The October 20th Sunday Bird Walk is CANCELED due to weather, heavy rain forecasted
See you next Sunday, Colin.
See you next Sunday, Colin.
The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
October 15, 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.
*********************************************************
Tuesday October 15, 2024:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary but started at the Brant Viewing Stand on HWY19A. Weather was a mixture of sun and cloud, 11C with no wind and the tide out. A few highlights from the walk were a Merlin that made several passes over the estuary, Savannah Sparrows along the beach and Yellow-rumped Warblers in the estuary towards the mouth of the river.
11 birders saw and heard the following 48 species:
American
Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged
Teal
Harlequin
Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged
Scoter
Common
Merganser
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Red- necked
Grebe
Horned Grebe
Western
Grebe
Double-crested
Cormorant
Great Blue
Heron
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s
Hawk
Merlin
Peregrine
Falcon
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black-bellied
Plover
Black
Turnstone
Bonaparte’s
Gull
Short-bill
Gull
California
Gull
Thayer’s
Gull
Glaucous-winged
Gull
Eurasian
Collared Dove
Anna’s
Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern
Flicker
American
Crow
Chestnut-backed
Chickadee
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s
Wren
Ruby-crowned
Kinglet
Yellow-rumped
Warbler
European
Starling
Spotted
Towhee
Song Sparrow
Savannah
Sparrow
White-crowned
Sparrow
Golden-crowned
Sparrow
Dark-eyed
Junco
Red-winged
Blackbird
Brewer’s
Blackbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Sunday October 13, 2024:
There was no Sunday Bird Walk this week, for the Thanksgiving weekend
Friday October 11, 2024:
A large flock of 60 Greater White-fronted Geese were seen flying over Grovehill Road area in Qualicum Beach.
Birding Notes:
Project Feeder Watch.
Are you feeding or watching birds this winter? Turn
your love of birding
into part of a scientific discovery by joining
Project FeederWatch!
Project FeederWatch is a survey of birds visiting
backyards, nature
centers, and community areas, among other places in
North America.
This citizen science program helps research and
conservation
organizations monitor long term trends and changes
for local bird
populations.
Starting in November until April, participants can
watch and log the
type and number of birds they are seeing into
FeederWatch’s online
database. These logs help scientists at Bird Studies
Canada and the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology track changes in bird
movements or numbers
across North America.
Participating is completely voluntary and there is
no minimum or
maximum time required to join in. Bird feeders are
not a requirement to
be involved as birds can be counted wherever they
naturally
congregate.
Using the accumulated data can help show scientists
which bird species
are in decline and allow them to make
recommendations to help stop the
decline before it becomes unrecoverable.
Though previously Project FeederWatch has focused
solely on bird
populations, in 2023 they have added the ability to
record mammals as
well. This November 10th, take a few minutes and
watch some birds.
If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, birding@thebackyard.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, October 20, 2024.
The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Nanoose Estuary in Nanoose Bay.
Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Nanoose Beach Road, which is off Arlington Road and HWY 19, at 9:15am. Weather cooperating.
The Tuesday Bird Walk, October 22, 2024.
The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Columbia Beach in French Creek.
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 sandy beach parking lot located on
Admiral Tyron Blvd, located off Columbia Drive and HWY 19A, at 9:15am. Weather
Cooperating.
The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
October 8, 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.
*********************************************************
Tuesday October 8, 2024:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The weather was overcast with a light shower and ended in the sun at 14C. A few highlights from the walk were a Peregrine Falcon perch atop a tree, two Greater Yellowlegs flew in close on the shore and a flock of Cedar Waxwings were hanging out at the Mill Street entrance.
11 birders saw and heard the following 47 species:
Canada Goose
American
Wigeon
Eurasian
Wigeon
Mallard
Harlequin
Duck
Surf Scoter
Common
Merganser
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Red- necked
Grebe
Great Blue
Heron
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s
Hawk
Peregrine
Falcon
Killdeer
Greater
Yellowlegs
Short-bill Gull
California
Gull
Glaucous-winged
Gull
Common Murre
Anna’s
Hummingbird
Belted
Kingfisher
Pileated
Woodpecker
Northern
Flicker
Common Raven
American
Crow
Chestnut-backed
Chickadee
Red-breasted
Nuthatch
Brown
Creeper
Bushtit
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s
Wren
Ruby-crowned
Kinglet
Golden-crowned
Kinglet
American Robin
Cedar
Waxwing
European
Starling
Spotted
Towhee
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s
Sparrow
White-crowned
Sparrow
Golden-crowned
Sparrow
Dark-eyed
Junco
Red
Crossbill
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
Monday October 6, 2024:
Great Horned Owl was heard calling in the hospital area on Cresent View Drive and Forest Drive.
Sunday October 6, 2024:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather was overcast with sun and 15C. Highlights from the walk was an American kestrel that was perched atop the dead snags along the dyke, great views of a Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker and a Red-breasted Sapsucker that were working the trees right beside the group during the walk.
13 birders saw and heard the following 45 species:
Canada Goose
Wood duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
American Kestrel
Killdeer
American Coot
Virginia Rail
Glaucous-winged Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Anna’s Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Common Raven
American Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick’s Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Pipit
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Steller’s Jay was seen in a backyard on Honeysuckle Terrace in Nanaimo.
Saturday October 5, 2024:
Great Horned Owl was heard calling in the area of Forest Drive and Crescent View Drive Nanaimo.
Wednesday October 2, 2024:
Western Meadowlark was seen at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo.
Birding Notes:
Who’s new in the backyard this week. At my house a Steller’s
Jay arrived and has been seen for a few days now. Hopefully it will stay a
while for the peanuts, although it better be quick before the squirrels find
the peanuts. There has been a Barred Owl regularly hanging out in my backyard the
past month but this week I have been hearing a Great Horned Owl now calling and
the Barred Owl has either left or is very quiet.
The bird feeders are a little busier with more sparrows
arriving and the House Finch and a few American Goldfinch are steady visitors
at the bird feeders with the sunflower chip.
The chickadees have been quiet at the feeders lately,
must be a good crop of natural seed, but the Bushtits have been busy visiting
the suet feeder, along with the Northern Flickers and Downy Woodpeckers.
Birds to watch for in the backyard, Fox, Song and Golden-crowned Sparrows.
If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, birding@thebackyard.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, October 13, 2024.
The Sunday Bird Walk is CANCELLED this Thanksgiving long weekend.
The Tuesday Bird Walk, October 15, 2024.
The
Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Little Qualicum River Estuary
in Qualicum Beach.
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 Brant viewing stand on HWY19A, between Crescent Road W and Beach Terrace, at 9:15am. We will then go to the estuary meeting at the end of Surfside Drive about 9:45am. Weather cooperating.
Good birding! Colin Bartlett
The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
October 1, 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.
*********************************************************
Tuesday October 1, 2024:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach in Parksville this week. Weather was rain, 11C, and the tide was going out. Five hardy birders braved the rain and an few highlights from the walk was three Northern Shovelers, Pacific Loons, and heard a Yellow Warbler.
5 birders saw and heard the following 42 species:
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern
Shoveler
Green-winged
Teal
Surf Scoter
White-winged
Scoter
California Quail
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Red- necked
Grebe
Horned Grebe
Double-crested
Cormorant
Pelagic
Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Black
Oystercatcher
Bonaparte’s
Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged
Gull
Rhinoceros
Auklet
Eurasian Collared
Dove
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted
Kingfisher
Northern
Flicker
American Crow
Chestnut-backed
Chickadee
Bewick’s Wren
Golden-crowned
Kinglet
Yellow-rumped
Warbler
Yellow
Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Savanah
Sparrow
Golden-crowned
Sparrow
Dark-eyed
Junco
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow
Monday September 30, 2024:
Barred Owl was seen in the tot lot near Eagle Crescent and Thunderbird Drive in the hospital area.
Sunday September 29, 2024:
There was no bird walk this long weekend.
Tuesday September 24, 2024:
A large flock of Greater White-fronted Geese were seen flying over Grovehill Road near Horne Lake.
Monday September 23, 2024:
Two Mountain Bluebirds were seen at Wicks Road and Lakes Road in Duncan.
Birding Notes:
This past week the Bewick’s Wren has been busy calling around my house and it starts at 6:45 am. The Bewick’s Wren is a common backyard bird but is not always noticed as they do not visit your bird feeders full of seed, but they do like the suet. These little insect eating birds’ nest in backyards and will use a nest box or whatever opportunities there are. They have been seen nesting in rubber boots that were left out, sleeves and pockets in coats, and many other sheltered nooks and crannies. During the winter the Bewick’s Wren and other insect eating birds, like Townsend’s Warbler, will supplement their diet with suet when needed during the colder weather. Sometimes they will also visit the hummingbird feeder for that little bit of extra energy.
If you have any birds to report or need help
identifying, just email or call the store, birding@thebackyard.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, October 6, 2024.
The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or at the Second Street entrance by the Miners Shack at 9:10 am. Weather cooperating.
The Tuesday Bird Walk, October 8, 2024.
The
Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Englishman River Estuary – Shelly
Road.
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, off of Hwy 19A, at 9:10 am. Weather cooperating.
Good birding! Colin Bartlett