Bird Report Update

On our previous Nanaimo Weekly Bird Report the dates for the Sunday and Tuesday Bird Walks were incorrect and should have been,
Sunday October 27 Nanaimo River Estuary
Tuesday October 29 Rathtrevor Beach.

Wednesday October 24, 2019: a white Common Raven was seen on the gravel road about a kilometre up from the Big Qualicum River Estuary by a meadow area. it was seen with 5-6 other ravens.

Wednesday October 24, 2019: seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary were 15 Western Meadowlarks, 30 American Pipits, Northern Shrike and a Northern Harrier.

Good birding Colin.

Nanaimo Weekly Bird Report October 24, 2019

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

October 24,2019

“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 October 20, 2019:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park. The weather was a steady wind and on and off again showers. The water was choppy but there were plenty of Pacific Loons to see, along with a few Common Loons, Red-necked Grebes and a Rhinoceros Auklet. It was quiet in the woods as well but was able to see a Varied Thrush long the trail with other sparrows.

11 birders braved the windy wet weather and observed and heard 24 species:

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Harlequin Duck

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Mew Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Rhinoceros Auklet

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Photo: Pacific Loon (Ralph Hocken)

  

Monday October 21, 2019:

7 Snow Geese were seen at the Parksville Community Park feeding during the rainy windy day.

Tuesday October 22, 2019:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather started out sunny with clam winds but by the end of the walk there was a steady breeze with clouds as a weather system seemed to be moving in. Some of the highlights from the walk were, a Cooper’s Hawk then a Peregrine Falcon flew over us while a Merlin was perched atop a tree. In the estuary were Long-billed Dowitchers, Dunlin, and on the water we saw Western Grebe Bufflehead and a Rhinoceros Auklet. A highlight of the walk was the female Mountain Bluebird seen at the end of Mariner Drive at the gallery.

17 birders heard and saw the following 60 species:

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Western Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Canada Geese

Cackling Goose

American Widgeon

Eurasian Widgeon

Mallard

Bufflehead

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Gadwall

Greater Scaup

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Merlin

Peregrine Falcon

Long-billed Dowitcher

Dunlin

Black-bellied Plover

Bonaparte’s Gull

Mew Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Rhinoceros Auklet

Belted Kingfisher

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Common Raven

Northwestern Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Bushtit

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Mountain Bluebird

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

White-crowned sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Pine Siskin

Photo: Mountain Bluebird, female (R. Hocken)

Backyard Feeder Notes:

The steady activity at the bird feeders is wonderful to watch. My suet feeder is always busy with the flickers, chickadees, nuthatches but now the Dark-eyed Juncos are starting to take over the suet feeder. I am hoping to see one other visit the suet feeder this winter, the Townsend’s Warbler. This visitor usually makes an appearance once a year and it is great to see the beautiful yellow marking on the head as they light up the backyard.

A couple of starlings have visited the feeder which is earlier than the last few years but so far that is it. When the flocks of starlings begin to arrive I change my suet feeder to the upside down suet feeder to help deter the starlings but allow the chickadees, nuthatch and woodpeckers still.

Don’t forget to keep a supply of water throughout the winter as well.

Photo: Townsend’s Warbler with Anna’s Hummingbird

The Sunday Bird Walk October 27, 2019:

Will be going to Nanaimo River Estuary in Nanaimo. Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the parking lot at the end of Raines road in Cedar at 9:20 am.

The Tuesday Bird Walk October 29, 2019:

Will be going to Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville.

NEW MEETING LOCATION – 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 at Rathtrevor Beach, parking lot #1 at 9:10 am.

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

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

Nanaimo Weekly Bird Report October 18, 2019

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

October 18, 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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Thursday October 10, 2019:

Clarke’s Nutcracker was reported visiting a backyard on Long Lake road in Nanaimo.

Sunday October 13, 2019:

The Sunday Bird Walk was cancelled for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Photo: Short-eared Owl (John Morrison)

  

Monday October 14, 2019:

Peregrine Falcon (2), Short-eared Owl (2) and a flock of American Pipits were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary.

Tuesday October 17, 2019:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Deep Bay. Weather started with light showers and change to rain, winds were light to moderate. Some of the highlights from the walk were, Peregrine Falcon that provided some good views, along with a Merlin that perched atop a small evergreen for everyone to see easily. Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were flying about and Long-tailed Ducks were seen across the channel near Denman Island.

11 birders who braved the weather heard and saw 51 species including the Trumpeter / Mute Swan hybrid and 3 domestic Greylags:

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Brandt’s Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Trumpeter Swan X Mute Swan Hybrid

Canada Geese

American Widgeon

Mallard

Bufflehead

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Greater Scaup

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Merlin

Peregrine Falcon

Black Turnstones

Black Oystercatcher

Killdeer

Bonaparte’s Gull

Mew Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Belted Kingfisher

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Northwestern Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Brewer’s Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Graylag

Photo: Peregrine Falcon (R. Hocken)

Backyard Feeder Notes:

It seems as though the Steller’s Jay numbers just keep increasing, so hopefully this is not a sign of what winter is going to be. The jays are busy caching seed away for the winter and their preferred seeds are black oil sunflower seeds and peanuts. If the jays are taking over your feeders, try covering your feeder with a 2 inch poultry wire which allows the smaller birds and the odd persistent jay. Another option is to separate your seed using white millet in a hopper or tray style feeders for the juncos and other sparrows. Use a tube feeder filled with sunflower seed for the finches, chickadees and nuthatches. Then provide a separate feeder for the jays.

Watch for Varied Thrush as we have received a few reports of them visiting backyard feeders in last couple of weeks.  

Photo: Steller’s Jay (internet)

 

The Sunday Bird Walk October 20, 2019:

Will be going to Neck Point in Nanaimo. Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the parking lot at the end of Morningstar drive at 9:10 am.

The Tuesday Bird Walk October 22, 2019:

Will be going to Englishman River Estuary, Plummer road in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking area) in Parksville at 9:00 am or at trail on Plummer road at 9:10am.

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

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

Sunday Bird Walk Cancelled

There will be no bird walk this Sunday due to the Thanksgiving holiday. 

The store will be closed Monday October 14.

World Migratory Bird Day, October 12, 2019

http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2019/plastic-pollution-migratory-birds

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

October 10, 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 October 6, 2019:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny and winds were lights. Five Virginia Rails were heard around the marsh, a flock of 7 Northern Shovelers were on the marsh and a Barred owl quietly rested on a branch not far off the trail.

Photo: Virginia Rail (J. Morrison)

 

Seventeen birders saw and heard the following forty one (41) species:

Pied-biled Grebe

Canada Goose

Great Blue Heron

Mallard

Wood Duck

American Wigeon

Ring-necked Duck

Northern Shoveler

American Coot

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

California Quail

Virginia Rail

Glaucous-winged Gull

Barred Owl

Band-tailed Pigeon

Belted Kingfisher

Anna’s Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Northwestern Crow

Steller ’s jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Marsh Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Red-winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Photo: Northern Shoveler (R. Hocken)

Tuesday October 8, 2019:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather was cool, cloudy with the odd sunny break and the wind was steady out of the north. A few highlights of the walk were the 2 Wilson’s Snipe heard and then seen flying, American Kestrel perched on a stump out in the field and a Cooper’s Hawk that flew above our heads.

Thirteen (13) birders saw and heard the following fifty two (52) species:

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

American Widgeon

Harlequin Duck

Mallard

Common Merganser

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Merlin

American Kestrel

Black Oystercatcher

Wilson’s Snipe

Mew Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

California Quail

Band-tailed Pigeon

Eurasian-collared Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Hermit Thrush

European Starling

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

October 9, 2019:

White-throated Sparrow was seen at a backyard feeder on South Oyster School road in Chemainus, along with White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows.

Photo: Wilson’s Snipe (R. Hocken)

Backyard Feeder Notes:

The feeders are steady with all the usual characters and a few more Dark-eyed Juncos. Suet is busy with even the juncos muscling their way on to the feeder. Black oil sunflower seed is busy with the chickadees, nuthatches and jays taking the seed and caching it away for that winter emergency. It was reported to us by a customer that a Steller’s Jay had collided with the glass railing on their deck and coughed up a load of seeds that it had stored in its crop. They counted 33 black oil sunflower seeds it had, so if you are wondering where all your bird seed is going this might be part of the answer. Chickadees and nuthatches only take one at a time.

My hanging birdbath has been just about as busy as the feeders some days. Provide that water source and remember to keep it fresh and clean.

Photo: Steller’s Jay in peanut ring

The Sunday Bird Walk October 13, 2019:

There will be NO bird walk this Thanksgiving long weekend.

The Tuesday Bird Walk October 15, 2019:

Will be going to Deep Bay.

Meet at the Parksville Community Park (near the Lions Club playground parking area) in Parksville at 9:00 am or at Deep Bay about 9:25.

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

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