The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

November 19, 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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Mallard (R. Hocken) 

Tuesday November 19, 2024:

The Tuesday Bird Walk was canceled today due to the weather.

Monday November 18, 2024:

A report of a white Common Raven seen last week in the area of French Creek and highway 19A.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (R. Hocken)

Sunday November 17, 2024:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road Trail, located at the end of Maki Road in south Nanaimo. Weather was sunny with some cloud, 4C, winds calm, and the tide was high. A few highlights from the walk were the Northern Harrier that was seen flying over the estuary near the river. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet put on a show low in a small Arbutus tree and a Bewick’s Wren that perched on a branch in the sun for all to see. Pacific Tree Frogs could be heard along the trail as well.

15 Birders heard and saw the following 38 species:

Trumpeter Swan

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Bufflehead

Common Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Northern Harrier

Bald Eagle

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Pacific Wren

Bewick’s Wren

Marsh Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Savanah Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

Birding Notes:

Colder nights are on the way and for most of our backyard birds, keeping the bird feeders filled with good seed is a great help, but what about those bird that eat insects and berries like American Robins?

To make sure that these birds also have a supply of food, place a tarp, piece of plywood, or other object on the lawn or garden to create a warm spot, free of snow and frozen soil. To feed the birds, simply move the object and allow the birds access to the unfrozen soil and the insects within. You can also turn the garden soil, about 12" deep, to allow access to insects.

Other foods that can be placed out for robins and thrush are grated suet, apples, blueberries, and cranberries. Towhees and juncos can also enjoy these treats.

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, November 24, 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, November 26, 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