The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store
Nanaimo Bird Report
April 10, 2025
“EXPLORE NATURE” --- GO
BIRDING:
To report your
sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 or e-mail us at birding@thebackyard.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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Red-tailed Hawk - juvenile (R. Hocken)
TUESDAY April 8, 2025:
The Tuesday Bird Walk was canceled this week due to the weather.
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White-crowned Sparrow (J. Morrison)
Sunday April 6, 2025:
The Sunday Bird Walk went to Legacy Marsh in Lantzville. Weather was cloudy with a few light showers and then rain at the end of the walk and 10C. A few highlights were a Red-tailed Hawk atop a tree close by, Red-breasted Sapsuckers up close and a Barred Owl was heard.
12 birders saw and heard the following 34 species:
Wood Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
California Quail
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Barred Owl
Anna’s Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Common Raven
Chestnut -backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Pacific Wren
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Red Crossbill
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
Birding Notes:
Spring has sprung and only 36 weeks till Christmas.
Chestnut-backed Chickadees are back and are busy
establishing territories and building nests. The battles are fierce between the
Bewick’s Wren and chickadees for the nestbox. As the chickadee tries to build
the nest a wren is busy stuffing the box full of material to keep others out of
its territory.
The Bushtits are also busy building a nest as the
large flock that stopped by for suet all winter is now down to two. Their nests
look like a wool sock that hangs from a branch with a small entrance hole in
the side.
Most of the Dark-eyed Juncos have left to nest, with
only a few that stay and nest in our backyards. If you find a nest in a planter
or hanging basket it is usually a Dark-eyed Junco that has built this. It is
possible to still water the planter carefully around the edges. House Finches
have also been known to nest in hanging baskets occasionally.
There are more reports of Rufous Hummingbirds visiting
backyards and they will be quick to start nesting as well. In my backyard the
male Anna’s Hummingbird has been performing his display dives again showing off
to the females.
It’s a busy time in the backyards so make sure your nest boxes are ready, nesting material is out, feeders and bird baths are clean.
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.
Sunday Bird Walk, April 13, 2025.
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.
Tuesday Bird Walk, April 15, 2025.
The
Tuesday Bird Walk will be Going to 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 Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery on Claymore Road, located off Laburnum Road, Qualicum Beach about 9:15am. Weather Cooperating.
Good birding! Colin Bartlett
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