The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
March 29, 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 March 28, 2023:
The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River
Estuary and the Brant Viewing stand in Qualicum Beach. The weather was sunny
with a cool breeze and +5. A few highlights from the walk were seeing a large
raft of scoters that also included Long-tailed Ducks. Saw our first Bonaparte’s
Gulls of the year and had great views of two Black Oystercatchers and Black
Turnstones. Also was great to see lots of Brant flying by.
8 birders saw and heard the following 46 species.
Brant
Canada Geese
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-wing Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Horned Grebe
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Dunlin
Short-billed Gull
Bonaparte’s Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rhinoceros Auklet
Pigeon Guillemot
Eurasian Collared Dove
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Common Raven
American Crow
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Brewer’s Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
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American Dipper (J. Morrison)
Monday March 27, 2023:
Two American Dippers were seen and heard singing on the Nanaimo River at the end of the Morden Collier Park trail.
Sunday March 26, 2023:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Legacy Marsh in upper
Lantzville. Weather was sunny but cool and only +1. A few highlights from the walk
was hearing a Steller’s Jay for the first time in a while, and good views of a
Red-breasted Sapsucker. Over the marsh the Violet-green Swallows and Tree
Swallows were busy.
10 birders saw and heard the following 36 bird species:
Wood Duck
Mallard
Ring-neck Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Common Raven
Steller’s Jay
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Bewick’s Wren
Marsh Wren
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Pine Siskin
Friday March 24, 2023:
Tree Swallows were seen at Buttertubs Marsh.
Tree Swallow (J. Morrison)
It is great to hear the White-crowned Sparrows singing
in the mornings, a sure sign of spring. Not many reports of Rufous Hummingbirds
but the red flowering currant is just starting to open. This is a natural source
of nectar that the hummingbirds feed on during migration. In the backyards we
are hearing of chickadees back along with the Red-breasted Nuthatch. They are about
to nest so make sure your nest boxes are ready.
In the mornings listen to all the different songs being
sung and to help you identify who is singing check out the free Merlin app that
will identify who is singing.
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 Tuesday Bird Walk, April 4, 2023
The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the
Englishman River Estuary – Shelly Road.
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.
The Sunday Bird Walk, April 2, 2023
This week’s Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Nanoose Bay Estuary.
Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Nanoose Beach Road (off Arlington Road and HWY 19) at 9:15 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
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