The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

May 27, 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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American Dipper (R. Hocken)

Tuesday May 27, 2025: 

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery in Qualicum Beach. Weather was overcast, and 14C. A few highlights from the walk was watching the American Dipper flying up the fish channel with nesting material and so close the binoculars could not focus on the bird. Cedar Waxwings were hanging out in the fir trees at the far end of the hatchery property and Red Crossbills flew overhead.

17 birders saw and heard the following 34 species:

Canada Goose

Common Merganser

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Belted Kingfisher

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Northern Flicker

Western Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Warbling Vireo

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Pacific Wren

American Dipper

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Yellow Warber

Orange-crowned Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red Crossbill

Pine Siskin

Sunday May 25, 2025:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Weather was a mixture of sun and cloud, 13C, and the tide was low. A few highlights from the walk were two Barred Owls that were seen near the parking lot, a Pacific Loon in breeding plumage close to shore which made it easy for everyone to see. There were also a five Marbled Murrelets near the mouth and in Hammond Bay.

14 birders saw and heard the following 42 species:

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

White-winged Scoter

Surf Scoter

Pacific Loon

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

California Quail

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Pigeon Guillimot

Glaucous-winged Gull

Marbled Murrelet

Barred Owl

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Western Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Warbling Vireo

American Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

Western Wood Pewee was seen at Legacy Marsh on Normarel Drive in upper Lantzville.

Northern House Wren were heard singing at the top of Colbourne Drive Nanaimo.

Western Tanager (J. Morrison)

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, June 1, 2025.

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

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or at the corner of Normarel Drive and Sywash Ridge Road at 9:10 am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, June 3, 2025.

Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary 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 trail entrance by Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett