The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

April 30, 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.
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Killdeer (S. Petersen)

Tuesday April 30, 2024:

Hermit Thrush were reported in a backyard on Granite Park Road in Nanaimo.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Top Bridge Trail in Parksville. Weather started out at 7C, overcast with a light shower during the walk and ended with sun. Lots of Chipping Sparrows and American Goldfinch were seen and heard on the walk. A Hermit Thrush perched nicely for us to see along with a few Rufous Hummingbirds.

11 birders saw and heard the following 31 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Great Blue Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Killdeer

Eurasian Collared Dove

Rufous Hummingbird

Violet-green Swallow

Hutton’s Vireo

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

Chipping Sparrow (J. Morrison)

Sunday April 28, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Legacy Marsh in Lantzville. Weather was overcast with a bit of a breeze, and 6C. Six warbler species were seen and heard, along with Hammond’s and Western (Pacific-slope) Flycatchers.

15 birders heard and saw the following 52 species:

Mallard

Wood Duck

Bufflehead

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Band-tailed Pigeon

Rufous Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Western Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Cassin’s Vireo

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

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, May 5, 2024.

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

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or the Jingle Pot/Second Street entrance to the marsh at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, May 7, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Lot 10 in Qualicum Beach.

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 Brant viewing stand on HWY 19A (between Beach Terrace and Crescent Road West) at 9:15 am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

April 25, 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.
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Bonapartes Gull (J. Morrison)

Tuesday April 23, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather was sunny, 8C, wind was calm, and tide was out. A few highlights from the walk were four species of warblers that were busy in the maple trees, a few Chipping Sparrows that were up close for everyone to see and heard a couple of Cassin’s Vireos.

20 birders saw and heard the following 54 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

American Wigeon

Gadwall

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Double-crested Cormorant

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Great Blue Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Greater Yellowlegs

Bonaparte’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Violet-green Swallow

Western Flycatcher

Cassin’s Vireo

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Hermit Thrush

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brewer’s Blackbird

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

Black-throated Gray Warbler (J. Morrison)

Monday April 22, 2024:

Black-throated Gray Warblers were seen at Morrell Nature Sanctuary in Nanaimo.

A juvenile Dark-eyed Junco was seen at a backyard feeder in the hospital area.

Sunday April 21, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny, 9C, no wind and the tide was going out. A few highlights from the walk were a male Wood Duck in the marsh behind the parking lot, and four Townsend Solitaires were in the trees behind the boardwalk. Pigeon Guillemot, Harlequin Ducks were seen on the water and a female Pileated Woodpecker was feeding low on a tree.

15 birders heard and saw the following 42 species:

Canda Goose

Mallard

Wood Duck

Harlequin Duck

Bufflehead

Surf Scoter

Common Merganser

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Red-necked Grebe

Common Loon

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Bonaparte’s Gull

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Pigeon Guillemot

Marbled Murrelet

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Townsend’s Solitaire

American Robin

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

Watch for American Goldfinch visiting backyard feeders, there have been many reports of them.

When out on a walk also watch for Western Tanagers, Willow and Western Flycatchers.

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, April 28, 2024.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Legacy Marsh in upper Lantzville.

Drive and Sywash Ridge Road, parking at the corner under the power lines, at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, April 30, 2024.

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 trail entrance on Industrial Way and Tuan Road about 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

April 16, 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.
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Common Merganser (R. Hocken)

Tuesday April 16, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery. Weather was sunny but cool, 5C. A few highlights from the walk were American Dipper that was seen and heard, and a Hermit Thrush seen at the parking lot. A few Orange-crowned Warblers were singing, and we had a great view of one in the shrubs, as well as Yellow-rumped Warblers, both Audubon and Myrtle. There were a few Red-breasted Sapsuckers seen along the walk and we had a great view of a Brown-headed Cowbird atop a tree.  

13 birders saw and heard the following 30 species:

Common Merganser

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Rufous Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Dipper

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Purple Finch

Orange-crowned Warbler (J. Morrison)

Sunday April 14, 2024

Townsend’s Solitaire was seen in a backyard on Hoylake Road in Qualicum Beach.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road trail in south Nanaimo. Weather was sunny with a bit of a cool breeze and 10C. A few highlights from the walk were a flock of 20 plus Greater White-fronted Geese flying overhead and Rufous Hummingbirds active all along the walk. Orange-crowned Warblers were very vocal all along the walk and we saw Audubon and Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers. We also saw our first Common Yellowthroat in the marsh.  

14 birders heard and saw the following 45 species:

Greater White-fronted Goose

Canada Goose

Mallard

Wood Duck

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Greater Yellowlegs

Glaucous-winged Gull

Rufous Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Purple Martin

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Hermit Thrush

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple 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, April 21, 2024.

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

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

The Tuesday Bird Walk, April 23, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Englishman River Estuary – Shelly road, 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 off of HWY 19A about 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

April 11, 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.
*********************************************************

Red-necked Grebe (R. Hocken)

Tuesday April 9, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach in French Creek. Weather was sunny with a steady breeze on the water. 9C and the tide was out. A few highlights from the walk were Black-bellied Plover in breeding plumage, Greater Yellowlegs, a Bald Eagle on the nest and Anna’s Hummingbirds.

11 birders saw and heard the following 44 species:

Brant

American Wigeon

Mallard

Surf Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Black-bellied Plover

Greater Yellowlegs

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Rock Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

Marsh Wren (R. Hocken

Sunday April 7, 202

Virginia Rail was seen and heard at Divers Lake in the southwest corner by the small marsh.

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather started off sunny and calm but ended with a steady rain shower, 8C. A few highlights from the walk were Virgina Rail, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Purple Martin.

16 birders heard and saw the following 45 species:

Canda Goose

Mallard

Wood Duck

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Pied-billed Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Virginia Rail

Eurasian Collared Dove

Rufous Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Purple Martin

Common Raven

American Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brewer’s Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

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, April 14, 2024.

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 meet at the end of Maki Road, by Living Forest Campground, at 9:15 am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, April 16, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery, located in Qualicum Beach.

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 Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery on Claymore Road, located off Laburnum Road, Qualicum Beach about 9:15am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett