The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

September 28, 2021

“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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American Kestrel (R. Hocken)

Tuesday September 28:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Englishman River Estuary, Shelly Road. The weather was sunny with a few clouds and the wind was calm. A few highlights from the bird walk were, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin and Kestrel, a Western Meadowlark, and a Lincoln Sparrow.

19 Birders saw and heard the following 66 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Common Merganser

California Quail

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Copper’s Hawk

American Kestrel

Merlin

Peregrine Falcon

Virginia Rail

Killdeer

Greater Yellowlegs

Black Turnstones

Bonaparte’s Gull

Short-billed Gull (Mew)

California Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

American/Northwestern Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Western Meadowlark

Brewer’s Blackbird

Spotted Towhee

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine siskin

Western Meadowlark (R. Hocken) 

Sunday September 26, 2021:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Nanoose Bay Estuary. The weather was not forecast to be good, but a couple of hardy birders did go in the blowing wind and misty showers but for the most day it was sunny. The tide was high, and water was rough. A few highlights that were seen, a Merlin flew close by for us to see and we watch it chase a Peregrine Falcon as well. There were lots of Turkey Vultures, a couple of Bald Eagles and a Belted Kingfisher that put on a bit of a show.

3 Birders saw and heard the following 26 species:

Canada Goose

California Quail

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Merlin

Peregrine Falcon

Turkey Vulture

Killdeer

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spotted Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch 

White-throated Sparrow - (R. Hocken)

Tuesday September 21, 2021:

A Barred Owl was seen along the trails at Pioneer Park, located a Dover and Dickenson Nanaimo.

Friday September 24, 2021:

A White-throated Sparrow is visiting a backyard feeder on Malibu Terrace in Nanaimo.

 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. The walks are weather pending.

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

Covid-19 Precautions

·         Do not attend if you feel ill.

·         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 5, 2021

This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Columbia Beach, French Creek.

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 beach opening parking area on Admiral Tryon Blvd at 9:10.

The Sunday Bird Walk October 3, 2021

This Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Maki Road Trail in south Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Maki Road by the Living Forest Campground at 9:15 am. Weather pending. 

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

September 21, 2021

“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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Parasitic Jaeger (R. Hocken)

Tuesday September 21:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Deep Bay. The weather was sunny with some cloud and the tide was out. A few highlights from the walk were watching a few Parasitic Jaegers chasing Bonaparte Gulls, lots of Red-necked Grebes, and a Peregrine Falcon that flew over at the beginning of the walk.

12 Birders saw and heard the following 44 species:

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Peregrine Falcon

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Black-bellied Plover

Black Turnstones

Western Sandpiper

Parasitic Jaeger

Bonaparte Gull

Mew Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Pigeon Guillemot

Marbled Murrelet

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

American/Northwestern Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

American Robin

American Pipit

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

House Sparrow

Belted Kingfisher (J. Morrison)

Sunday September 19, 2021:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park. The weather was cloudy with showers and a few sunny breaks. The birding was a little quiet and not to much activity on the water. A few highlights were a couple of Turkey Vultures that flew low and close to us on the board walk, heard and saw a Western Tanager and Golden-crowned Kinglets.

5 Birders saw and heard the following 29 species:

Surf Scoter

Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Turkey Vulture

Black Oystercatcher

Black Turnstone

Bonaparte’s Gull

Mew Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American/Northwestern Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

European Starling

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco 

Western Tanager - female (J. Morrison)

Monday September 20, 2021:

8 Sandhill Cranes were seen in the Hilliers Estate Farm field just off Hilliers Road N in Qualicum Beach.

Sunday September 19, 2021:

4 Common Snipe were seen at Buttertubs Marsh.

 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. The walks are weather pending.

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

Covid-19 Precautions

·         Do not attend if you feel ill.

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

·         Wear your mask when unable to maintain social distancing.

Thank you. 

The Tuesday Bird Walk, September 28, 2021

This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to 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 at 9:10.

The Sunday Bird Walk September 26, 2021

This Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Nanoose Bay Estuary in Nanoose Bay.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Nanoose Beach Road at 9:15 am. Weather pending. 

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

September 17, 2021

“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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Greater Yellowlegs (R. Hocken)

Tuesday September 14:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach. Weather was wet with rain, wind and choppy water. 3 birders showed up to see if anyone else was foolish to come out birding and saw a few birds in the short time we were there. A few highlights were the 5 Greater Yellowlegs seen at the mouth of French Creek and a large flock of Black Turnstones.

3 Birders saw and heard the following 20 species:

Mallard

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Greater Yellowlegs

Black Turnstones

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Band-tailed Pigeon

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American/Northwestern Crow

Spotted Towhee

Savanah Sparrow

American Coot (R. Hocken)

Sunday September 12, 2021:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh for the first time this year. It was a beautiful sunny and warm day. A few highlights were American Coot, Common Yellowthroat, and Pied-billed Grebe.

6 Birders saw and heard the following 30 species:

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

American Wigeon

Mallard

Pied-billed Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

American Coot

Killdeer

Rock Pigeon

Band-tailed Pigeon

Anna’s Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American/Northwestern Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Orange-crowned Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Song Sparrow

Spotted Towhee

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

Common Yellowthroat (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. The walks are weather pending.

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

Covid-19 Precautions

·         Do not attend if you feel ill.

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

·         Wear your mask when unable to maintain social distancing.

Thank you.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, September 21, 2021

This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to 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 meet at the marina parking lot at 9:25 am.

The Sunday Bird Walk September 19, 2021

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

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

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

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

Website: www.thebackyard.ca

Nanaimo Bird Report, September 8, 2021

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store Weekly Bird Report Nanaimo Bird Report, September 8, 2021 BIRD REPORT“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. *********************************************************** American Pipit (J. Morrison) Tuesday September 8: The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road. Weather was sunny with little breeze and 18 degrees. A few highlights on the walk was watching a Merlin hunting a flock of Western and Least Sandpipers, A lone Least Sandpiper feeding up the river a bit which provided us with great views. A Rufous Hummingbird was seen perch in a tree near the beginning of the trail and two Sooty Shearwater’s were seen flying south on the open water. 9 Birders saw and heard the following 40 species: Canada Goose Mallard Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Surf Scoter Common Merganser California Quail Common Loon Horned Grebe Sooty Shearwater Great Blue Heron Merlin Killdeer Black Oystercatcher Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Bonaparte’s Gull Mew Gull California Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Rhinoceros Auklet Anna's Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Warbling Vireo Common Raven Chestnut-backed Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Bewick’s Wren American Robin American Pipit Cedar Waxwing Orange-crowned Warbler Spotted Towhee White-crowned Sparrow Song Sparrow House Finch Purple Finch Steller’s Jay (J. Morrison) Wednesday September 1, 2021: A Lapland Longspur was seen at the Englishman River Estuary on the Plummer Road side, along with a Ruff seen from the viewing stand. Sunday September 5, 2021 White-throated Sparrow was seen in a backyard feeding with a few White-crowned Sparrows near Glen Oaks Drive and Hammond Bay Road. Monday September 6, 2021: Steller’s Jays were seen and heard in the Turner Road and Uplands Drive area of Nanaimo. There have also been a few other reports of Steller’s Jays returning and visiting feeding stations. White-throated Sparrow (R. Hocken 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 Do not attend if you feel ill. Please respect social distancing, 2 meters or 6 feet. Wear your mask when unable to maintain social distancing. Thank you. The Tuesday Bird Walk, September 14, 2021 This Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Columbia Beach in French Creek. 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 beach access on Admiral Tryon Blvd at 9:15. The Sunday Bird Walk September 12, 2021 This Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Buttertubs Drive parking lot at 9:15 am. Good birding! Colin Bartlett   *********************************************************** Please Note Please check this site (www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com) early Tuesday and Sunday mornings to see if the walks have been cancelled! *********************************************************** THE BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE 6314 Metral Drive Nanaimo B.C.V9T-2L8 Phone: 250-390-3669 Fax: 250-390-1633 Email: thebackyard@shaw.ca Blog: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Website: www.thebackyard.ca   ***********************************************************