Backyard birding - fox sparrow, white throated, juncos...

[Dr. John]

As the fall progresses, we are welcoming the return of various migrants and winter residents. Recent visitors have included a fox sparrow, dark eyed juncos, white throated sparrows, white crowned sparrows, blue jays, cardinals, redwing blackbirds, common grackles, mourning doves, and ruby crowned kinglets. Not too bad for a downtown Toronto backyard.

-John

[Lloyd]

Not too shabby at all, John. I'm thinking about putting up my suet log as been so cold lately. Any advice on keeping the squirrels away? I'm overrun with them here and I'd be glad to send a few down your way.

[Dr. John]

We have a bird feeder that is on top of a pole. The feeder includes suet baskets. To prevent squirrels from climbing the pole, we have a metal baffle that is essentially a big wide barricade to climbing further.  You can buy this whole set-up at various birdwatching/birdfeeding stores. We have positioned our feeder such that the squirrels can't jump to it from adjacent structures. It's worked well for the past year.

Of course the birds spill tons onto the ground, which the squirrels, pigeons, house sparrows, and starlings love.

-John

[Dr. John]

A hairy woodpecker and some goldfinches joined the usual crowds in the backyard today. We're still waiting for the nuthatches and chickadees to start coming.

-John