Nanaimo Weekly Bird Report June 9, 2019

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 9, 2019

“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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Sunday June 9:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Morden Colliery Park in south Nanaimo. Weather was overcast with sunny breaks and the winds were calm. Five species of woodpeckers were seen with great views of the Red-breasted Sapsuckers feeding young in the nest.  

Red-breasted Sapsucker, photo by John Morrison

Eleven birders include 2 guests from England saw and heard the following thirty four Species:

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Barred Owl

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Pacific-sloped Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

Red-eyed Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick's Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Brown-headed Cowbird

Dark-eyed Junco

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Tuesday June 4:

The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery. The morning was sunny and winds light. Enjoyed watching the American Dipper at the beginning of the bird walk as it was seen feeding by the parking lot bridge. What seemed to be the most abundant bird was the Red-breasted Sapsucker, as they were seen from the beginning to the end of the walk.

American Dipper, photo by Ralph Hocken

Eighteen birders, including birders from Maple Ridge, saw and heard the following forty one (41) species:

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Rufous Hummingbird

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Hammond Flycatcher

Pacific-sloped Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Pacific Wren

Warbling Vireo

American Dipper

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Western Tanager

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Black-throated Grey Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Brown-headed Cowbird

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

Backyard Feeder Notes:

The backyard feeders are keeping busy especially the suet. Our suet feeder has been busy with a Northern Flicker visiting and even a House Sparrow has realized how good it is. At home we have had the fun of watching the Pileated Woodpecker using the upside down feeder, a little cumbersome for it but they like their suet. Also the starlings like the suet and that is why I am using the upside down feeder, to try and deter the starlings.  

Bird baths are also busy and at the store we are seeing American Robins, House Sparrows, towhees, White-crowned Sparrows and a crow frequently using it. As the temperature increases and the landscape dries out the bird bath will become a popular attraction.  Water can also attract species that do not visit your bird feeders, like Cedar Waxwings, warblers, even a Swainson’s Thrush.

With the temperatures increasing remember to change your hummingbird feeders every two or three day and give the feeders a cleaning at the same time.

Pileated Woodpecker – female, photo by John Morrison

Please Note:
Check this site (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) early Tuesday and Sunday on stormy mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled!  



The Tuesday Bird Walk on June 11, 2019 will be going to the Englishman River Estuary – Plummer road side.  Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking area) in Parksville at 9:00 am, or at the trail head on Plummer road about 9:10 a.m. 



The Sunday Bird Walk on June 16, 2019 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh – park at the end of Buttertubs drive off Bowen road. Meet at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store (6314 Metral Drive in Nanaimo) at 9:00 am or at Buttertubs Marsh about 9:15 am.





Good birding!

Colin Bartlett



The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
6314 Metral Drive V9T-2L8
Phone: 250-390-3669
Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com