The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

April 21, 2022

“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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Avian Flu

We have received many inquires about the Avian Influenza that has been in the news of late, and what to do. So far we know it does not seem to effect songbirds and it is not know what part songbirds may or may not play in the spread. It is known to affect waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, ravens, crows, magpies. Most reports in Canada are out east but there have been reports in Washington State.

To keep the feeders birds healthy regular weekly cleaning of your bird feeders is recommended, bird baths and areas around the feeders is always recommended. Use a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to clean your bird feeders and bird baths. Remove old seed from under the feeders and toss in the garbage.

The Wild Bird Feeding Institute has released an announcement with what to do with avian flu and your bird feeders;

WBFI encourages any bird feeding hobbyists that have waterfowl frequenting their bird feeders, or poultry nearby, to remove feeders temporarily. The United States Department of Agriculture reports that “Removing backyard feeders is not something the USDA specifically recommends preventing avian influenza unless you also take care of poultry.”

Here is a link to another article on the Avian Flu, https://www.wbfi.org/2022/02/18/2022birdfluupdate/

Here is a link for Bird Studies Canada information, https://www.birdscanada.org/help-respond-to-the-avian-influenza-outbreak-in-atlantic-canada/

American Kestrel (R. Hocken)

Tuesday April 19, 2022:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville this week. The weather was mixed, clouds, sun and a light shower. A few highlights from the bird walk were, a Townsend’s Warbler, American Kestrel, and Red-tailed Hawk. For those that were there early for the bird walk saw a Trumpeter Swan fly over the park entrance and Orange-crowned Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers were heard singing throughout the park.

11 birders saw and heard the following 37 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Mallard

California Quail

Red-tailed Hawk

Coopers Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

American Kestrel

Killdeer

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Pileated Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

American Crow

Common Raven

Violet-green Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Bushtit

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

Wednesday April 20, 2022:

Yellow-rumped Warbler is busy visiting a backyard suet feeder in the hospital area.

Golden-crowned Sparrow (R. Hocken)

Sunday April 17, 2022:

The Sunday Bird Walk was canceled for the Easter weekend by will be going to Legacy Marsh this Sunday.

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, April 26, 2022

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Englishman River Estuary – Shelly Road, in Parksville.

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 off highway 19A at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

The Sunday Bird Walk, April 24, 2022

The Sunday Bird walk will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the corner of Normrel Drive (off of Superior Road) and Sywash Ridge Road Lantzville at 9:10 am.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett