The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

September 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.
********************************************************* 

Black Oystercatcher (R. Hocken) 

Tuesday September 25, 2024:

Unfortunately, there was no Tuesday Bird Walk this week

Monday September 23, 2024:

Barred Owl was seen in the tot lot near Eagle Crescent and Thunderbird Drive in the hospital area.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1^st winter (R. Hocken

Sunday September 22, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road Trail located at the end of Maki Road in south Nanaimo. The weather started off cloudy but shortly after we started it began to rain, 12C, and the tide was high. With the change in the weather birds were quiet. Many species were heard and seen near the parking lot before the walk started. A few highlights were a Peregrine Falcon perched on a branch feeding, three Northern Shovelers feeding in the marsh along with a couple of Greater Yellowlegs.

13 birders saw and heard the following 20 species:

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Northern Shoveler

Peregrine Falcon

Greater Yellowlegs

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bewick’s Wren

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch 

Birding Notes:

With the change in weather, you will begin to see a few new visitors to the backyard feeders. At my feeders there have been Song Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Spotted Towhees and a few more Dark-eyed juncos returning. During the summer we had a flock of 20 or so American Goldfinch but they left as they do in September, feeding on natural seed such as thistle seed. A small flock returned the other day competing with the House Finch for the feeders. Anna’s Hummingbirds are busy again at the feeders and chasing each other off the feeders. They could be nesting again as they do nest year-round.

Other birds to watch for in the backyard, Hermit Trush and Yellow-rumped Warblers as they move south. Cedar Waxwings feeding on berries such as mountain ash. Fox Sparrows, and Golden-crowned Sparrows.

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 29, 2024.

The Sunday Bird Walk is canceled this long weekend

The Tuesday Bird Walk, October 1, 2024.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Columbia Beach in French Creek.

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 sandy beach parking lot located on Admiral Tyron Blvd, located off Columbia Drive and HWY 19A, at 9:15am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett