Comox Christmas Bird Count Report: Dec. 22,2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Krista

The 117th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Comox Valley was held on Thurs. Dec. 22 (postponed from Sun. Dec. 18) and resulted in a total of 108 species, including a MEGA-Rarity: a Red-flanked Bluetail, found by Shane Tillapaugh and confirmed on Dec. 29.
Here is a great blog post by Nathan Hentze about the bird.

Snow Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Canada Goose
Cackling Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Ruffed Grouse
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Brandt’s Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
American Coot
Killdeer
Black Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Wilson’s Snipe
Bonaparte’s Gull
Mew Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull x Western Gull (hybrid)
Glaucous Gull
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-dove
Barred Owl
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Steller’s Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick’s Wren
Pacific Wren
Marsh Wren
American Dipper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
* Red-flanked Bluetail *
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Additional highlights were Snow Goose, Canvasback , Ruddy Duck and Glaucous Gull.
Total species: 108

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Bird Outing Report: Ships Point Peninsula, Dec. 1,2016

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Krista

Today, December 1st, the rain held off (mostly) and 12 birders spent a pleasant morning at Fanny Bay Conservation Area and Ship’s Point Park. Overall, we found 48 species. Highlights included Gadwall, Long-tailed Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, and a Cooper’s Hawk overflight.

Canada Goose
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, Dec 4th 2016, Kye Bay

Posted on November 26, 2016 by Botany

Sunday, December 4th, Kye Bay
Loys and Alison Maingon will lead a walk along the beach at Kye Bay, below the Comox Airport. The high bluffs and cobble beach make for an interesting area, even with a 5metre high tide at the time. Wear sturdy boots with good traction for the slippery rocks, and dress for the weather and wind. Bring water as there are not facilities on the beach
Meet at the Kye Bay parking lot (Elks Park) at the corner of Kye Bay and Windslow Roads.
A link to our CVN website is here:  http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/nature-viewing-guide/2-comox-peninsula-area/kye-bay/

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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 26th 2016, Goose Spit Public Walk, 9:00 am

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Botany

Saturday, November 26th, Goose Spit Public Walk, 9:00 am
Alison and Loys Maingon will lead a Public Walk along Goose Spit, from the DND gate north to the Willemar Bluffs. Like much of our coast line, this area has been subjected to erosion, but still offers stunning views across the Strait and some interesting ecological micro-niches.  The 3.2 metre low tide occurs at 9:30 am. Dress for the wind and weather, and wear boots with good traction as the cobble stone beach can be slippery. Bring water, and there is a porta-potty in the parking lot.
Meet at parking lot nearest DND entrance at 9:00 am.
Here is a link to our Website:  http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/nature-viewing-guide/1-courtenay-rivercomox-bay-area/goose-spit/
And a link to the CVRD web site: http://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/EN/main/community/parks-trails/comox-valley-parks/goose-spit-park.html

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Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Nov.17,2016

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Krista

Thirteen birders visited the Airpark today. Highlights were a Herring Gull on the hangar roof, a Northern Shrike and two Wilson’s Snipe with a Dunlin at the lagoon.

The following 38 species were found:

Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Dunlin
Wilson’s Snipe
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Shrike
Northwestern Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird

Additional species found by some:
Red-breasted Merganser
White-crowned Sparrow
House Finch

Posted in Birds | Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Nov.17,2016

Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 19th 2016, Maple Lake Public Walk, 9:00 am

Posted on November 12, 2016 by Botany

Saturday, November 19th, Maple Lake Public Walk, 9:00 am
Loys and Alison Maingon will lead a walk part way around Maple Lake.  Since 2013 the Maple Lake Fundraising Committee has been working towards  buying this 20 hectare lake and its surrounding wood lands and wetlands so that it may be brought into the public domain. CVN has played a part in this endeavour with the Botany Surveys led by Helen Robinson.
This is an easy walk, with little incline and good trails for the most part, but as always dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking boots. Bring water as there are no facilities in the area.     A car pool will form at the Harmston Road (Courtenay) Church at 9:00 am or trailhead at 9:15 am. The trail head is at the end of Minto Road (off Comox valley Parkway, just past the gravel pit. Keep right past the old graveyard, and under Highway 19.
Here is a link to our CVN Website information: http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/nature-viewing-guide/7-cumberland-area/maple-lake/
And here is a link to the Village of Cumberland information. https://cumberland.ca/maple-lake/

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Guest Speaker: Pearl McKenzie, ‘MARS is Spreading its Wings’, Sun. Nov. 20, 2016

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Krista

Comox Valley Nature would like to introduce Pearl McKenzie who spent most of
her working life as a community law office worker and human rights advocate, focusing
on law reform activities before retirement. Pearl has lived in the Comox Valley since
1997 and has been a board member of Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) for
more than 10 years, most recently Vice-President.
For more than 20 years, MARS has provided wildlife rehabilitation to the
northern half of Vancouver Island, sharing what they learn from doing this work through
their outreach educational activities. Their caseload has almost doubled in the past few
years and, because there is no room to expand at their current location, MARS has
purchased land and is building a new wildlife hospital.
The new property will also allow MARS to build a ‘first ever’ home for their
Education Program and to welcome visitors to their facility. Their new visitor complex
will consist of an interpretive building for displays and learning activities; an aviary for
their educational birds, a flight pen and wetlands.
The Interpretive Building will provide space for other environmental
organizations in the area to put up displays, make presentations, use the meeting room
and contribute items for sale in the gift shop.
This presentation will briefly summarize the history of MARS, offer examples of
our wildlife caseload and provide information about their new development. One or two
of their Ambassador (educational) Birds and their Handlers will join us for a brief
discussion about how the birds came to work for MARS. This lecture, entitled: “MARS Is
Spreading Its Wings” will take place at the Florence Filberg Seniors Centre at 7 pm
(sharp) November 20, 2016.
Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated to BC Nature consisting
only of unpaid volunteers. CVN fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly
lectures, organizing free weekly-guided hikes for members, and a free monthly walk
open to the public. The society also undertakes a variety of environmental projects.
Aside from its main activity as a non-profit, CVN also supports specialized groups
(Birding, Botany, etc.) all of which have separate monthly activities. Membership in BC
Nature and Comox Valley Nature is $30 per adult and $40 for a family.
Founded in 1966, it is one of the oldest environmental societies on the North
Island. Meetings and lectures of CVN are held on the third Sunday of most months at the
Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay. Meetings and guided walks
are open to the public, including children and youth. Lecture is free, though a $4
contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.

Posted in Guest Speakers | Comments Off on Guest Speaker: Pearl McKenzie, ‘MARS is Spreading its Wings’, Sun. Nov. 20, 2016

YNC Outing: beach clean-up at Kye Bay, Nov 20th 2016

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Botany

Hello Nature Kids Families,
Our next Explorer Day will be a beach clean-up at Kye Bay on Sunday, November 20th from 1:00-3:00pm. We will meet at the beach access near the end of Windslow Road (not at the playground). Please RSVP as we would like to know how many of you can make it.
What to bring:
Gloves (we will bring some extra pairs)
Sturdy footwear (gumboots or hiking boots)
Snack
Water bottle
Dress for the weather: rain gear, warm jacket
Please note our weather policy: in extreme weather (heavy rain, strong winds etc) we will cancel. If we cancel we will send an email out to members on the morning of the event.

Directions: Kye Bay: Windslow Road beach access
From Courtenay: follow Ryan Rd till you get to the very end (at the base) and turn right on Military Row. Follow along till you get to the round-about and turn left (Knight Rd). Keep going for a while, you’ll pass the airport (on your left) and a number of farms. Continue along Knight Rd till you come to Kye Bay Rd and turn left. Follow Kye Bay Rd. down the hill then turn left on Windslow Rd. and follow it to the beach access near the end.

Hope to see you on the 20th!
Rene Jorgenson & Jocie Brooks, Volunteer leaders
Comox Valley NatureKids
The Nature Exploration Club for Families

Posted in Field Trips, NatureKids | Comments Off on YNC Outing: beach clean-up at Kye Bay, Nov 20th 2016

Bird Outing Report: Simpson Farm, Nov.10,2016

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Krista

Today, Nov 10th, 19 birders went to the Dyke Road Viewing Stand and waded through flooded fields on Simpson Farm (restricted access). We had a pleasant morning – without rain! Overall we found 37 species. Highlights included large numbers of mixed flocks feeding on salmon roe and dead salmon at the Viewing Stand and 3 Wilson’s Snipe on the Farm.

Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Greater Scaup
Bufflehead
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Wilson’s Snipe
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna’s Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Marsh Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Brewer’s Blackbird
Purple Finch

Additional Species found by some:
Hutton’s Vireo

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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 12th 2016, Headquarters Townsite Park Walk, 9:00 am

Posted on November 5, 2016 by Botany

Saturday, November 12th, Headquarters Townsite Park Walk, 9:00 am
Alison and Loys Maingon will lead an easy walk around Headquarters townsite Park on Remembrance Day weekend. This 8 hectare riparian forest site on the east bank of the Tsolum River was once an active centre for Comox Valley Logging between 1911 and 1950, and a few ruins still remain.  The Park is 2.5 km long from its southern end at Fitzgerald Road to its northern end at Headquarters Road and is level for most of the trail.
We will meet at the Country Market for a car pool at 9:00 am, or at the trailhead on  Farnham Road at the bridge over the Tsolum River at 9:15 am.  There are no facilities at the Park, so bring water and dress for the weather. Park details are available at;  http://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/EN/main/community/parks-trails/comox-valley-parks/headquarters-townsite-park.html

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