Tuesday Bird Walk CANCELED

The May 6, 2025, Tuesday Bird Walk to Lot 10 in Qualicum Beach is CANCELED. 

Good birding and let us know what you see this week, Colin.

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

April 29, 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.
*********************************************************

Bonaparte’s Gull (R. Hocken)

Tuesday April 29, 2025:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Englishman River Estuary on the Shelly Road side. Weather was cloudy, 11 C, cool wind on the estuary, and the tide was out. A few highlights from the walk were a Cooper’s Hawk that was in pursuit of a Eurasian Collared Dove, while being chased an Anna’s Hummingbird. Red Crossbills were seen and heard by the estuary viewing area and Bonaparte’s Gulls were seen out on the spit.

18 birders saw and heard the following 47 species:

Canada Goose

American Wigeon

Surf Scoter

Double-crested Cormorant

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser

Common Loon

California Quail

Great Blue Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Bald Eagle

Killdeer

Dunlin

Bonaparte’s Gull

Short-billed Gull

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

American Robin

European Starling

Orange-crowned Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Red Crossbill

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Wilson’s Warbler (J. Morrison)

Sunday April 27, 2025:

There Sunday Bird Walk went to Legacy Marsh in Lantzville. Weather was sunny, and 10C. A few highlights from the walk were a Hammond’s Flycatcher that was seen and we also heard a Western Flycatcher. A few birders saw and heard Hutton’s Vireo and a House Wren along the powerlines. We had a great View of a Wilson’s Warbler as well. 

18 birders saw and heard the following 49 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Red-tailed Hawk

Turkey Vulture

Rufous Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Norther Flicker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Western Flycatcher

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Cassin’s Vireo

Hutton’s Vireo

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Purple Martin

Common Raven

Steller’s Jay

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

House Wren

Pacific Wren

Marsh Wren

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Cedar Waxwing

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Red Crossbill

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

Birding Notes:

A couple of bird days to celebrate in the month of May.

May 4^th – Bird Day

It is a day to appreciate and enjoy what our feathered friends have to offer us.

The history of this day. It was started by Charles Almanzo Babcock, a Superintendent of Schools in Pennsylvania. The first Bird Day was established in 1894 and was also the first holiday in the United States dedicated to the celebration of birds. Bird Day was founded to advance bird conservation as a moral value and is observed annually on May 4^th.

May 10^th – World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day promotes the importance of a healthy coexistence between humans and birds by focusing on creating bird-friendly communities and cities. The campaign raises awareness about the challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and urban development, promoting conservation and the creation of bird-friendly environments within our made-made communities.

In 2006, the United Nations established World Migratory Bird Day to be held on the second weekend of May every year.

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, May 4, 2025.

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

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00 am or at the end of Maki Road, parking by Living Forest Campground (by Rona in south Nanaimo) at 9:15 am. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, May 6, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Brant Viewing Platform and Lot 10 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 Brant viewing stand on HWY 19A (between Beach Terrace and Crescent Road West) at 9:15 am and then at the end of Kinkade Road, Lot 10, at 9:45 am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

 The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

April 24, 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.
*********************************************************

Common Yellowthroat (J. Morrison)

Tuesday April 22, 2025:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to Springwood Park in Parksville. Weather was sunny and 8C. A few highlights from the walk were hearing and seeing the Common Yellowthroat and Black-throated Gray Warbler. Two Brown-headed Cowbirds were seen near the wetland area and a Barred Owl was heard at the end of the walk.

14 birders saw and heard the following 44 species:

Canada Goose

California Quail

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Glaucous-winged Gull

Barred Owl

Eurasian Collared Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Violet-green Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Bewick’s Wren

Pacific Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Osprey (R. Hocken)

Monday April 21, 2025:

An Osprey was seen at Long Lake in Nanaimo.

Sunday April 20, 2025:

There was no Sunday Bird Walk this week.

Birding Notes:

This is not the happiest article to read but it is just a reminder of what our feathered friends have to deal with.

With spring here many backyards are being worked on and cleaned up. This may include sprays or other chemicals to control bugs in the backyard. Unfortunately, there is a trickle-down effect where these products are used that can have an unfortunate effect on our birds. Each spring we hear of such problems as hummingbirds that have been found dead with no injuries and in the middle of the yard, or nestlings that were fed these bugs.

A reminder for anyone planning on trimming hedges or removing shrubs, please check them carefully for any nesting birds. Many bird species are now sitting on eggs. If you find an active bird nest stop activity and do not disturb the nest. Resume work after nesting is finished or wait till the end of summer or fall to do the work.

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, April 27, 2025.

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

Meet at The Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store at 9:00am or at the corner of Normarel Drive and Sywash Ridge Road at 9:10am. Normarel Drive is located near the top of Superior Road, Lantzville. Weather cooperating.

Tuesday Bird Walk, April 29, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Englishman River Estuary – Shelly 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 end of Shelly Road at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett

Sunday Bird Walk CANCELED

The Sunday Bird Walk for April 20th is CANCELED 

Happy Easter

The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store

Nanaimo Bird Report

April 17, 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.
*********************************************************

Orange-crowned Warbler (J. Morrison)

Wednesday April 16, 2025:

A large number of Greater White-fronted Geese were seen flying over Ladysmith in their V formation.

Tuesday April 15, 2025:

The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery. Weather was sunny with a few clouds, light breeze, 10C. A few highlights from the walk were seeing and hearing Orange-crowned Warblers, watching a Chestnut -backed Chickadee pair renovating a nest cavity and a Barred Owl flew across the driveway.

17 birders saw and heard the following 35 species:

Mallard

Common Merganser

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

Barred Owl

Anna’s Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Downy Woodpecker

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Violet-green Swallow

Tree Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Common Raven

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Pacific Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red Crossbill

House Finch

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

Wilson’s Snipe (R. Hocken)

Monday April 14, 2025:

Approximately six Black-bellied Plovers and a dozen Dunlin were seen at Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo.

Sunday April 13, 2025:

The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Weather was sunny with a few clouds, 8C. A few highlights from the walk were seeing a Wilson Snipe below the viewing area at the Buttertubs Drive entrance. A lone Cedar Waxwing was seen in the corner with the Hawthorne trees, and we saw a couple of Bushtit pairs busy building their nests, along with a Anna’s Hummingbird nest with two young almost ready to fly.

21 birders saw and heard the following 48 species:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

American Coot

Killdeer

Wilson’s Snipe

Virgina Rail

Eurasian Collared Dove

Rock Pigeon

Anna’s Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Tree Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chestnut -backed Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Bushtit

Bewick’s Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Brewer’s Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

House Sparrow

Birding Notes:

Back for the summer. Birds to watch for, returning to our backyards this spring are, American Goldfinch, time to get the fresh Nyjer seed out, White-crowned Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Bewick’s Wren, which will be competing for your nest boxes with the chickadees and nuthatch and possibly a House Wren.

Other species returning are the warbler family such as Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray, MacGillivray’s and Wilson’s. The flycatchers will be here shortly with the Western (formally Pacific-sloped), Willow, Hammond’s and Olive-sided Flycatchers. Look high above the swallows for swifts and on the water watch for Caspian Tern.

Have a great weekend.

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, April 20, 2025.

The Sunday Bird Walk CANCELED for the Easter weekend.

Tuesday Bird Walk, April 22, 2025.

The Tuesday Bird Walk will be going to Springwood Park 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 end of Despard Avenue and Chestnut Street at 9:10am. Weather Cooperating.

Good birding! Colin Bartlett