Comment

Comment by Sue Cantan 22 hours ago

I have missed my garden birds this spring as I have been in England for the last several months. I have become quite familiar with the birds at my sister's feeder though. I have not been able to identify this strange bird that arrived at our feeder recently!

Comment by Pat on Wednesday

Was a mostly good spring for birdwatching: neighbourhood construction may have scared away some of them. But I saw a wide range, from a sharp-shinned hawk through to migrating sparrows, blue jays, and a wide range of warblers. Pictures are at the start of my Backyard Birds set on Flickr: the picture of the sharp-shinned hawk is the last of this year's (they're organized from most recent to least).

Comment by Pat on February 20, 2012 at 2:22pm

Super! I'll have to keep my eyes open on my feeders.

Comment by Sue Cantan on February 20, 2012 at 11:05am

I've just spotted a European goldfinch with the usual goldfinches at my feeder! I knew what it was straight away as my sister in England has them at her feeder. Very exciting! Will post a photo if I can remember how.

Comment by Sue Cantan on August 14, 2011 at 12:38pm

I don't have any pigeons, but the squirrels drive me crazy. I used to have pigeons, but when I started only using nyger seed and black sunflower seeds they lost interest.

I also tend to use smaller feeders like Pat.

The raccoons go to great lengths to get into the bin where I store the bird food so I've resorted to chaining it closed!

Comment by Jen C on August 7, 2011 at 2:51pm

We get the pigeons even when we only have tube feeders since the birds are a bit messy with the seed. Uneaten seeds end up on the ground and since we only have patio stones in the back, the pigeons forage for the leftovers.  Beginning to see it's a no win situation.  I can live with the squirrels, but the pigeons are a real nuisance (and very dirty to boot!).

Comment by Pat on August 7, 2011 at 1:53pm

I used to have a problem with pigeons, and got rid of every feeder they could land on. Now I've only got tube feeders, and no pigeons. I went through a number of stages of trying to get rid of them: using only safflower seed, spraying them with a Super Soaker if they went to a bird feeder. Definitely tube feeders with tiny perches that only accommodate little birds.

Oh -- but you'll still get squirrels. I do. But not enough so that they're eating all the food and taking it away from the birds.

Comment by Jen C on August 6, 2011 at 12:47pm

Any one else have a pigeon problem because of their bird feeders?  We didn't have pigeons for the longest time, but they're back en masse.  Some days, there's up to a dozen pigeons in the yard. We installed seed catchers to keep it off the ground, but the pigeons have now learned how to land on those and gorge themselves.  Spraying them with a Super soaker or hose works only temporarily.  Sadly, I think the only solution is to take down my feeders for a few months unless anyone has any suggestions for an effective alternate?

Comment by Pat on May 19, 2011 at 9:10pm

Darn, so sorry to hear Sue that you're likely to lose the trees. I feel I lost some when the portlands energy centre was built... they shifted their paths enough that they no longer travelled here. I'll keep my fingers crossed that they keep coming.

I haven't seen a Common Yellowthroat in eons! Congratulations on getting two of them. I look forward to seeing who your shuffler is :-D

Comment by Sue Cantan on May 19, 2011 at 8:56pm

Pat, my little warbler could be either of the two you mentioned but I think the magnolia is the most likely suspect. I think my little shuffler is a Swainson's thrush but I may be able to tell more when I upload my latest (rather out of focus) pictures from my camera. Thanks for taking the time to help me with identification.

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