The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

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!

  

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