The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 27, 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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Pelagic Cormorant (R. Hocken)

Tuesday June 25, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather was sunny, 17C, tide was out, and the Salish Sea was choppy. The walk started out with a bit of a chorus going on with Swainson’s Thrush, Cedar Waxwings and Orange-crown Warbler. A MacGillivray’s Warbler that was heard singing along with a Yellow Warbler in the shrubs near the river. On the mud flat there were lots of Killdeer seen and heard but not mush else. The same went with the Salish Sea that was choppy with only a couple of cormorant species seen.

11 birders saw and heard the following 41 species:

Canada Goose

Common Merganser

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Willow Flycatcher

Western (Pacific-slope) Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Swainson’s Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Sunday June 16, 2024:

Unfortunately, there was no Sunday Bird Walk this week.

House Finch (J. Morrison)

For the backyard feeders, the suet is still very busy with all the young flickers, Downy Woodpeckers and now a new batch of Chestnut-backed Chickadees. Of course, the starlings are still busy at the suet as well. House Finches are busy, and the American Goldfinch are starting to nest.

The bird bath is busier and with the warmer weather a bird bath can attract species that are not common visitors to the seed feeders. Birds have great hearing so any sound of moving water will help to attract birds to your water supply.

Also with the warmer weather, the hummingbird nectar will ferment quicker and will need to be cleaned and changed more often.

If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, birding@thebackyard.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 weekly bird walks will be taking a break for the summer and will resume sometime late August / early September.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

CANCELED - Sunday Bird Walk

 Sorry but today’s Sunday Bird Walk (June 23) has been CANCELED. 

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 20, 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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This Sunday’s (June 23) Bird Walk will unfortunately be CANCELED. 

Belted Kingfisher - female (J. Morrison)

Tuesday June 18, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Little Qualicum hatchery in Qualicum Beach. Weather was cool at the start with some light showers but reached a pleasant 17C by the end of the walk. We enjoyed good views of American Dipper, Swainson’s Thrush, Western (Pacific Slope) Flycatcher and many warblers. Chipping Sparrows were everywhere.

11 birders saw and heard the following 38 species:

Common Merganser

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Pileated Woodpecker

Willow Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Western (Pacific-slope) Flycatcher

Warbling Vireo

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Tree Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Brown Creeper

House Wren

Pacific Wren

American Dipper

Swainson’s Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Brown-headed Cowbird

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Sunday June 16, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park in south Nanaimo. Weather started as overcast but turned to showers during the walk and was 11C. A few highlights on the walk was seeing the Cedar Waxwings and a  committee of Turkey Vultures were seen in the trees next to the farm property. Red-eyed Vireos and Warbling Vireos were heard along the walk.

10 birders saw and heard the following 28 species:

Common Merganser

Turkey Vulture

Copper’s Hawk

Northern Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Red-eyed Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Black Swift

Western Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Swainson’s Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Yellow Warbler

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Black-headed Grosbeak

Brewer’s Blackbird

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

Brewer’s Blackbird (R. Hocken)

The backyard feeders at my house are busy with House Finches and finally a few American Goldfinch, along with all the Dark-eyed Juncos. Suet is very busy, earlier it was all the chickadees, Nuthatch, and Bewick’s Wren along with the young and now it is all the woodpeckers. Regular visitors on the suet now are Downy and Pileated Woodpeckers with the juveniles and the Northern Flickers. I changed to an upside-down suet feeder as the starlings were starting to take over the feeder. This has slowed the starling, and the woodpeckers didn’t miss a beat at feeding on the suet.

A couple of hummingbirds are busy in the backyard, but I have not seen many males lately. I seem to have one female Rufous and one female Anna’s Hummingbird, that don’t like to share, so one at a time at the flowers and feeders.

At the store the feeders are busy with Dark-eyed Juncos, Spotted Towhees, White-crown Sparrows and House Finches. The fun is watching the towhees and juncos in the birdbath, work comes to a stop.

We are always interested to hear and see (photos) of what is happening in your backyard.

If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, birding@thebackyard.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, June 23, 2024.

The Sunday Bird Walk is unfortunately going to be CANCELED.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, June 25, 2024.

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

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 at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 13, 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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Warbling Vireo (J. Morrison)

Tuesday June 11, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. Weather was sunny with a few clouds, 16C. A few highlights from the walk were Great Horned Owl and young, Cedar Waxwings and MacGillivray’s Warbler.

11 birders saw and heard the following 35 species:

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Great Horned Owl

Rufous Hummingbird

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Warbling Vireo

Western Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Swainson’s Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Red Crossbill

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Sunday June 9, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Bowen Park in Nanaimo. It was a beautiful sunny day and 19C. A few highlights from the walk were Barred Owls and young, Hutton’s Vireo, and great looks at Yellow Warbler and Red-breasted Sapsucker.

15 birders saw and heard the following 32 species:

Mallard

Turkey Vulture

Barred Owl

Rock Dove

Band Tailed Pigeon

Anna’s Hummingbird

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Western Flycatcher

Hutton’s Vireo

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Swainson’s Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

American Goldfinch

American Pipits made a quick visit to a backyard in Fanny Bay on Hwy 19A by the government wharf.

Saturday June 8, 2024:

Bullock’s Oriole was seen at Buttertubs Marsh by the fallen pine tree down the trail from the Jingle Pot entrance.

Friday June 7, 2024:

Evening Grosbeak was seen in a backyard in the Stephenson Point area.

Bullock Oriole (R. Hocken)

If you have any birds to report or need help identifying, just email or call the store, birding@thebackyard.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, June 16, 2024.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Morden Colliery Provincial Park in south Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the end of Morden Road, off Hwy 19, in the park parking lot at 9:15am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, June 18, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the 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 fish hatchery parking lot, off Claymore Road, at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 6, 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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Spotted Sandpiper (R. Hocken)

Tuesday June 4, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather was sunny with some clouds and the odd rain shower,13C. A few of the highlights seen on the walk were 8 Trumpeter Swans flying over the estuary, unusual for this time of year. Two Spotted Sandpipers at the river bend, a flock of black swifts overhead and a couple of Cedar Waxwings.

7 birders saw and heard the following 46 species:

Canada Goose

Trumpeter Swan

Common Merganser

Merlin

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Spotted Sandpiper

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Warbling Vireo

Black Swift

Western Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Barn Swallow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Swainson’s Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brewer’s Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

Sunday June 2, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk to Bowen Park was canceled due to the weather

Tuesday May 28, 2024:

Western Wood-peewee and Black-headed Grosbeaks were seen at Springwood Park in Parksville.

Yellow Warbler (J. Morrison)

Listen and watch for Common Nighthawks in the evening with the warmer weather and clear skies.

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, June 9, 2024.

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

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the upper parking lot near the main entrance at 9:15am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, June 11, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the 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 by Chestnut Street at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett