Nanaimo Bird Report June 7, 2022

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 7, 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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Spotted Sandpiper (R. Hocken)

Tuesday June 7, 2022:

Two Cinnamon Teal were seen in Fielding Marsh on the Maki Road Trail.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery. The weather was sunny and 15 degrees. It was a great walk to work on identifying bird songs and we did see some of them. A few highlights from the walk were, a Spotted Sandpiper that landed across the river from the parking lot and provided great views. The American Dipper was also seen in the river feeding. A Willow Flycatcher and Cedar Waxwing perched perfectly for us to see, and a Red-breasted Sapsucker was busy working its sap wells.

13 birders saw and heard the following 34 species:

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Spotted Sandpiper

Black Swift

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Warbling Vireo

Violet-green Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Pacific Wren

American Dipper

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Black-throated Grey Warbler

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Brown-headed Cowbird

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

Black-throated Grey Warbler (R. Hocken)

Sunday June 5, 2022:

The Sunday Bird Walk was canceled due to the weather in the morning.

Backyard Bird Notes:

In the past week and a bit, we have received reports of Evening Grosbeaks visiting backyard feeders. Although these birds are common here it is not that common to have them visit your backyard feeders. A couple of sightings were in the Cinnabar Valley area and up by Malibu Terrace area of north Nanaimo.

The backyard suet feeders are busy these days with chickadees, and woodpeckers but also Bewick’s Wrens and even a Yellow-rumped Warbler that has been making regular visit to my suet feeder. Part of this extra activity may be that the insect’s birds would feed on are late due to the cool wet weather and are using the suet as a supplementary food source. Yes, I do have starlings constantly at the suet feeder and could deter them by placing the suet upside down or in a cage, but I enjoy the wren and warbler visiting that I do not want to deter them.

Seed feeders are steady with House Finch, juncos, chickadee, Pine Siskin and the odd American Goldfinch. Just remember to keep the feeders clean along with removing old seed off the ground.

If you have any exciting 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).

Bewick’s Wren feeding upside down on suet feeder (source unknown)

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, June 15, 2022

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Top Bridge Trail 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 parking area on Industrial Way and Tuan Road at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Sunday Bird Walk, June 12, 2022

This week’s 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 Normarel Drive and Sywash Ridge Road at 9:10 am (by the power lines). 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