, Dave" <dnewell AT sd61.bc.ca> Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:55:57 -0800 1 Slate-coloured Junco seen at feeder private home in Cordova Bay. If you want to see it, call David Newell at 477-6977. Nov. 11, 2008 Good Birding, Geoffrey, Jean and David Newell Subject: Many interesting birds at Martindale Flats From: "Newell, Dave" <dnewell AT sd61.bc.ca> Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:51:30 -0800 Tues. Nov. 11, 2008 Martindale Flats, Central Saanich 4 Tundra Swans (2 adults, 2 immatures), 3 Trumpeter Swans, 1 Bar-headed Goose, 14 Greater White-fronted Geese, 1 Snow Goose, about 40 Cackling Geese, Dusky and Canadensis Canada Geese, 1 Northern Harrier on south side of Martindale Road. 19 American Pipits, 1 Wilson's Snipe, 15 Trumpeter Swans on south side of Island View Road just east of Michell's Farm. 1 Swamp Sparrow amongst Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows, 1 Western Meadowlark, 1 Merlin on south side of Island View Road at corner of driveway where Puckett Road meets Island View Road. 100's of Blackbirds and Starlings flying overhead. Good Birding! David, Brigitte, Geoffrey and Jean Newell Subject: RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 11 2008 From: "Rick Schortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:58:59 -0800 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. * Nov. 11, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Tuesday Nov. 11, 9:00pm update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Announcement The VNHS Sat. Birding Group will be going on the birding trip scheduled in the Naturalist this coming Sat. Nov. 16. Meet at the farm market at the corner of Island View Rd. and Lockside Drive at 8:30am. Park along Lockside Drive north of Island View Rd. GUM BOOTS ARE MANDATORY!!! Non members are welcome. If you would like to get on the the e-mail list that lets people know where we will be going each week, e-mail me privately shylo AT islandnet.com. Feature Birds Ancient Murelet Swamp Sparrow Tundra Swan Northern Shrike Tuesday Nov. 11 130 Ancient Murrelets were seen off the Chinese Cemetary. At Swan Lk there was 1 Northern Shrike, 1 northern Harrier, 2 Ruddy Ducks and 5 Virginia Rails. At Clover Point there were hundreds of Ancient Murrelets seen flying east, also there 15 Bonaparte Gulls A White-throated Sparrow was seen in the 2900 block of Wascana St. in the Gorge area. Off the south side of Martindale Rd there were 4 Tundra Swans, 1 Snow Goose, 1 Bar Headed Goose, 14 Greater White-fronted Geese, 40 Cackling Geese and 1 Northern Harrier. At McIntyre Reservoir there was one Wilsons Snipe, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 19 American Pipits, 1 Western Meadowlark Monday Nov. 10 A Northern Shrike was seen in Summit Pk. in Saanich. Friday Nov. 7 RBA. The possible Brewers Sp. was positively identified as a Grasshopper Sparrow, this is the 5th record for the VNHS checklist. It was seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terrace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. RBA for a possible Prothonotary warbler seen in the north side of Cuthbert Holmes Pk. in Saanich. Park at Kelsey's Restaurant at Tillicum Mall, walk west along the edge of the highway exit and then cutting south into the bramble on the narrow trails at the top of a small "hill" The warbler was seen in the spot where the brambles give way to hawthorns on the other side of this hill. A Swamp Sparrow was seen from the viewing tower at Viaduct Flats. 16 Mourning Doves were seen on hydro wires along Island View Rd. near McHugh Rd. 12 Cackling Geese, 1 Snow Goose and a Bar-headed Goose(probably the same one that has been seen at Esquimalt Lagoon), on the south side of Martindale Rd. 4 Tundra Swans seen on the north side of Martindale Rd. 4 Snow Geese were seen on the Dinsdale Farm at Cowichan Bay in Duncan. A late Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a feeder off Happy Valley Rd in Langford Thursday Nov. 6 RBA for a possible Brewers Sparrow seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale Wednesday Nov 5 A Rock Sandpiper was see at Cattle Point A Ruffed Grouse was see on Jocelyn Hill. A Eurasian Collared Dove was seen on hydro wires along Dallas Rd near Clover Point Tues. Nov. 4 2 Snow Buntings and 2 Lapland Longspurs were seen at Cattle Point. 2 Rock Sandpipers were seen from the end of Rutland Rd north of Cattle Point. 1 Rough-legged Hawk over Swan Lake, also there 2 Ruddy Ducks. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale. 1 female Redhead at the north end of Elk Lk. Monday Nov. 3 1 Palm Warbler was seen near the bridge over Swan Creek in Swan Lake. Sunday Nov. 2 A birding walk along Lockside Trail from Blenkinsop Lk. to Martindale produced the following highlights. Several Cackling Geese at Blenkinsop Lk. 1 White-throated Sparrow between Cordova Bay Rd and Lockside Pk. 12 Snow Geese south of Martindale Rd. 1 brown-headed Cowbird seen with a mixed flock of sparrows near Mitchels Farm Market Saturday Nov. 1 Highlights of the VNHS Sat. Birding Group Walk to Islandview Beach and the bulbfields were. The group of 15 birders saw 56 species. The highlights were from the Vantrieght bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. 3 Snow Geese 3 Mourning Doves 10 Skylarks 3 Wilsons Snipe 15 Western Meadowlarks Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: Tuesday bird walk, November 11, 2008 From: "canadianrobin2003" <nmrobins AT telus.net> Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:21:16 -0000 Hi birders, The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary, in Qualicum Beach. Eight birders saw and heard forty-four species of birds on a mostly sunny fall morning. Highlights of the morning included the sighting of over two hundred Bald Eagles perched in the conifer trees around the Estuary and along the River. We saw at least one hundred Trumpeter Swans near the mouth of the Little Qualicum River. Throughout the morning, the Swans left in groups of six or eight and flew right over us as they left the Estuary. We spotted a rare Little Gull among the Bonaparte's, Mew and Thayer's Gulls near the mouth of the River. Further out on the water were large flocks of Black, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Common Mergansers and Harlequin Ducks. Dozens of Harbour Seals and Sea Lions were resting in the water past the Gravel Bar--likely after having a grand feast on the abundant Chum Salmon in the Strait. The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants meet at the at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the playground at 9 a.m. Rain and/or heavy winds will deter us--but we will plan a walk for every week. Everyone is welcome to bring their binoculars and join us for a morning of birding. For the weekly location of the birdwalk, please call Neil Robins at 250-954-1928 or The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 1-888-249-4145. Eight birders found the following forty-four species of birds on November 11, 2008: Canada Goose Trumpeter Swan American Wigeon Mallard Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Barrow's Goldeneye Common Merganser Pacific Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Pelagic Cormorant Great Blue Heron Bald Eagle Cooper's Hawk Black-bellied Plover Black Oystercatcher Black Turnstone Dunlin Little Gull Bonaparte's Gull Mew Gull California Gull Thayer's Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Northwestern Crow Common Raven European Starling Spotted Towhee Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird House Finch Subject: Little Gull From: "canadianrobin2003" <nmrobins AT telus.net> Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:30:29 -0000 Hi Birders, On the Tuesday bird walk, about 11:45 am, at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River, standing on a rock next to three Bonaparte's Gulls,Black Turnstones and other gulls we spotted a Little Gull. We watched it for about five minutes,through the scopes, the Gull had very dark red legs, the head markings like the Adult nonbreeding (Aug-April) on page 208 of the Sibley Guide to Birds, 2000 edition. Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Coplumbia Subject: Re: Deformed Hummingbird bill From: "Joachim Ruhstein" <jruhstein AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:29:37 -0800 I saw the deformed hummingbird already 4 weeks ago at one feeder close to the nature house and postet 2 images in "Joe's Album". Joachim Ruhstein Courtenay, BC. ----- Original Message ----- From: kirsten_456 To: bcbirdingvanisland AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 5:49 PM Subject: [bcbirdingvanisland] Deformed Hummingbird bill At swan Lake there was a juvenile Anna's hummingbird male that had a crossbill. He's been there all week and been feeding okay but I don't know how he will survivethere was also a dead Virginia rail near Island View Beach on a sad note. I put the humming bird in the photos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.173 / Virus Database: 270.9.0/1778 - Release Date: 11/9/2008 2:14 PM Subject: Re: Mystery bird From: "jediredtails" <jediredtails AT yahoo.ca> Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:01:15 -0000 Yeah, we were hopeful too, but it's sadly just a horned.... It was really approachable too and didn't act like a horned lark at all, Oh well. -- In bcbirdingvanisland AT yahoogroups.com, Roger Taylor wrote: > > I was just looking at Cat and Mike Ashbee's photos in the photos > section of bcbirdingvanisland. There are three photos of a mystery > bird which I am able to say is a Sky Lark for sure. Where did you > guys photograph that bird? Was it outside the Victoria area? If so > that would be really really interesting. I am looking forward to > your reply. > > With best wishes, > -- > > Roger Taylor > Nanoose Bay > Subject: Re: Mystery bird From: Roger Taylor <hoopoe AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2008 19:57:36 -0800 Well it appears that I got that one wrong. The bird is almost certainly a juvenile Horned Lark. It does look awfully like a Sky Lark but I should have twigged to the absence of a crest on the head. There is also the beginning of a blackish band on the chest although one could argue that it looks a lot like the streaking on the breast of a Sky Lark. The leg colour is consistent with Horned Lark, however the bill colour is more like that of a Sky Lark. Anyway I got it wrong. Sorry about that. Thanks, Rick for pointing that out. -- Roger Taylor Nanoose Bay Subject: Mystery bird From: Roger Taylor <hoopoe AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2008 19:25:11 -0800 I was just looking at Cat and Mike Ashbee's photos in the photos section of bcbirdingvanisland. There are three photos of a mystery bird which I am able to say is a Sky Lark for sure. Where did you guys photograph that bird? Was it outside the Victoria area? If so that would be really really interesting. I am looking forward to your reply. With best wishes, -- Roger Taylor Nanoose Bay Subject: Deformed Hummingbird bill From: "kirsten_456" <kirsten_1143 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:49:09 -0000 At swan Lake there was a juvenile Anna's hummingbird male that had a crossbill. He's been there all week and been feeding okay but I don't know how he will survivethere was also a dead Virginia rail near Island View Beach on a sad note. I put the humming bird in the photos. Subject: SNOW GEESE in Nanaimo From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:23:43 -0000 Hi birders, Twenty-five Snow Geese were seen flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo on Saturday November 08, 2008. Good birding! Neil Robins Nanaimo British Columbia Subject: Nanaimo,Vancouver Island-- bird alert-- November 09, 2008, From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:42:55 -0000 The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store Nanaimo Bird Alert To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 e-mail us at thebackyard AT shaw.ca call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029 Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Post your sightings on this site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages Birds of British Columbia: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html International Birdwatching Guides http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with: http://www.birdingpal.org/ Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number, along with the date, name and location of your sighting. Sunday, November 09, 2008: The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanoose Bay Estuary. Among the highlights were the sightings of nine Trumpeter Swans flying in single file over the Bay heading south east. A Northern Shrike was spotted in the low bushes. We saw two Red-tailed Hawks--one was perched in the perching snag tree at the north end of the estuary. A Sharp-shinned Hawk posed in a bush for us to examine him closely and then moved onto a fence post for even a better view. The fog co-operated for most of the morning and stayed at tree level well above the Bay and fifteen birders found the following forty-one species of birds: Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red- tailed Hawk, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Shrike, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red- winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, House Finch and Dark-eyed Junco. Saturday November 08: Twenty-five Trumpeter Swans were spotted flying over Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Friday November 07: Spotted Towhee, Anna's Hummingbirds, Northern Flickers, Chestnut- backed Chickadees, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Purple Finch, Pine Siskins, American Robin, Downy Woodpecker and Steller's Jays are visiting feeders in a backyard in French Creek. Wednesday November 05: A Eurasian Wigeon was seen at the French Creek Estuary. Twenty Trumpeter Swans were seen at Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. Fifteen Evening Grosbeak's were observed at feeders near Boat Harbour in Cedar. A Northern Shrike was spotted near the golf driving range in Duncan. Tuesday November 04: The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side in Parksville. Sixteen birders saw and heard forty species of birds during a blustery fall morning. The highlight of the morning was the Sea Lions, who stole the show from the birds. A pair of Sea Lions came to the surface with Chum Salmon in their mouths, thrashing about and eventually swallowing the salmon. Not far from shore, several immature Gulls, a large flock of Common Mergansers and a few Harlequin Ducks were competing for the scraps of Salmon that were left behind from the huge Sea Lions. The tide was up and heavy waves pounded the shore. Between the waves we saw eight Black Turnstones and one Dunlin racing towards the estuary. Further out on the Strait,there were several Pacific Loons flying just above the water. A Common Loon, a Horned Grebe and a Western Grebe gave us quick glances between waves. Along the boardwalk, we saw a large flock of Bushtits and Golden- crowned Kinglets fly quickly in the bushes and then disappear. A pair of Bald Eagles were perched high in a Fir Tree off the trail. A Ring-necked Duck and six Hooded Mergangers were seen at the French Creek pond. Sunday November 02: A Peregrine Falcon and a Merlin were seen in a yard in the 200 block of Ravere Place in Nanaimo. Ten Black Oystercatchers were seen on the South-east shore of Protection Island. Four Greater White-fronted Geese have spent the last month on a farm in the 6900 block of Eyelash Drive near Brannen Lake in Nanaimo. Saturday November 01: Twenty American Widgeons were spotted on the south-east shore of Protection Island. Friday October 31: A female Ring-necked Pheasant was spotted in a Herb Garden in Deep Bay. For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store AT (250) 390-3669 Toll Free AT 1-888-249-4145 e-mail: thebackyard AT shaw.ca *********************************** The Nanoose Naturalists Ross Peterson will present an update on the Enos Lake Project. Thursday November 13, 2008 AT 7:00 pm Nanoose Library, Nanoose Bay ********************************** Arrowsmith Naturalists Monthly Meeting, Monday November 24, 2008 AT 7:30 pm. Springwood School Parksville ******************************** 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. ***************************************** The Tuesday Bird Walk on Tuesday November 11 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, in the parking area in front of the playground at 9 A.M. or at the Brant Geese, Viewing Tower at Highway 19A and Garrett Road in Qualicum Beach at about 9:15 A.M.. *************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on November 16, 2008 will be going to the Buttertubs Marsh. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or the parking area on the Bowen Road side of Buttertubs Marsh. at about 9:15 A.M. *************************************** Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo Subject: Snow Bunting in Nanaimo From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:40:46 -0000 Hi Birders, The Bird Store received this report of a Snow Bunting! A Snow Bunting in winter plumage was seen today about 1245 pm, on Logan's Run (north Nanaimo) on a gravelly/rocky area beside the road. Good birding! Neil Robins Nanaimo British Columbia Subject: Sunday bird walk, November 09, 2008 From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:02:07 -0000 Hi birders, The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanoose Bay Estuary. Among the highlights were the sightings of nine Trumpeter Swans flying in single file over the Bay heading south east. A Northern Shrike was spotted in the low bushes. We saw two Red-tailed Hawks one was perched in the perching snag tree and the other one in a shorter bush. A Sharp-shinned Hawk posed for a long time in a bush and then moved to a fence post. Fifteen birders found the following forty-one species of birds, with the fog staying at tree level well above the Bay: Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Northern Pintail, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Shrike, Dunlin, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, House Finch and Dark-eyed Junco. Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo British Columbia Subject: Re: Tuesday bird walk, November 04, 2008 From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:06:25 -0000 Hi Roger, The thought had entered my mind but the Dunlin was racing towards the estuary and I saw it for about ten seconds, then it was gone,it was a few minutes behind the Black Turnstones. Too fast for these old eyes. Cheers Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia. --- In bcbirdingvanisland AT yahoogroups.com, Roger Taylor wrote: > > Hi Neil, > > I was just reading your report of Tuesday's walk. Did it > ever occur to you that the lone Dunlin with the eight turnstones > could have been the Braod-billed Sandpiper? It was never seen after > we got it at Columbia Beach. It liked hanging out with turnstones. > Oh well it is likely long gone now. > > Roger > -- > ****************************************************************** > Roger Taylor > 2009 Highland Road email: hoopoe AT ... > Nanoose Bay, BC V9P 9H6 phone: 250-468-5363 > Canada fax: 250-468- 5315 > ***************************************************************** > Subject: Re: Tuesday bird walk, November 04, 2008 From: Roger Taylor <hoopoe AT shaw.ca> Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 16:07:28 -0700 Hi Neil, I was just reading your report of Tuesday's walk. Did it ever occur to you that the lone Dunlin with the eight turnstones could have been the Braod-billed Sandpiper? It was never seen after we got it at Columbia Beach. It liked hanging out with turnstones. Oh well it is likely long gone now. Roger -- ****************************************************************** Roger Taylor 2009 Highland Road email: hoopoe AT shaw.ca Nanoose Bay, BC V9P 9H6 phone: 250-468-5363 Canada fax: 250-468-5315 ***************************************************************** Subject: RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 7 From: "Rick Scortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 20:50:39 -0800 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. * Nov. 7, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Friday Nov. 7, 9:00pm update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Announcement The VNHS Sat. Birding Group will be going to Cattle Point and Uplands Park this coming Sat. Nov. 8. Meet at Cattle Point at 8:00am. Feature Birds RBA for Grasshopper Sparrow RBA for a possible Prothonotary Warbler Swamp Sparrow Tundra Swan Mourning Dove Friday Nov. 7 RBA. The possible Brewers Sp. was positively identified as a Grasshopper Sparrow, this is the 5th record for the VNHS checklist. It was seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terrace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. RBA for a possible Prothonotary warbler seen in the north side of Cuthbert Holmes Pk. in Saanich. Park at Kelsey's Restaurant at Tillicum Mall, walk west along the edge of the highway exit and then cutting south into the bramble on the narrow trails at the top of a small "hill" The warbler was seen in the spot where the brambles give way to hawthorns on the other side of this hill. A Swamp Sparrow was seen from the viewing tower at Viaduct Flats. 16 Mourning Doves were seen on hydro wires along Island View Rd. near McHugh Rd. 12 Cackling Geese, 1 Snow Goose and a Bar-headed Goose(probably the same one that has been seen at Esquimalt Lagoon), on the south side of Martindale Rd. 4 Tundra Swans seen on the north side of Martindale Rd. 4 Snow Geese were seen on the Dinsdale Farm at Cowichan Bay in Duncan. A late Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a feeder off Happy Valley Rd in Langford Thursday Nov. 6 RBA for a possible Brewers Sparrow seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale Wednesday Nov 5 A Rock Sandpiper was see at Cattle Point A Ruffed Grouse was see on Jocelyn Hill. A Eurasian Collared Dove was seen on hydro wires along Dallas Rd near Clover Point Tues. Nov. 4 2 Snow Buntings and 2 Lapland Longspurs were seen at Cattle Point. 2 Rock Sandpipers were seen from the end of Rutland Rd north of Cattle Point. 1 Rough-legged Hawk over Swan Lake, also there 2 Ruddy Ducks. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale. 1 female Redhead at the north end of Elk Lk. Monday Nov. 3 1 Palm Warbler was seen near the bridge over Swan Creek in Swan Lake. Sunday Nov. 2 A birding walk along Lockside Trail from Blenkinsop Lk. to Martindale produced the following highlights. Several Cackling Geese at Blenkinsop Lk. 1 White-throated Sparrow between Cordova Bay Rd and Lockside Pk. 12 Snow Geese south of Martindale Rd. 1 brown-headed Cowbird seen with a mixed flock of sparrows near Mitchels Farm Market Saturday Nov. 1 Highlights of the VNHS Sat. Birding Group Walk to Islandview Beach and the bulbfields were. The group of 15 birders saw 56 species. The highlights were from the Vantrieght bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. 3 Snow Geese 3 Mourning Doves 10 Skylarks 3 Wilsons Snipe 15 Western Meadowlarks e of Martindale Rd. Tuesday Oct. 28 20 Cackling Geese, 8 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on the Polo Field off Wallace Dr. in Brentwood Bay. A Snow Goose and several Cackling Geese were seen in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. 3 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on L Reservoir. 5 Wilson's Snipe, 6 Skylarks, 1 Northern Shrike and 1 Northern Harrier were seen in fields north of Martindale Rd. 8 species of shorebirds were seen at the end of Bowker Ave. Highlights were 70 Dunlin, 3 Surf Birds, 1 Short-billed Dowicher. Monday Oct. 27 A Rusty Blackbird was seen at the end of Lochside Drive south of Martindale Rd. by the pig farm. A Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. Sunday Oct. 26 A Redhead was seen on the pond at the Forestry Museum north of Duncan. 10 Greater White-fronted Geese and 1 Cackling goose was seen in Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay in Victoria. At Cattle Point there was 1 Dunlin, 36 Black-bellied Plovers, 2 Western Gulls, 1 Heerman's Gull, 2 Red-necked Phalaropes. Saturday Oct. 25 RBA, a female Cassin's Finch was seen at a feeder in Jordan River.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct.26) A Northern Shrike was seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd. in Duncan. Out of town- RBA - a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen near Gartley Point south of Courtney.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct. 26) Friday Oct. 24 1 Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese on the south side of Martindale Rd. 15 Western Meadowlarks , 30 Skylarks, 8 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Northern Harrier, many American Pipits, were seen on the bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. Thursday Oct. 23 There was no relocation of the Clarks Nutcacker's or the Harris' Sparrow today. 2 Sandhill Cranes and 2 Northern Shrikes were seen off the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd in Duncan. Also in Duncan a good number of Ruddy Ducks on Quamichan Lk. 1 Mourning dove was seen at the corner of Moss St. and George St. in Victoria. Wednesday Oct 22 An RBA for a pair of Clarks Nutcrackers seen on Mt Douglas today, they flew towards Blenkinsop Lake. An RBA for a Harris' Sparrow seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd for the second day. It was seen in the first area where it opens up after you go through the first gate. It has been seen on the left side along the old rail way. At Viaduct Flats there were 10 Canvasbacks and 3 Redheads. At Mystic Pond there were 15 Wood Ducks and 1 American WigeonX Eurasian Wigeon. Sunday Oct. 19 An RBA a Willet was seen flying over Wiffin Spit in Sooke. A Swamp Sparrow and a Northern Shrike were seen near the lollipop boardwalk at Swan Lake. At Viaduct Flats there were 12 Canvasbacks, 3 Redheads, 3 Virginia Rails, 15 greater White-fronted Geese and 1Trumpeter Swan. Saturday Oct. 18 An RBA for a Franklins Gull seen flying over Swan Lake. Also there a Juv. Sora, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Trumpeter Swan, 5 Virginia Rails, 2 Barred Owls, 3 Ruddy Ducks. 30 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen over Blenkinsop Lk. 1 female Eurasian Wigeon was seen at Mystic Pond also there 12 Wood Ducks. 1 Northern Harrier was seen at Quicks Bottom also there 1 Virginia Rail. 1 Slate-coloured Juno was seen ar Rithets Bog. Friday Oct. 17 A Rough-legged Hawk was seen over Rocky point Bird Observatory, a reminder that RPBO is on DND land and thatb access is restricted. Thursday Oct. 16 A Lapland Longspur and a Townsends Warbler was seen on Christmas Hill. At Swan Lk there was a Blue-winged Teal. Wed. Oct. 15 A Western Tanager was seen on Dunn Ave near Swan Lk. Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: Probable RBA, plus a late Rufous in Langford From: "David Allinson" <passerine AT shaw.ca> Date: Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:55:54 -0000 I'm not quite ready to officially declare it, but a bird matching a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER flew in front of me and landed briefly. This was on the north side of Cuthbert Holmes/Tillicum Park in Saanich late Friday afternoon. I got a painfully quick look in bins before it disappeared, but to me its striking colour, DARK BILL, and size frankly does not suggest much else (except perhaps a tanager sp., but they are not so rich of a yellow). Of interest, this is almost the same date as Victoria's first record for PROW (in 2001)! BTW, anyone crazy enough to sift through the wet bramble and hawthorn "forest" on the north side of Cuthbert Holmes Park could be rewarded with some other goodies. As is usually the case here, there were several hundred sparrows, towhees, juncos, robins, and kinglets flitting about during a soggy dog walk there this afternoon. Just note that some of Greater Victoria's desperate homeless live in this area, but they seem to have abandoned it due to the weather. Too bad there is so much road noise too, as this site is always full of birds and worth being checked over more regularly. Wear good boots as Colquitz Creek in spots has breached its banks and there are many puddles to wade through along the trails! The location is best accessed by parking beside Kelsey's restaurant in Tillicum Mall, and then by walking west, along the edge of the highway exit, and then cutting south into the bramble on the narrow trails at the top of a small rise. My 'pseudo Proto' was in the spot just where the brambles give way to the hawthorns on the other side of this "hill". Earlier today I was pleasantly surprised to see an immature female Rufous Hummingbird at my feeders and perched in my yard (in Happy Valley). Now that I know she is around, even though it is still over a month away I will keep an eye out for her over the coming weeks to see if we can score her for the Victoria CBC?!! Coincidentally, my only other November record for Rufous occured on November 11 in the mid-90's when I lived on nearby Triangle Mountain in Colwood. David "Drying Out My Socks" Allinson Langford Subject: RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 6 From: "Rick Scortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 02:35:08 -0800 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. * Nov. 6, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Thursday Nov. 6, midnight update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Announcement The VNHS Sat. Birding Group will be going to Cattle Point and Uplands Park this coming Sat. Nov. 8. Meet at Cattle Point at 8:00am. Feature Birds RBA for a possible Brewers Sparrow Tundra Swan Eurasian Collared Dove Thursday Nov. 6 RBA for a possible Brewers Sparrow seen at 1178 Sunnygrove Terace. Birders are welcome. Walk up the north side of the house and view south across the yard to where the bird seed has been spread. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale Wednesday Nov 5 A Rock Sandpiper was see at Cattle Point A Ruffed Grouse was see on Jocelyn Hill. A Eurasian Collared Dove was seen on hydro wires along Dallas Rd near Clover Point Tues. Nov. 4 2 Snow Buntings and 2 Lapland Longspurs were seen at Cattle Point. 2 Rock Sandpipers were seen from the end of Rutland Rd north of Cattle Point. 1 Rough-legged Hawk over Swan Lake, also there 2 Ruddy Ducks. 4 Tundra Swans were seen on McIntyre Reservoir in Martindale. 1 female Redhead at the north end of Elk Lk. Monday Nov. 3 1 Palm Warbler was seen near the bridge over Swan Creek in Swan Lake. Sunday Nov. 2 A birding walk along Lockside Trail from Blenkinsop Lk. to Martindale produced the following highlights. Several Cackling Geese at Blenkinsop Lk. 1 White-throated Sparrow between Cordova Bay Rd and Lockside Pk. 12 Snow Geese south of Martindale Rd. 1 brown-headed Cowbird seen with a mixed flock of sparrows near Mitchels Farm Market Saturday Nov. 1 Highlights of the VNHS Sat. Birding Group Walk to Islandview Beach and the bulbfields were. The group of 15 birders saw 56 species. The highlights were from the Vantrieght bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. 3 Snow Geese 3 Mourning Doves 10 Skylarks 3 Wilsons Snipe 15 Western Meadowlarks e of Martindale Rd. Tuesday Oct. 28 20 Cackling Geese, 8 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on the Polo Field off Wallace Dr. in Brentwood Bay. A Snow Goose and several Cackling Geese were seen in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. 3 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on L Reservoir. 5 Wilson's Snipe, 6 Skylarks, 1 Northern Shrike and 1 Northern Harrier were seen in fields north of Martindale Rd. 8 species of shorebirds were seen at the end of Bowker Ave. Highlights were 70 Dunlin, 3 Surf Birds, 1 Short-billed Dowicher. Monday Oct. 27 A Rusty Blackbird was seen at the end of Lochside Drive south of Martindale Rd. by the pig farm. A Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. Sunday Oct. 26 A Redhead was seen on the pond at the Forestry Museum north of Duncan. 10 Greater White-fronted Geese and 1 Cackling goose was seen in Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay in Victoria. At Cattle Point there was 1 Dunlin, 36 Black-bellied Plovers, 2 Western Gulls, 1 Heerman's Gull, 2 Red-necked Phalaropes. Saturday Oct. 25 RBA, a female Cassin's Finch was seen at a feeder in Jordan River.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct.26) A Northern Shrike was seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd. in Duncan. Out of town- RBA - a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen near Gartley Point south of Courtney.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct. 26) Friday Oct. 24 1 Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese on the south side of Martindale Rd. 15 Western Meadowlarks , 30 Skylarks, 8 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Northern Harrier, many American Pipits, were seen on the bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. Thursday Oct. 23 There was no relocation of the Clarks Nutcacker's or the Harris' Sparrow today. 2 Sandhill Cranes and 2 Northern Shrikes were seen off the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd in Duncan. Also in Duncan a good number of Ruddy Ducks on Quamichan Lk. 1 Mourning dove was seen at the corner of Moss St. and George St. in Victoria. Wednesday Oct 22 An RBA for a pair of Clarks Nutcrackers seen on Mt Douglas today, they flew towards Blenkinsop Lake. An RBA for a Harris' Sparrow seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd for the second day. It was seen in the first area where it opens up after you go through the first gate. It has been seen on the left side along the old rail way. At Viaduct Flats there were 10 Canvasbacks and 3 Redheads. At Mystic Pond there were 15 Wood Ducks and 1 American WigeonX Eurasian Wigeon. Sunday Oct. 19 An RBA a Willet was seen flying over Wiffin Spit in Sooke. A Swamp Sparrow and a Northern Shrike were seen near the lollipop boardwalk at Swan Lake. At Viaduct Flats there were 12 Canvasbacks, 3 Redheads, 3 Virginia Rails, 15 greater White-fronted Geese and 1Trumpeter Swan. Saturday Oct. 18 An RBA for a Franklins Gull seen flying over Swan Lake. Also there a Juv. Sora, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Trumpeter Swan, 5 Virginia Rails, 2 Barred Owls, 3 Ruddy Ducks. 30 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen over Blenkinsop Lk. 1 female Eurasian Wigeon was seen at Mystic Pond also there 12 Wood Ducks. 1 Northern Harrier was seen at Quicks Bottom also there 1 Virginia Rail. 1 Slate-coloured Juno was seen ar Rithets Bog. Friday Oct. 17 A Rough-legged Hawk was seen over Rocky point Bird Observatory, a reminder that RPBO is on DND land and thatb access is restricted. Thursday Oct. 16 A Lapland Longspur and a Townsends Warbler was seen on Christmas Hill. At Swan Lk there was a Blue-winged Teal. Wed. Oct. 15 A Western Tanager was seen on Dunn Ave near Swan Lk. Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 5 From: "Rick Scortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 20:17:11 -0800 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. * Nov. 5, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday Nov. 5, 8:00pm update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Announcement The VNHS Sat. Birding Group will be going to Cattle Point and Uplands Park this coming Sat. Nov. 8. Meet at Cattle Point at 8:00am. Feature Birds Rock Sandpiper Ruffed Grouse Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Rough-legged Hawk Tundra Swan Palm Warbler Wednesday Nov 5 A Rock Sandpiper was see at Cattle Point A Ruffed Grouse was see on Jocelyn Hill. Tues. Nov. 4 2 Snow Buntings and 2 Lapland Longspurs were seen at Cattle Point. 2 Rock Sandpipers were seen from the end of Rutland Rd north of Cattle Point. 1 Rough-legged Hawk over Swan Lake, also there 2 Ruddy Ducks. 4 Tundra Swans south of McIntyre Rd in Martindale. 1 female Redhead at the north end of Elk Lk. Monday Nov. 3 1 Palm Warbler was seen near the bridge over Swan Creek in Swan Lake. Tuesday Oct. 28 20 Cackling Geese, 8 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on the Polo Field off Wallace Dr. in Brentwood Bay. A Snow Goose and several Cackling Geese were seen in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. 3 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on L Reservoir. 5 Wilson's Snipe, 6 Skylarks, 1 Northern Shrike and 1 Northern Harrier were seen in fields north of Martindale Rd. 8 species of shorebirds were seen at the end of Bowker Ave. Highlights were 70 Dunlin, 3 Surf Birds, 1 Short-billed Dowicher. Monday Oct. 27 A Rusty Blackbird was seen at the end of Lochside Drive south of Martindale Rd. by the pig farm. A Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. Sunday Oct. 26 A Redhead was seen on the pond at the Forestry Museum north of Duncan. 10 Greater White-fronted Geese and 1 Cackling goose was seen in Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay in Victoria. At Cattle Point there was 1 Dunlin, 36 Black-bellied Plovers, 2 Western Gulls, 1 Heerman's Gull, 2 Red-necked Phalaropes. Saturday Oct. 25 RBA, a female Cassin's Finch was seen at a feeder in Jordan River.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct.26) A Northern Shrike was seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd. in Duncan. Out of town- RBA - a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen near Gartley Point south of Courtney.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct. 26) Friday Oct. 24 1 Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese on the south side of Martindale Rd. 15 Western Meadowlarks , 30 Skylarks, 8 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Northern Harrier, many American Pipits, were seen on the bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. Thursday Oct. 23 There was no relocation of the Clarks Nutcacker's or the Harris' Sparrow today. 2 Sandhill Cranes and 2 Northern Shrikes were seen off the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd in Duncan. Also in Duncan a good number of Ruddy Ducks on Quamichan Lk. 1 Mourning dove was seen at the corner of Moss St. and George St. in Victoria. Wednesday Oct 22 An RBA for a pair of Clarks Nutcrackers seen on Mt Douglas today, they flew towards Blenkinsop Lake. An RBA for a Harris' Sparrow seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd for the second day. It was seen in the first area where it opens up after you go through the first gate. It has been seen on the left side along the old rail way. At Viaduct Flats there were 10 Canvasbacks and 3 Redheads. At Mystic Pond there were 15 Wood Ducks and 1 American WigeonX Eurasian Wigeon. Sunday Oct. 19 An RBA a Willet was seen flying over Wiffin Spit in Sooke. A Swamp Sparrow and a Northern Shrike were seen near the lollipop boardwalk at Swan Lake. At Viaduct Flats there were 12 Canvasbacks, 3 Redheads, 3 Virginia Rails, 15 greater White-fronted Geese and 1Trumpeter Swan. Saturday Oct. 18 An RBA for a Franklins Gull seen flying over Swan Lake. Also there a Juv. Sora, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Trumpeter Swan, 5 Virginia Rails, 2 Barred Owls, 3 Ruddy Ducks. 30 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen over Blenkinsop Lk. 1 female Eurasian Wigeon was seen at Mystic Pond also there 12 Wood Ducks. 1 Northern Harrier was seen at Quicks Bottom also there 1 Virginia Rail. 1 Slate-coloured Juno was seen ar Rithets Bog. Friday Oct. 17 A Rough-legged Hawk was seen over Rocky point Bird Observatory, a reminder that RPBO is on DND land and thatb access is restricted. Thursday Oct. 16 A Lapland Longspur and a Townsends Warbler was seen on Christmas Hill. At Swan Lk there was a Blue-winged Teal. Wed. Oct. 15 A Western Tanager was seen on Dunn Ave near Swan Lk. Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: Tuesday bird walk, November 04, 2008 From: "canadianrobin2003" <nmrobins AT telus.net> Date: Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:17:19 -0000 Hi biders, The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side in Parksville. Sixteen birders saw and heard forty species of birds during a blustery fall morning. The highlight of the morning was the Sea Lions, who stole the show from the birds. A pair of Sea Lions came to the surface with Chum Salmon in their mouths, thrashing about and eventually swallowing the salmon. Not far from shore, several immature Gulls, a large flock of Common Mergansers and a few Harlequin Ducks were competing for the scraps of Salmon that were left behind from the huge Sea Lions. The tide was up and heavy waves pounded the shore. Between the waves we saw eight Black Turnstones and one Dunlin racing towards the estuary. Further out on the Strait,there were several Pacific Loons flying just above the water. A Common Loon, a Horned Grebe and a Western Grebe gave us quick glances between waves. Along the boadwalk, we saw a large flock of Bushtits and Golden-crowned Kinglets fly quickly in the bushes and then disappear. A pair of Bald Eagles were perched high in a Fir Tree off the trail. The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store's weekly bird walk in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area is on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants meet at the at the Parksville Beach Community Park, at the parking area in front of the playground at 9 a.m. Rain and/or heavy winds will deter us--but we will plan a walk for every week. Everyone is welcome to bring their binoculars and join us for a morning of birding. For the weekly location of the birdwalk, please call Neil Robins at 250-954-1928 or The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 1-888-249-4145. Sixteen birders found the following forty species of birds on November 04, 2008: Canada Goose American Wigeon Mallard Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Bufflehead Common Merganser Pacific Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Western Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Bald Eagle Black Turnstone Dunlin Mew Gull California Gull Thayer's Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Northern Flicker Steller's Jay Northwestern Crow Common Raven Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Golden-crowned Kinglet European Starling Spotted Towhee Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird Purple Finch House Finch Pine Siskin Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia Subject: Very interesting sandpiper From: Roger Taylor <hoopoe AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 01:51:12 -0700 This morning I was on a Nanoose Naturalists outing to Columbia Beach and Eaglecrest to look at coastal waterbirds. There were only six of us. Three of us, John and Lois MacKenzie and myself had a lot of experience with waterbirds and shore birds. The MacKenzies are excellent birders. We started off by going to the easterly end of Admiral Tryon Blvd. From there we went back along Admiral Tryon to the very first beach access through a small vacant lot. The tide was very high. There we found a flock of 32 Black Turnstones with an accompanying sandpiper that superficially resembled a Dunlin. It was a little smaller than the turnstones but distinctly bigger than a peep. It didn't take us long to agree that it was not a Dunlin. It didn't have the chunky look of a Dunlin, being longer in body and the bill seemed to be too heavy and deeply curved and too long. The bill and legs both appeared to be black. There was a fairly obvious supercilium. It seemed to be very comfortable with the Black Turnstones and behaved a lot like them as it probed for food. It showed no interest in a flock of Dunlin that flew by. Looking at it I thought Curlew Sandpiper although I wondered if the legs were long enough. The bird was very cooperative and did not flush easily. We flushed it twice and each time it was clear that the rump was not white. In fact the rump looked very similar to that of a Dunlin. We could not reach a conclusion on the bird and unfortunately none of us had a camera with us. I was out all day and did not get back home until about an hour ago (12:30 am). I checked the books and confirmed that they all agreed that a Curlew Sandpiper showed a prominent white rump in all plumages. But another possible candidate came forward. Broad-billed Sandpiper!!! As I type I am looking at the illustrations in Hayman, Marchant and Prater's book "Shorebirds an Identification Guide". I can see that there is a very close match between our bird and the non-breeding adult Broad-billed Sandpiper. The overall plumage is right, the bill is right, the body shape is right, the rump is right, the size is right and even the legs appear to be a little shorter than on a Curlew Sandpiper. The only problem is that in all plumages the Broad-billed has two supercilia that meet in front of the eye. I saw only one supercilium on our bird. However let me quote from the book's description of the non-breeding adult. "Main supercilium and eye-stripe prominent, but upper supercilium often very hard to see." This is clearly a very interesting sandpiper. I think it likely is a Broad-billed but I would like a photograph. I shall head out there tomorrow morning, well later today, with my so-so camera. I would like to encourage any of the people with the big lenses to get out there and see if they can find the bird we saw this morning. Look for it in a flock of about 30 Black Turnstones along the edge of the surf. It could well be there, and good luck. Stay tuned. There could be more. -- Roger Taylor Nanoose Bay Subject: RBA Victoria, BC Nov. 2 2008 From: "Rick Scortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2008 21:44:31 -0800 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. *Nov. 2, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Sunday Nov. 2, 9:30pm update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Feature Birds Snow Goose White-throated Sparrow Brown-headed Cowbird Sunday Nov. 2 A birding walk along Lockside Trail from Blenkinsop Lk. to Martindale produced the following highlights. Several Cackling Geese at Blenkinsop Lk. 1 White-throated Sparrow between Cordova Bay Rd and Lockside Pk. 12 Snow Geese south of Martindale Rd. 1 brown-headed Cowbird seen with a mixed flock of sparrows near Mitchels Farm Market Saturday Nov. 1 Highlights of the VNHS Sat. Birding Group Walk to Islandview Beach and the bulbfields were. The group of 15 birders saw 56 species. The highlights were from the Vantrieght bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. 3 Snow Geese 3 Mourning Doves 10 Skylarks 3 Wilsons Snipe 15 Western Meadowlarks Tuesday Oct. 28 20 Cackling Geese, 8 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on the Polo Field off Wallace Dr. in Brentwood Bay. A Snow Goose and several Cackling Geese were seen in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. 3 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on L Reservoir. 5 Wilson's Snipe, 6 Skylarks, 1 Northern Shrike and 1 Northern Harrier were seen in fields north of Martindale Rd. 8 species of shorebirds were seen at the end of Bowker Ave. Highlights were 70 Dunlin, 3 Surf Birds, 1 Short-billed Dowicher. Monday Oct. 27 A Rusty Blackbird was seen at the end of Lochside Drive south of Martindale Rd. by the pig farm. A Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. Sunday Oct. 26 A Redhead was seen on the pond at the Forestry Museum north of Duncan. 10 Greater White-fronted Geese and 1 Cackling goose was seen in Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay in Victoria. At Cattle Point there was 1 Dunlin, 36 Black-bellied Plovers, 2 Western Gulls, 1 Heerman's Gull, 2 Red-necked Phalaropes. Saturday Oct. 25 RBA, a female Cassin's Finch was seen at a feeder in Jordan River.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct.26) A Northern Shrike was seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd. in Duncan. Out of town- RBA - a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen near Gartley Point south of Courtney.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct. 26) Friday Oct. 24 1 Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese on the south side of Martindale Rd. 15 Western Meadowlarks , 30 Skylarks, 8 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Northern Harrier, many American Pipits, were seen on the bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. Thursday Oct. 23 There was no relocation of the Clarks Nutcacker's or the Harris' Sparrow today. 2 Sandhill Cranes and 2 Northern Shrikes were seen off the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd in Duncan. Also in Duncan a good number of Ruddy Ducks on Quamichan Lk. 1 Mourning dove was seen at the corner of Moss St. and George St. in Victoria. Wednesday Oct 22 An RBA for a pair of Clarks Nutcrackers seen on Mt Douglas today, they flew towards Blenkinsop Lake. An RBA for a Harris' Sparrow seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd for the second day. It was seen in the first area where it opens up after you go through the first gate. It has been seen on the left side along the old rail way. At Viaduct Flats there were 10 Canvasbacks and 3 Redheads. At Mystic Pond there were 15 Wood Ducks and 1 American WigeonX Eurasian Wigeon. Sunday Oct. 19 An RBA a Willet was seen flying over Wiffin Spit in Sooke. A Swamp Sparrow and a Northern Shrike were seen near the lollipop boardwalk at Swan Lake. At Viaduct Flats there were 12 Canvasbacks, 3 Redheads, 3 Virginia Rails, 15 greater White-fronted Geese and 1Trumpeter Swan. Saturday Oct. 18 An RBA for a Franklins Gull seen flying over Swan Lake. Also there a Juv. Sora, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Trumpeter Swan, 5 Virginia Rails, 2 Barred Owls, 3 Ruddy Ducks. 30 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen over Blenkinsop Lk. 1 female Eurasian Wigeon was seen at Mystic Pond also there 12 Wood Ducks. 1 Northern Harrier was seen at Quicks Bottom also there 1 Virginia Rail. 1 Slate-coloured Juno was seen ar Rithets Bog. Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: Nanaimo,Vancouver Island-- bird alert-- November 02, 2008, From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:24:12 -0000 The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store Nanaimo Bird Alert To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 e-mail us at thebackyard AT shaw.ca call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029 Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Post your sightings on these site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages Birds of British Columbia: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html International Birdwatching Guides http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with: http://www.birdingpal.org/ Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number, along with the date, name and location of your sighting. Sunday, November 02, 2008: The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. Among the highlights were the sightings of seven Long-tailed Ducks, a Western Grebe and Red-necked Grebes, off the viewing tower in Qualicum Beach. We watched a Northern Shrike move from shrub to shrub along the beach and were astonished to see a Bald Eagle swoop down and pick off the Shrike and fly off, with several immature Bald Eagles in pursuit. We saw an estimated sixty Bald Eagles riding some thermals high in the sky. Chum Salmon swam close to the shore at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River in an attempt to stay away from several Sea Lions that were swimming in the middle of the River. We witnessed a Sea Lion swallow a Salmon, head first--much the same way a Great Blue Heron eats a fish. Nineteen birders found the following forty-seven species of birds: Common Loon, Red-necked Grebes, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double- crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Shrike, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstones, Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Golden- crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Brewer's Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and House Sparrow. Saturday November 01: A Rusty Blackbird was spotted at Whiffin Spit in Sooke. Friday October 31: Two Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders at Boat Harbour. Thursday October 30: A Barred Owl was seen in the 6200 block of Forest Crescent in Nanaimo. A Cassin's Finch was seen visiting feeders across from the Civic Center in Port Hardy. Tuesday October 28: The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach. Among the highlights of the morning were the sightings of one Long- tailed Duck, a large raft of Surf Scoters and White-wing Scoters and several Black Scoters who entertained us with their singing throughout the morning. We spotted a Merlin chasing some song birds and a Cooper's Hawk put in a brief appearance. Several Pacific Loons, still in breeding plumage, with gorgeous silver necks and heads, were bobbing in the water. Four Dunlin, two Black-bellied Plovers, several Black Oystercatchers and a Killdeer were seen near the gravel bar. Large flocks of Harlequin Ducks flew past us and landed on the water within our viewing range. Seventeen birders found the following thirty-nine species of birds. Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead , Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous- winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch. Sunday October 26: Two Western Meadowlarks, a Northern Shrike, Bufflehead and Surf Scoters, were seen at Nanoose Bay. An Anna's Hummingbird was seen visiting feeders in the Springbrook area of Campbell River. For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store AT (250) 390-3669 Toll Free AT 1-888-249-4145 e-mail: thebackyard AT shaw.ca *********************************** The Nanoose Naturalists Ross Peterson will present an update on the Enos Lake Project. Thursday November 13, 2008 AT 7:00 pm Nanoose Library, Nanoose Bay ********************************** Arrowsmith Naturalists Monthly Meeting, Monday November 24, 2008 AT 7:30 pm. Springwood School Parksville ******************************** 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. ***************************************** The Tuesday Bird Walk on Tuesday November 04 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.. Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, in the parking area in front of the Lions playground at 9 A.M. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at about 9:15 A.M. *************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on November 09, 2008 will be going to the Nanoose Bay. Meet at the Bird Store at 9:00 A.M. or behind the Church Camp off highway 19 and Arlington Road at about 9:15 A.M. *************************************** Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo Subject: Sunday bird walk, November 02, 2008 From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:40:38 -0000 Hi birders, The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. Among the highlights were the sightings of seven Long-tailed Ducks, a Western Grebe and Red-necked Grebes, off the viewing tower in Qualicum Beach. We watched a Northern Shrike move from shrub to shrub along the beach and were astonished to see a Bald Eagle swoop down and pick off the Shrike and fly off, with several immature Bald Eagles in pursuit. We saw an estimated sixty Bald Eagles riding some thermals high in the sky. Chum Salmon swam close to the shore at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River in an attempt to stay away from several Sea Lions that were swimming in the middle of the River. We witnessed a Sea Lion swallow a Salmon, head first--much the same way a Great Blue Heron eats a fish. Nineteen birders found the following forty-seven species of birds: Common Loon, Red-necked Grebes, Horned Grebe, Western Grebe, Double- crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Trumpeter Swans, Canada Goose, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Shrike, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstones, Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, Golden- crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Brewer's Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and House Sparrow. Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo British Columbia Subject: RBA Victoria, BC October 30 From: "Rick Scortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:43:39 -0700 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. * October 30, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Thursday October 30, 8:00pm update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Announcement The VNHS Sat. Birding Group will be going to Islandview Beach this coming Sat. Nov. 1. Meet at the north parking lot at 8:00am. We will also be going to the bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. afterwards. Feature Birds Rusty Blackbird Snow Goose Tuesday Oct. 28 20 Cackling Geese, 8 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on the Polo Field off Wallace Dr. in Brentwood Bay. A Snow Goose and several Cackling Geese were seen in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. 3 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on L Reservoir. 5 Wilson's Snipe, 6 Skylarks, 1 Northern Shrike and 1 Northern Harrier were seen in fields north of Martindale Rd. 8 species of shorebirds were seen at the end of Bowker Ave. Highlights were 70 Dunlin, 3 Surf Birds, 1 Short-billed Dowicher. Monday Oct. 27 A Rusty Blackbird was seen at the end of Lochside Drive south of Martindale Rd. by the pig farm. A Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese in a field on the south side of Martindale Rd. Sunday Oct. 26 A Redhead was seen on the pond at the Forestry Museum north of Duncan. 10 Greater White-fronted Geese and 1 Cackling goose was seen in Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay in Victoria. At Cattle Point there was 1 Dunlin, 36 Black-bellied Plovers, 2 Western Gulls, 1 Heerman's Gull, 2 Red-necked Phalaropes. Saturday Oct. 25 RBA, a female Cassin's Finch was seen at a feeder in Jordan River.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct.26) A Northern Shrike was seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd. in Duncan. Out of town- RBA - a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen near Gartley Point south of Courtney.(it was not relocated on Sunday Oct. 26) Friday Oct. 24 1 Snow Goose was seen with Canada Geese on the south side of Martindale Rd. 15 Western Meadowlarks , 30 Skylarks, 8 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Northern Harrier, many American Pipits, were seen on the bulb fields off Central Saanich Rd. Thursday Oct. 23 There was no relocation of the Clarks Nutcacker's or the Harris' Sparrow today. 2 Sandhill Cranes and 2 Northern Shrikes were seen off the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd in Duncan. Also in Duncan a good number of Ruddy Ducks on Quamichan Lk. 1 Mourning dove was seen at the corner of Moss St. and George St. in Victoria. Wednesday Oct 22 An RBA for a pair of Clarks Nutcrackers seen on Mt Douglas today, they flew towards Blenkinsop Lake. An RBA for a Harris' Sparrow seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd for the second day. It was seen in the first area where it opens up after you go through the first gate. It has been seen on the left side along the old rail way. At Viaduct Flats there were 10 Canvasbacks and 3 Redheads. At Mystic Pond there were 15 Wood Ducks and 1 American WigeonX Eurasian Wigeon. Sunday Oct. 19 An RBA a Willet was seen flying over Wiffin Spit in Sooke. A Swamp Sparrow and a Northern Shrike were seen near the lollipop boardwalk at Swan Lake. At Viaduct Flats there were 12 Canvasbacks, 3 Redheads, 3 Virginia Rails, 15 greater White-fronted Geese and 1Trumpeter Swan. Saturday Oct. 18 An RBA for a Franklins Gull seen flying over Swan Lake. Also there a Juv. Sora, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Trumpeter Swan, 5 Virginia Rails, 2 Barred Owls, 3 Ruddy Ducks. 30 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen over Blenkinsop Lk. 1 female Eurasian Wigeon was seen at Mystic Pond also there 12 Wood Ducks. 1 Northern Harrier was seen at Quicks Bottom also there 1 Virginia Rail. 1 Slate-coloured Juno was seen ar Rithets Bog. Friday Oct. 17 A Rough-legged Hawk was seen over Rocky point Bird Observatory, a reminder that RPBO is on DND land and thatb access is restricted. Thursday Oct. 16 A Lapland Longspur and a Townsends Warbler was seen on Christmas Hill. At Swan Lk there was a Blue-winged Teal. Wed. Oct. 15 A Western Tanager was seen on Dunn Ave near Swan Lk. Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: Tuesday bird walk, October 28, 2008 From: "canadianrobin2003" <nmrobins AT telus.net> Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:12:31 -0000 Hi birders, The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach. Seventeen birders saw and heard thirty-nine species of birds during a beautiful sunny fall morning. Among the highlights of the morning were the sightings of one Long-tailed Duck, a large raft of Surf Scoters and White-wing Scoters and several Black Scoters who entertained us with their singing throughout the morning. We spotted a Merlin chasing some song birds and a Cooper's Hawk put in a brief appearance. Several Pacific Loons, still in breeding plumage, with gorgeous silver necks and heads, were bobbing in the water. Four Dunlin, two Black-bellied Plovers, several Black Oystercatchers and a Killdeer were seen near the gravel bar. Large flocks of Harlequin Ducks flew past us and landed on the water within our viewing range. Seventeen birders found the following thirty-nine species of birds on October 28, 2008: Canada Goose American Wigeon Mallard Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Common Merganser Pacific Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Pelagic Cormorant Cooper's Hawk Merlin Black-bellied Plover Killdeer Black Oystercatcher Dunlin Mew Gull Ring-billed Gull California Gull Thayer's Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Rock Dove Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Northwestern Crow Common Raven European Starling Spotted Towhee Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Brewer's Blackbird House Finch Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia Subject: Re: Brown Pelican From: "mcbirder" <jarofme AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:36:14 -0000 Hi Malcolm, They are a regular, but novel feature on the open west coast of the Island, but getting them off the east coast of Vancouver Island is a much rarer occurrence. Nice sighting and another nice documentation! Jeremy Gatten Prince George, B.C. Subject: Brown Pelican From: "Malcolm" <groundswell AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:19:01 -0000 I came across this lone Pelican last week (see photo under 'Malcolm'), between Tree Island and Comox Harbour. I hear they're becoming more common now. Subject: Nanaimo,Vancouver Island-- bird alert-- October 26, 2008, From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:24:20 -0000 The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store Nanaimo Bird Alert To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 e-mail us at thebackyard AT shaw.ca call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029 Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Post your sightings on these site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages Birds of British Columbia: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html International Birdwatching Guides http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with: http://www.birdingpal.org/ Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number, along with the date, name and location of your sighting. Sunday, October 26, 2008: The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. Among the highlights was the sighting of two Short-eared Owls hunting just above the grasses. We had six sightings of Northern Shrike hunting and perching for a short periods and were fascinated by a female Northern Harrier flying just above the ground. Twenty-two birders found the following thirty-eight species of birds: Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green- wing Teal, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Northern Shrike, Wilson's Snipe, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden- crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden- crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Purple Finch, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinch, House Finch. Five Trumpeter Swans were seen heading north-west over Morrell Sanctuary in Nanaimo. Two Anna's Hummingbirds are feeding along Valecourt Avenue in Courtney. Saturday October 25: "Rare Bird Alert-Cassin's Finch" A female Cassin's Finch was seen at a bird feeder and a immature White-throated Sparrow was spotted in the same area at Jordon River. A Redhead Duck and several Mallards were see at the Goodridge Peninsula in Sooke. Friday October 24: A Pine Grosbeak was seen along Ermineskin Avenue in Parksville. Thursday October 23: A Bufflehead and a Wilson's Snipe were seen at Englishman River in Parksville. Several Red-throated Loons were seen off Sebastion Road in Lantzville. Two Pileated Woodpeckers and a male Anna's Hummingbird have been visiting feeders along Denford Place in Nanaimo. A Dunlin was seen at French Creek. Wednesday October 22: A Brown-headed Cowbird was seen along Ermineskin Avenue in Parksville. A Northern Harrier, Northern Shrike and a Peregrine Falcon were seen at Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parkville 50 American Widgeons, 20 Ring-neck Ducks, one Common Merganser, one Bald Eagle and several Mallards were seen at Cottle Lake in Nanaimo. Tuesday October 21: The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road side in Parksville. Eleven birders saw and heard fifty-four species of birds during a sunny fall morning. It turned out to be a great morning to observe raptors in the area. We saw a Short-eared Owl flying east high over the estuary. There was a Peregrine Falcon perched in a conifer tree and we watched it through the spotting scopes for about five minutes. As we were watching some Northern Pintails fly over the Estuary another Short-eared Owl flew in low to the ground and began hunting over the fields. A Red-tailed Hawk flew over us. A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew out and quickly back into the bushes along the trail. A Wilson's Snipe made a quick appearance and disappeared into the bushes. There were big flocks of Bushtits and Pine Siskins flying about though out the walk. Pacific Loons, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters and Black Scoters were bobbing in the water. Twelve birders found the following fifty-two species of birds: Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Horned Grebe Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Wilson's Snipe, Mew Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Short-eared Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut- backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red- winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch A Rufous Hummingbird was seen visiting feeders along Gulfview Drive in Nanaimo. Sunday October 19: Long-tailed Ducks were seen offshore at Deep Bay. For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store AT (250) 390-3669 Toll Free AT 1-888-249-4145 e-mail: thebackyard AT shaw.ca *********************************** Arrowsmith Naturalists Monthly Meeting, Monday October 27, 2008 AT 7:30 pm. Springwood School Parksville ******************************** The Nanoose Naturalists Monthly Meeting Thursday November 13, 2008 AT 7:00 pm Nanoose Library, Nanoose Bay ********************************** 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. ***************************************** The Tuesday Bird Walk on Tuesday October 28 will be going to Columbia Beach. Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park, meet near the Concession Building at 9 A.M. or at the end parking area off Admiral Tryon Blvd. at about 9:20 A.M. (from Highway 19A, north of the French Creek Bridge follow Columbia Drive turn right onto Admiral Tryon Blvd. about one hundred yards turn left to the parking area..) *************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on November 02, 2008 will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary In Qualicum Beach. Meet at the Bird Store in Nanaimo at 9:00 A.M. or at the Viewing Tower in Qualicum Beach at highway 19a and Garrett Road at about 9:30 A.M. *************************************** Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo Subject: Sunday bird walk, October 26, 2008 From: "backyard_store" <backyard_store AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:31:51 -0000 Hi birders, The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. Among the highlights was the sightings of two Short-eared Owls hunting just above the groung. Six sightings of Northern Shrike hunting and perching for a short period of time and a female Northern Harrier flying above the ground. Twenty-two birders found the following thirty-eight species of birds: Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green- wing Teal, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Northern Shrike, Wilson's Snipe, California Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden- crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lincolin's Sparrow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden- crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Purple Finch, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinch, House Finch. Good birding Neil Robins Nanaimo, British Columbia Subject: Re: RBA: Cassin's Finch From: "mcbirder" <jarofme AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:32:06 -0000 Hi Roger and all, Great bird for the Island and congrats on getting some photos of the bird. Would one of the photographers be willing to post a photo for others (on both this group and the BCVIBIRDS group) to keep an eye out for this species, which is certainly a rare but overlooked species. I was able to have a nice comparison of both male and female Cassin's Finches up in Prince George earlier this year and they definitely stand out once you have an eye for it! Jeremy Gatten Prince George, B.C. Subject: RBA: Cassin's Finch From: Roger Taylor <hoopoe AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:01:38 -0700 I was out today with five other birders first in Sooke and then over to Jordan River. At the Ruby Wade feeder in Jordan River we had some excellent views of a female Cassin's Finch. It seemed very comfortable going to the feeder and sitting in a small fir tree in her yard between feeds. What attracted our attention was the rather silvery appearance of the bird, not the brownish colour of a Purple Finch. Closer looks showed that it was white on the breast with sharply delineated grey streaks. The back and wings were streaked with grey with no brown hue to it at all. In the scope or at close range in the binoculars an eye ring was clearly discernible. The face was not as strongly marked as in a Purple Finch with the eyebrow stripe and malar stripe exactly as illustrated in the Sibley and National Geographic guides. The primaries extended well down the tail. Several high quality photos were taken enabling careful comparison with the field guides to see if there was any mismatch. There was none. The head shape and overall jizz of the bird were precisely Cassin's Finch. The photographs were taken by one other member of the group. I do not have his authorization to post them. All I can say is that they are excellent quality and show beyond doubt that the bird is a Cassin's Finch. I am reporting this to give other people a chance to go and look for the bird. It is quite probable that it will be hanging round Ruby Wade's feeder in Jordan River for the next few days. Btw we saw it at about 3:00 pm and had it in view for at least 20 minutes. Also btw we had an immature White-throated Sparrow in that immediate neighbourhood and also very good views of a Redhead in Sooke, first of all in the company of Mallards at the Goodridge Peninsula, and later in the company of Widgeon at Billings Spit. We assume that it was the same bird in both locations and not two different individuals. We had lots of other goodies but those were the highlights. It was a great day. -- Roger Taylor Nanoose Bay Subject: SWainson's Thrush Victoria From: "kirsten_456" <kirsten_1143 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:18:22 -0000 I found a Swaqinson's thrush around 10am today just at the entrance to the path for Christmas Hill in Swan Lake in Victoria. He was in some deciduous trees about 10 feet above the ground and 6 feet away from me. He had a light brownish red back with no change in colour for the tail. The breast was paler with faint speckling of spots far apart. It also had a white underside lower down. Looking at the checklist for Victoria it hasn't been recorded this late in October and only accidental in winter. Kirsten Mills Victoria BC Canada Subject: RBA: Pine Grosbeak From: "Christopher Stephens" <mnc.stephens AT shaw.ca> Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:09:52 -0000 I had a calling male Pine Grosbeak in a treetop on my street this morning in Parksville (Ermineskin ave). The bird stayed long enough for photos and a good look through the scope, before flying down the road to Coldwater Farm, on Renz Road. I took more photos there. The bird then flew to the top of the Eagle tree, and then it flew on. The bird was grey with a red head and breast, it had white wing bars, and was a tad smaller than a robin. Christopher Stephens, Parksville B.C Subject: Black Turnstones From: "canadianrobin2003" <nmrobins AT telus.net> Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:54:42 -0000 Hi birders, Marilynne and I went to Qualicum Beach yesterday, October 23. At the viewing tower we saw fifty-five Blacks Turnstones resting on the rocks and feeding along the tide line. It was high tide. At the "A" frame house, on the way to the Little Qualicum River estuary, there were several rafts of Black Scoters and a hugh raft of White-winged Scoters. Several Sea Lions were feeding on Salmon--eating the Salmon much like the Great Blue Heron eat fish, head first! They were tossing them up and tantalizing the gulls. We saw the following nineteen species of birds: Canada Goose American Wigeon Mallard Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Common Merganser Common Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Bald Eagle Black Turnstone Bonaparte's Gull California Gull Thayer's Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Good birding Neil Robins Parksville British Columbia Subject: RBA Victoria, BC Oct. 23 From: "Rick Scortinghuis" <shylo AT islandnet.com> Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:36:44 -0700 RBA * British Columbia * Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Is. * October 23, 2008 * BCVI060608 - Transcript Hi Birders! This is the Victoria Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Thursday October 23, 7:00pm update. Compiled and transcribed by Rick Schortinghuis. Announcement The VNHS Sat. Birding Group will be going to Esquimalt Lagoon and Wittys Lagoon this coming Sat. Oct. 24. Meet at the north end of Esquimalt Lagoon by the bridge at 8:00am. Feature Birds Sandhill Crane Northern Shrike Thursday Oct. 23 There was no relocation of the Clarks Nutcacker's or the Harris' Sparrow today. 2 Sandhill Cranes and 2 Northern Shrikes were seen off the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd in Duncan. Also in Duncan a good number of Ruddy Ducks on Quamichan Lk. 1 Mourning dove was seen at the corner of Moss St. and George St. in Victoria. Wednesday Oct 22 An RBA for a pair of Clarks Nutcrackers seen on Mt Douglas today, they flew towards Blenkinsop Lake. An RBA for a Harris' Sparrow seen on the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd for the second day. It was seen in the first area where it opens up after you go through the first gate. It has been seen on the left side along the old rail way. At Viaduct Flats there were 10 Canvasbacks and 3 Redheads. At Mystic Pond there were 15 Wood Ducks and 1 American WigeonX Eurasian Wigeon. Sunday Oct. 19 An RBA a Willet was seen flying over Wiffin Spit in Sooke. A Swamp Sparrow and a Northern Shrike were seen near the lollipop boardwalk at Swan Lake. At Viaduct Flats there were 12 Canvasbacks, 3 Redheads, 3 Virginia Rails, 15 greater White-fronted Geese and 1Trumpeter Swan. Saturday Oct. 18 An RBA for a Franklins Gull seen flying over Swan Lake. Also there a Juv. Sora, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Trumpeter Swan, 5 Virginia Rails, 2 Barred Owls, 3 Ruddy Ducks. 30 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen over Blenkinsop Lk. 1 female Eurasian Wigeon was seen at Mystic Pond also there 12 Wood Ducks. 1 Northern Harrier was seen at Quicks Bottom also there 1 Virginia Rail. 1 Slate-coloured Juno was seen ar Rithets Bog. Friday Oct. 17 A Rough-legged Hawk was seen over Rocky point Bird Observatory, a reminder that RPBO is on DND land and thatb access is restricted. Thursday Oct. 16 A Lapland Longspur and a Townsends Warbler was seen on Christmas Hill. At Swan Lk there was a Blue-winged Teal. Wed. Oct. 15 A Western Tanager was seen on Dunn Ave near Swan Lk. Monday Oct. 13 A Northern Goshawk and 2 Cassin's Auklets were seen at Rocky Point Bird Observatory, a reminder that RPBO is on DND land and access is restricted. At Swan Lk there were 3 Barred Owls on the main trail to the Nature House. Also at Swan Lk. American Bittern, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Virginia Rail, Wilson's Snipe. Near by on Christmas Hill were 2 Lapland Longspurs and 28 Greater White-fronted Geese. A Western Tanager was seen on Dunn Ave. near Swan Lk. At Viaduct Ave there was a Redhead, 4 Canvasbacks, 1 Eurasian Wigeon, 4 Virginia Rails Saturday Oct. 11 Hundreds of Greater White-fronted Geese have been seen through out our area the past week. 4 imature Golden Eagles were seen together over Rocky Point Bird Observatory, a reminder that RPBO is on DND land and access is retricted. A VNHS birding walk to Viaduct Flats produced 55 species. Highlights were a Redhead, Townsends Solitaire, Canvasback, Eurasian Wigeon, Blue-winged Teal and Western Meadowlark. A Northern Goshawk was seen over Blenkinsop Lk. 2 Swamp Sparrows were seen in Colwood Creek Pk near the bridge. Friday Oct. 9 8 Sandhill Cranes were seen flying over Playfair Park in Saanich. Wednesday Oct. 8 A Nashville Warbler was banded at Rocky Point Bird Observatory. A reminder that RPBO is on DND land and access is retricted. A White-throated Sparrow was seen in Bow Park in Saanich. A Cackling Goose was seen with 36 Greater White-fronted Geese in Gyro Park in Saanich. Tuesday Oct. 7 16 Sandhill Cranes were seen flying south over Cattle Point. Monday Oct. 6 A Palm Warbler was seen on the north side of Colwood Creek in Colwood Creek Park. 70 Snow Geese were seen over Blenkinsop Lake flying towards Mt. Douglas, 4 Sandhill Cranes landed in a field at the north end of Blenkinsop Lake. A White-throated Sparrow was seen near the Nature House at Swan Lake, also there 7 Snow Geese flying over. In the Duncan area: At the Cowichan Bay Dock Rd. there were 9 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, many Rig-billed Gulls, 1 Northern Harrier. Near by, there were 14 Wood Ducks on the Cowichan River. At Quamichan Lake there were 16 Pied-billed Grebes, 8 Ruddy Ducks, 30 Lesser Scaup. A Green Heron was seen on the pond at the Forest Museum. 50 Snow Geese and a late House Wren were seen at RPBO. Sunday Oct. 5 A Palm Warber was seen at the corner of Martindale Rd and Welch Rd. Also there 12 Mourning Doves and 1 Short-eared Owl. A Common Tern was seen from Clover Point A Lapland Longspur was seen on Cattle Point. 2 Eurasian Collared Doves were seen in the 6700 block of Rhodonite Drive in Sooke. Saturday Oct. 4 Highlights of the VNHS birding trip to Wiffin Spit were 3 Marbled Godwits. Also there 2 Pectoral Sandpipers, 2 Long-billed Dowichers, 1 Short-billed Dowicher, 1 Greater Yellow-legs, 42 Black Turnstones, 4 Black Oystercatchers, 2 Least Sandpipers, 3 Western Sandpipers, 30 Dunlin, 5 Black-bellied Plovers. 5 Brant Geese and 5 Lapland Longspur were seen at Clover Point. 11 Short-billed Dowichers were seen at Queen's Park in Oak Bay. Friday Oct. 3 90 Greater White-fronted geese were seen over Swan Lake late afternoon. 2 White-throated Sparrows were seen along the Galloping Goose Trail in the Happy Valley area of Langford. Wednesday Oct. 1 A Wandering Tatler was seen off the Ogden Point Breakwater A male Redhead was seen at Viaduct Flats Two Horned larks were seen at Cattle Point Rick Schortinghuis Brentwood Bay Subject: Sightings at Oceanside From: "canadianrobin2003" <nmrobins AT telus.net> Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:51:01 -0000 Hi birders, I received a few reports of sightings along Oceanside. Long-tailed Ducks at Deep Bay, October.19 Northern