slow winter so far

[RKD]

Is it just my feeders or is it a slow winter. Last year seemed to have so many unusual visiters. Haven't seen redpolls, pine siskens, purple finches, crossbills, or anything else unusual.
How have others feeders been? Any unusual visitors?

[Leslie Kinrys]

It's not your feeders. It was predicted this winter that we wouldn't see any wandering winter finches. I've just had the regulars: Cardinals, Goldfinches, Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Juncos and Chickadees. Although a small flock of Robins flew over our house yesterday (Bathurst/Sheppard area).

[Leslie Kinrys]

It's not your feeders. It was predicted this winter that we wouldn't see any wandering winter finches. I've just had the regulars: Cardinals, Goldfinches, Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Juncos and Chickadees. Although a small flock of Robins flew over our house yesterday (Bathurst/Sheppard area).

[Napper]

Hey !

Things be really slow here! I can hear nuthatches across the street.. They must have better seed!! Doesn't help with a Coopers about.

I discussed this issue with a friend at work and his feeders are extremely busy. So busy in fact he has to replenish his feeders(5 of them) once a day!
 
He is on Centerville Creek rd. South of Hwy 9...  

Another Friend in Stroud claims to have 8 Cardinals visiting his feeders..

Napper

 

[Bluffs Birder]

Hi RKD,

Here's the 2009/2010 Winter Finch Forecast.  It's an excellent report that's written by Ron Pittaway and it explains in detail why we aren't seeing the finches this year.

 http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/winterfinches.php

Walter

[RKD]

Thanks for responding everyone. I enjoyed reading Ron Pittaway's report. On that note I did notice in the fall that the spruce trees that the Crossbills were attracted to last winter had not a one pinecone on.  Will have to tune in next year for the winter report. Maybe if we are lucky we will see an Evening Grosbeak this winter.

[Halton Hills]

.

My feeders have been pretty steady.

In addition to the usual suspects......lots of Juncos.....along with the odd Pine Sisken.....but no Redpolls.

Seems to be the year of the American Tree Sparrow for me.

.

[Moira]

Our feeder in Oshawa is pretty slow.  We have a pair of Cardinals, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Chickadees.  I found a recipe for some feed (using suet, raisins, nuts, peant butter, etc.), so have bought those ingredients and will make up soon and see if we get some woodpeckers or who know what.

[Bluffs Birder]

My suet feeder (cage type) has a 'fruit' cake in it and I'm getting a Red-breasted Nuthatch visiting it 2-3 times a day and a Downy Woodpecker every other day.  I tried a 'peanut butter' cake before the fruit cake and it only lasted about 3 days, the squirrels loved it!!!  They don't seem to like the fruit, which is fine with me.

 

Walter

[robgilroy]

Saw lots of house finches in the Lambton Woods on Sunday (someone has strung up a few feeders), but none at my feeder. Didn't see the pileated woodpecker that has been reported there, but did see may hairys and downys. Also, was returning to  the parking lot when the resident male kestrel swooped down and grabbed a mouse right in front of us, and then shredded it on a nearby branch.

[jjmb]

I was wondering, too, if it was just my feeders. I'm not even getting my usual crowd of house sparrows as frequently as usual. I have a regular downy woodpecker, an occasional white breasted nuthatch, and a few cardinals. Otherwise, the feeders are lonely for hours on end.

I'm in the Bluffs. Usually pretty decent for winter birds.