Free Delivery Ladysmith/ Duncan

We are offering a free delivery service to our customers between Ladysmith and Duncan Thursdays to help those who may not be able to get about. If you are in need of bird seed & suet, bird or hummingbird feeders, mason bee supplies or any other of our products, contact us before Thursday morning to arrange for a delivery. we request an order of approximately $40 please. Contact us at: 250-390-3669 or email: thebackyard@shaw.ca

**************************************************************************************************************************** Delivery Schedule - Nanoose Bay to Comox : TUESDAYS - Nanaimo/ Lantzville and Duncan: THURSDAYS ****************************************************************************************************************************

Store Update RE: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) At the store customer and staff health and safety is important to us. We have made the decision to keep the store front open to provide service for curb-side pickup or at-home delivery only at this time. When possible we request customers to phone or email the store with a detailed list of required items. Our staff will prepare your order for you and have it ready for an arranged pick-up time or will schdule a delivery time. How does curb-side delivery work? Phone or email the store with your order and approximate time for pick up. Once you arrive at the store you can phone us (250-390-3669) to let us know you have arrived for pick up. Staff will prepare your items for pick up and will load your items into your vehicle for you. Payment is accepted over the phone or you are welcome to enter the store to pay if that is prefferred. Please respect social distancing measures when in the store. Thank you everyone for your patronage. Any updates will continue to be posted on our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com), on our Facebook page and through emails. Thank you again, Colin Bartlett and the staff at The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 19, 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: Great Blue Heron (R. Hocken)

Sunday March 8, 2020:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park. Weather was sunny but a cold wind out of the north. At the start of the walk a Hutton’s Vireo was calling near the parking lot. On the water there were one’s and two’s of most species no big flock of birds on the water. In the shelter of the woods we saw Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Varied Thrush, Bewick’s Wren and near the parking lot at the end of the walk we were able to see a few Golden-crowned Kinglets.

10 birders heard and saw the following 38 species:



Canada Goose

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Common Goldeneye

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Merganser

Pacific Loon

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Black Oyster catcher

Mew Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Common Murre

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northwestern Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Hutton’s Vireo

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Pine Siskin

Photo: Killdeer (R. Hocken)

Tuesday March 3, 2020:



The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road.  A lot was seen out in the estuary with Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal and a pair of Killdeer working on a nest. Brant along with Surf and White-winged Scoters were seen flying past. A Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Shrike and a Violet-green Swallow were seen in the open field. There was lots of activity along the trail behind the homes with Bushtits, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch and a Virginia Rail.

13 birders saw and heard the following 54 species:



Snow Goose

Brant

Canada Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Gadwall

Common Goldeneye

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Common Merganser

Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Killdeer

Virginia Rail

Mew Gull

Thayer’s Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Band-tailed Pigeon

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Violet-green Swallow

Northern Shrike

Common Raven

Northwestern Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Yellow-rumped Warbler

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song sparrow

Fox Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

Photo: House Finch (J. Morrison)

 

BIRD WALKS

The Sunday & Tuesday Bird Walks are

CANCELLED

until further notice.

Sorry for this.

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

Bird Walks Cancelled Until Further Notice

Dear birding community,

We have made the decision to cancel our guided bird walks until further notice in an effort to help limit the spread of Covid-19.

Although we have decided to not host our bird walks during this time we still think being outside and birding is a great way to practice social distancing. If you are looking for a new location for birding, or are curious about what's being seen we are more than happy to answer your questions if you send us an email (thebackyard@shaw.ca).

 If you would like to be kept informed about when our bird walks resume please follow us on our blog, Facebook or join our email list. We appreciate everyone's understanding during this time.

 To our Backyard birding community,



At The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store the health and wellbeing of our customers and staff is important to us and is our number one priority.



With the current Covid-19 (Corona Virus) situation we would like to let you know that we are open for business and that we are increasing our cleaning and sanitizing practises of all common areas around the store. In the short term we will not be accepting our bird seed jugs for re-use and ask that you recycle them please.



If you are in need of bird seed, suet or other Backyard products we are offering other alternate ways to receive them or pick them up.



Curb side pick-up, we will bring your supplies out to your car. Simply call or email ahead of time, when you arrive just give us a call to let us know your here and we will bring out your order and load it for you.



Free delivery service, on certain days of the week we will be delivering to areas between Ladysmith and Courtenay. Simply call or email the store with your order and we will let you know when we will be in your area to deliver.



We are also able to ship product to you if that is a better option.





Stay up to date with any changes at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store by checking out our blog at www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com or follow us on Facebook.



We thank you for your patronage and working together we will be able to continue watching and enjoying nature in our own backyards.



Thank you, Colin Bartlett.

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 14, 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: American Kestrel (R. Hocken)

Saturday March 7, 2020:

American Kestrel was seen on the power lines between Wembley Mall and Stanhope Road

Sunday March 8, 2020:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanaimo River Estuary. Weather was sunny and a cool light breeze with a temperature of 1 degree. Western Meadowlarks were singing near the parking lot and a Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen in the big Garry Oak tree. Along the river Tree Swallows were seen feeding and great views of them sitting on the fence posts. Across the river from the viewing stand a Peregrine Falcon quietly perch in a tree.

8 birders heard and saw the following 30 species:

Canada Goose

Gadwall

American Widgeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Bald Eagle

Red-tail Hawk

Peregrine Falcon

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Tree Swallow

Common Raven

Northwestern Crow

Steller’s Jay

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Western Meadowlark

Spotted Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Pine Siskin

Photo: Yellow-rumped Warbler (R. Hocken)

Tuesday March 3, 2020:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Nanoose Bay Estuary. Weather was overcast with a stiff cool wind. The bay was choppy but there were plenty of Bufflehead out on the water. A Killdeer fly past and provided some great observations and photos. A male Anna’s Hummingbird was perched in a shrub with a White-crown Sparrow perched just below it and lots of Green-wing Teal and Northern Pintail were seen in the estuary.

8 birders saw and heard the following 32 species:

Canada Geese

American Wigeon

Green-wing Teal

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Greater Scaup

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Merganser

Horned Grebe

Red-Necked Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Killdeer

Mew Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Common Raven

Northwestern Crow

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Photo: White-crowned Sparrow (R. Hocken)

Sunday  March 8, 2020:

A Townsend’s Warbler continues to be seen feeding at a backyard suet feeder on Honeysuckle Terrace in Nanaimo.

Backyard Feeder Notes:

You know it is spring and nesting season when you hear the Northern Flickers drumming on the metal exhaust vents on the roof. Chickadees have been checking out the nest box and Anna’s Hummingbirds are busy nesting as well. Now it is time to make sure the nest boxes along with some nesting material. Also the Rufous Hummingbirds are back with reports from around Nanaimo to Qualicum Beach. Activity at hummingbird feeders should start to get very busy soon. White-crowned Sparrows are returning visiting backyard feeders and singing their beautiful song.

BIRD WALKS

The Sunday Bird Walk March 15, 2020:

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

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

The Tuesday Bird Walk March 17, 2020:

This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road.

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 end of Shelly Road in Parksville, 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

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 5, 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: Say’s Phoebe (J. Purves)

Friday February 28, 2020:

A Say’s Phoebe was seen at Buttertubs Marsh along the main dyke near the turtle nest area.

Sunday March 1, 2020:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly road. Weather was overcast with a few sunny breaks and a cool steady breeze. 2 Hutton’s Vireos were heard just up the trail from the parking lot but we were unable to spot them. There was pleanty to see in the estuary including a pod of Killer Whales. In the open field a Northern Shrike and a Copper’s Hawk were seen along with a Merlin that flew by us with its prey.

18 birders heard and saw the following 52 species:



Canada Goose

Trumpeter Swan

Gadwall

American Widgeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Surf Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser

California Quail

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Cooper’s Hawk

Merlin

Black-bellied Plover

Mew Gull

Thayer’s Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Shrike

Hutton’s Vireo

Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow



Tuesday March 3, 2020:

We have had reports of swallows being seen at Buttertubs Marsh, Brannon Lake and at Divers Lake in Nanaimo.

Photo: Tree Swallow (J. Morrison)

Tuesday March 3, 2020:



The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach. Weather was overcast with a stiff cool breeze. Seen from the parking lot were Brant and scoters flying by along with Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Common and Pacific Loon. Further down at the next beach access Dunlin and a Black-bellied were seen on the beach. At French Creek a Ring-billed Gull was seen along with Common Merganser, American Wigeon and Mallards.

15 birders saw and heard the following 47 species:



Brant

Canada Geese

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-Necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Black Turnstone

Black Oystercatcher

Killdeer

Black–bellied Plover

Dunlin

Mew Gull

Thayer’s Gull

California Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

Rock Pigeon

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern flicker

Northwestern Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bewick’s Wren

Spotted Towhee

Song sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Black Bird

House Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

Thursday March 5, 2020:



A Townsend’s Warbler was seen feeding at a backyard suet feeder on Honeysuckle Terrace in Nanaimo.



Evening Grosbeaks are being seen visiting a backyard feeder on Cavendish blvd, Nanaimo.

Photo: Evening Grosbeak (Malcolm)

The Sunday Bird Walk March 8, 2020:

This Sunday Bird Walk will be going to the Nanaimo River Estuary.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the parking lot at the end of Raines Road at 9:15 am.

The Tuesday Bird Walk March 10, 2020:

This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Nanoose 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 end of Nanoose Beach Road, off Arlington Road and Hwy 19, at 9:15 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