Feeders in Trinity Bellwoods Park

[ravynne40]

That is so cool Andy, did you just put the feeders in wooded areas and can anyone put feeders anywhere in a public park like that? I'm curious because I wanted to place some feeders in our wooded areas here at Marie Curtis but I'm not sure about the laws/by-laws etc.
I did notice that there were some nesting boxes (some new and quiet large!) I'm wondering if they were for owls..

Irene

[Andreas Jonsson]

I probably shouldn't say this, but don't know whether it is allowed. I figure as long as I keep it discrete and tidy, it won't disturb anyone.

[ravynne40]

ok "mum's the word"

[Andreas Jonsson]

Black-capped Chickadee and American Goldfinch

I've started to bring my camera out to the feeders and has been able to get some decent shots. I've also updated some of the earlier post with photos.

I visited the feeders pretty much daily last the past week, but I wasn't able to come back here to write about it. This report is from yesterday. The number of House Sparrows has increased, and migrants, such as White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco appear to be in fewer numbers. I haven't seen the Fox Sparrows for about a week, so they are likely gone south. Two new species visited yesterday, a Hairy Woodpecker and an American Tree Sparrow. Full list below:

1   Hairy Woodpecker   
5   Black-capped Chickadee   
1   Red-breasted Nuthatch   
1   American Tree Sparrow   
2   White-throated Sparrow   
1   White-crowned Sparrow   
5   Dark-eyed Junco   
3   House Finch   
5   American Goldfinch   
30   House Sparrow


White-throated Sparrow


Hairy Woodpecker

[angieinto]

I think that is a lovely idea,  I hope the people visiting the park enjoy watching the birds.  

[Andreas Jonsson]

The diversity of birds have not been changing much recently, although the number of House Sparrows is increasing. It's becoming a problem because the seeds I sprinkle on the ground don't last very long.

I wonder how long the migrants will stay around. I assume that in the midst of winter all but the Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Nuthatches and House Sparrows will have left.

Here's a video of a Downy Woodpecker on the suet feeder:

http://vimeo.com/17043828

Today's list:

1   Downy Woodpecker   
1   Hairy Woodpecker   
3   Black-capped Chickadee   
1   Red-breasted Nuthatch   
2   White-throated Sparrow   
1   White-crowned Sparrow   
3   Dark-eyed Junco   
4   House Finch   
11   American Goldfinch   
40   House Sparrow

[Andreas Jonsson]

I've received amazing feedback from people in the park; everytime I visit someone walks up to me and tells me how much they enjoy spending time around the feeders. It seems, people just love birds, birdwatchers or not. Today one gentleman offered money to support the feeding station; I suggested he help out filling up the ever emptying feeders instead.

While today's visit was rather late (almost sunset) and the number of birds were low, there was one new visitor, a Mourning Dove.

1   Mourning Dove
3   Black-capped Chickadee
2   Red-breasted Nuthatch
1   White-throated Sparrow
4   Dark-eyed Junco

[Niloc]

What an excellent idea good for you!

[Andreas Jonsson]

Purple Finch

There was a good variety of birds today, with good views of a female Purple Finch.

2   Black-capped Chickadee   
2   Red-breasted Nuthatch   
1   American Robin   
1   White-throated Sparrow   
1   White-crowned Sparrow   
2   Dark-eyed Junco   
1   Purple Finch   
3   House Finch   
2   American Goldfinch   
30   House Sparrow

See a video here:

http://vimeo.com/17143453

More pictures by Niloc here:

http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/v ... php?t=6823

[Andreas Jonsson]

An American Kestrel came to hunt around the feeder today. I don't think I've seen one in the park before. Another one for my list :-)

1   American Kestrel   
2   Black-capped Chickadee   
2   Red-breasted Nuthatch   
1   White-throated Sparrow   
1   Dark-eyed Junco   
5   House Finch   
3   American Goldfinch   
40   House Sparrow

[Andreas Jonsson]

After the snow today there was lots of activity at the feeders. I made a movie of the various sparrows feeding on the ground. White-crowned and White-throated are still present.

http://vimeo.com/17836447

1   Downy Woodpecker
1   Hairy Woodpecker
3   Black-capped Chickadee
1   Red-breasted Nuthatch
2   White-throated Sparrow
1   White-crowned Sparrow
10   Dark-eyed Junco
5   House Finch
10   American Goldfinch
30   House Sparrow

[Andreas Jonsson]

Red-breasted Nuthatch

For the Christmas Bird Counters out there: The same birds that have been present at the feeders for the last little while where today as well, including the White-crowned and White-throated sparrows. In all, the following birds were seen today in the early afternoon:

1   Downy Woodpecker
1   Hairy Woodpecker
5   Black-capped Chickadee
2   Red-breasted Nuthatch
1   White-throated Sparrow
1   White-crowned Sparrow
10   Dark-eyed Junco
10   House Finch
10   American Goldfinch
30   House Sparrow

[ravynne40]

What a great shot! Nice feeder too!

[Andreas Jonsson]

I wasn't able to fill the feeders as frequently over the Christmas holidays. Seems like the White-throated Sparrows and the White-crowned Sparrow might have moved on, at least I couldn't see them today. In the early afternoon the following birds were present:

1   Downy Woodpecker   
1   Hairy Woodpecker   
3   Black-capped Chickadee   
2   Red-breasted Nuthatch   
8   House Finch   
3   American Goldfinch   
30   House Sparrow

[Andreas Jonsson]

Yep, it seems that leaving the feeders dry for a day or two forced some of the less common birds to move on. Juncos are gone too. Happy to see that one of the White-throated Sparrows was still around this afternoon.

1   Downy Woodpecker   
2   Black-capped Chickadee   
3   Red-breasted Nuthatch   
1   White-throated Sparrow   
6   House Finch   
1   American Goldfinch   
30   House Sparrow