The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 

Nanaimo Bird Report

December 14, 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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Varied Thrush (R. Hocken)

Sunday December 5, 2021:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Maki Road Trail. The weather was cool, overcast, light snow shower and icy to start but the sun did break through near the end of the walk. The tide was high and cut off part of the trail which shortened our walk. A few highlights from the walk were Trumpeter Swans in the marsh, Red-tailed Hawk, and we heard twice a Virginia Rail call.

7 birders saw and heard the following 34 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Northern Pintail

Common Goldeneye

Bufflehead

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Merganser

California Quail

Great Blue Heron

Northern Harrier

Red-tail Hawk

Bald Eagle

American Coot

Virginia Rail

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

American Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Bushtits

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Virginia Rail (J. Morrison)

Sunday December 12, 2021:

The Redhead is still being seen at Divers Lake in Nanaimo.

Monday December 13, 2021:

American Bittern was seen again at Buttertubs Marsh, along the main dyke near the turtle nesting area.

Three birds were walking down the street. Two walked into a bar, the other one ducked!

 

How do you know if you are a birder? You might be a birder if you have ever faked your own death to attract vultures.

 

American Bittern (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 and Sunday Bird Walks

The Bird Walks will be taking a break over the holidays and will re-start again in the new year. We will post on our blog and email with the starting dates.

 

Good birding! Colin Bartlett