The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

September 6, 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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California Quail (R. Hocken)

Tuesday September 9, 2023:

The Tuesday birding group went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. The weather was cloudy and 16C. Birding activity was very quiet to start with only Chestnut-backed Chickadees and a Northern Flicker to start at the parking lot. A few highlights, a Marbled Murrelet was seen by most on the bird walk, a Cooper’s Hawk was perched in a tree nicely for us to view and a Pileated Woodpecker provided a good view as it flew by.

Eleven birders saw and/or heard the following 36 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Green-winged Teal

Harlequin Duck

Common Merganser

California Quail

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Merlin

Killdeer

Greater Yellowlegs

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Marbled Murrelet

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Monday September 4, 2023:

A Horned Lark was seen at Neck Point Park this afternoon by the viewing platform / boardwalk. 

American Pipit (J. Morrison)

Friday September 1, 2023:

Two American Pipits were observed working there way through the parking lot at the Nanaimo Bakery, corner of Bowen Road and Meredith Road, before flying off.

Steller’s Jay (R. Hoken)

Backyard Birding

The backyard feeders have been busy with Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Bushtits, House Finch, and American Goldfinch. Dark-eyed Juncos have been around all summer and nesting in my backyard and the Spotted Towhee has just returned. Suet has been the busiest with Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, and an occasional visit from a Pileated Woodpecker.

We have received many reports of Steller’s Jays back visiting the backyard feeders. I have heard one in my neighborhood and have put out a few peanuts in the shell, but no visits yet.

Although the feeders are busy, the water dish is also busy. Remember to keep a supply of fresh water for the birds.

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, September 10, 2023

This week’s 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 parking lot of Neck Point Park at 9:15am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, September 12, 2023

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Plummer 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 corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett