Outdoor Ontario
Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Rob'in'To on January 30, 2011, 07:55:34 PM
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We have had a very busy backyard this weekend. 13 species recorded and 93 birds counted amongst the species. Not bad really even with a Coopers present at one point.
How are others doing with their feeder activity?
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The usual avian suspects minus a few this year....I generally get: juncos, chickadees, blue jays, cardinals, red and white breasted nuthatch, hairy and downy woodpeckers and an American tree sparrow...this year no tree sparrow or white breasted nuthatch and fewer juncos but we've had a few visits from goldfinches and mourning doves...this weekend just jays, chickadees, cardinals, juncos and a hairy....and that's without a cooper or shinny about.
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My surprise this year is how little Sparrow activity I am getting. Previous years with the PFW, some days had over 20 House Sparrows. I haven't seen more than probably 5 or 6 at any given time.
A lot more Hawk action this season than ever before. And the same with Chickadees too. Three years ago we barely saw one. Then a pair nested two years ago and now there's 6 buzzing around.
The Finch activity is insane but I am not complaining. I wonder if this will continue through the warmer months? I get Finches all year round but having up to 30 Gold at once might be spectacular when they change their colors.
No WBNHs this year has been a disappointment.
But having little Pigeon activity is okay lately since they are all getting picked off by the Hawks.
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Fairly small numbers, goldfinches, house finches, house sparrows, juncos, chickadees, cardinals, white-breasted nuthatch is about it.
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PFW ? WBNH ?
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PFW ? WBNH ?
PFW = project feederwatch presumably
WBNH = white-breasted nuthatch
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Stand
I
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In our backyard we have been very lucky, with a few American tree sparrows, white crowned sparrows, and one White throated sparrow lagging behind. Common we have house sparrows, dark eyes juncos, house finches, red and white breasted nuthatches, both downy and hairy WP, and one red bellied WP. Cardinal's blue jays, and mourning doves. We have had a regular Coopers hawk visit frequently. Two mornings ago when it was still dark we had a rabbit picked off in our backyard... I am curious to know what had taken it at that hour!
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Our backyard is quite busy too .. as long as I keep the feeders filled. How do you "count" them? How do we know it's not the same bird?
We've had: many House sparrows, Chickadees, Carolina Wren, dark eyes juncos, AMG Finches, red and white breasted nuthatches, both downy and hairy WP, mourning doves , two pair male and female cardinals and many Robins. No Blue Jays lately and one Sharp-shinned last week. I think that's 13 species .. which is awesome. I put out a new sunflower seed feeder which the birds found quickly enough , but so did the squirrels. :D
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I count them at different times in my two days of the week that I do the Project Feeder Watch. I only use whatever is the highest count I see at once, and not add up any separate counts. This ensures not counting the same bird twice. And with some birds, I make notes on the sex as well since they are easy to identify... like the Cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers, House Finches.
I have 4 nyjer feeders up now which probably explains my 30 or so Gold Finches. The tough part is when some Siskins squeeze in there with their backs turned to me, they look like the goldies.
I have to be quick in counting since nobody stays still for very long.
And thanks to everyone sharing their sightings in their own yards.
Oh, we've also noticed a 'Possum some nights under the feeders. It was even out there one morning around 7:30am, which is kinda late I'd think for a creature of the night.
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We are lucky to have a regular flock of 20-30 Red Polls with about as many Pine Siskens and Gold Finches. I need to use my binos to get their numbers and would be much easier if they didn't fly up as I get halfway through counting them. My other regulars this winter are about 6 American Tree Sparrows, 2 pairs of Cardinals (we've only ever had one pair consistently) Junkos, chickadees, House Finches Mourning Doves, 5 Blue Jays daily again a first for staying the winter (but that's probably cause they know I throw them a handful of peanuts when they yell at me), one male Red Bellied Woodpecker, 2 pairs Downies, Hairy, Red and White Breasted Nuthatch, a Piliated who comes to nearby trees but never to the feeders, and of course two regular visitors a Sharp shinned and Coopers looking for dinner. All in all a very good winter for us and with this approaching storm the feeders seemed to be particularly busy today and I expect will be busy tomorrow
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Oh and two rabbits, guess they'll be into my carrots again this summer
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When we were "night Owls", pardon the expression, we'd shine a flash-light into the garden some nights, and occasionally see 6 glowing eyes at us, and 8 another time (4 pairs). Skunks or Raccoons I recon as we don't see Rabbits around here.
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bet you won't see any eyes peering back on this really cold morning !
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The only birds I have now are House Sparrows and Finches, Mourning Doves, one female Downy, and the occasional Brown headed Cowbirds. I've had no Robins but I did see a Hermit Thrush while I was out walking about a week ago.
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When we were "night Owls", pardon the expression, we'd shine a flash-light into the garden some nights, and occasionally see 6 glowing eyes at us, and 8 another time (4 pairs). Skunks or Raccoons I recon as we don't see Rabbits around here.
Do you ever see Opossum? :)
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Well I loaded up the feeders before the "snowstorm" hit...we did get a fair bit of snow up here but it was hardly the storm of the year even...anyway, there was a bit of activity at the feeders....jays and chickadees mainly but a pair of cardinals, a red breasted nuthatch and a goldfinch made brief appearances...certainly not the numbers of a regular day...
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I don't know if you guys saw the backyard pics I posted yesterday, the day after the *ahem* storm... snowmageddon they called it. :lol: A couple Hawks made an appearance through the day. One definite Sharp-shin. Pretty sure the other is a Coopers. Even with them around, still a lot of other activity.
Today it was pretty quiet. I step out to fill the nyjer feeders and notice crimson drops in the snow and it trails from the back of the house down the yard to under the apple trees where a big pile of bloody snow be with lots of feathers (pretty sure it's Pigeon... large dark gray/white feathers). Now I am used to finding these feather and blood piles in the winter but this one with such a lengthy trail is something else. I don't have a walkway in the backyard but shovel out my own path to get to the back where most of the feeders are. The blood trail follows the path. I see 6 to 10 drops in a spot and then nothing for 1/3 of the way, then another bunch of drops, then nothing, then a bit more, and so on until I get to the pile which is a good 100 ft of distance. I am wondering if the two Red-tails came in and shared a Pigeon again? Last time, the one would tear off a piece and fly up in a tree to eat it, return to get more and fly up again.
After I came back inside, minutes later looking out, and I see a Coopers Hawk (pretty sure, bigger than the Sharp-shin yesterday afternoon) in the apple trees. I opened the door to throw a peanut to a Squirrel and the Hawk flies off. Within minutes a pair of Mourning Doves show up, Cardinal pair, Chickadees, Juncos, Gold Finches and Pine Siskins too. Funny how they know when the coast is clear.
I have seen Opossum on occasion. A few times this winter. One was out there at 7:30am about 4 Saturdays ago. I thought that was pretty late for a 'Possum.
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Over 40 Robins passed through and over this morning. It was quite a sight in the morning sun on their orange bellies.
A rather bold Sharp-shin showed up today which I am sure is the one I have seen numerous times this winter. I was stunned because it was sitting in some cedar type trees a few yards away. I didn't see it until it flew out of the trees and straight at and over me! It glided over my head, mere feet above, and then landed in my apple trees. He kept his back to me, as he normally does, but would look down on me every little bit as he also kept watch in the trees surrounding us.
And a female Hairy Woodpecker showed up yesterday. A sign of Spring coming. My Hairy Woodpeckers disappear by November and return late winter. One would think they'd be around more in the winter since I have lots of suet out? Oh well, welcome back Hairy!
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So, as I had hoped, it has come true... some Common Redpolls have been spending the last 4 days (that I know of) in the backyard, feasting on nyjer with the rather large Goldfinch flock, and a few Pine Siskins are still here as well.
The last time Redpolls were present was 2 or 3 winters ago, when I last had Siskins.
Funny the Siskins are here almost all winter and the Redpolls show up in late February for a short spell.
One Redpoll is shown here, and there is one Siskin on the other feeder.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/_MG_1745-1.jpg)
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Doing the PFW for a moment and there are at least 6 Common Redpolls in a mix of nearly 40 Gold Finches and a few Pine Siskins. What a treat!
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I hope they stick around for another week or two! Five in this shot and another was on a nyjer sock closer to the house.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/_MG_2061-1.jpg)
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I had one lone redpoll in my yard over the last few days. That's #90 on the yard list!
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90? As in the 90th species to visit your backyard? Wow!
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Just wanted to share my Redpoll collection with you. They first arrived in December and over the past 3 weeks the flock has been steadily increasing. I feed at three locations around our house so the picture represents about 1/3 of the number of red polls. Needless to say since the redpolls have increased the Goldfinches have decreased and even Pine Siskens are no longer very numerous. My conservative estimate on numbers is 150+, quite possibly over 200. (sorry for hogging them). We have many mature birch trees on our property so I think this draws them in to begin with
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk307/scoliboymom/IMG_5229.jpg)
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All I can say is... WOW :shock:
There are about 120 in that picture, so if thats only about a third there are far more than 200 total!
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WOW from me too. Lucky you ... we have to go "searching" for them. Great shot.
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Wow! You are hogging them! Joking. Enjoy them while they are here. The seed store sure must love you, eh?
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Just got out of bed, kettle is boiling, grab the binoculars and look out back for PFW... 12 Redpolls this morning on those tube feeders. I will assume all Commons, and not going to go out in that downpour right now to search for a Hoary (I wouldn't know what to look for anyways). :?
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The morning after the *storm* of rain and snow... at least 16 Redpolls in the backyard!
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At least 15 Redpolls this afternoon in the rain/snow mix. It's cool to watch them as they come in from the cedars all together, flying in unison. Their chatter is becoming very familiar to me now as I am enjoying my third week with them.
I am still waiting for a RWBB or Grackle to make an appearance.
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Heard a Grackle in the neighbour's cedar but he hasn't come out yet. Not a Redpoll in sight. Did they all fly off just like that?
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It's been pretty quiet at our feeders this weekend. We did have 3 Redpolls today but I'm afraid this might be the last few of the year.
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Well it has been a good winter and spring so far , this little 5x3 window has seen plenty so far.
This collection is gathered from my feeders, trees, pond, open field, wetlands and sky.
Feeder works - Common Redpolls,-Pine Siskens,-Juncos,-Morning doves,- House sparrow,-House finch,- Starlings (one with amazing white dots),- M/F Hairy woodpeckers (too many pairs to count),- M/f Downys,- M/F white breasted nut hatchs, - m/f red breasted nuthatches,- Chicadees,- m/f red bellied woodpecker,- RW blackbirds,-grackles,- AM gold finchs,- (possible purple finch),- AM tree sparrow,- m/f cardinals,-blue jays,-
The open field has produced,- Crows,-Ravens,- GBH,-Sea gulls (no idea what type) and finally this winter,Snow Buntings,-TVs ,- rock pigeons.-Wild Turkeys.. White tailed deer and coyotes.
The pond has produced ,- GBH ,-Canada geese and Mallards
The wetlands,- Ceader waxwings.
The lawn and backyards trees have,- Pileated wood pecker m/f,-Robins,-Sharpshinned/Cooper hawk,-Red tail hawk,-Brown creeper.
Under the feeder i have had Squirrels, Red squirrels,chipmunks,virginia opossum,cottontails and raccoons,oh and one tailess skunk and 2 field rats.
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WOW! :shock:
Where do you live?
Rob and I do pretty good for the suburbs of Toronto.
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a week later and I am seeing two redpolls at our feeders today. Think they missed the bus!!
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WOW! :shock:
Where do you live?
Rob and I do pretty good for the suburbs of Toronto.
4th line in Milton about 10 mins north of town.
I have a soy field to my left and a wetland to the right, a small stream in the backyard and trout ponds behind that.
The best veiwing was the 3 wood ducks looking for a nesting spot in the backyard last spring.
I must admit i am spoiled out here.
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Yesterday and today, I've had 50 to 100 redpolls (no hoary's :cry: ) and about 6 or 7 goldfinches. I'm probably going thru about 1lb of niger a day.
The redpolls have been around for about a month, but in much smaller numbers.
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The snow today forced some new springs birds to be added to the list.
1 female RWBB LOL poor thing was being hassled by atleast a dozen lads.
Song Sparrows.
Swarm of Brownheaded cowbirds m/f
Sheeesh the gang in awful grumpy, lots of scrapping and bullying going on.
EEEPs one less Junco in the world, Cooper/Sharpy.
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I haven't gotten any notifications of new postings on here lately but cool sightings others are reporting in their own yards!
The Redpolls left about a week and a half ago. There's been a real quiet spell for birds lately. Or perhaps, they've been in small spurts as I look over my PFW reports. Anyways, much quieter than what I've been used to.
Today we are a few days into Spring, got a nice snowfall happening and 4 Red-wings finally make an appearance along with a Grackle; and the usual suspects including Cardinal pair, flock of Goldfinches, 4 House Finches, pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches, a Downy.
The strangest to me though is 2 Crows are down under the feeders snagging whole peanuts. They come and go, eating them in the trees. A first for me! I see Crows in the area but not in the yard grabbing peanuts.
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Lucky you to be getting crows. They never stop to fed at our feeder and i've often wondered why although I know they are nesteing in the area. Wer did get back a few redpolls today 11 to be exact, not sure where they.ve been hanging out. Feeders are extremely busy today unlike the past few days. Even had Starlingsfeed but RWBB came and sat in the Forsythia but didn't feed
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And as this snow comes down, a Hawk made an appearance. I seldom see them any other time than when there is snow on the ground. The Chickadees let off the warning and I didn't see him. I knew he was somewhere but I was hiding by the shed hoping to get some RWBBs or Grackles in the snow photographed. Nothing after 15 mins and as I walked back to the house, out came the Hawk after a Mourning Dove. I am certain it was a Sharp-shin as he wasn't much bigger than the Dove. He didn't get it but was on top of it in the air at one moment. A minute later a whack of RWBBs, Starlings and Grackles flew out of the tall cedars next door. The Hawk must've went in after one of them. While I don't want to see any killing going on, this is far more exciting to me than television.
About 8 Juncos are bouncing about pecking at the seed I tossed down, getting it before it disappears in the snow.
Cool about your Redpolls showing up.
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The past week has been rather low...
4 Grackles
4 Red-winged Blackbirds
2 Blue Jays
2 Cardinals
6 Chickadees
6 Goldfinches
4 House Finches
1 Downy
6 Juncos
4 Mourning Doves
8 House Sparrows
lots of Starlings
and a Sharp-shin who has been going after the Starlings... get 'em!
But, I swear I just heard a White-crowned Sparrow this morning. The past couple Springs I have had a few stop in the yard for a couple weeks during migration. The calls of those that visit me, stick with me... but I won't say for sure until I get a visual.
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I`m lucky enough to live in a neighbourhood with quite a bit of green space and an abundance of birds, so we usually have a lot of activity in our yard.
In the past week we`ve had
Cardinals
Juncos
Chickadees
Goldfinches
House Finches
a female Purple Finch
a Pine Siskin
Red-wing Blackbirds
a Brewer`s Blackbird
a female Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-breasted Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatches
Robins
Mourning Doves
Golden-crowned Kinglets
Ruby-crowned Kinglets
an Eastern Phoebe
a Brown Creeper
an Eastern Towhee
a Hermit Thrush
American Tree Sparrows
3 Song Sparrows
House Sparrows
2 White-throated Sparrows
a Chipping Sparrow
Downy Woodpeckers
a Hairy Woodpecker
a Cooper`s Hawk
and a Sharp-shinned Hawk
The coolest visitor we`ve had so far this year though was a red morph Eastern Screech Owl back in February (so tiny!)
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The cold windy weather has brought lots of stuff to the feeders today and yesterday. So far at least:
2 mourning dove
1 male downy woodpecker
4 chickadees (probably more, but they keep coming and going)
2 white-breasted nuthatch (male and female)
2 chipping sparrow (early this morning)
1 fox sparrow (yesterday)
8 juncos (again, probably more)
2 cardinals (a pair)
2 house finch
5 goldfinch (probably more)
3 house sparrows
1 chipmunk
1 red squirrel
at least 2 grey and 4 black squirrels, including one black with very obvious nipples, must be a nest around!
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Great sightings! I still don't get notifications for this post... must be something with my settings.
Not a lot new over here other than a pair of Cowbirds. And a pair of House Sparrows are nesting in one of the bird houses.
I think this shot is pretty funny, like one proud poppa out on his porch of his new home.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/house1.jpg)
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lol all he needs is a cigar eh? Nice shot
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LOL! :lol:
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On April 17, there was a lone Hermit Thrush and a female Golden-crowned Kinglet in our yard. On April 18, there were three Purple Finches (1 female, 2 males). One of the males was stunning! Even with no sunshine, the feathers on his head glowed raspberry red. I also have seven juncos still hanging around.
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Well it has been a good winter and spring so far , this little 5x3 window has seen plenty so far.
This collection is gathered from my feeders, trees, pond, open field, wetlands and sky.
Feeder works - Common Redpolls,-Pine Siskens,-Juncos,-Morning doves,- House sparrow,-House finch,- Starlings (one with amazing white dots),- M/F Hairy woodpeckers (too many pairs to count),- M/f Downys,- M/F white breasted nut hatchs, - m/f red breasted nuthatches,- Chicadees,- m/f red bellied woodpecker,- RW blackbirds,-grackles,- AM gold finchs,- (possible purple finch),- AM tree sparrow,- m/f cardinals,-blue jays,-
The open field has produced,- Crows,-Ravens,- GBH,-Sea gulls (no idea what type) and finally this winter,Snow Buntings,-TVs ,- rock pigeons.-Wild Turkeys.. White tailed deer and coyotes.
The pond has produced ,- GBH ,-Canada geese and Mallards
The wetlands,- Ceader waxwings.
The lawn and backyards trees have,- Pileated wood pecker m/f,-Robins,-Sharpshinned/Cooper hawk,-Red tail hawk,-Brown creeper.
Under the feeder i have had Squirrels, Red squirrels,chipmunks,virginia opossum,cottontails and raccoons,oh and one tailess skunk and 2 field rats.
It's time to update the property list. I can now add for the year 2011, Northern Harrier , Kestrel , Broadwinged hawk, Purple Finch, Eastern Meadowlark,
Savannah , Field, White Throated, Chipping, Song Sparrows
Redwing Blackbird ,Brownheaded cowbirds ,Killdeer, House Wren,RC Kinglet ,Kingfisher,Eastern Phoebe,Tree & Barn Swallows,Northern Flicker ,Eastern Bluebird,Pine +Yellow rumped and Black & White Warbler , Red Breasted Grosbeak, Brown Thrasher.
It's Monday and i have more to add once again. I must have been a good boy this winter, i'm being blessed with more lifetime firsts. Add Nashville and Black-throated green warbler to the first list along with Rusty Blackbird.
A Osprey tried to get some fish from the pond today and my first male Baltimore Oriole hit the feeder.Eastern Kingbird , 3 Catbirds working things out is the wetlands scrub and 1 male Bobolink at the edge of the field. The female RB Grosbeak dropped in for a snack .I still have some malingering Juncos and just now i had a Pine Sisken at the nyjer feeder. M/F Wood Ducks just landed in the pond.
My first summer hummers have arrived and now have multiple pairs of
Orioles and RB Grosbeaks. A pair of Indigo buntings joined the masses at the feeder today and 3 Pine Siskens (it's mid May, are they not supposed to be gone by now?).
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Trying to read your big awesome post through my little mobile. As I said... AWESOME!
I was logging in here to brag about my one male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. A thrill for me because he's the first one ever in the yard (that I have seen).
Hooray for all of us with returning migrants either passing through or staying!