The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

December 8, 2023
“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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Black Turnstone (R. Hocken)

Tuesday December 5, 2023:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach in French Creek. Weather was sunny, no wind, 8C and tide was coming in. A few highlights from the walk were Common and Pacific Loons, Black Oystercatchers, Black-bellied Plover, and Black Turnstones. Lots of water birds feeding after the heavy rain and a high flowing French Creek.

6 birders saw and heard the following 48 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Barrow’s Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

California Quail

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Black-bellied Plover

Black Turnstone

Short-billed Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

House Sparrow

Red-breasted Nuthatch (R. Hocken)

Sunday December 3, 2023:

Unfortunately, the Sunday Bird Walk did not go out due to the weather conditions.

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.

The Sunday and Tuesday bird walks will be taking a break over the Christmas holidays and will resume in January 2024.

Thank you for a great year of birding and wish you all a Happy Holiday.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

CANCELED-Sunday bird walk

 Today’s Sunday Bird Walk, December 3, is CANCELED due to the weather. 

                             The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

November 30, 2023
“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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Snow Geese (R. Hocken)

Tuesday November 28, 2023:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. Weather was cloudy, and cool at 3C and the tide was on the way out. A few highlights from the walk were a flock of Snow Geese that flew by, a great view of a Northern Harrier perched on a stump and a Great Blue Heron that perched perfectly for all of us to observe.

8 birders saw and heard the following 42 species:

Snow Goose

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mallard

Gadwall

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Brown Creeper

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Varied Thrush

Spotted Towhee

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Golden-crowned Kinglet (J. Morrison)

Sunday November 26, 2023:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road Trail, located at the end of Maki Road by the Living Forest Campground in Nanaimo. Weather was cloudy, foggy, 3C, a chill in the air and the tide was high and going out. A few highlights from the walk were two Trumpeter Swans, lots of Bufflehead hens, and a Red-tail Hawk.

14 birders saw and heard the following 29 species:

Trumpeter Swan

American Wigeon

Mallard

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Dunlin

Short-billed Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Goden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

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.

The Sunday Bird Walk, December 3, 2023

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the park parking lot at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, December 5, 2023

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Columbia Beach in French Creek.

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 sandy beach parking lot located on Admiral Tyron Blvd, located off Columbia Drive and HWY 19A, at 9:15am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

November 23, 2023
“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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Brant (R. Hocken)

Tuesday November 21, 2023:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park. Weather was sunny, windy, 8C felt like 2C and tide was high and going out. A few highlights from the walk were 100 plus Brant, Common and Pacific Loons and a few Marbled Murrelets.

11 birders saw and heard the following 37 species:

Brant

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Black-bellied Plover

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Marbled Murrelet

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Virginia Rail (J. Morrison)

Sunday November 19, 2023:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh, Nanaimo. The weather was sunny, 6C. A few highlights from the walk were Barred Owl by the river, heard two Virginia Rails were calling, and unfortunately, we did not see or hear the Blue Jay.

13 birders saw and heard the following 41 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Wood Duck

Green-winged Teal

Bufflehead

Pied-billed Grebe

Ring-neck Duck

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

American Coot

Virginia Rail

Glaucous-winged Gull

Barred Owl

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Common Raven

American Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Gloden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

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.

The Sunday Bird Walk, November 26, 2023

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Maki Road Trail in South Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the parking lot by Living Forest Campground at the end of Maki Road, at 9:15am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, November 28, 2023

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary 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, at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

November 16, 2023
“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.
*********************************************************

Long-tailed Duck (J. Morrison)

Tuesday November 14, 2023:

The Blue Jay is still visiting the feeders at Bird Sanctuary Drive and Rockland Road in Nanaimo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach in French Creek. Weather was sunny, light wind, 3C and tide was high and going out. A few highlights from the walk were Western Grebe, Greater Yellowlegs that were nice and close to see and a large flock of Long-tailed Ducks out on the water.

11 birders saw and heard the following 48 species:

American Wigeon

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Western Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Black-bellied Plover

Dunlin

Black Turnstone

Greater Yellowlegs

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Thayer’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Marbled Murrelet

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk (R. Hocken)

Sunday November 12, 2023:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Nanoose Estuary at the end of Nanoose Beach Road. The weather was cloudy with a strong wind, 8C, tide was high and going out. A few highlights from the walk were Eurasian Wigeon, Dunlin put on a good show as we started out and we watched as an Anna’s Hummingbird put the run on a Dark-eyed Junco.

11 birders saw and heard the following 32 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

White-winged Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Red-breasted Merganser

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Copper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Dunlin

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

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.

The Sunday Bird Walk, November 19, 2023

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the parking lot by Jingle Pot and 3^rd Street, at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, November 21, 2023

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Rathtrevor Provicial 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 main parking lot by the beach entrance, at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett