Nanaimo Bird Report October 3 2019

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

October 3, 2019

“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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Sunday September 29, 2019:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo. Twelve birders saw and heard the following thirty-four (34) species:

Photo: Steller’s Jay (R. Hocken)

Great Blue Heron

Canada Goose

Mallard

Green-winged Teal

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Merlin

Red-tailed Hawk

Northern Harrier

Bald Eagle

Mew Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

California Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Northwestern Crow

Steller ’s jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

Eurasian Collared Dove

Western Meadowlark

Red-winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Orange-crowned Warbler

Photo: Orange-crowned Warbler (J. Morrison)

Tuesday October 1, 2019:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Little Qualicum River. Seventeen (17) birders saw and heard the following fifty (50) species:

Photo: Yellow-billed Loon and Common Loon (R. Hocken)

Yellow-billed Loon

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Western Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Canada Goose

American Widgeon

Harlequin Duck

Mallard

Green-winged Teal

Common Merganser

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bald Eagle

Merlin

Black-bellied Plover

Black Oystercatcher

Killdeer

Black Turnstone

Mew Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Eurasian-collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Robin

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo: Yellow-rumped Warbler (R. Hocken)

Backyard Feeder Notes:

Dark-eyed Juncos are starting to be found at most backyard feeders in increasing numbers as the weather continues to remind us that it’s already fall. Golden-crowned Sparrows are starting to visit my millet trays with my elusive Spotted Towhees. Peanuts and sunflower seeds are all the rage with the colder evenings and many customers are reporting seeing more than one Steller’s Jay in their yard (some upwards of 10). Potential that bugs and berries are lower than usual, as we have already started seeing groups of European Starlings return to suet feeders. Usually we don’t see them return to backyard bird feeders until the ground is frozen and they are unable to access their favourite grubs.

Photo: European Starling

The Sunday Bird Walk October 6, 2019:

Will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the parking lot at the end of Buttertubs drive (off Bowen rd.) at 9:15 am.

The Tuesday Bird Walk October 8, 2019:

Will be going to Englishman River Estuary (Shelley rd. side) in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking area) in Parksville at 9:00 am. Or meet in the parking lot at the end of Shelley Rd. at 9:15am.

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

Good birding!

Colin Bartlett

 

The Backyard

Wildbird and Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669

Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com