Tuesday Bird Walk CANCELED

Today’s bird walk, Tuesday March 24 2026, has been CANCELED. 

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 20, 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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Rufous Hummingbird (R. Hocken)

Thursday March 19, 2026:

Killdeer were seen on MacGillivray Ave on Gabriola Island.

Wednesday March 18, 2026:

Rufous Hummingbird was seen at a residence on MacGillivary Ave on Gabriola Island.

Tuesday March 17, 2026:  

A Rufous Hummingbird was seen at Morell Sanctuary on Nanaimo Lakes Road.

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Weather was cloudy with sunny breaks, 10 C, and the tide was out. A few highlights from the walk were Trumpeter Swans flying over, flocks of Brant flew by close to shore and Yellow-rump Warbler and Rufous Hummingbird were heard and seen.

6 birders saw and heard the following 53 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Brant

Canada Goose

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Harlequin Duck

Green-winged Teal

Greater Scaup

Surf Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Horned Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Black Oystercatcher

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Pigeon Guillemot

Common Muir

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Varied Thrush

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch

Purple Finch

Green-winged Teal (R. Hocken)

Sunday March 15, 2026:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Maki Road Trail located in south Nanaimo. Weather was overcast, and 2 C. A few highlights from the walk were Trumpeter Swans flying over, Hutton’s Vireo, and Northern Harrier seen over in the estuary. 

14 birders saw and heard the following 39 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Northern Harrier

Red-tail Hawk

Bald Eagle

Merlin

Dunlin

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Common Raven

American Crow

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Hutton’s Vireo

American Robin

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

Purple Finch

As we enjoy the first day of spring in the sunshine activity in the backyards and around us is picking up. In the backyard first sightings of Rufous Hummingbirds about White-crowned Sparrows are visiting the bird feeders, along with more House Finch. Some of the Dark-eyed Juncos are moving out to begin nesting but there are those that stay and nest in the backyards especially in planters. Anna’s Hummingbirds are nesting, I have seen them building nests and some are incubating. Chestnut-backed Chickadees are busy starting to nest, we watch one on a bird walk a Buttertubs Marsh as it removed old material to refresh the cavity with new material. They have also been checking out my nest boxes along with the Bewick’ Wren, so make sure your boxes are ready. My feeders are busy with all the usual but there have been more House Finches visiting the feeders as of late, nice to see the colour. Speaking of, now we are waiting to see the bright yellow of the American Goldfinch return, let us know when you see them in your backyard.

Beyond the backyard the sigh of spring is the song of Red-winged Blackbirds who are very busy at the marsh. Also, the arrival of Yellow-rump Warblers, Tree, Violet-green and Barn Swallows is a sure indication spring is here.

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, March 22, 2026:

Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Nanoose Beach, at the west end of Nanoose Bay.

Meet directly at the end of Nanoose Beach Road, located off of HWY 19 or Arlington Road at 9:00am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, March 24, 2026:

Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to the Columbia Beach in French Creek.

Meet at the end of Admiral Tryon BLVD in the dirt parking area beside French Creek at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

March 12, 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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Brant (R. Hocken)

Tuesday March 10, 2026:  

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville. Weather was mixed, it started off sunny, changed to snow and rain, then to showers and ended with an overcast day. A few highlights from the walk were Trumper Swans flying over, a Cooper’s Hawk that was perched near the beach play area and a pair of Common Goldeneye just out front of the beach.

4 birders saw and heard the following 25 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Brant

American Wigeon

Mallard

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Horned Grebe

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Bald Eagle

Cooper’s Hawk

Short-billed Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Pacific Wren

American Robin

Spotted Towhee

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Ring-necked Duck (R. Hocken)

Sunday March 8, 2026:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny, and a cool 6C. A few highlights from the walk were seeing the Tree and Violet Green Swallows feeding over the marsh, a Virginia Rail was heard, and a pair of Killdeer were seen.  

19 birders saw and heard the following 36 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Ring-neck Duck

Bufflehead

Pied-billed Grebe

Hooded Merganser

Great Blue Heron

Killdeer

Virginia Rail

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Tree Swallow

Violet-Green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Cedar Waxwing

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

House Sparrow

At your backyard bird feeders watch for Varied Thrush and flocks of House Finch. Chickadees are not as frequent at the feeders as they have begun to nest so make sure your nest boxes are cleaned and ready. Bushtits have also been seen starting to build their nests. These are signs that spring is near along with the singing that is happening as sunrise by the robins, juncos, House Finch and Bewick’s Wren in my backyard.

Also watch for Turkey Vultures as they are starting their movement north.

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, March 15, 2026:

Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Maki Road Trail in south Nanaimo.

Meet directly at the parking lot, located at the end of Maki Road, at 9:00am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, March 17, 2026:

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

Meet at the trail head located 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

March 3, 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.
*********************************************************

Cedar Waxwing (S. Petersen)

Monday March 2, 2026:

A flock of Cedar Waxwings were seen feeding on the catkins in the Lost Lake Road area.

Brown Creeper (J. Morrison)

Sunday March 1, 2026:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny, 3C, with a very light breeze. A few highlights from the walk were Trumpeter Swans flying over, Black Oystercatcher and Harlequin Ducks hanging out on the rocks and Brown Creepers that were everywhere.

16 birders saw and heard the following 41 species:

Trumpeter Swan

Canada Goose

Harlequin Duck

Surf Scoter

Greater Scaup

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pacific Loon

Double-crested Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Black Turnstones

Dunlin

Short-billed Gull

Bonapartes Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Pine Siskin

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, March 8, 2026:

Sunday Bird Walk will be going to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo.

Meet directly at the parking lot on Jingle Pot Road, across from the baseball fields at 9:00am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, March 10, 2026:

Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville.

Meet at the beach entrance. main parking lot, just before the campground, at 9:00 am. Weather cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett