The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

May 23, 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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Osprey (R. Hocken)

Tuesday May 21, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk was planned to go to Springwood Park in Parksville this week but due to the weather the walk was cancelled. We will try again next Tuesday May 28.

Monday May 20, 2024:

A pair of Ospreys were seen at Long Lake in Nanaimo.

Sunday May 19, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk was cancelled this week for the Victoria Day long weekend.

Wednesday May 15, 2024:

Black-headed Grosbeak was visiting a backyard feeder in Errington.

Evening Grosbeak (M. Stockwell)

Be on the lookout for Evening Grosbeaks as I have heard of a few reports of them visiting backyards as they are migrating through.

Juvenile birds are out and about in the backyards these days, and some can look very different than the adults. Such as Dark-eyed Junco’s juveniles that are gray, brown in colour with light streaks but still have white outer tail feathers to help identify them. Juvenile House Finch look like the female House Finch but sometimes you will see one with new feathers coming in that stick up and look like ears on the bird. Unfortunately, not all field guides will show the plumage of a juvenile, but you will be able to figure out the species by watching the other birds with it.

Another bird to watch for are the Common Nighthawks. They won’t be at your bird feeders but look up in the evenings and watch for what looks like a large swallow. I usually hear their call before I see them. Their call as described by All About Birds is “  a nasal peent or beer call while flying”.

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 26, 2024.

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

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the corner of Normarel Drive and Sywash Ridge Road, parking at the corner under the power lines, at 9:10am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, May 28, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to Springwood Park 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 end of Despard Avenue and Chestnut Street about 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett