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
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