Outdoor Ontario
Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Shortsighted on January 17, 2024, 05:44:20 PM
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Just yesterday I was commenting on not having seen an American Tree sparrow in the backyard for a few years now and therefore ... what gives? They used to be common and their visits reliable. I started noticing a dearth of these little birds after about 2015. I might still find one in a park or a designated hot spot, but never many of them at once. Even eBird only occasionally mentions Tree sparrows, where perhaps one might be reported by someone at a location but never in numbers.
This morning at about 9 o'clock I spotted a single ATS in the backyard. It didn't go anywhere near the feeder for a good 90 minutes and then visited only once, apparently finding the competition with chickadees, juncos, a Downy and a WBNH just too much to endure. The neighbours cat may have played a role in there as well. Anyway, the day after my complaint I saw my FOY Tree sparrow. I wonder if it will be back tomorrow? A few days ago a flock of goldfinch dropped by and utilized the feeder for about 5 minutes and then the whole flock disappeared. What? My grub is not good enough for you?
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I hope you see more. I'm following various birding pages on Facebook but only seeing occasional photos/sightings of Tree Sparrows at parks.
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Yep, Three days a go there were two Am Tree Sparrows on the side fence eyeing up the feeder. Then down under the feeder. One returned today along the back fence. Unlike last year I have not seen them at the feeder.
Been pretty quiet around here lately, the odd Robin, Junco's sporadically, mostly Chickadee's and Cardinal's. Things went silent about a week and a half ago when a Coopers did a few blasts by the feeder. Oh, and yeah there are a few Jays around visiting the neighbours peanut feeder..
Napper:) Milton, Ont
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I had 2 ATS the other day at my feeders and then they left. Also had a White Throated Sparrow show up a couple of days ago, but just for one day so far. Robin on the Hawthorne last week, but feeders have been busy. Throw stuff on the ground for the ground feeders, but that all gets taken care of when the Wild Turkeys show up. My husband feeds them, the Turkeys. Also doing battle with a squirrel on the suet!!!!
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I try not to throw any feed on the ground because it attracts squirrels, mice and rats. The niger feeder easily spills and that fallout is generally taken care of by the juncos. Although juncos prefer to feed from the ground they have also learned to use both the niger feeder and the black-oiled sunflower seed/crushed peanut feeder.
The neighbours cat likes to hide within the protection of the dense juniper so that it can pounce on juncos. I'm all in support of the cat keeping away the rodents, but not to also harass the birds in the arrangement. The FOY ATS hasn't come back again and therefore I fear there will be very little if any tree sparrow activity again this year. No repeat visit of the Red-bellied woodpecker either. I do get a White-breasted nuthatch from time to time.
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when the Wild Turkeys show up. My husband feeds them,
What does your husband feed them?
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a Coopers did a few blasts by the feeder.
Napper:) Milton, Ont
Years ago had a feeder in the backyard. Everything was great until a Cooper's hawk discovered it. I was not enjoying seeing various birds being picked off so removed the feeder, washed it out and put in a box in the garage. Never did set it up again and it went out with a garage sale. Meanwhile had seen a hawk kill and eat a squirrel right in front of me when out birding at a park. This both fascinated and grossed me out! :o
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He feeds them chicken scratch grain. Tried different stuff, think even someone suggested barley, but he found the scratch grain the best.
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He feeds them chicken scratch grain.
. It makes me feel good when people are kind to animals and feed birds
:D
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ATS in same tree at 8 a.m. but not there a few minutes later. Did not come to feeder. Just chickadees, juncos, DWP, HWP and WBNH. The juncos are definitely spending more time above the ground, often waiting their turn on the feeder. How civilized. Took some shots of the junco in different light, most of it dismal, much like my disposition.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-bKQWP9h/0/9fac9397/L/Junco%20on%20branch%2C3%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-bKQWP9h/A)
What passes for a sunny break
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-CJhVnfN/0/7b34381b/L/Junco%20on%20branch%2C4%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-CJhVnfN/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-TspG3q6/0/9c9642b5/L/Junco%20on%20branch%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-TspG3q6/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-gPCdznF/0/3fb6fa8b/L/Nuthatch%20on%20feeder%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-gPCdznF/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-26nMxBk/0/4554e516/L/Downy%20on%20feeder%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-26nMxBk/A)
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most of it dismal, much like my disposition.
;D . Nice visitors but they are looking really irked!
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-bKQWP9h/0/9fac9397/L/Junco%20on%20branch%2C3%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-bKQWP9h/A)
What passes for a sunny break
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-CJhVnfN/0/7b34381b/L/Junco%20on%20branch%2C4%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-CJhVnfN/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-TspG3q6/0/9c9642b5/L/Junco%20on%20branch%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-TspG3q6/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-gPCdznF/0/3fb6fa8b/L/Nuthatch%20on%20feeder%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-gPCdznF/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-26nMxBk/0/4554e516/L/Downy%20on%20feeder%2Ccrop-L.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontarioorg/i-26nMxBk/A)
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A lurking cat has been known to ruffle feathers and demeanour.
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A lurking cat has been known to ruffle feathers and demeanour.
I really wish that people would keep their cats indoors. It's dangerous for cats outdoors and even worse for birds with a cat around! :'( My neighbour has an outdoor cat which enjoys bringing "gifts" (mice) to people he likes.