The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
October 24, 2024
“EXPLORE NATURE” --- GO
BIRDING:
To report your
sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at thebackyard@shaw.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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Harlequin Duck (R. Hocken)
Tuesday October 22, 2024:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach in French Creek. Weather was sunny, 10C. A few highlights from the walk were Greater White-fronted Geese, Black-bellied Plovers and a Sharp-shinned Hawk.
14 birders saw and heard the following 54 species:
Greater
White-fronted Goose
Canada Goose
American
Wigeon
Mallard
Ring-necked
Duck
Harlequin
Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged
Scoter
Bufflehead
Common
Merganser
California Quail
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Red- necked
Grebe
Horned Grebe
Western
Grebe
Pelagic
Cormorant
Double-crested
Cormorant
Great Blue
Heron
Sharp-shinned
Hawk
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Black
Oystercatcher
Black-bellied
Plover
Black
Turnstone
Bonaparte’s
Gull
Short-bill
Gull
California
Gull
Thayer’s
Gull
Glaucous-winged
Gull
Rhinoceros Auklet
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian
Collared Dove
Anna’s
Hummingbird
Belted
Kingfisher
Northern
Flicker
American
Crow
Chestnut-backed
Chickadee
Red-breasted
Nuthatch
Bewick’s
Wren
Ruby-crowned
Kinglet
Golden-crowned
Kinglet
American
Robin
European
Starling
Spotted
Towhee
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
White-crowned
Sparrow
Golden-crowned
Sparrow
Dark-eyed
Junco
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow
Monday October 21, 2024:
A flock of Cedar Waxwings were observed feeding on the hillside at the end of Buttertubs Drive behind the apartment complex.
Sunday October 20, 2024:
The Sunday Bird Walk was canceled due to the weather.
Birding Notes:
On a couple of clear nights, I have been outside
just to listen to what is going on. In the dark when your eyesight is limited your
hearing is heightened, and it is interesting to listen to all the different
sounds. In my backyard the raccoons can be heard moving through the hedge and
in between the sirens and vehicle noise I have heard a few bird species as
well. As one would expect there is the Barred Owl, a regular in my backyard,
and a Great Horned Owl, a rare call that I hear in my neighborhood. I have also
heard a flocks of Canada Geese flying over and Greater White-fronted Geese. The
latest were Killdeer flying over in the dark and calling.
Although a full moon has passed a few days ago, it can be fun to set up a scope or watch the moon with your binoculars to possibly see flocks of birds passing by in front of the moon.
October 24th is day one of International Bat Week, making it the perfect time to get involved with bats.
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.
The Sunday Bird Walk, October 27, 2024.
The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Nanoose Estuary in Nanoose Bay.
Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Nanoose Beach Road, which is off Arlington Road and HWY 19, at 9:15am. Weather cooperating.
The Tuesday Bird Walk, October 29, 2024.
The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Deep Bay.
Meet at the Parksville Tourist Information Center parking lot, located by Hwy 19A, Northwest Bay Road and Franklin’s Gull Road in Parksville, at 8:45 am or meet at the marina parking lot in Deep Bay at 9:15am. Weather cooperating.
Good
birding! Colin Bartlett