The Backyard's Weekly Bird Walk locations are found in the Backyard Bird Report at the very end of the most recent report. Any cancellations will be posted here by 8am the day of the walk. Our first bird walks of the year are going out on Sunday February 4th and Tuesday February 6th. Locations will be posted to our next Bird Report.

Wednesday 22 January 2020


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.
*********************************************************

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!



  

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

Saturday 18 January 2020

SUNDAY BIRD WALK CANCELLED

This Sunday Bird Walk, January 19, to Bowen Park has been cancelled due to the weather and conditions.
Sorry for any inconvenience, Colin.

Wednesday 15 January 2020


The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store



Nanaimo Bird Report

January 15, 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.
*********************************************************

Photo: Bufflehead (R. Hocken)

Sunday January 12, 2020:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park. Temperatures were low, wind and waves were high, but the rain and snow held off until we finished. Most birds were hunkered out of the weather, but we managed a decent list of the usual suspects.

Fifteen determined birders saw or heard the following 33 species:



Canada Goose

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Brandt's Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Black-bellied Plover

Black Oystercatcher

Black Turnstone

Mew Gull

Iceland (Thayer's) Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Ancient Murrelet

Rhinoceros Auklet

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick's Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Dark-eyed Junco

Pine Siskin




Photo: Downy Woodpecker (R. Hocken)



Tuesday January 14, 2020:



The Tuesday Bird Walk was cancelled this week due to weather.



Backyard Feeder Notes:



Winter is for the birds or all about the birds. With the latest weather the birds have been busy about the backyards and at the feeders since natural foods sources are covered by the snow. There are a few things you can do to help the birds during this snowy weather. Of course you can provide seed for the birds but not all birds feed on seeds so start by opening up your compost or shovel the snow off the garden and turn the soil to dig up insects for the robins and thrushes. Grate some suet and place in an area away from other feeder activity but near the robins. Add quarters of apple or blueberries for them as well. If the hummingbird feeder is freezing bundle up an old string of incandescent Christmas lights or trouble light and hang under the feeder to provide some heat. Place a wool sock over the bottle of the hummingbird feeder to help insulate the solution and even place a hand warmer under the sock to add some warmth. These are just a few ideas to help out our feathered friends during the winter.






Photo: Varied Thrush (J. Morrison)



The Sunday Bird Walk January 19, 2020:



This Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Bowen Park in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or meet at the upper parking lot by the outdoor pool at 9:15am.

 

The Tuesday Bird Walk January 21, 2020:



This Tuesday Bird Walk will try again to go to the

 Little Qualicum River Estuary.

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 meet at the Brant Viewing Stand at the end of Qualicum Beach at 9:15 or at the end of Surfside Drive off of Kinkade Road at 9:40.



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

Monday 13 January 2020

CANCELED Tuesday Bird Walk

Tuesday Bird Walk for January 14th has been canceled due to weather. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Colin.

Thursday 9 January 2020

The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store Weekly Bird Report January 9, 2020


The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

January 9, 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.
*********************************************************

Photo: Wood Duck (R. Hocken)

Sunday January 5, 2020:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh. The weather was rain with light winds to start but when we finished the weather had changed to blue skies and sunshine. We started off with a Bald Eagle perched atop a tree watching over the marsh, and only a few ducks were on the water.

Five dedicated birders saw the following 36 species:

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Rind-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Anna’s Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
Northwestern Crow
Steller’s Jay
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Brown Creeper
Bewick’s Wren
Marsh Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow


Tuesday January 7, 2020:

Eight (8) Snow Geese and a Great White-front Goose continue to be seen at the Parksville Community Park.

Thirteen (13) Brant were huddled on the gravel bar off the old hovercraft base at the Parksville Community Park as well.



Photo: Snow Geese (R. Hocken)


The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman Estuary – Shelly Road side. The skies were overcast with rain showers, occasionally heavy. A Fox Sparrow displayed for a couple of minutes at close range, and a large flock of Pine Siskins patrolled the catkins. Despite seeing few songbirds early on the walk, we filled out our list on the pathway between Mills Road and the Community Park.

Five intrepid souls braved an extended rinse cycle and saw or heard thirty-four species:

Gadwall
American Widgeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Bald Eagle
Black Turnstone
Mew Gull
Iceland (Thayer’s) Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Anna’s Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Steller’s Jay
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Golden- crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Finch
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

Photo: Fox Sparrow (J. Morrison)


The Sunday Bird Walk January 12, 2020:

This Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or meet at the parking lot at Neck Point Park at 9:10am.


The Tuesday Bird Walk January 14, 2020:

This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Little Qualicum River Estaury.

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 meet at the Brant Viewing Stand at the end of Qualicum Beach at 9:15 or at the end of Surfside Drive off of Kinkade Road at 9:40.



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

Tuesday 7 January 2020

Tuesday Bird Walk Canceled

The Tuesday Bird Walk has been cancelled due to weather.
Sorry for any inconvenience, Colin.