The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

 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