The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

May 31, 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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Belted kingfisher female (J. Morrison)

Tuesday May 30 , 2023:

The Tuesday birding group went to a few different spots. We started out at the Brant Viewing Platform at the end of Qualicum Beach. The weather was sunny with a cool breeze. It was quiet on the water with only Pacific Loons, Surf Scoter and Glaucous-winged Gull seen. We then went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary where it was a little busier with a few highlights of a Sharp-shinned Hawk, Pacific Sloped Flycatcher and Red Crossbills. Lastly, we went up to the Little Qualicum River estuary where we heard and saw many Swainson’s Thrush, great views of a Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Red-breasted Sapsucker.

Twelve birders saw and/or heard the following 47 species in total:

Common Merganser

Surf Scoter

Pacific Loon

California Quail

Turkey Vulture

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Warbling Vireo

Pacific-sloped Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Common Raven

Violet-green Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

House Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Red-cross Crossbill

House Finch

American Goldfinch 

MacGillivray’s Warbler (J. Morrison)

Sunday May 28, 2023:

The Sunday birding group went to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville. The weather was sunny and warm at 18C. A few highlights from the walk was a Barred Owl being bothered by robins, and great views of Willow Flycatchers and Cedar Waxwings.

Twelve birders saw and heard the following 45 species:

Wood Duck

Hooded Merganser

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Barred Owl

Band-tailed Pigeon

Rufous Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Pileated Woodpecker

Norther Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Warbling Vireo

Pacific-sloped Flycatcher

Hammonds Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Common Raven

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

Townsend’s Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Wilson’s Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

They see something, an owl? (R. Brown) 

Friday May 26, 2023:

Black Swift and Purple Martin was seen over French Creek.

Thursday May 25, 2023:

A flock of Band-tailed Pigeons were raiding a backyard feeder in south Nanaimo.

Wednesday May 24, 2023:

Seen on Thetis Island were Black-headed Grosbeaks, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and a House Wren.

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, June 6, 2023

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 entrance to Top Bridge Trail on Industrial Way and Tuan Road at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

The Sunday Bird Walk, June 4, 2023

This week’s Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Enos Lake Trail in Nanoose.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the trail entrance on Powder Point Road / Fairwinds Drive just past Anchor Way/Drive at 9:15am.. 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