Well, I've had my el cheapo Cdn Tire gazebo feeder just over a year and considering the abuse it endures from several local squirrels and even the occasional raccoon, it's holding up amazingly well! I was hoping to get some more interesting winter traffic but, except for a couple of visits from a coopers hawk it was a very quiet winter. Anyway, things are picking up with downy woodpeckers and goldfinches returning, in addition to the regulars (cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches and house sparrows).
About a week ago a couple of white throated sparrows started hanging around (cute - look like house sparrows with a head transplant!) and it's really interesting to watch their behavior in relation to the other birds; they never land on the feeder but they hang around in the shrubbery near the fence and every time another bird goes on the feeder they come bouncing out to feed on the seeds dropped by the other diner!
Still haven't seen any bluejays or waxwings. I'll check out German Mills and report back; there's a few rose breasted grosbeaks that show up every spring along with lots of blue jays and orioles. Still haven't decided about a visit to Pelee but since my son is interested we may just go for the day, since we can watch the weather and make a last minute decision.
