Nanaimo Bird Report June 28, 2022

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 28, 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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White-winged Scoter (R. Hocken)

Tuesday June 28, 2022:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road entrance of the Englishman River Estuary. Weather was sunny with a few clouds, light winds, and 18 degrees. A few highlights from the walk were two White-winged Scoters fly by, along with a couple of Black Oystercatchers. At least nine Black Swifts were above feeding, and we had great views of Cedar Waxwings.

13 birders saw and heard the following 45 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

White-winged Scoter

Pelagic Cormorant

California Quail

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Spotted Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper

Glaucous-winged Gull

Caspian Tern

Marbled Murrelet

Black Swift

Band-tailed Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Warbling Vireo

Common Raven

American Crow

Violet-green Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crown Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Yellow Warbler (J. Morrison)

Sunday June 26, 2022:

There was no Sunday Bird Walk this week.

Brown-headed Cowbird (R. Hocken)

Backyard Bird Notes:

The backyard suet feeders are busier these days with constant visits by Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Flickers, Pileated Woodpeckers and of course European Starlings. The suet feeders have been busy spring, and this may be due to the weather. With the cooler temperatures and wet weather there have been fewer insects for the birds to feed on, but now with the warmer temperatures we will begin to see more insect hatches and a few other species flying overhead. In the evenings watch for Common Nighthawks, a larger version of a swallow and feeds on insects. An easy identification marking is the white patch under each wing and listen for their sharp, raspy call while in flight. Also watch for swifts and swallows as well.

With the warmer weather your feathered friends are going to be in need of fresh water and providing a water source will attract many species. An easy way to attract birds to a water source is with the sound of moving water, such as adding a fountain. Also remember to change and clean your water source every day or two.

Also, as the temperatures increase your hummingbird feeder nectar will need to be changed and cleaned every two or three days, and if it gets hotter every day.

If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, thebackyard@shaw.ca or 250-390-3669, toll-free 1-888-808-BIRD (2473).

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.

Tuesday and Sunday Bird Walk

The Tuesday and Sunday Bird Walks will be taking a break for the summer and will resume at a later date. Please check our blog or watch for an email later in the summer for updates.

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