redpols and siskins at feeder

[Don Baxter]

This is the first time I have had redpols and pine siskins at the niger feeder outside my kitchen window.  I'm used to seeing these birds at my cottage, but not in my Toronto backyard.  Is it unusual to have these birds present within the city?

[BIGFRANK]

Hi Don,this fall there was a very poor seed and cone crop in nortern Ontario/the boreal forest. Because of this,there has been a very large movement south by many species not all that commonly seen in the city. Keep an eye for Common and Hoary Redpolls,Pine Siskin,Pine and Evening Grosbeak and Purple Finch among others. Watching the feeders this winter should be abit more interesting this winter.

[Dr. John]

A couple of years back, we had a pine siskin come to our feeder (we're in downtown Toronto). but we haven't seen any so far this year.

-John