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.

Tuesday 26 February 2019

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk, February 26, 2019


Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday Bird Walk, February 26, 2019The Tuesday bird walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River, in Parksville. The morning was sunny but cool with calm winds.  Several Brown Creepers were creeping up the trees along the river path. Three flocks of Surf Scoters and one flock of White-winged Scoters were heading up the Strait of Georgia.  One Greater Scaup was spotted not far from shore.  Several Anna's Hummingbirds were seen just off the trail.  A Peregrine Falcon flew over head. Two Western Meadowlarks were perched in a tree along the fence line at the Community Park.
Nineteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-eight species:
Canada Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal

American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Greater Scaup

Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Brandt’s Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron

Killdeer
Mew Gull
Iceland (Thayer's) Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull
Bald Eagle

Peregrine Falcon
Anna's Hummingbird
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker
European Starling
Brewer’s Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s Wren
American Robin
Varied Thrush

Western Meadowlark
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch 

Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

      Western Meadowlark: Ralph Hocken Photo:

Please Note:
Check this site (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) early Tuesday and Sunday on stormy mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled!
The Sunday Bird Walk on March 03, 2019 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Meet at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store (6314 Metral Drive in Nanaimo) at 9:00am or at the parking lot at Neck Point Park, off Hammond Bay Road, at about 9:15am.
The Tuesday Bird Walk on March 05, 2019 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking lot) in Parksville at 9:00 am, or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive on the ocean side of highway 19a at about 9:10 am.
Good birding
Neil Robins 
THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo, B.C. V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669, Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Sunday 24 February 2019

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store Weekly Bird Report, February 24, 2019



The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Weekly Bird Report

Nanaimo Bird Report, February 24 2019
BIRD REPORT “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.
***********************************************************
Please Note
Please check this site
 (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com
early Tuesday and Sunday mornings 
to see if the walks have been cancelled!
*********************************************************

Sunday Bird Walk, Feb 24 2019:
The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The morning was mostly sunny with calm winds. Two female Downy Woodpeckers were seen just off the trail. They entertained us royally as they challenged each other quite often.  Three large flocks of Canada Geese  flew over head and landed on the marsh. Green-wing Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers and Common Mergansers were seen on the marsh all morning. Four Cedar Waxwings were feeding on berries on a tree near the trail. 

Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-four species:
Canada Geese
Mallard
Green-wing Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Spotted Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird

Song Sparrow
European Starling
Brown Creeper
Bewick’s Wren


Marsh Wren
Anna’s Hummingbird
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow
         Downy Woodpecker: Ralph Hocken Photo:
Tuesday bird walk, February19, 2019:
Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, went to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville, February 19, 2019.
It was great to be out birding again after the snowy weather. The morning was cloudy with calm winds. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of four Surfbirds in with a flock of at least two thousand Dunlin, a large number of Black Turnstones and Black-bellied Plovers along the shoreline—a birding paradise!  A large raft of Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup were seen offshore in Craig Bay.  A Western Gull, a Common Murre and a Pigeon Guillemot were heading up the Strait of Georgia.  A Brown Creeper and two Golden-crowned Kinglets were seen at the base of a tall conifer tree near the trail.  A Purple Finch was heard singing and then seen perched on a short bush along the trail.                     
Nineteen birders including visiting birders from Washington State, Alberta and Manitoba saw and heard the following forty-seven species
Brant
Canada Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose 
Mallard
Northern Pintail
American Wigeon
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Red-neck Grebe
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Brandt’s  Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Surfbird
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Black Oystercatcher
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Mew Gull
Iceland(Thayer's) Gull
California Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Anna’s Hummingbird
Bewick’s Wren
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Pine Siskin
Purple Finch

Dark-eyed Junco




                                                           
Surfbird: Ralph Hocken Photo:


A flock of Canada Geese with a Greater White-fronted Goose were seen at the Parksville Community Beach before the walk.

Please NoteCheck this site
(www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) early Tuesday and Sunday on stormy mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled!

The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 26, 2019 will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking lot) in Parksville at 9:00 am, or at the end of Shelly Road on the ocean side of highway 19a at about 9:10 am.


The Sunday Bird Walk on March 03, 2019 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Meet at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store (6314 Metral Drive in Nanaimo) at 9:00am or at the parking lot at Neck Point off Hammond Bay Road at about 9:15am.

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo, B.C. V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669
Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca


Tuesday 19 February 2019

Tuesday bird walk, February19, 2019


Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk, went to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville, February 19, 2019.

It was great to be out birding again after the snowy weather. The morning was cloudy with calm winds. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of four Surfbirds in with a flock of at least two thousand Dunlin, a large number of Black Turnstones and Black-bellied Plovers along the shoreline—a birding paradise!  A large raft of Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup were seen offshore in Craig Bay.  A Western Gull, a Common Murre and a Pigeon Guillemot were heading up the Strait of Georgia.  A Brown Creeper and two Golden-crowned Kinglets were seen at the base of a tall conifer tree near the trail.  A Purple Finch was heard singing and then seen perched on a short bush along the trail. 
                                                                        
 Surfbird: Ralph Hocken Photo:


Nineteen birders including visiting birders from Washington State, Alberta and Manitoba saw and heard the following forty-seven species
Brant
Canada Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose 
Mallard
Northern Pintail
American Wigeon
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Red-neck Grebe
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Brandt’s  Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Surfbird
Black-bellied Plover
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Black Oystercatcher
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Mew Gull
Iceland(Thayer's) Gull
California Gull
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Anna’s Hummingbird
Bewick’s Wren
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Pine Siskin
Purple Finch
Dark-eyed Junco

A flock of Canada Geese with a Greater White-fronted Goose were seen at the Parksville Community Beach before the walk.

Please Note
Check this site (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) early Tuesday and Sunday on stormy mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled!

The Sunday Bird Walk on February24 2019 will be going to the Buttertubs Marsh in  Nanaimo. Meet at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store, 6314 Metral Drive in Nanaimo at 9:00 a.m. or at parking lot at Buttertubs on the Bowen Road side about 9:15 am.


The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 26, 2019 will be going to the Shelly Road side  of the Englishman River estuary in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking lot) in Parksville at 9:00 am, or at the end of Shelly Road on the oceanside of highway 19a at about 9:10 am. 

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo, B.C. V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669
Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

Sunday 17 February 2019

Whoops!

I have been informed that the link provided for voting for the Naniamo Business Awards on this weeks email isn't working.

Here is a new link: http://nanaimochamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/nanaimo-business-awards-04-26-2019-2199

Nanaimo Bird Report February 17 2019

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Weekly Bird Report

Nanaimo Bird Report, February 17 2019
BIRD REPORT“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.
***********************************************************
Please Note
Please check this site (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.comearly Tuesday and Sunday mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled!
***********************************************************
Sunday Bird Walk, February 17 2019

There was no Sunday bird walk due to the long weekend.
Tuesday Bird Walk, February 12 2019
The Tuesday bird walk was cancelled due to weather conditions.
***********************************************************
The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 19, 2019 will be going to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking lot) in Parksville at 9:00 am, or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor at about 9:10 am.

The Sunday Bird Walk on February 24, 2019 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Meet at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store (6314 Metral Drive in Nanaimo) at 9:00am or at the parking lot at Buttertubs on the Bowen Road side about 9:15am.
***********************************************************
Nanaimo Business Awards
Our store has been nominated this year for three categories of the Nanaimo Business Awards for 2019 (Small Business, Retailer, and Inclusive Employer)! Voting is open from Feburary 15 - Feburary 28. Finalists will be celebrated and winners will be announced at the annual Nanaimo Business Awards gala event on April 11th, 2019 at the Port Theatre Nanaimo.
Thank you to everyone that nominated us for the Nanaimo Business Awards, as well as for those who vote for us in the 2019 competition. We have enjoyed being a locally-owned small business in Nanaimo for the last 23 years and can't wait to see what the furture brings.
Thank you from all of us at The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store.
***********************************************************
Links to Upcoming Local Events

(Every Wednesday evening from ~7:00pm-8:00pm January to April)

Raises money for scholarships and bursaries for students enrolled at VIU

February 15 - 18 2019

***********************************************************
***********************************************************
Please Note
Please check this site (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.comearly Tuesday and Sunday mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled!
***********************************************************
THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo B.C.V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669
Fax: 250-390-1633
***********************************************************

Friday 15 February 2019

Nanaimo Bird Report February 11 2019

There is no scheduled bird walk for Sunday February 17 due to the holiday weekend.
The store will be closed on Monday February 18 for Family Day. Thank-you and sorry for an inconvienece.

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Weekly Bird Report

Nanaimo Bird Report, February 14 2019
BIRD REPORT “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.
***********************************************************
Please Note
Please check this site (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.comearly Tuesday and Sunday mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled!
***********************************************************
Sunday Bird Walk, Feb 10 2019


The Sunday bird walk went to Nanoose Bay. 
Red-breasted Merganser: Ralph Hocken Photo:

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following forty species:
Canada Geese
Mallard
American Widgeon
Green-wing Teal
Northern Pintail
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Killdeer
Bald Eagle
Mew Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Northwestern Crown
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Spotted Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Song Sparrow
Starling
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
Red-tail Hawk
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-crowned Sparrow
Varied Thrush
Dark-eyed Junco
Brown Creeper
Fox Sparrow
Eurasian-collared Dove

February 9 2019
A bohemian waxwing was spotted travelling with a flock of Cedar Waxwings at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.
Photo: Bohemian Waxwing (K. MacDonald)

Tuesday Bird Walk, Februray 12, 2019
The bird walk was cancelled due to weather.
Please NoteCheck this site (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.comearly Tuesday and Sunday on stormy mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled!

The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 19, 2019 will be going to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking lot) in Parksville at 9:00 am, or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor at about 9:10 am.

The Sunday Bird Walk on February 24, 2019 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Meet at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store (6314 Metral Drive in Nanaimo) at 9:00am or at the parking lot at Buttertubs on the Bowen Road side about 9:15am.

Good birding
Colin Bartlett

Monday 11 February 2019

Tuesday bird walk , February 12 is cancelled

Please Note

Due to the snowy conditions and the incoming weather, the Tuesday Bird Walk on February 12, 2019 to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is CANCELLED! 

We will try to go to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park again next Tuesday , February 19, 2019. 



Tuesday 5 February 2019

Parksville/Qualicum Beach Tuesday bird walk.


The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was bright and sunny with calm winds. Two Black-bellied Plovers, six  Black Oystercatchers and twelve Killdeer were seen along the shore.  Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks were seen further offshore.
Several flocks of Trumpeter Swans flew over head at the estuary. 
 Five Snow Geese, Canada Geese and two Cackling Geese were spotted on the estuary. Two small flocks of Western Grebe were seen at the end of the walk.

 
           Trumpeter Swans: Ralph Hocken Photo:

Fourteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-two species:
Canada Goose
Snow Geese
Cackling Geese
Trumpeter Swan
 Mallard
Green-wing Teal
 Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
 Lesser Scaup
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
 Double-crested Cormorant,
Great Blue Heron
 Bald Eagle
Red-tail Hawk
Black-bellied Plover
 Black Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Mew Gull
 California Gull
 Herring Gull
Iceland(Thayer's) Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
 Common Murre
Belted Kingfisher
 Northern Flicker
 Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 
American Robin
 Anna’s Hummingbird
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
 Spotted Towhee
 Song Sparrow
White-crowned  Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Brewer’s Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird 

Please Note
Check this site (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) early Tuesday and Sunday on stormy mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled!

The Sunday Bird Walk on February 10, 2019, Will be going to the Nanoose Bay. Meet at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store, 6314 Metral Drive in Nanaimo at 9:00 am or at waterfront at the church camp in Nanoose Bay ( off highway 19 and Arlington Road) at about 9:15 am.

The Tuesday Bird Walk on February 12, 2019 will be going to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking lot) in Parksville at 9:00 am, or at the main parking lot at Rathtrevor at about 9:10 am.

Good birding
Neil Robins

THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE
6314 Metral Drive
Nanaimo B.C.
V9T-2L8

Phone: 250-390-3669
Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
Blog: ww.thebirdstore.blogspot.com