The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 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