The Backyard Wildbird
and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
January 22, 2020
“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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Photo: Trumpeter Swans (R. Hocken)
Sunday January 19, 2020:
The Sunday Bird Walk
did not go out unfortunately due to weather and safety.
Monday January 20, 2020:
Tundra Swan was seen mixed in with Trumpeter Swans in a farm field along Errington road between the
highway and the first stop sign.
Photo: Spotted Towhee (R. Hocken)
Tuesday January 21, 2020:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary with a stop at the Brant viewing stand at Qualicum Beach. The weather was wet, rain and heavy rain with a steady wind blowing. We did have a small break in the weather at the estuary but it was short. There was still a fair bit of activity on the water with three species of scoters, lots of Bufflehead, Black Turnstone and a Bald Eagle that came in quick trying to get a Bufflehead with no success. At the estuary it was nice to see the Trumpeter Swans and Snow Geese about.
10 birders saw and heard the following 43 species:
Brant
Trumpeter Swan
Canada Goose
Snow Goose
Mallard
Harlequin Duck
Northern Pintail
Long-tailed Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Northern Pintail
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Western Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe
Brandt’s Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Black Turnstone
Black-bellied Plover
Black Oyster Catcher
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Spotted Towhee
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
Purple Finch
House Sparrow
Backyard Feeder Notes:
Winter has come and gone but with all this rain and the melting snow the bird seed and feeders are a little dirty. Remember to keep the seed fresh and dry if possible especially if using hulled sunflower seeds or peanut halves as they can mold quicker. With the heavy rains it may be better to only use enough seed for the day to prevent the wet seed from sitting in the feeder and wasting the seed. Cleaning the feeder is something that should be done regularly or at least once a month. Use a solution of bleach and water, 1 part bleach to 9 parts water and keep it in a spray bottle. Everything can be cleaned with this, feeders, birdbath, hummingbird feeder, and aluminum railings. Clean under the feeders as well to prevent mold or diseases from building up on the ground. Toss old wet seed in the garbage is best.
Photo: Pine Siskin (J. Morrison)
The Sunday Bird Walk January 26, 2020:
This Sunday Bird Walk
will be CANCELLED this week.
Sorry.
The Tuesday Bird Walk January 28, 2020:
This Tuesday Bird Walk will try again to go to
the
Columbia Beach.
Meet at Columbia Beach, at the parking area on
Admiral Tryon Blvd off of Columbia Drive at 9:00 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!
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
