The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 20, 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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Rufous Hummingbird (R. Hocken)

Thursday March 19, 2026:

Killdeer were seen on MacGillivray Ave on Gabriola Island.

Wednesday March 18, 2026:

Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a residence on MacGillivary Ave on Gabriola Island.

Tuesday March 17, 2026:  

A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at Morell Sanctuary on Nanaimo Lakes Road.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather was cloudy with sunny breaks, 10 C, and the tide was out. A few highlights from the walk were Trumpeter Swans flying over, flocks of Brant flew by close to shore and Yellow-rump Warbler and Rufous Hummingbird were heard and seen.

6 birders saw and heard the following 53 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Brant

Canada Goose

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Harlequin Duck

Green-winged Teal

Greater Scaup

Surf Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Pigeon Guillemot

Common Muir

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Varied Thrush

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

Green-winged Teal (R. Hocken)

Sunday March 15, 2026:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road Trail located in south Nanaimo. Weather was overcast, and 2 C. A few highlights from the walk were Trumpeter Swans flying over, Hutton’s Vireo, and Northern Harrier seen over in the estuary. 

14 birders saw and heard the following 39 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Northern Harrier

Red-tail Hawk

Bald Eagle

Merlin

Dunlin

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Common Raven

American Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Hutton’s Vireo

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Purple Finch

As we enjoy the first day of spring in the sunshine activity in the backyards and around us is picking up. In the backyard first sightings of Rufous Hummingbirds about White-crowned Sparrows are visiting the bird feeders, along with more House Finch. Some of the Dark-eyed Juncos are moving out to begin nesting but there are those that stay and nest in the backyards especially in planters. Anna’s Hummingbirds are nesting, I have seen them building nests and some are incubating. Chestnut-backed Chickadees are busy starting to nest, we watch one on a bird walk a Buttertubs Marsh as it removed old material to refresh the cavity with new material. They have also been checking out my nest boxes along with the Bewick’ Wren, so make sure your boxes are ready. My feeders are busy with all the usual but there have been more House Finches visiting the feeders as of late, nice to see the colour. Speaking of, now we are waiting to see the bright yellow of the American Goldfinch return, let us know when you see them in your backyard.

Beyond the backyard the sigh of spring is the song of Red-winged Blackbirds who are very busy at the marsh. Also, the arrival of Yellow-rump Warblers, Tree, Violet-green and Barn Swallows is a sure indication spring is here.

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 22, 2026:

Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Nanoose Beach, at the west end of Nanoose Bay.

Meet directly at the end of Nanoose Beach Road, located off of HWY 19 or Arlington Road at 9:00am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, March 24, 2026:

Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Columbia Beach in French Creek.

Meet at the end of Admiral Tryon BLVD in the dirt parking area beside French Creek at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett