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

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 3, 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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Cedar Waxwing (S. Petersen)

Monday March 2, 2026:

A flock of Cedar Waxwings were seen feeding on the catkins in the Lost Lake Road area.

Brown Creeper (J. Morrison)

Sunday March 1, 2026:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny, 3C, with a very light breeze. A few highlights from the walk were Trumpeter Swans flying over, Black Oystercatcher and Harlequin Ducks hanging out on the rocks and Brown Creepers that were everywhere.

16 birders saw and heard the following 41 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Greater Scaup

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Black Turnstones

Dunlin

Short-billed Gull

Bonapartes Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Pine Siskin

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 8, 2026:

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

Meet directly at the parking lot on Jingle Pot Road, across from the baseball fields at 9:00am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, March 10, 2026:

Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.

Meet at the beach entrance. main parking lot, just before the campground, at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

Weekly Bird Walks Resume

 

 The WEEKLY BIRD WALKS about to start up for 2026!

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 will begin on March 1, 2026 at Neck Point Park. Meet at the waterfront by the parking lot at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk will unfortunately be delayed until March 10, 2026, at Englishman River Estuary, Shelley Road. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Shelley Road at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.

Good birding! Colin

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

December 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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Pelagic Cormorant (R. Hocken)

Tuesday December 9, 2025:  

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.

Weather was cloudy with sunny breaks, 6C, and tide was high. The tide was very high and choppy but there was a lot to see out on the water compared to the campground area that was quiet for the birds. A few highlights from the walk were a pair of Merlins that flew over, Marbled Murrelet and Common Murre a little farther out, and a White-throated Sparrow.

11 birders saw and heard the following 47 species

Brant

American Wigeon

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Merlin

Black Oystercatcher

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Marbled Murrelet

Common Murre

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch

Pileated Woodpecker - male (J. Morrison)

Sunday Decemeber 7, 2025:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Weather was overcast and misty, 10C, and the tide was high. The birds were a little quiet around the park, and the afternoon may have been better with the nice weather. A few highlights from the walk were Black Turnstones hanging out with a group of Black Oystercatchers on a rock, and Trumpeter Swans flew over at the beginning of the walk.

9 birders saw and heard the following 21 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Pacific Loon

Double-crested Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Black Turnstone

Glaucous-winged Gull

Marbled Murrelet

Common Murre

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

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.

The Tuesday and Sunday Bird Walks will be taking a break over the Holidays and will resume in the New Year.

Happy Holidays and good birding! Colin Bartlett

Clear Skies with David Prud'homme - December 9th

 

Geminid Meteor Shower, Dec. 13

The Geminid meteor shower peaks on Saturday evening (Dec 13), when we might be treated to a moderately active meteor shower, weather permitting.  

The Moon is favourable this year.  It won’t be rising until almost 3 a.m., and it will be in a  crescent phase, meaning it won’t be reflecting much sunlight.  As a result, our skies will be darker, allowing us to see more of the faint meteors.  

The Geminid meteors will appear to originate in the constellation Gemini – hence their name.  It will be easy to locate Gemini.  It is high in the southwest, with Jupiter shining very brightly to its left.  The two bright stars to Jupiter’s upper right are Pollux and Castor, and they represent the heads of the Gemini twins.  

Castor is almost exactly at the so-called radiant, from where the meteors seem to originate, and from there they can appear to go up, down, left, right...  You won’t see them actually start there, but if you were to track back the various meteors you see, their tracks would converge on Castor. 

To view a meteor shower best, find a location where you don’t have direct house or streetlights in your eyes, and then position yourself facing the largest part of the sky you can.  You don’t have to face Gemini, and looking somewhat away from Gemini, you may see longer streaks.

If we happen to have clear skies, first of all, dress warmly – an astronomer’s rule of thumb is to dress for 10 degrees colder than the actual temperature, as you won’t be moving and generating heat so will get cold faster.  Then, settle yourself comfortably, in a lounge chair or on a blanket; give your eyes several minutes to adjust to the darkness; and just watch the sky with your naked eye.  You may see several over the course of an hour or so.

Ursid meteor shower, Dec 21

There will also be a minor meteor shower overnight on Sunday, Dec 21.  The number of meteors will be smaller, but you may still see a few.

The Moon

The Moon rises late in the evening, and later every night.  We don’t often think to look for the Moon in the daytime, but you will be able to see it low in the west in the mornings, becoming a narrower and narrower crescent.  It sets in the west around noon on Dec 10, and later every day, however, do not look for it close to the Sun to protect your eyes – say, after about Dec 15… however you can also look for it in the morning before sunrise.

Then you might get the treat of so-called moonshine when the light reflected off Earth illuminates the dark part of the Moon even though there is a bright crescent.  This is a lovely view.

The Planets (in the morning)

If you happen to be up early, and have a low horizon to the southeast, you may see Mercury before the sun rises. It rises around 6:15, and a couple minutes later every day.  It is bright enough that you will recognize it as the brightest object in that part of the sky. 

Venus is no longer easily visible, as it rises just ahead of the Sun and is overwhelmed by the sunlight.

You can also catch Jupiter in the morning.  It sets in the west well after sunrise, so before that, you should be able to see it.

The Planets (in the evening)

We can still see Jupiter in the morning, as it doesn’t rise in the northeast until after 6:30 p.m.  It then climbs to its highest in the south about 2:30 a.m.

Saturn is no longer very bright; it can still be seen in the evening sky.  Early in the evening, it can be found low in the south – but it will still be the brightest object in that part of the sky.  It will continue to head west, setting in the southwest just after midnight.

Clear skies, happy holidays, and stay safe and well.

David