The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

May 9, 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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Black-headed Grosbeak (J. Morrison)

Tuesday May 6, 2025: 

Unfortunately, the Tuesday Bird Walk to Lot 10 in Qualicum Beach was canceled this week.

Sunday May 4, 2025:

Black-headed Grosbeak was reported visiting a backyard bird feeder in Ladysmith.

MacGillivray’s Warbler was seen at the Lantzville woodlot north of Normeral Road.

Just beyond the woodlot along the Copley Trail Hammond’s Flycatcher, Wilson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler and Townsend’s Warbler were seen and heard.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road Trail in south Nanaimo. Weather sunny with some clouds, 10C, a little breeze, and the tide was high. A few highlights from the walk were hearing, and some got to see, a Virginia Rail, Purple Martins and Wilson’s Warbler.

17 birders saw and heard the following 37 species:

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Common Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Northern Harrier

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Virginia Rail

Glaucous-winged Gull

Rufous Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird

Norther Flicker

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Purple Martin

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Red Crossbill

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

Cassin’s Vireo (J. Morrison

Friday May 2, 2025:

Cassin’s Vireo and Warbling Vireo, along with MacGillivray’s Warbler were seen and heard at the end of Vipond Road in Nanaimo.

Thursday May 1, 2025:

Red-throated Loon was seen off of Surfside Road in Qualicum Beach.

Baird’s Sandpiper was seen in the Englishman River Estuary at the end of Mariner Way, Parksville.

Birding Notes:

May 10^th – World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day promotes the importance of a healthy coexistence between humans and birds by focusing on creating bird-friendly communities and cities. The campaign raises awareness about the challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and urban development, promoting conservation and the creation of bird-friendly environments within our made-made communities.

In 2006, the United Nations established World Migratory Bird Day to be held on the second weekend of May every year.

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, May 11, 2025.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or at the upper parking lot by the lawn bowling area at 9:10 am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, May 13, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Brant Viewing Platform and then onto Lot 10 in Qualicum 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 Brant viewing stand on HWY 19A (between Beach Terrace and Crescent Road West) at 9:15 am and then at the end of Kinkade Road, Lot 10, at 9:45 am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett