The Backyard's Weekly Bird Walk locations are found in the Backyard Bird Report at the very end of the most recent report. Any cancellations will be posted here by 8am the day of the walk. Our first bird walks of the year are going out on Sunday February 4th and Tuesday February 6th. Locations will be posted to our next Bird Report.

Thursday 14 March 2024

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 14, 2024
“EXPLORE NATURE” --- GO BIRDING:
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca. Please remember, when reporting a sighting to leave your name and phone number along with the date the species was seen and location of your sighting.
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Green-winged Teal (J. Morrison)

Tuesday March 12, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather was sunny with a few clouds, 5C and no wind. Tide was high and going out. A few highlights from the walk were Trumpeter Swans flying by, great view of a Cooper’s Hawk was perched on the fence near the viewing stand, a Barred Owl was heard and around 140 Brant flew by.

9 birders saw and heard the following 57 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose

Cackling Goose

Brant

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Bufflehead

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Common Goldeneye

Long-tailed Duck

Greater Scaup

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Cooper’s Hawk

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Black-bellied Plover

Short-billed Gull

Thayer’s Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Common Murre

Barred Owl

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch


Brown Creeper (J. Morrison)

Sunday March 10, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny with clouds, 5C. A few highlights from the walk were hearing a few Virginia Rails around the marsh calling, seeing Tree and Violet-green Swallows, and six or more Varied Thrush in the parking lot when we arrived. Unfortunately, we did not see or hear the American Bittern.

16 birders saw and heard the following 39 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Wood Duck

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Pied-billed Grebe

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Virginia Rail

American Coot

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Tree Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

American Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Sparrow


Male and female American Goldfinch (R. Hocken)

Last year it seemed as though the America Goldfinch arrived early and in good numbers, and it happened about three weeks after a big storm in California. Since there was another storm through California a couple of weeks ago, we are watching to see if this happens again. We have heard of a few American Goldfinch starting to visit backyard feeders along with more Pine Siskin sightings.

Also make sure your nest boxes are cleaned and ready as the chickadee’s, nuthatch’s and Bewick’s Wrens are looking for cavities and establishing territories.

If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, thebackyard@shaw.ca or 250-390-3669, toll-free 1-888-808-BIRD (2473)

The Backyard Bird Walks

Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide. The walks are weather pending.

Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.

The Sunday Bird Walk, March 17, 2024.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or on the beach by the parking lot at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, March 19, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

Meet at the Parksville Tourist Information Center parking lot, located by Hwy 19A, Northwest Bay Road and Franklin’s Gull Road in Parksville, at 9:00 am or meet at the end of Shelly Road at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

Thursday 7 March 2024

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 7, 2024
“EXPLORE NATURE” --- GO BIRDING:
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca. Please remember, when reporting a sighting to leave your name and phone number along with the date the species was seen and location of your sighting.
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Double-crested Cormorant (R. Hocken)

Tuesday March 5, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Deep Bay. Weather was sunny 2C, wind was light but picked up later and the tide was high. A few highlights from the walk were Tundra Swan seen with 6 other Trumpeter Swans. Lots of Surf, White-winged and Black Scoters were on the water, along with Common Goldeneye. Black Turnstones were on the shore and White-crowned Sparrows were heard singing.

11 birders saw and heard the following 45 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Tundra Swan

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Bufflehead

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Common Goldeneye

Long-tailed Duck

Greater Scaup

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

California Quail

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Black Turnstone

Black-bellied Plover

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Marbled Murrelet

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

House Finch

House Sparrow


Golden-crowned Kinglet (J. Morrison)

Sunday March 3, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road Trail. Weather was cloudy with sunny breaks, then showers with a little hail and 3C to start. A few highlights were Northern Shrike seen across the river in the estuary. Two Trumpeter Swans were seen in the marsh, along with an American Coot and Ring-necked Ducks.

12 birders saw and heard the following 36 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Northern Pintail

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

American Coot

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Northern Shrike

American Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Thursday February 29, 2024:

An American Bittern was seen at Buttertubs Marsh, near the viewing tower in the west marsh.

Tree Swallow was also seen at Buttertubs Marsh. 


Yellow-rumped Warbler (R. Hocken)

Birds to be on the watch for, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, Turkey Vultures, and American Goldfinch.

If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, thebackyard@shaw.ca or 250-390-3669, toll-free 1-888-808-BIRD (2473)

The Backyard Bird Walks

Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide. The walks are weather pending.

Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.

The Sunday Bird Walk, March 10, 2024.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the Jingle Pot Road parking area at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, March 12, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

Meet at the Parksville Tourist Information Center parking lot, located by Hwy 19A, Northwest Bay Road and Franklin’s Gull Road in Parksville, at 9:00 am or meet at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding!

Colin Bartlett

Thursday 29 February 2024

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

February 29, 2024
“EXPLORE NATURE” --- GO BIRDING:
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.ca. Please remember, when reporting a sighting to leave your name and phone number along with the date the species was seen and location of your sighting.
*********************************************************


Bufflehead (R. Hocken)

Tuesday February 27, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach in French Creek. Weather was cloudy, 0C, a cool breeze and tide was high and going out. A few highlights from the walk were 6 Greater Yellowlegs working the shoreline, a raft of Surf Scoters further out from the beach, many Bald Eagles about, a few Snow Geese fly over and a flyby of 6 Brant.

8 birders saw and heard the following 48 species:

Brant

Snow Goose

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Greater Yellowlegs

Black Turnstone

Black-bellied Plover

Short-billed Gull

Thayer’s Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Common Murre

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow


Northern Shrike (J. Morrison)

Monday February 26, 2024:

Cedar Waxwings were observed feeding at the end of Buttertubs Drive behind the new apartment complex.

Sunday February 25, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in Cedar. Weather was sunny with some clouds, 7C with a light breeze and tide was going out. A few highlights from the walk were Northern Harrier flying about the estuary, a few were lucky to see Western Meadowlarks flying away and we had a few good views of Northern Shrikes.

12 birders saw and heard the following 35 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Merlin

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Northern Shrike

American Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

Friday February 23, 2024:

A Townsend’s Solitaire was observed in a backyard on Pipers Crescent in Nanaimo.

A few Turkey Vultures were seen soaring over the area of Uplands Drive and Turner Road in Nanaimo.

There were also other sighting on Friday of Turkey Vultures from Ladysmith to Qualicum Beach.

If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, thebackyard@shaw.ca or 250-390-3669, toll-free 1-888-808-BIRD (2473)

The Backyard Bird Walks

Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide. The walks are weather pending.

Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.

The Sunday Bird Walk, March 3, 2024.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Maki Road Trail located at the end of Maki Road in south Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the parking area at the end of Maki Road at 9:15am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, March 5, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Deep Bay.

Meet at the Parksville Tourist Information Center parking lot, located by Hwy 19A, Northwest Bay Road and Franklin’s Gull Road in Parksville, at 9:00 am or meet at the government wharf parking lot in Deep Bay at 9:20am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding!

Colin Bartlett