Sunday Bird Walk CANCELED

 The Sunday bird walk for March 23rd will be CANCELED due to weather. 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 20, 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 Wigeon pair (R. Hocken)

TUESDAY March 18, 2025:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather was sunny, 1c, light breeze on the water and tide was going out. A few highlights from the walk were a large flock of Greater Scaup at the mouth of the river. A pair of Gadwall were seen in the estuary and at the start of the walk by the parking area a Hutton’s Vireo was singing.

14 birders saw and heard the following 53 species:

Brant

Canada Goose

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Great Scaup

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Pigeon Guillemot

Marbled Murrelet

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Hutton’s Vireo

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Red Crossbill

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin 

Violet-green Swallow (R. Hocken)

Sunday March 16, 2025:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather was cloudy with sunny breaks, 4C. A few highlights from the walk were Voilet-green and Tree Swallows flying over the marsh, a small flock of Cedar Waxwings along the trail behind the houses and hearing the Virginia Rail.

15 birders saw and heard the following 43 species.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

California Quail

Great Blue Heron

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Virginia Rail

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Tree Swallow

Violet-Green Swallow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

House Sparrow

If you have any birds 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 23, 2025.

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

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

Tuesday Bird Walk, March 25, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road 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 end of Shelly Road at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 12, 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 Kestrel (R. Hocken)

Wednesday March 12, 2025:

A turkey Vulture and 2 Red-tailed Hawks were seen along the Inland Island Highway near the Horne Lake exit.

TUESDAY March 11, 2025:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. Weather was overcast and cool, 4C. A few highlights from the walk was the abundance of Anna’s Hummingbirds about and seeing two female Anna’s Hummingbird on their nests. Two American Kestrels were seen in the field by Church Road and Coldwater Road, a Barred Owl flying away and two Trumpeter Swans flew over.

12 birders saw and heard the following 30 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Mallard

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Bald Eagle

Barred Owl

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin 

American Goldfinch (R. Hocken)

Sunday March 9, 2025:

American Goldfinch were seen visiting a backyard feeder near Divers Lake, Labieux Road and Oriole Drive.

The Sunday Bird Walk was canceled due to weather.

Saturday March 8, 2025:

Rufous Hummingbird was seen in the area of Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary and Nanaimo Lakes Road.

Birding Notes:

It’s not about the birds but there is a Total Lunar Eclipse on March 13, 2025.

Keep your eyes on the sky and hope the clouds dissipate for the full lunar eclipse!

🌕 8:57pm - the eclipse begins, with the Moon starting to dim. At this point, the change is barely noticeable at best.

🌔 10:09pm - a partial eclipse. The Moon looks like a bite's been taken out of it.

🌑 11:26pm to 12:31am - totality. The eclipse is in full swing and can appear reddish. As the Moon moves out of Earth's umbra, the reddish tinge dissipates, and the Moon can again look like a partially eaten cookie.

🌘 1:47am - eclipse ends. The Moon may look slightly dim again but is otherwise back to normal.

Does a lunar eclipse have an effect on birds? For most birds no but there is an interesting article on a study done with Black Swifts and the effects of a full moon and a lunar eclipse, https://www.audubon.org/news/a-lunar-eclipse-sheds-light-fascinating-behavior-birds

If you have any birds 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 16, 2025.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or at the Second Street entrance by the Miners Shack at 9:10 am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, March 18, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road 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 corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

Sunday Bird Walk CANCELED

 Sunday March 9 bird walk is CANCELED for the weather. 

See you next week. 

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 4, 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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Greater Scaup (R. Hocken)

TUESDAY March 4, 2025:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Little Qualicum River Estuary, with a stop at the Brant Viewing stand in Qualicum Beach. Weather was overcast, steady breeze,7C, high tide and going out and showers at the end of the walk. A few highlights from the walk were three Barn Swallows flying near the mouth of the river. A Eurasian Wigeon was also seen at the mouth of the river and there were plenty of Surf Scoters along with White-winged Scoters.

12 birders saw and heard the following 50 species:

Brant

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Harlequin Duck

Greater Scaup

Long-tailed Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black oystercatcher

Black Turnstone

Black-bellied Plover

Dunlin

Short-billed Gull

Thayer’s Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Pigeon Guillemot

Common Murre

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Barn Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

European Starling

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Red Crossbill

Pine Siskin

Bewick’s Wren (J. Morrison)

Tuesday March 3, 2025:

Snow Goose was seen with two Canada Geese at Piper’s Lagoon, Nanaimo.

Sunday March 2, 2025:

Rufous Hummingbird was seen along Drew Road in Qualicum Beach.

Snow Geese were seen flying over Departure Bay Nanaimo.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Weather was a mix of sun and cloud with a steady breeze, and 8C. A few highlights from the walk were Red Crossbills behind the board walk, a Rhinoceros Auklet and Common Goldeneye.

16 birders saw and heard the following 39 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Rhinoceros Auklet

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Pileated Woodpecker

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red Crossbill

Pine Siskin

Friday February 28, 2025:

Our first report of a Rufous Hummingbird was seen on Grove Hill Road in Qualicum.

Birding Notes:

What to watch for. Yellow-rumped Warblers will be arriving soon. Although there were reports of the Yellow-rumped Warblers in February the main migration has not started yet. Another of the warblers to follow will be the Orange-crowned Warblers. You may see them in your backyard but look for them in the deciduous trees with new or just opening buds. Migration has started with gulls, and ducks on the water with more to move through. Brant is returning to the Parksville area and there are lots of scoters to see as well. Bufflehead, goldeneye’s, scaup are a few to looks for and the loons are starting to change into their breeding plumage. Herring spawns are a great spot to watch the birds and to watch for the odd Golden Eagle amongst the other eagles.

In the backyards watch for Bewick’s Wrens. They are a common backyard bird but not commonly seen at bird feeders. The Bewick’s Wrens are busy signing and establishing territories and will commonly nest in nest boxes and other cavities in the backyard. A few White-crowned Sparrows have returned, and I have heard singing already. Red Crossbills are about and feeding on the natural seed and will venture into backyards for sunflower seeds when the natural food source thins. Of course, the one everyone is waiting for the Rufous Hummingbirds. They usually arrive shortly after the red flowering currant has bloomed.

Let us know what is happening in your backyard.

If you have any birds 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 9, 2025.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or at the Second Street entrance by the Miners Shack at 9:10 am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, March 11, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Springwood Park 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 end of Despard Avenue and Chestnut Street at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett