The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

May 16, 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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Spotted Sandpiper (R. Hocken)

Tuesday May 13, 2025: 

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Lot 10, the end of Kinkade Road, in Qualicum Beach. Weather was sunny, 13C, and a light breeze at the nature viewing stand on the water where we started. A few highlights from the walk were Pacific Loon in close to the viewing stand, Northern Rough-winged Swallows were seen using the cavities along the river bank, and seeing our first Black-headed Grosbeak of the season.

13 birders saw and heard the following 34 species from both locations:

Canada Goose

Red-breasted Merganser

Surf Scoter

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Oystercatcher

Spotted Sandpiper

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Western Flycatcher

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Warbling Vireo

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

European Starling

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Yellow Warber

Orange-crowned Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Black-headed Grosbeak

Pine Siskin

Sunday May 11, 2025:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. Weather was cloudy and 11C. A few highlights from the walk were watching the Hairy Woodpeckers communicating near their nest. A Downy Woodpecker that was working a tree looking for food and one early birder was able to see the Barred Owl.

14 birders saw and heard the following 29 species:

Mallard

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Barred Owl

Band-tailed Pigeon

Anna’s Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Norther Flicker

Western Flycatcher

Cassin’s Vireo

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Pacific Wren (J. Morrison)

Saturday May 10, 2025:

A Black-headed Grosbeak was visiting a backyard in Willow Park Estates on Nanaimo Lakes Road.

Birding Notes:

New visitors to the bird feeders, well not new species but new birds. The newly fledged, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Chestnut-backed Chickadees have been visiting the suet feeder with the adults. Sitting on top of the feeder or shepherd hook shaking their wings begging to be fed because they can not do that. But just like teenagers when the adult leaves the young fledgling jumps on the feeder and feeds for itself.

There have also been juvenile Dark-eyed Juncos, Spotted Towhee and Pine Siskins about. It is fun when the juvenile Northern Flickers and Pileated Woodpeckers arrive and their constant communication looking for mom and dad and wanting food.

If you see a juvenile bird that is just quietly sheltering either on the ground or perched, they are just fine. Keep an eye on them from predators if they are in a vulnerable spot. They have not been abandoned, the adults know where they are and are keeping an eye on them, they are just off finding food for them and will be back soon.

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 18, 2025.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be CANCELED this week for the long weekend.

Tuesday Bird Walk, May 20, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

Meet at the Parksville Tourist Information Center parking lot, located at Hwy 19A, Northwest Bay Road and Franklin’s Gull Road in Parksville, at 9:00 am or meet at the end of Shelly Road, off HWY 19A, at 9:10 am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett