I got an early start at 04:50 and walked out to the car to a chorus of American Robin<\/strong> and Spotted Towhee<\/strong>. My first stop was Legacy Marsh in Lantzville. I got there early hoping to hear at least one owl species, but the constant trills of many Orange-crowned Warblers<\/strong> from the red alders was my welcome. A Red-breasted Sapsucker<\/strong> was also drumming its morse-code call from a telephone poll. This first stop yielded 40 species, plus finally a rather timid call of a Barred Owl. I then met Karen and Danielle at Woodgrove Mall at 06:30, and we headed out to Qualicum Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, we hit 10 different birding hotspots. Some highlights included a lump on the ground that turned out to be a Merlin<\/strong> at the Happy Cow Farm, a pair of Blue-winged Teal<\/strong> at Morningstar ponds, great photo views of Western Tanager<\/strong> for Danielle at Little Qualicum Cheeseworks (and we bought some cheese curds too), and an American Kestrel<\/strong> right where we hoped perched on its favorite wire at Coldwater Road. Unfortunately, we dipped on the Dipper at the Little Qualicum Hatchery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After Danielle left for her afternoon kayaking adventure, Karen and I hit both sides of the Englishman River estuary. We were glad to see a few shorebirds were still around, including two Long-billed Dowitchers<\/strong>, a Dunlin<\/strong> hanging around with 12 Western Sandpiper<\/strong>, and a lone Semipalmated Plover<\/strong>. The ocean side was quieter since most waterbirds have gone north or inland to breed, but there were still some Pacific Loon<\/strong> and Red-necked Grebe<\/strong>. While scoping a Canada Goose<\/strong> to read the code on its neck collar, an American Pipit<\/strong> just happened to walk into view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We then returned to Nanaimo, and I continued solo to Pipers Lagoon Park. The first bird in the binoculars was a Whimbrel<\/strong> feeding on the mudflat, which was an unexpected bonus. Next was a stop at the Nanaimo River Estuary where the highlight was a pair of California Quail<\/strong> that crossed the road (not what birders go there for!). At that point, I was feeling ready for a nap, but I pressed on to Quennell Lake. Sure glad I did! The pot farm yielded several dabbling ducks that had been missed elsewhere (Northern Shoveler<\/strong>, Northern Pintail<\/strong>, Green-winged Teal<\/strong>, Gadwall<\/strong>, bonus Cinnamon Teal<\/strong>), plus Greater Yellowlegs<\/strong> and Least Sandpiper<\/strong>, and loads of swallows. Just as I was packing up, an Osprey<\/strong> arrived and perched in a distant tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a dinner break at home (while still birding to pick up Hooded Merganser<\/strong> and Pied-billed Grebe<\/strong> on Cathers Lake), I went for a loop around Buttertubs Marsh. I watched a Virginia Rail<\/strong> stand on the side of the trail wondering if it should cross, then it quickly dashed over to the other side. I figured that I should end the day with stop at Buttertubs West Marsh. Although I didn\u2019t observe any new species, I heard that same timid Barred Owl call from my early morning start, but this time the bird just happened to be staring at me from above the access road. A fitting bookend to a great day of birding!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our birdathon total was 107 species<\/strong>, which isn\u2019t too bad for a first time. The complete list is included below. Please donate on our birdathon page to support our bird monitoring projects<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights: bonus species, good views of Western Tanager, a cooperating American Kestrel (it caught a mouse), nice birding companions, good weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some misses: American Dipper, Downy & Hairy Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Belted Kingfisher, Cedar Waxwing, Red Crossbill<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regrets: Not taking more photos\/videos, but thanks to Danielle for sharing some awesome pics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/viubirdbanding\/files\/2021\/05\/IMG_0423-scaled.jpg\")
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