The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

July 4, 2026
“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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Pelagic Cormorant (R. Hocken)

Sunday June 28, 2026:  

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny, 14C, and the tide was out. A few highlights from the walk were Violet-green Swallow fly low and close to us on the waterfront, Brown Creepers were busy feeding, and a few Pelagic Cormorants were seen.

15 birders saw and heard the following 29 species:

Canada Goose

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Glaucous-winged Gull

Pigeon Guillemot

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Warbling Vireo

Western Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

House Finch (J. Morrison)

Backyard Happenings

The Backyard feeders are very busy these days with House Finches, chickadees, nuthatch and junco juveniles. Juvenile flickers are also at the feeders, both the suet and awkwardly hanging on to the silo feeder for the sunflower chip seed. Touch wood, the starlings have stopped attacking the suet feeder which is nice for the other birds and hopefully I have not jinxed it. A male Northern Flicker is getting ready for the second nesting as he is drumming again on the metal exhaust vent. A Pileated Woodpecker and 2 newly fledged young have been busy at the suet as well, such a sight to watch when they arrive. Other regular visitors are Chipping Sparrows, Bushtits, American Robins and my resident Bewick’s Wren.

One of the biggest attractants for birds during the summer months is water. Any source of fresh water is a magnet during the dry weather and adding the sound of moving water will help to increase its popularity.

All this bird activity is reason we feed the birds. The fun of watching their antics, learning their habits, and just the shear relaxation of sitting quietly and watching them. Enjoying nature in our own backyards.

If you have any bird sightings 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 Tuesday and Sunday bird walks will be taking a break for the summer and will be resuming in the fall.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 26, 2026
“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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Great Blue Heron (J. Morrison)

Tuesday June 23, 2026:  

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary. Weather was sunny and warm, 26C, and the tide was out. A few highlights from the walk were Pigeon Guillemots seen on the open water, Cedar Waxwing and a MacGillivray’s Warbler.

12 birders saw and heard the following 40 species:

Canada Goose

White-winged Scoter

Common Merganser

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Killdeer

Glaucous-winged Gull

Pigeon Guillemot

Marbled Murrelet

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Western Flycatcher

Willow’s Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Bushtit

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Northern Yellow Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Red-winged Blackbird (J. Morrison)

Sunday June 21, 2026:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Linley Valley in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny and 16C. A few highlights from the walk were Great Horned Owl, being mobbed by American Robins, Wood Duck with chicks and a male in eclipse plumage, and Purple Martin.

15 birders saw and heard the following 33 species:

Wood Duck

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Great Horned Owl

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Western Flycatcher

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Barn Swallow

Purple Martin

Western Warbling Vireo

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Purple Finch

Backyard Happenings

Summer is official here and with it comes the heat. Water is important for the birds year round but especially during the hotter days in the summer. A water source can also attract other species of birds not usually seen at your backyard feeders, such as Western Tanager, American Robins or Northern Yellow Warbler. Birds also have great hearing and can be attracted to the sound of moving water, which can be created with a fountain. Any source of a fresh water supply will help the birds in your backyard. It can be as fancy as a nice bird bath or as simple as a shallow saucer of water. Change and clean the water daily due to evaporation and bird use or every couple of days with a bigger bird bath. This will also help to keep the mosquitoes from breeding in the water. A cleaning solution of 1 part bleach or industrial white vinegar to 9 parts water is used to disinfect the bird bath. If alge is a problem try using a 99% pure copper disk to prevent the problem or copper pennies, but it does take a few about twenty to twenty-five cents worth.

Don’t forget about the hummingbirds as the sugar water will ferment quicker in the heat. Use less at a time and change every other day and remember to give them a good cleaning each time with the same cleaning solution as for the bird bath. Make a little extra solution and keep it in the refrigerator for easy filling.

Bird seed in tube or silo style feeders can also be affected by the heat as it will create moisture causing mold or sprouting if in the feeder for a long time. I recommend using a little less at a time and filling it frequently which will keep the bird seed fresh and the ground a bit tidier.

If you have any bird sightings 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 Tuesday and Sunday bird walks will be taking a break for the summer and will be resuming in the fall.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 18, 2026
“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-breasted Sapsucker (J. Morrison)

Tuesday June 16, 2026:  

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Lighthouse Country Regional Trail in Qualicum Bay. Weather was sunny and 20C. This was our first bird walk to this area and was rewarded with a few good sightings. A few highlights from the walk were 3 Black swifts, heard Red Crossbills fly over and saw a Barred Owl being mobbed by a few American Robins.

12 birders saw and heard the following 44 species:

Turkey Vulture

Barred Owl

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Western Warbling Vireo

Hutton’s Vireo

Black Swift

Western Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Willow’s Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Barn Swallow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Pacific Wren

House Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

Townsend’s Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Northern Yellow Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Wilsons’s Warbler

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red Crossbill

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Common Yellowthroat (R. Hocken)

Sunday June 14, 2026:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Legacy Marsh / Copley Trail in Lantzville. Weather was sunny and 20C. A few highlights from the walk were seeing the MacGillivray’s Warbler, Cedar Waxwing and Brown Creeper.

13 birders saw and heard the following 40 species:

Wood Duck

Mallard

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Anna’s hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Warbling Vireo

Western Flycatcher

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Barn Swallow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

Orange-crowned Warbler

Northern Yellow Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Warbler

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

If you have any bird sightings 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, June 21, 2026:

Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Linley Valley, in Nanaimo.

Meet at the end of Burma Road which is located off of Lost Lake Road at 9:00am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, June 23, 2026:

Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville.

Meet at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

June 11, 2026
“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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Common Merganser - male (R. Hocken)

Tuesday June 9, 2026:  

The Tuesday Bird Walk went o the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather was cloudy, 15C and the tide was out. A few highlights from the walk were 3 Spotted Sandpipers calling and fying along the river. A female Purple Martin was seen perch on a branch beside the river, and a Western Tanager was seen along the main trail near the parking lot.

14 birders saw and heard the following 58 species:

Canada Goose

Common Merganser

Surf Scoter

Double Crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Great Blue Heron

California Quail

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Spotted Sandpiper

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Common Murre

Eurasian Collared Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Black Swift

Western Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Willow’s Flycatcher

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Purple Martin

Warbling Vireo

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Pacific Wren

Bewick’s Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Wilsons’s Warbler

Western Tanager

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Pied-billed Grebe - juvenile (R. Hocken)

Sunday June 7, 2026:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather was cloudy and 14C. A few highlights from the walk were seeing the Wood Duck and Pied-billed Grebe, both with young. A lone Black Swift was seen, Purple Martins were checking out the nest boxes, and a Red-tailed Hawk was seen overhead.

13 birders saw and heard the following 37 species:

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Pied-billed Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Killdeer

Band-tailed Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Black Swift

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Purple Martin

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Marsh Wren

American Robin

Swainson’s Thrush

European Starling

Yellow Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Brown-headed Cowbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

House Sparrow

Backyard Happenings

My backyard feeders are busy with House Finches and all the juveniles that are out. A splash of bright yellow, American Goldfinch, shows up occasionally and is nice to see. The suet feeder is still busy with nuthatches, flickers and families of starlings, which unfortunately are learning to hang upside down. Chickadees were busy at the suet but have disappeared. This is normal and will be back in a couple of weeks to start their second nest. Anna’s Hummingbirds have been busy at the feeders and flowers, as well as taking nesting material although I have not been able to locate their nest this year. Last year I watched Anna’s Hummingbird build the nest and fledge two young in our apple tree. This year a pair of American Robins have nested in the apple tree, and one has just left the nest.

With warm weather coming this week, remember water will be important for the birds so keep a fresh supply available. Bird species other than the feeder birds will also be attracted to the water.

If you have any bird sightings 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, June 14, 2026:

Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Legacy Marsh, in Lantzville.

Meet at the Copley Ridge Trail parking lot located on Normarel Drive, off of Superior Road, at 9:00am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, June 16, 2026:

Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to a new location, Lighthouse Country Regional Trail in Qualicum Bay. Meet at the parking lot located at the end of Lioness Blvd. at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.

Take HWY 19A to Qualicum Bay and turn on Lions Way, then right onto Lioness Blvd, follow a short distance to the parking lot.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett