Nanaimo Bird Report May 26, 2022

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

May 26, 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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Common Merganser and ducklings (G. Fowler)

Tuesday May 24, 2022:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. The weather was overcast, winds were calm and 12 degrees to start. A few highlights from the walk were Common Merganser with ducklings sitting in a line on a log in the Englishman River, two Caspian Terns sitting on the gravel bar at the mouth of the estuary and two Western Tanagers to start the bird walk.

16 birders saw and heard the following 64 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific loon

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Glaucous-winged Gull

Caspian Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Warbling Vireo

Common Raven

American Raven

Tree Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Barn Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Marsh Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brewer’s Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

Brown-headed Cowbird (R. Hocken)

Sunday May 22, 2022:

An Evening Grosbeak was seen visiting a backyard feeder near Richards Marsh in Cinnabar Valley, Nanaimo.

The Sunday Bird Walk was canceled for the long weekend.

Evening Grosbeak (M. Stockwell) 

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/

Here is a link to a flow chart to easily understand http://www.thebackyard.ca/uploads/5/6/6/3/56632473/avian_flu_should_i_be_worried-3.pdf

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 31, 2022

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Springwood Park 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 dead end of Despard Avenue by Chestnut Street at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Sunday Bird Walk, May 29, 2022

This week’s 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 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