The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

April 24, 2025
“EXPLORE NATURE” --- GO BIRDING:
To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at birding@thebackyard.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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Common Yellowthroat (J. Morrison)

Tuesday April 22, 2025:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. Weather was sunny and 8C. A few highlights from the walk were hearing and seeing the Common Yellowthroat and Black-throated Gray Warbler. Two Brown-headed Cowbirds were seen near the wetland area and a Barred Owl was heard at the end of the walk.

14 birders saw and heard the following 44 species:

Canada Goose

California Quail

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Glaucous-winged Gull

Barred Owl

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Osprey (R. Hocken)

Monday April 21, 2025:

An Osprey was seen at Long Lake in Nanaimo.

Sunday April 20, 2025:

There was no Sunday Bird Walk this week.

Birding Notes:

This is not the happiest article to read but it is just a reminder of what our feathered friends have to deal with.

With spring here many backyards are being worked on and cleaned up. This may include sprays or other chemicals to control bugs in the backyard. Unfortunately, there is a trickle-down effect where these products are used that can have an unfortunate effect on our birds. Each spring we hear of such problems as hummingbirds that have been found dead with no injuries and in the middle of the yard, or nestlings that were fed these bugs.

A reminder for anyone planning on trimming hedges or removing shrubs, please check them carefully for any nesting birds. Many bird species are now sitting on eggs. If you find an active bird nest stop activity and do not disturb the nest. Resume work after nesting is finished or wait till the end of summer or fall to do the work.

If you have any bird sightings 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.

Sunday Bird Walk, April 27, 2025.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Legacy Marsh in Lantzville.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the corner of Normarel Drive and Sywash Ridge Road at 9:10am. Normarel Drive is located near the top of Superior Road, Lantzville. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, April 29, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Englishman River Estuary – Shelly Road in Parksville.

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