The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 7, 2024
“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.
*********************************************************

Double-crested Cormorant (R. Hocken)

Tuesday March 5, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Deep Bay. Weather was sunny 2C, wind was light but picked up later and the tide was high. A few highlights from the walk were Tundra Swan seen with 6 other Trumpeter Swans. Lots of Surf, White-winged and Black Scoters were on the water, along with Common Goldeneye. Black Turnstones were on the shore and White-crowned Sparrows were heard singing.

11 birders saw and heard the following 45 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Tundra Swan

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Harlequin Duck

Bufflehead

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

Black Scoter

Common Goldeneye

Long-tailed Duck

Greater Scaup

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

California Quail

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Black Turnstone

Black-bellied Plover

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Marbled Murrelet

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

House Finch

House Sparrow

Golden-crowned Kinglet (J. Morrison)

Sunday March 3, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road Trail. Weather was cloudy with sunny breaks, then showers with a little hail and 3C to start. A few highlights were Northern Shrike seen across the river in the estuary. Two Trumpeter Swans were seen in the marsh, along with an American Coot and Ring-necked Ducks.

12 birders saw and heard the following 36 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Northern Pintail

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

American Coot

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Northern Shrike

American Crow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Thursday February 29, 2024:

An American Bittern was seen at Buttertubs Marsh, near the viewing tower in the west marsh.

Tree Swallow was also seen at Buttertubs Marsh. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler (R. Hocken)

Birds to be on the watch for, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, Turkey Vultures, and American Goldfinch.

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, March 10, 2024.

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 Jingle Pot Road parking area at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, March 12, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary.

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