The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

May 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.
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Black-headed Grosbeak (J. Morrison)

Tuesday May 7, 2024:

Black-headed Grosbeak was visiting a backyard feeder on Drew Road in Qualicum Beach.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Lot 10 and the Brant viewing stand in Qualicum Beach. Weather was sunny with a cool breeze on the water, and 11C. A few highlights from the Brant viewing stand were Pacific Loons, Horned Grebes, and Western Sandpiper. At Lot 10 we saw Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Rough-winged Swallows that were using the cavities on the bank and heard and saw Warbling Vireos.

14 birders saw and heard the following 43 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Surf Scoter

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Killdeer

Western Sandpiper

Short-billed Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Western Flycatcher

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Warbling Vireo

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Pacific Wren

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Pine Siskin

Yellow Warbler (R. Hocken)

Sunday May 5, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather was overcast and 19C. A few highlights from the walk were seeing the Virginia Rail and two chicks, a couple of Long-billed Dowitchers and 6 Western Sandpipers, and an Osprey flying through.

19 birders heard and saw the following 49 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Pied-billed Grebe

California Quail

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Osprey

Red-tailed Hawk

Turkey Vulture

Killdeer

Western Sandpiper

Long-billed Dowitcher

Glaucous-winged Gull

Virginia Rail

Band-tailed Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Purple Martin

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Marsh Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewers Blackbird

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

Saturday May 4, 2024:

Black-headed Grosbeak was seen near the end of Doumont Road in Nanaimo.

Thursday May 2, 2024:

Four American White Pelicans were seen flying over the Cowichan River Estuary.

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 12, 2024.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Maki Road Trail in South Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or at the parking lot located at the end of Maki Road (by Living Forest Campground) at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, May 14, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery 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