The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

October 1, 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.
********************************************************* 

Northern Shoveler - female (R. Hocken) 

Tuesday October 1, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Columbia Beach in Parksville this week. Weather was rain, 11C, and the tide was going out. Five hardy birders braved the rain and an few highlights from the walk was three Northern Shovelers, Pacific Loons, and heard a Yellow Warbler.

5 birders saw and heard the following 42 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Green-winged Teal

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter

California Quail

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Red- necked Grebe

Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Bonaparte’s Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Rhinoceros Auklet

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Savanah Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

Monday September 30, 2024:

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

Greater White-fronted Geese (peter-ertl.com)

Sunday September 29, 2024:

There was no bird walk this long weekend.

Tuesday September 24, 2024:

A large flock of Greater White-fronted Geese were seen flying over Grovehill Road near Horne Lake.

Monday September 23, 2024:

Two Mountain Bluebirds were seen at Wicks Road and Lakes Road in Duncan.

Birding Notes:

This past week the Bewick’s Wren has been busy calling around my house and it starts at 6:45 am. The Bewick’s Wren is a common backyard bird but is not always noticed as they do not visit your bird feeders full of seed, but they do like the suet. These little insect eating birds’ nest in backyards and will use a nest box or whatever opportunities there are. They have been seen nesting in rubber boots that were left out, sleeves and pockets in coats, and many other sheltered nooks and crannies. During the winter the Bewick’s Wren and other insect eating birds, like Townsend’s Warbler, will supplement their diet with suet when needed during the colder weather. Sometimes they will also visit the hummingbird feeder for that little bit of extra energy.

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, October 6, 2024.

The Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or at the Second Street entrance by the Miners Shack at 9:10 am. Weather cooperating.

The Tuesday Bird Walk, October 8, 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. Weather cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett