Outdoor Ontario
Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: rcflier on March 31, 2013, 06:56:05 PM
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So, I put up 3 feeders in early January, all tube type and squirrel proof. One is a peanut feeder, the second is a standard seed feeder and the third is a niger seed feeder. Believe me, these squirrel proof jobs actually do deter the squirrels and the only presence we have is one or two, on the ground only, picking at "spilled" seeds.
We have been very pleased to have a great mix of Juncos and sparrows, and a few goldfinches and house finches, plus the odd cardinal. Of course we do also have mourning doves and once in awhile a couple of pigeons will drop by.
The sparrows like all three types of feeders, and of course they are always picking around on the ground. Both the seed feeder and the niger feeder seem to "spill" a certain amount of seeds to the ground.
Although many consider Grackles to be a nuisance they really are very colourful in the sunlight, we don't mind them. More than one on any feeder at a time will close the feeder, so they don't stick around too long.
Pigeons are also very colourful, and they stick only to the ground, and don't usually stay very long
The goldfinches in particular have been a lot of fun, and this morning we had 12 at one go, as well as a few sparrows and juncos mixed in at the same time!
It's really neat to see the goldfinches changing colour from winter olive green to bright yellow, literally day by day and right before our eyes.
Goldfinches - male and female
House finches - male and female
Dark-eyed Juncos
Sparrows ( house )
Cardinal - male and female
Mourning Doves
Pigeons
Starlings
Grackles
Still waiting for our first woodpeckers and Jays.
Considering hummer feeders next!
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This morning we had 3 pair ( 3 male and 3 female ) House finches, and 6 goldfinches all at the same time at our feeders.
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I find the jays like peanuts...
I'm with you on the grackles and pigeons...we don't get grackles here but I do enjoy them in large numbers....and pigeons are very attractive too...they don't come to our feeders though.
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Today's new arrivals are
A pair of (male and female) Red-winged Blackbirds
A pair of ( male and female) Brown-headed Cowbirds
The grackles are becoming a menace!
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Latest new visitor is a single White Throated Sparrow, he's been here for about a week now. The Song Sparrow continues to visit as well. A couple of the Goldfinches are now brilliant yellow.
Current list is
White Throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Cowbirds - male and female
Red-winged Blackbirds - male and female
Goldfinches - male and female
House finches - male and female - 3 pair
Dark-eyed Juncos
Sparrows ( house )
Cardinal - male and female
Mourning Doves
Pigeons
Starlings
Grackles
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I've had 3 white throat sparrows since last week, but no song sparrow. A couple red breasted nuthatch and chickadees have been constant all winter.
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In my reports I have neglected to include a couple of Chickadees as regular visitors.
New arrival today is a Chipping Sparrow. Bright rusty cap, black eye streak extending behind the eye, double wingbar, single coloured bill ( not bi-coloured as in tree sparrow ). Very tidy little sparrow.
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In my reports I have neglected to include a couple of Chickadees as regular visitors.
New arrival today is a Chipping Sparrow. Bright rusty cap, black eye streak extending behind the eye, double wingbar, single coloured bill ( not bi-coloured as in tree sparrow ). Very tidy little sparrow.
And very accommodating as well! In fact, my first chipping sparrow arrived last week and has taken over from the robins which have served as 'practice' birds for working on my hand holding technique with the SX50! I've even trained him to use the perches (broken tree branches) that I have set up in my back yard. :) All this while I wait (im)patiently for the arrival of my white throated and white crowned sparrows and hummingbirds, which usually occurs the first week of May.
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First white crowned sparrow showed up this morning, last week it was a chipping sparrow. First rose breasted grosbeak showed up this morning also, actually 2 males, gorgeous looking birds.
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Fine business on the White crowned sparrow and the Grosbeaks. Nothing new here to report.
Where in Mississauga are you?
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off Osprey Blvd south of Trelawny Circle
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off Osprey Blvd south of Trelawny Circle
Wow, you live very close to me! :D I wonder if we have ever met and talked? 8)
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we get an entertaining mix.
first, i used to hate the house sparrows. but their sloppiness resulted in a white-throated sparrow, mourning doves, juncos and cardinals visiting my yard.
we mainly get house finches. not a bad thing to have hanging around your backyard.
cardinals are coming more frequently.
had a blue jay last week.
we get both types of nuthatches, but them seem to be really picky about what's in the feeder.
i had a goldfinch for a week, but haven't seen it lately.
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Latest new visitor is a White Crowned Sparrow. I had to do a double take and even take a few snaps as he dropped in with a White Throated Sparrow.
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We have had baby House Finches for a couple of weeks now.
Today we saw Mr. and Mrs Cardinal in the backyard feeding Baby Cardinal, I think it's a girl. Pics coming soon.
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We have had baby House Finches for a couple of weeks now.
Today we saw Mr. and Mrs Cardinal in the backyard feeding Baby Cardinal, I think it's a girl. Pics coming soon.
Don't both sexes look like females for several months? We also have a young cardinal accompanying ma and pa to the feeder; a nice change from the cowbirds they raised during each of the past two years!
Chickadees and nuthatches have been very scarce this year - I have no idea why. I thought chickadees were a nuisance because they got in the way when I was trying to photograph other birds and they 'rock' the hummingbird feeder but they are certainly more welcome than the house sparrows that hog the regular feeder!
and finally, yesterday I had a family of raccoons pay a brief visit to my backyard; both parents and at least six(!) cubs (or kits?). That's the first time I've ever seen more than three young at once!
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We have had visits from 2 different Downys over the last couple of weeks. They are both males with the red cap, but different amounts of red on each one. One stayed for an amazing 45 minutes between 2 of our niger feeders a few evenings ago. We were totally shocked with this prolonged visit. Recently they have discovered our peanut feeder.
The hummers appear to be female ruby throated hummers, as they have no ruby throat, but simply white from the neck down over their breast. They certainly don't stay long, but have enjoyed some of our Beard's Tongue flowers and the single feeder we have hanging near them. Tonights' visit prompted this report!
happy backyard birding, bob
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spotted a hummingbird sitting on our feeder, in the sun, enjoying life. thought my hummer left already. nice sight to see, although i know it won't last long.
just a reminder to all hummingbird feeder people to keep their feeders full for the next month to feed migrants.
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6pm - just had a visit from hummer, she is still around.
Mr. Downy is now a regular, making several visits each day to the niger and peanut feeders.
bob
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I still have at least two young (juveniles?) hummers around and if I'm lucky they both show up at the same time and put on an airshow! They are more skittish than my earlier birds but I'm still getting some ok shots with my SX50 (probably at or beyond 1000mm). Enjoy them while you can; my final backyard sighting last year was on Sept 6.
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I just hate these life changing decisions! :) Since I only have one feeder pole (a single shepherds hook) I just figured my hummingbirds would be gone by now and I could change to the regular feeder. Well guess what - the cardinals and some of the other birds have returned but I STILL have at least one hummer making regular visits and since the nectar is about to run out, if he (she?) shows up tomorrow morning I guess I'll refill for one last time. Yes, I know we are supposed to maintain our feeders for any migrants that might happen by but I've never seen any hummers after my regulars departed.
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Will wonders never cease?? She showed up early this morning and as I write this (it's 7:43pm!) she's having what I guess must be her last feed of the day! Guess I will be refilling the feeder! Will Friday the thirteenth be her last day here? :)