The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 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.
*********************************************************

Red-tailed Hawk - juvenile (R. Hocken)

TUESDAY April 8, 2025:

The Tuesday Bird Walk was canceled this week due to the weather.

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