The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

September 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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Friday September 6, 2024:

Red Crossbills were heard calling in the trees on Elm Road in Lantzville.

Tuesday September 3, 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. The walk started out quiet and picked up as the walk went on. Along the river a Spotted Sandpiper was observed and, in the estuary, Western Sandpipers and two Semipalmated Plovers were seen. The parking lot bird at the end of the walk were Cedar Waxwings.

22 birders saw and heard the following 34 species:

Canada Goose

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

White-winged Scoter

Common Merganser

Common Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Semipalmated Plover

Western Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper

Bonaparte’s Gull

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted kingfisher

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

House Finch

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Sunday September 1, 2024:

Approximately 20 Common Nighthawks were seen feeding over the Englishman River Estuary.

American Goldfinch – male, winter plumage (R. Hocken)

For the backyard feeders, there have been a few reports of Steller’s Jays returning and families of Northern Flickers. The American Goldfinch have moved on from some backyard bird feeders, as they prepare to move southward. Although, some American Goldfinch will stay for the winter. A few Rufous Hummingbirds have arrived for a short stay before continuing the migration south. I had a female Rufous Hummingbird for about a week visiting and spending lots of time feeding on the salvia hot lips and fuchsia plants on my patio.

Fall is a time that the suet is busy with all the woodpecker families visiting, along with the newly formed flock of Bushtits. Chickadees, nuthatch and jays will be busy caching seed for the winter and a favorite for them is the black oil sunflower seeds and peanuts. If you are not using these seeds, try adding a small amount to your feeding station.

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, September 8, 2024.

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

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or at Neck Point parking lot at 9:10 am.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, September 10, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Englishman River Estuary – Shelly 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 end of Shelly Road, off of Hwy 19A, at 9:10 am.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett