Feeders in Trinity Bellwoods Park

[Andreas Jonsson]

On the weekend I placed some bird feeders is Trinity Bellwoods Park, and the birds have already found them. In this thread I'll post some updates from these feeders.

Edit: As of October 31 the feeding station includes a sunflower seed feeder, a thistle seed sack, a suet cage and a metal cylinder with peanuts.

Please feel welcome to come by and have a look if you are in the area, and contribute to the feeding station if you like, but keep it neat and tidy please. The feeders are located on the west side of the dog bowl in the north end of the park, just east of the John Gibson House. Look for the feeders near a group of conifer trees.

There are a ton of squirrels in the park, but I have received some good advice here on the forum, and so far my feeders have not had any squirrel visits as far as I can tell. I've hung the feeders as far as possible from trunks and branches using fishing lines (which I am assuming the squirrels don't like to climb).

Yesterday there were mainly Chickadees at the feeders. Today, I found a quadruple of sparrows underneath one feeder, including a House, Song, White-throated and Fox Sparrow. Fox and Song sparrow are new for the park.

Full list observed at around noon:

3   Black-capped Chickadee   
2   Hermit Thrush   
10   American Robin   
1   Fox Sparrow   
1   Song Sparrow   
1   White-throated Sparrow   
5   Dark-eyed Junco   
1   House Sparrow

[Andreas Jonsson]

Two new visitors to the feeders today, two Downy Woodpeckers. Otherwise pretty much the same birds as yesterday, except I couldn't find the Fox sparrow.

3   Black-capped Chickadee   
2   Hermit Thrush   
5   American Robin   
1   Song Sparrow   
3   White-crowned Sparrow   
7   Dark-eyed Junco

[Andreas Jonsson]

Today, increasing numbers of White-throated Sparrow, and a large flock of Juncos.

3   Black-capped Chickadee   
2   Hermit Thrush   
5   American Robin   
7   White-throated Sparrow   
46   Dark-eyed Junco   
2   House Sparrow

[Andreas Jonsson]

This is so exiting I had to go another time this afternoon. Found the Fox sparrow again, a Downy Woodpecker, and a Purple Finch (yet another species for my park list). Can't wait to see what's there tomorrow.

1   Downy Woodpecker   
1   Fox Sparrow   
1   Purple Finch

[Leslie Kinrys]

Hi Andreas,

Nice meeting you at the TOC meeting. In our yard in the Bathurst/Sheppard area, I've had one male and one female Purple Finches, with the female still hanging around. I've had two Fox Sparrows hanging out with a small flock of White-throated Sparrows, too.

[Andreas Jonsson]

Nice meeting you too Leslie. You seem to have the same variety of birds as I do.

Today I did a quick stop at the feeders just before sunset. I was in a bit of a rush, so there could well have been more birds. Some new birds have arrived, White-crowned Sparrows and more Fox sparrows.

2     Black-capped Chickadee     
5    Fox Sparrow    
5    White-throated Sparrow    
2    White-crowned Sparrow    
3    Dark-eyed Junco

[Andreas Jonsson]

I haven't been able to check on the feeders in the last couple of days, but this morning I was there again. I found roughly the same birds as before.

3   Black-capped Chickadee   
3   Fox Sparrow   
6   White-throated Sparrow   
20   Dark-eyed Junco

[Andreas Jonsson]

American Goldfinches on Thistle Seed Feeder

Finally Goldfinches have found the Nyjer feeder I hung up a couple of days ago. Also, a Red-breasted Nuthatch was a first-time visitor.

1   Sharp-shinned Hawk   
1   Black-capped Chickadee   
1   Red-breasted Nuthatch   
1   American Robin   
2   Fox Sparrow   
5   White-throated Sparrow   
10   Dark-eyed Junco   
1   Purple Finch   
8   American Goldfinch   
7   House Sparrow


Purple Finch and American Gold Finch on Sunflower seed feeder

[Andreas Jonsson]

No new birds today. But great views of many Fox Sparrows.

2   Black-capped Chickadee
5   Fox Sparrow
5   White-throated Sparrow
12   Dark-eyed Junco
2   American Goldfinch

[Andreas Jonsson]

Black-capped Chickadee on Sunflower seed feeder

Early this afternoon there was lots of activity at the feeders. Some new male Purple Finches showing up (before I've only seen females).

A squirrel bit off the fishing line hanging the suet while I was watching. That means none of the feeders are squirrel safe anymore. I really thought the 40-pound line I was using would be thick enough...

3   Black-capped Chickadee   
5   Fox Sparrow   
1   Song Sparrow   
5   White-throated Sparrow   
10   Dark-eyed Junco   
3   Purple Finch   
8   American Goldfinch   
3   House Sparrow

[Andreas Jonsson]

I didn't post yesterday, birds where pretty much the same, with a high score of 6 Fox Sparrows.

Today, the first Pine Siskins of the season had arrived. I didn't stay long, so the counts are low.

3   Black-capped Chickadee   
2   Fox Sparrow   
3   White-throated Sparrow   
2   Dark-eyed Junco   
3   Pine Siskin   
7   American Goldfinch   
10   House Sparrow

[Andreas Jonsson]

Dark-eyed Junco

Two first time visitors at the feeders today, Northern Cardinal and House Finch, and a White-crowned Sparrow showed up again, after a few days absence.

3   Black-capped Chickadee
1   Red-breasted Nuthatch
1   American Robin   
3   Fox Sparrow   
2   White-throated Sparrow
1   White-crowned Sparrow   
3   Dark-eyed Junco   
1   Northern Cardinal   
1   House Finch   
5   American Goldfinch   
10   House Sparrow


American Goldfinches on on Sunflower seed feeder

[Reuven_M]

Is the robin actually coming to the feeder?

[Andreas Jonsson]

Nae, he's just hanging around in the shrubs underneath, Same for the various sparrows and Juncos.

[Reuven_M]

yeah, I'd be surprised to see a robin actually at a feeder