The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 12, 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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American Kestrel (R. Hocken)

Wednesday March 12, 2025:

A turkey Vulture and 2 Red-tailed Hawks were seen along the Inland Island Highway near the Horne Lake exit.

TUESDAY March 11, 2025:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. Weather was overcast and cool, 4C. A few highlights from the walk was the abundance of Anna’s Hummingbirds about and seeing two female Anna’s Hummingbird on their nests. Two American Kestrels were seen in the field by Church Road and Coldwater Road, a Barred Owl flying away and two Trumpeter Swans flew over.

12 birders saw and heard the following 30 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Mallard

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Bald Eagle

Barred Owl

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin 

American Goldfinch (R. Hocken)

Sunday March 9, 2025:

American Goldfinch were seen visiting a backyard feeder near Divers Lake, Labieux Road and Oriole Drive.

The Sunday Bird Walk was canceled due to weather.

Saturday March 8, 2025:

Rufous Hummingbird was seen in the area of Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary and Nanaimo Lakes Road.

Birding Notes:

It’s not about the birds but there is a Total Lunar Eclipse on March 13, 2025.

Keep your eyes on the sky and hope the clouds dissipate for the full lunar eclipse!

🌕 8:57pm - the eclipse begins, with the Moon starting to dim. At this point, the change is barely noticeable at best.

🌔 10:09pm - a partial eclipse. The Moon looks like a bite's been taken out of it.

🌑 11:26pm to 12:31am - totality. The eclipse is in full swing and can appear reddish. As the Moon moves out of Earth's umbra, the reddish tinge dissipates, and the Moon can again look like a partially eaten cookie.

🌘 1:47am - eclipse ends. The Moon may look slightly dim again but is otherwise back to normal.

Does a lunar eclipse have an effect on birds? For most birds no but there is an interesting article on a study done with Black Swifts and the effects of a full moon and a lunar eclipse, https://www.audubon.org/news/a-lunar-eclipse-sheds-light-fascinating-behavior-birds

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, March 16, 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, March 18, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Englishman River Estuary, Plummer Road in Parksville.

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 corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett