Nanaimo Bird Report May 18, 2022

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

May 18, 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.
*********************************************************

Semipalmated Plover (R. Hocken)

Tuesday May 17, 2022:

Wilson’s Warbler was seen visiting a backyard in the Cinnabar Valley area, along with Steller’s Jay and a Black-headed Grosbeak.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. Weather started out sunny, but clouds rolled in with showers starting just as we finished.  A few highlights from the walk were Semipalmated Sandpiper seen nice and close to the trail, thank you Mark for pointing out the pair. Two Caspian Terns were seen on the gravel bar with the gulls and a Pigeon Guillemot was seen flying by.

16 birders saw and heard the following 49 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Greater Scaup

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Common Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific loon

Double-crested Cormorant

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Merlin

Semipalmated Plover

Killdeer

Western Sandpiper

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Caspian Tern

Pigeon Guillemot

Band-tailed Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Common Raven

American Raven

Violet-green Swallow

Barn Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brewer’s Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow (R. Hocken)

Sunday May 15, 2022:

A Western Tanager was seen in Fairwinds, Nanoose Bay.

The Sunday Bird Walk unfortunately was canceled due to weather and there will be no bird walk this Sunday as for the long weekend.

Wilson’s Warbler (J. Morrison) 

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 announcment 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/

Also, with the return of the Pine Siskins to the backyard feeders it is important to clean the bird feeders and the area under the feeders more frequently, especially with the wet weather. Use a solution of 1 part bleach or industrial white vinegar to 9 parts water for the cleaning, rinse and let dry. Remove any old seed under the feeders and garbage. If possible, move the feeders a few feet every couple of weeks so there is a clean area under the bird feeders for the birds.

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.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, May 24, 2022

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman 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 meet at the end of Shelly Road in Parksville about 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

The Sunday Bird Walk, May 22, 2022

This week’s Sunday Bird Walk is CANCELED.

The next Sunday Bird Walk will be May 29 and 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 off Bowen Road at 9:10 am. Weather cooperating.

For cancelled bird walks due to weather, please check The Backyard blog at www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com on the day of the bird walk. A notice will be up before 8:00am if there is a cancelation.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett