The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 12, 2026
“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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Brant (R. Hocken)

Tuesday March 10, 2026:  

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. Weather was mixed, it started off sunny, changed to snow and rain, then to showers and ended with an overcast day. A few highlights from the walk were Trumper Swans flying over, a Cooper’s Hawk that was perched near the beach play area and a pair of Common Goldeneye just out front of the beach.

4 birders saw and heard the following 25 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Brant

American Wigeon

Mallard

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Horned Grebe

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Bald Eagle

Cooper’s Hawk

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Ring-necked Duck (R. Hocken)

Sunday March 8, 2026:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny, and a cool 6C. A few highlights from the walk were seeing the Tree and Violet Green Swallows feeding over the marsh, a Virginia Rail was heard, and a pair of Killdeer were seen.  

19 birders saw and heard the following 36 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Ring-neck Duck

Bufflehead

Pied-billed Grebe

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Killdeer

Virginia Rail

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Tree Swallow

Violet-Green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Cedar Waxwing

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

House Sparrow

At your backyard bird feeders watch for Varied Thrush and flocks of House Finch. Chickadees are not as frequent at the feeders as they have begun to nest so make sure your nest boxes are cleaned and ready. Bushtits have also been seen starting to build their nests. These are signs that spring is near along with the singing that is happening as sunrise by the robins, juncos, House Finch and Bewick’s Wren in my backyard.

Also watch for Turkey Vultures as they are starting their movement north.

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, March 15, 2026:

Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Maki Road Trail in south Nanaimo.

Meet directly at the parking lot, located at the end of Maki Road, at 9:00am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, March 17, 2026:

Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

Meet at the trail head located at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive, at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett