The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

October 31, 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.
*********************************************************

Great Blue Heron (J. Morrison)

NOTICES

-       Access to the Nanaimo River Estuary by Raines Road is closed due to Covid

concerns.

Saturday October 31, 2020:

Dunlin were seen at Piper’s Lagoon in Nanaimo.

Friday October 29, 2020:

2 Turkey Vultures were seen soaring over Lantzville near the highway.

An unusual sighting of 2 Sanderlings were seen at Brookwood Marsh in Nanaimo

Tuesday October 27, 2020:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. Weather was overcast with a light breeze. The first stop was at the Brant Viewing stand at the end of Qualicum Beach where Black and Surf Scoters were seen along with Bufflehead, Common Loon, Pacific Loon and Long-tailed Duck. Other highlights from the estuary were Common Goldeneye, Green-winged Teal, Red-tailed Hark and lots of Bald Eagles.

13 birders saw and heard the following  44 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Green-winged Teal

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Killdeer

Black Turnstone

Black Oystercatcher

Bonaparte’s Gull

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin

European Starling

Brewer’s Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

Bufflehead (R. Hocken)

Sunday October 25, 2020:

Trumpeter Swans, Snow Geese and over 100 Bald Eagles were seen at the Little Qualicum River Estuary near the mouth of the river.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. The weather was overcast with a steady cool breeze. Just before we started the walk a flock of 18 Trumpeter Swans flew over the parking lot heading south. Out on the water a few highlights were Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, White-winged Scoters and Harlequin Duck.

13 Birders saw and heard the following 37 species:

Canada Goose

Trumpeter Swan

American Wigeon

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Mew Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna's Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Pacific Wren

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

Spotted Towhee                

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red Crossbill

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

Thursday October 22, 2020:

A Parasitic Jaeger was seen off the beach at Piper’s Lagoon in Nanaimo.

Pine Siskin (J. Morrison)

 The Backyard Bird Walks 

Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide.

Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.

Covid-19 Precautions

·         Please do not attend if you have traveled outside of Canada in the last 14 days.

·         Do not attend if you have been sick or in contact with someone possibly sick in the last 14 days.

·         Please respect social distancing, 2 meters or 6 feet.

·         Wear your mask when unable to maintain social distancing.

Thank you.

The Tuesday Bird Walk

November 3

Will be going to the Deep Bay 

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 the marina parking lot in Deep Bay at 9:20am.

The Sunday Bird Walk

November 1

Will be going to the Englishman River Estuary – Shelly Road, Parksville

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or meet us at the parking lot at the end of Shelly Road in Parksville at 9:15am. 

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

NEW WEBSITE: www.thebackyard.ca

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

October 24, 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.
*********************************************************

Whimbrel (J. Morrison)

NOTICES

-       Access to the Nanaimo River Estuary by Raines Road is closed due to Covid concerns.

Monday October 19, 2020:

Marbled Godwits and Whimbrel were still being seen at Deep Bay near the mail boxes.

Tuesday October 20, 2020:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road. The weather was sunny with no wind and seven degrees. Tide was high and on the way out. A few of the highlights were a pair of Northern Shovelers in the estuary along with Gadwall, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal. From the viewing mound in the field we saw a Eurasian Wigeon in one of the side channels and in the distance on one of the stumps was a Western Meadowlark. A few raptors were also seen, Peregrine Falcon, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle.

14 birders saw and heard the following 60 species:

Canada Goose

Eurasian Wigeon

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

Green-winged Teal

Northern Pintail

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Peregrine Falcon

Killdeer

Black Turnstone

Mew Gull

California Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Doves

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Northwestern (American) Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Western Meadowlark

Brewer’s Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red Crossbill

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

Western Meadowlark (R. Hocken)

Sunday October 18, 2020:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road Trail. Weather was overcast with showers and rain. Tide was high and going out. Highlights from the walk were, Northern Harrier providing a great display over the marsh and watching a Cooper’s Hawk chasing a Sharp-shinned Hawk. At the parking area a Townsends Warbler was seen and along the trail a Varied Thrush.

11 Birders saw and heard the following 33 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Pied-billed Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Northern Harrier

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Black Turnstone

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Mew Gull

Anna's Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Northwestern (American) Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

Townsend’s Warbler

Red-winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee                

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

Northern Harrier (J. Morrison) 

 The Backyard Bird Walks 

Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide.

Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.

Covid-19 Precautions

·         Please do not attend if you have traveled outside of Canada in the last 14 days.

·         Do not attend if you have been sick or in contact with someone possibly sick in the last 14 days.

·         Please respect social distancing, 2 meters or 6 feet.

·         Wear your mask when unable to maintain social distancing.

Thank you.

The Tuesday Bird Walk

October 27

Will be going 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 at the Brant viewing stand on hwy 19A at the end of Qualicum Beach at 9:20. Then we will head to the estuary at the end of Surfside Drive off of Kinkade Road at 9:45 am.

The Sunday Bird Walk

October 25

Will be going to the Neck Point Park

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

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

October 17, 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.
*********************************************************

Marbled Godwit (J. Morrison)

NOTICES

-       Access to the Nanaimo River Estuary by Raines Road is closed due to Covid concerns.

Friday October 16, 2020:

Pair of Ruffed Grouse was seen at Taylor Walk in Little Qualicum River Village.

Thursday October 15, 2020:

A Virginia Rail was seen on the south east side of the marsh on Linley Valley Drive in Nanaimo.

Tuesday October 13, 2020:

Unfortunately the Tuesday Bird Walk was cancelled due to weather.

Monday October 12, 2020:

Pair of Marbled Godwit’s was seen at Deep Bay.

Sunday October 11, 2020:

There was no Sunday Bird Walk over the Thanks’ Giving long weekend.

Canvasback (J. Morrison)

Saturday October 17, 2020:

Pair of Canvasback’s and a Ruddy Duck was seen at Morningstar Ponds in French Creek.

Ruddy Duck (J. Morrison)

 The Backyard Bird Walks 

Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide.

Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.

Covid-19 Precautions

·         Please do not attend if you have traveled outside of Canada in the last 14 days.

·         Do not attend if you have been sick or in contact with someone possibly sick in the last 14 days.

·         Please respect social distancing, 2 meters or 6 feet.

·         Wear your mask when unable to maintain social distancing.

Thank you.

The Tuesday Bird Walk

October 20

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 at the end of Shelly Road in Parksville at 9:10am.

The Sunday Bird Walk

October 18

Will be going to the Maki Road Trail

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or meet us at the end of Maki Road at 9:20 am. 

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca
Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com

NEW WEBSITE: www.thebackyard.ca

Bird Walk CANCELLED

 Today’s October 13 Tuesday Bird Walk is CANCELLED due to weather. 

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

October 10, 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.
*********************************************************

Ring-billed Gull (R. Hocken)

NOTICES

-       Access to the Nanaimo River Estuary by Raines Road is closed due to Covid concerns.

-       No Sunday Bird Walk on October 11, 2020. Happy Thanksgiving.

Saturday September 26, 2020:

50 plus Vaux Swifts were seen over the Saltair area of South Oyster School Road.

Tuesday October 6, 2020:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. The weather was overcast with sunny breaks, winds were calm, and the tide was high. A few highlights were Ring-billed Gull on the beach up close to see and Red Crossbills constantly about and providing a good show.

16 birders saw and heard the following 42 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Common Merganser

Pacific Loon

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bonaparte’s Gull

Mew Gull

Ring-billed Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Bushtit

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red Crossbill

House Finch

Pine Siskin

Friday October 2, 2020:

2x Wilson’s Snipe were seen in the downtown area of Qualicum Beach.

Sunday  October 4, 2020:

A White-throated Sparrow was seen amongst Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows on South Oyster School Road in Saltair.

Killdeer (R. Hocken)

Sunday October 4, 2020:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Nanoose Bay Estuary in Nanoose Bay. The weather was foggy and misty, tide was high and starting to go out. A few of the highlights were Western Grebe seen out by the floats with other grebes, American Pipits, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. The walk was cut a little short as we walked down the railway trtacks a healthy looking Black Bear was walking the railway tracks towards us.

9 Birders saw and heard the following 42 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Northern Shoveler

Mallard

Green-winged Teal

Surf Scoter

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Western Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Mew Gull

Anna's Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Northwestern (American) Crow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick's Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Bushtit

American Robin

American Pipit

Cedar Waxwing

Yellow-rumped Warbler

European Starling

Red-winged Blackbird

Spotted Towhee                

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

And a Black Bear

Saturday October 10, 2020:

A single immature Snow Goose was seen wandering on Lewis Road in Nanaimo.

Immature Snow Goose (S. Bisciano)

Backyard Feeder Notes:

Over the last couple of weeks you may have heard a few birds singing like it was spring again. It may be the amount of daylight that causes this, as this time of autumn has about the same day light hours as it would be in the spring. The warm autumn weather probably helped as well. Juvenile male birds will be practicing their songs and although the song sounds familiar it might not be sung correctly, but practice makes perfect. One example is the Golden-crowned Sparrow who’s song is three notes going down in tone. It’s easy to remember with OH DEAR ME, but sometimes the juveniles only get a couple of the notes and are distracted before finishing so you hear just the first two notes starting high pitch, OH DEAR and that’s it. House Finches sing a lot in the autumn and it is beautiful to hear their cheery song. But as the weather changes the songs will disappear until next April to signal spring is here.

September 4/20 – Anna’s Hummingbird sitting on the nest (R. Harbo)

September 28/20 - Anna’s Hummingbird female feeding 2 young (R. Harbo)

October 7/20 – Anna’s Hummingbird young, how fast they grow. (R. Harbo) 

 The Backyard Bird Walks 

Our bird walks go out Sunday mornings in Nanaimo and Tuesday mornings in Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, are easy walks that go for two to three hours (back for lunch is the plan). Bring binoculars and a field guide.

Please check our blog (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) for any cancelations.

Covid-19 Precautions

·         Please do not attend if you have traveled outside of Canada in the last 14 days.

·         Do not attend if you have been sick or in contact with someone possibly sick in the last 14 days.

·         Please respect social distancing, 2 meters or 6 feet.

·         Wear your mask when unable to maintain social distancing.

Thank you.

The Tuesday Bird Walk

October 13

Will be going 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 at the Brant viewing stand on hwy 19A at the end of Qualicum Beach at 9:20. Then we will head to the estuary at the end of Surfside Drive off of Kinkade Road at 9:45 am.

The Sunday Bird Walk 

October 11

NO BIRD WALK

October 18

Will be going to the Maki Road Trail 

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or meet us at the end of Maki Road at 9:20 am. 

Good birding! Colin Bartlett