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 by 8am the day of the walk.

Thursday 27 February 2020


The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store



Nanaimo Bird Report

February 27, 2020


“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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Saturday  February 22, 2020:



Another report of a Turkey Vulture was seen flying near the Woodgrove Centre Mall in North Nanaimo.



Photo: Turkey Vulture (S. Petersen)



Saturday February 22, 2020:

A Cackling Goose was seen at the Brookwood pond accessible off Brookwood Drive.

We have had reports of swallows being seen at Brannon Lake and at Divers Lake in Nanaimo.

Sunday February 23, 2020:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh. Weather was not the best, low cloud and rain which was heavy at times and +2. The beginning of the walk we Steller’s Jay, California Quail, Red-winged Blackbirds and the usual sparrows but the marsh was quiet at that end. Near the miner’s shack we hear a Virginia Rail and saw a Anna’s Hummingbird sitting on a nest. The ducks were all hanging out at the south west corner of the marsh where we saw Hooded and Common Merganser, Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe and Wood Ducks. We also had a great view of the difference between a Cackling Goose and a Canada Goose as they were side by side. A juvenile Red-tailed Hawk was seen and then was checked out by a Sharp-shinned Hawk.



15 birders heard and saw the following 44 species:



Canada Goose

Cackling Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser

California Quail

Pied-billed Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Virginia Rail

Glaucous-winged Gull

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Marsh Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow



Monday February 24, 2020:



19 Snow Geese were seen at the Little Qualicum River Estuary.






Photo: Snow Goose (R. Hocken)

  

Tuesday February 25, 2020:



The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The weather was +4 and cloudy with a few little showers.  We started at the Brant viewing stand at Qualicum Beach where we saw Scoters, American Wigeon, and Black Oystercatchers but no Brant. We then moved over to the end of Surfside drive off of Kinkade Road where we saw 21 Snow Geese in the estuary along with Northern Pintail, White and Golden-crowned Sparrows. On the beach we saw Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Greater Scaup, and Pacific loon. At the mouth of the river there were plenty of Mew Gulls, a couple of Bald  Eagles, and a Belted Kingfisher.

10 birders saw and heard the following 44 species:

Snow Goose

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Greater Scaup

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Black Oystercatcher

Black-bellied Plover

Black Turnstone

Dunlin

Mew Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna's Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch



Tuesday February 25, 2020:



A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen in a backyard on Trevors Road in the Cinnabar area.




Black-Headed Grosbeak (photo by L. Thomas)



Backyard Feeder Notes:



Spring must be near with the sightings of Turkey Vultures, Black-headed Grosbeak and swallows in the past week. Buttertubs Marsh is very active including a few unusual sightings like White-throated Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow and I heard that a Say’s Phoebe was also seen. Next is to watch for the warblers to begin arriving which usually starts with the Yellow-rump Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warblers. They can be seen in backyards as well as Buttertubs Marsh, Neck Point Park and Linley Valley to name just a few locations. As for backyard sighting we have received a few more reports of Evening Grosbeaks visiting backyard feeders and more reports of hawks, Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawk,  also visiting backyard feeders.



The Sunday Bird Walk March 1, 2020:



This Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Englishman River Estuary – Shelly Road in Parksville.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Shelly Road in Parksville at 9:15 am.



The Tuesday Bird Walk March 3, 2020:



This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Columbia 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 parking area on Admiral Tryon Blvd at 9:15 am.



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

Wednesday 19 February 2020


The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store



Nanaimo Bird Report

February 19, 2020


“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.
*********************************************************



Wednesday February 19, 2020:



We received our first report of a Turkey Vulture was seen around noon flying over Woodgrove Centre Mall and Applecross Centre area in North Nanaimo.




Photo: Turkey Vulture (S. Petersen)





Sunday February 16, 2020:

There was no Bird Walk on Sunday of the long weekend.



Friday February 14, 2020:



A Hutton’s Vireo was heard singing and a Barred Owl was seen at Living Forest Campground, site 160.




Photo: Barred Owl (S. Petersen)



Tuesday February 18, 2020:



The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The weather was +2 but cool with a light breeze and misty showers. Lots to see on the water when we started, Brant, Greater Scaup, Red-necked and Horned Grebes, and a Ring-billed Gull mixed in amongst the other gulls. A Snow Goose was seen flying amongst a flock of Canada Geese. A little farther out a Long-tailed Duck, Rhinoceros Auklet and Common Murre were seen.

15 birders saw and heard the following 52 species:

Snow Goose

Brant

Canada Goose

Cackling Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Greater Scaup

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Black-bellied Plover

Black Turnstone

Dunlin

Mew Gull

Thayer’s Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Common Murre

Rhinoceros Auklet

Anna's Hummingbird

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Pine Siskin




Pacific Wren(Photo: Kathy Fowler), seen on a log during the Tuesday Bird Walk at Rathtrevor Provincial Park



Backyard Feeder Notes:



With the nice weather this week it is a good time to give your bird feeders and bird feeding area a good cleaning. Through fall and winter some bird seed may have accumulated under the feeders which can be a problem for the birds with diseases and bacteria, it especially affects Pine Siskins. To help keep the birds safe and healthy it is a good idea to clean under the feeder regularly and disinfect with the bleach and water solution if a solid surface like concrete. If your bird feeding station is above grass or soil move your feeders over to a new area about 4 feet or so away where the ground under the feeders is clean and it allows the old area to recoup. Later you can move the feeders back to that area when it is clean and ready for the birds.

 

The Sunday Bird Walk February 23, 2020:



This Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Buttertubs Drive at 9:10 am.

  

The Tuesday Bird Walk February 25, 2020:



This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Little Qualicum 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 Brant viewing stand at the end of Qualicum Beach at 9:15 am.



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

Saturday 15 February 2020

No Sunday Bird Walk February 16

There will be no Sunday bird walk on February 16 due to the long weekend. 

The store will be closed on Monday February 17 for Family Day. We will see everyone at 9:30am on Tuesday for all backyard bird feeding needs.

Thursday 13 February 2020


The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store



Nanaimo Bird Report

February 13, 2020


“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.
*********************************************************

Photo: Rufous Hummingbird (R. Hocken)



Saturday February 8, 2020:

We received our first report of a male Rufous Hummingbird visiting a backyard feeder in the Country Club area by the golf course.



Sunday February 9, 2020:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary. Weather was overcast with sunny breaks and the wind was calm. Bald Eagles were plentiful and lots of gulls although only saw Glaucous-winged Gulls. We had a great view of Western Meadowlarks perched in a tree showing all their colour and singing for us. A single Red-tailed Hawk was seen perched atop a power pole in the distance.



12 birders saw and heard the following 30 species:

Canada Goose

Trumpeter Swan

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian-collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Western Meadowlark

House Finch




Photo: Western Meadowlark (R. Hocken)



Tuesday February 11, 2020:



The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road side. The weather was sunny to start with no wind but clouded over at the end with a light breeze. The birding activity was busy starting at the parking area with a Hutton’s Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, pacific Wren, and House Finch, all singing. Tide was just going out and we had lots of ducks in the estuary, Gadwall, Common Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Common (Eurasian) Teal and Eurasian Wigeon.

14 birders saw and heard the following 57 species:



Canada Goose

Brant

American Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Common Teal

Gadwall

Greater Scaup

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Brandt’s Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Dunlin

Mew Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Common Murre

Ancient Murrelets

Rhinoceros Auklet

Anna's Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Northern Shrike

Hutton’s Vireo

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Pine Siskin

 


Photo: Hutton’s Vireo (R. Hocken)








Don’t forget to count your birds this weekend!





      Counting is Caring: Join the Great Backyard Bird Count


This year’s count begins on Valentine's Day, Friday, February 14, and continues through Monday, February 17. Volunteers from around the world count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, and then enter their checklists at birdcount.org.



 


Backyard Feeder Notes:



Valentine’s Day and love is in the air, nesting season must be close. I have heard Golden-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, House Finch and a few other species starting to sing their beautiful songs. We have also had reports of chickadees starting to check out nest boxes, so better get the boxes ready. Although for the Anna’s Hummingbirds nesting has begun as they start their nesting in February and earlier if the weather cooperates. So now is a good time to clean out your nest boxes, removing any material and webbing. If the box is wet or damp remove it to dry it out or replace it especially if moldy. Also place out in a suet container or onion sack filled with dry moss and grasses, pet hair, short wool pieces for the birds to use for nest building. We don’t recommend you use the lint from your drier as this has fine particles in it that can be harmful to the young birds. Nesting season, more time to spend watching the birds.





No Sunday Bird Walk, February 16 for the Family Day Holiday





The Sunday Bird Walk February 23, 2020:



This Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Buttertubs Drive at 9:10 am.





The Tuesday Bird Walk February 18, 2020:



This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park.

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 Rathtrevor Provincial Park main parking lot near the beach entrance at 9:10 am.



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