carolla's picture

carolla

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Birdwatchers?

This morning I went on a guided birdwatching hike in a local marsh - it was excellent!!  First time I have done such a thing - but I see how folks could get hooked on it.  Amazing how the guides recognize the calls first, then locate the birds.   We saw about 2 dozen species this morning. 

 

We've been feeding birds in our backyard as long as I can remember - attracting the usual suspects for Southern Ontario.  But today I learned a lot about some of the migratory birds.  It's remarkable to me that some of these little creatures fly from Florida or Central, or even South America!  

 

Curious to know if we have other birdwatchers here?  

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seeler's picture

seeler

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Like you, I feed birds and enjoy seeing the chickadees, finches, sparrows and the occasional jay or cardinal up close and the robins, grackles, starlings, crows and pigeons around.  But I think my poor vision prevented me from really becoming a birdwatcher.  My husband and daughter can stand and discuss a bird at 20 metres - does it have a small crest, a bit of white on the wing or tail, a yellow beak?   Our son and I just see a grey black bump on the branch.

 

I can imagine it would be a great hobby - getting people out in the fresh air, hiking through the forests and around ponds, enjoying nature and our great outdoors while swatting flies and misquitoes and bemoaning the disappearance of swallows.

 

gecko46's picture

gecko46

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Yes, I'm a birdwatcher.  Not as serious as some though...

One of my friends is an avid birder and leads hikes.  Always amazes me how he can determine the species from the calls.

 

 

crazyheart's picture

crazyheart

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My friends husband is a bird counter in Manitoba. I was facinated. I didn.t know there was such a thing.

chemgal's picture

chemgal

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My parents have usually had some type of bird feeder.  I remember the area closer to where I live now, lots of older, mature trees and large lot sizes led to many birds.  We used to get quite a few bluejays.

 

Currently, we only have a small tree in our front yard.  Not very many birds right here.  We walk to the storm ponds though, and watch the ducks, geese, muskrats and some odd looking birds that hang out in the water.  Out of them, I find the muskrats the most interesting to watch though.  Similar to going for the guided nature walks in fish creek park, it was the beavers then deer that  was really interested in.

 

I like watching the birds, but I don't think I would ever go out on a serious bird-watching excursion.

 

This reminds me though, we picked up a hummingbird feeder, we'll have to figure out a good place to put it!

carolla's picture

carolla

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chemgal - you mentionned muskrats - today we saw a mink!  It was scurrying about in the rocks near the shore, popping up to take a look at our group from time to time - all of us with binoculars trained on him! 

 

Yes - get that hummingbird feeder up!  I put up my oriole feeder with a big bright half orange on it today - since we saw many orioles on our walk!  Such vibrant birds!

carolla's picture

carolla

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Hmmm - bird counter - that's interesting!   Down on Pelee Island, in Lake Erie (the most southern point in Canada) - there's a big migratory bird station for counting & banding.

 

On Mother's Day weekend every year there is a big festival on the island - and Margaret Atwood sponsors a huge fundraising dinner, getting one of her author friends to come along as a speaker. 

 

Actually, this weekend, or maybe just today, is World Migratory Bird Day - so that's why our conservation authority arranged this hike.  Rattray Marsh is on the shore of Lake Ontario - so many birds stop in there as they migrate northward - it's about 40km across the lake at this point - so they're happy to see land!

 

carolla's picture

carolla

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gecko - I'm looking forward to seeing the sea birds in Newfoundland - puffins, gannets, murres ... all new to me!  

carolla's picture

carolla

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seeler - do you use binoculars?  I learned a tip today - when you see the bird (usually located by movement, or following its flight) - keep your eye solidly on the bird & raise the binoculars to your eyes - don't look down to find the binoculars!   And it works!

 

You might find this website interesting - gives lots of great info, including recordings of their songs & calls.  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/   It's Cornell University Ornithology site. 

chemgal's picture

chemgal

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I don't know if I would even recognize a mink!  It took us a little while to realize what the muskrats were, the first time we saw them it was getting fairly dark and then we had to google to double check once we were back.

 

Do you think hummingbirds would get close to our deck?  The options for fastening the feeder are a corner of the fence or deck, unless we put up one of those handing posts or something.

carolla's picture

carolla

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They probably would, unless you've got a party going on out on the deck!  We stayed at a place in the southwest USA one summer,  and they had many feeders set up around the patio - busy place with all the hummers buzzing in & out!  Delightful! 

 

carolla's picture

carolla

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And mink are much cuter than muskrats!

seeler's picture

seeler

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Carolla - the problem with using binoculars was my thick-lensed glasses.   I couldn't figure out whether to use the binoculars over the glasses, or without the glasses.  Neither seemed to work.

Now that I've had eye surgery and have built-in lenses, that problem is solved.  But now, holding the binoculars steady when I have a tremor, as well as the lack of stemina for hiking, presents another.  

Perhaps one day my grandson will take an interest in birdwatching.  He seems the type - loves playing outside, exploring a little brook near his home, doing nature walks, etc.   

lastpointe's picture

lastpointe

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Hummingbirds will come right up to the edge of the house. Many people hang the feeders for the rain gutters or underside of the eaves. Makes it easy to change the water which you need to do every couple of weeks to keep it fresh.

I keep track of the birds I see in my bird book. Note when and where i saw it for the first time. Unfortunately I really can't tell the difference between all the little sparrows thoughi try.

I love chickadees , junkos, gros beaks, and my new favourite is the trumpeter swans by our place at Lake Ontario.i email in the tag numbers that I see.

Our farm pond gets herons, ospreys, kingfishers, geese, mallard and very cute little buffle head ducks. We work hard to discourage mink and muskrats. They will tunnel through the sides of your pond and ultimately collapse the sides. Which I suppose in the wild is ok. Just makes the pond large, but not what we want.

Heard an owl when out walking Saturday night but I couldn't tell which kind

seeler's picture

seeler

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There is a woodpecker near by - probably a downey.  I haven't seen it yet, but heard that distinctive knocking every now and then.

 

gecko46's picture

gecko46

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carolla wrote:

gecko - I'm looking forward to seeing the sea birds in Newfoundland - puffins, gannets, murres ... all new to me!  

 

I hope you get to see some gannets divebombing for fish.  That's pretty spectacular.  And puffins are awesome, especially the ones at Elliston.  You will be departing for NL soon.  Time has flown.

 

A pair of rose-breasted Grosbeaks have been at my feeders this past week.  Always nice to see them return.  Sometimes an Indigo Bunting stops by on its way to somewhere. 

 

 

carolla's picture

carolla

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I put up my oriole feeder yesterday afternoon - having seen a few pairs of orioles on our walk.  And today we've had a pair here enjoying eating the orange!  Such vivid birds - I hope they stick around. 

 

This morning on my walk, there was a huge flock of gulls at the mouth of the river - as we approached, we saw the water was teeming with small fish - maybe 4-6" long - the crazy little things were jumping all over & skimming the top of the water - hence the assembly of hungry gulls!!   Not sure what kind of fish they were.  Nearby, there is a pen of young chinook salmon that will be released into the lake in a few more weeks - so I hope it wasn't them escaping!! 

carolla's picture

carolla

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gecko - we will be going to see the large gannet colony at Cape St. Mary's bird sanctuary - so I imagine those amazing divers will be busy!  I was reading about them yesterday - quite extraordinary how deep they can dive. 

Tabitha's picture

Tabitha

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Growing up we always had a bird feeder-and tolerated the squirrels that dine there too!

Now any feede I had would need to be labelled "Cat Food" frown

We do get quail and robins and sparrows.

On a hike I saw mountian bluebirds.

Not really a birder but do enjoy the birds.

kaythecurler's picture

kaythecurler

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I saw a dipper once  - amazing little bird walking under the icy water!  Would like to see cardinals, gannets, puffins, indigo buntings - but enjoy seeing the birds that are around here.

 

Friends live in a community that banned bird feeders because they were attracting bears!

Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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I usually just see crows and seagulls around here (a seagull stole my lunch from right beside me one day and fought over it with another seagull. That was the most interesting 'birdwatch' I've ever had. They're bold here), but fairly nearby there is a pond with plenty of ducks and Canada geese. Actually the geese can be quite aggressive toward visitors to the park. There are a couple of resident swans too.



On Christmas day, totally unexpectedly, we saw a beautiful brightly coloured hummingbird at my dad's neighbour's place. But that was unusual and it wasn't in Vancouver- still in BC. I didn't even know they were active in the winter (it was mild but not 'warm' out). When I was young, we'd go on nature walks and my dad would point out different birds. I remember seeing herons, eagles- and quite often robins just in the yard. I'm not often in places where I'd see them up close anymore.


Actually, there was an eagles nest near the tennis court in Stanley Park a few years ago that got quite a bit of press. And my coworker pointed out another eagles nest to me when we drove past a park on the bus after work (a tree in a different park).


In Victoria there are peacocks running freely in Beacon Hill park. They're gorgeous. The most beautiful 'wild' birds I've ever seen. They are not native to the area, obviously- they were brought in a century or so ago.

Beloved's picture

Beloved

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I am not a great bird watcher, but I LOVE watching perhaps.   Not great as in I don't know much about it, much about them, do much to attract them or seek them out, etc.  But I enjoy getting my binoculars out and sitting in the yard or cabin lot, or even out in the bush, and watching, and especially - listening.

 

Thanks for the site, carolla - bookmarked it and going to check it out and hopefully learn something.

 

I used to feed birds, (a variety of feeders and seeds, etc.) both in town and at the cabin, but DNR discourage cabin owners from having birdfeeders because of the bears.  The first thing they tell you when you phone with a troublesome bear is to get rid of any birdfeeders.

 

I don't feed in town as I found I was negligent in replenishing the feeder when we would be out at the lake.  I didn't feel it was fair to start and then not keep doing it.  Plus Mr. wasn't happy when a variety of grasses started growing underneath the feeders from the scattered bird seed.

 

But I do have one chokecherry tree and one alderberry tree that the birds still come to - and I can watch them then.

 

On Sunday we saw scads of robins flocking in one of the yards down the street.  It was a joy to see them.

 

Throughout the spring, summer, and fall we have a variety - mostly those names - finches, grossbeaks, chickadees, robins, blackbirds, grackles, crows, ravens (we have ravens all year long!), woodpeckers, etc.  At the lake we love to watch the loons, eagles, herons, etc.

 

Another project for me - learn more about birds :).

 

 

chemgal's picture

chemgal

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I think it was the evening that this thread was started, Chemguy had a craving for something so we walked to the grocery store.  On the way, we saw lots of ducks, geese and robins.  Some were right on the path, as one of the houses backing out onto the pond had been feeding them.  There were a few seagulls too.  No muskrats, I'm not sure if it was too early in the day or maybe just too early in the year and they aren't out quite yet.

carolla's picture

carolla

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Kimmio - for sure geese & swans can be quite aggressive - they're very large and people often underestimate the damage they can do - check out this crazy video  (I think this woman with the dog behaved rather poorly)  Amazing though to see how huge this swan is!

 


 

 

lastpointe's picture

lastpointe

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Woman is an idiot. A male swan can break a mans leg with his wings. She is lucky she or dog wasn't hurt. He was obviously defending himself from what he deemed a threat.

My birds are hungry today. Have finished the seed I put out this morning.

carolla's picture

carolla

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Exactly lastpointe!

carolla's picture

carolla

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Our feeders are busy too - perhaps nesting is a hungry mission!

Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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Carolla, crazy video. The geese at the pond near us run up and honk at people on the benches. A lot of people feed them crumbs, along with the ducks, and they're usually peaceful but they can turn aggressive. It happened to my husband and I last year- we were just sitting quietly on a bench and a couple of greese started charging at us, came right up to us, honking and we took it as our cue to leave. We didn't have any bread with us, if they were looking for food. However, I know geese can bite but I didn't know a swan could break someone's leg. My husband is a big guy, and after we walked away he was demonstrating (with a big voice and holding his arms out like wings- how he would scare them off if they tried to attack him. I don't know if that was a smart idea on his part. He was goofing off, saying if you stand up to them they'll go away. I don't know if that's true and I don't want to find out. I figure if they're spooked, they're more likely to take a run at people. It's best to respect their space and move away. He didn't test his theory, however. It is their habitat and there are so many people and dogs around, no wonder they feel threatened.

lastpointe's picture

lastpointe

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Just sitting having lunch and an Indigo Bunting came to my feeder. First tie I have seen one.

Lots of Grosbeaks, Bluejays, chickadees , Gold finch and cardinals today. Really lovely

seeler's picture

seeler

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I put out my hummingbird feeders today.  No birds yet, but I've heard they are in the province, if not the city.  Maybe it will take them a few days to find it.

 

stardust's picture

stardust

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Hi Carolla

What a wonderful thread. I saved the songbirds link and emailed it to family. Thx.

 

I wanted to ask for some info. about pigeons. A long time ago (1963)  a pigeon laid an egg in a planter on my balcony. After it hatched the mother ( or the parents) took turns dragging it by the beak across the balcony and back.  I figure they were teaching it to fly.... but is this normal? I believe it eventually fell off the balcony and died. I didn't interfere with it, I had no clue what to do. Perhaps it was born handicapped do you think?

 

We have trees full of little black birds singing in the early summer evenings or early morn. Otherwise not many birds venture to land on my balcony because of my cat. I see the odd bluejay or robin. Also the bldg. owners aren't  supposed to spray pesticide on the lawn but I believe they still do.

 

 

gecko46's picture

gecko46

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Must be Indigo Bunting Day.  Saw one at my feeders this morning.  Hope it sticks around for a few days.  Such a beautiful colour.

 

Numerous White-crowned sparrows at my feeders.  They have a nice song.

 

Checked my nesting boxes and 2 Bluebirds plus some Tree Swallows.

Like it when the Bluebirds return.

 

Dcn. Jae's picture

Dcn. Jae

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Birdwatcher? No, I prefer watching cats.

 

lastpointe's picture

lastpointe

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I like cats but they are hunters. I true lay wish people would not let them roam. They kill so many birds annually

gecko46's picture

gecko46

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This is a neat link.  Click on the address, then when the page loads, click on a specific bird to hear its song.

 

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/nature/birds/bird_songs_interactive.html

 

Dcn. Jae's picture

Dcn. Jae

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lastpointe wrote:
I like cats but they are hunters. I true lay wish people would not let them roam. They kill so many birds annually

Good thing too - otherwise there might be way too many birds out there.

Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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Took out the photo Jae posted that was included in my quote.

gecko46's picture

gecko46

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What a gross image to post in a positive thread about birdwatching, Jae.

 

It's sad when one considers the serious decline in our songbird populations.

 

Guess we know where your mind is.   You certainly have the ability to turn positives into negatives in a most unnecessary way.

 

If the thread were about feral cats or cats being predators...okay...but this....oh well....you are who you are.

 

 

 

 

Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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It is pretty gross. Sorry. I shouldn't have quoted jae's post so we have to see it twice. True that cats are a real threat to the bird population. Not geese and swans though! Cats are no match. :)

Dcn. Jae's picture

Dcn. Jae

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gecko46 wrote:

What a gross image to post in a positive thread about birdwatching, Jae.

 

It's sad when one considers the serious decline in our songbird populations.

 

Guess we know where your mind is.   You certainly have the ability to turn positives into negatives in a most unnecessary way.

 

If the thread were about feral cats or cats being predators...okay...but this....oh well....you are who you are.

 

 

 

 

To each their own, I guess. Personally I don't find anything offensive in nature. Bird-killing cats are as wonderful creatures to me as are the birds themselves. Guess you find otherwise.

chemgal's picture

chemgal

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Not appropriate for this thread, but I laughed anyway.

carolla's picture

carolla

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Indigo bunting - I've never seen one of those!  So I had to go find an image ... gorgeous! 

 


 

 

 

carolla's picture

carolla

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Stardust - I don't know the answer to your question about pigeons & their young on your balcony - it does sound like curious behaviour.  

carolla's picture

carolla

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It is a gross image jae - I would appreciate if you consider editing your post to remove it. 

kaythecurler's picture

kaythecurler

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Many local farm buildings have pigeons nesting in them.  There are always sme hanging about the bridge too.   At least one local family used to eat the young ones - they said they make excellent pie!  I read about pigeon pie in a novel set in England many years ago - 18 something. Maybe th local family had English ancestors who brought the recipe over the ocean with them?

 I don't know what might cause the behavior you describe stardust. 

Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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chemgal wrote:

Not appropriate for this thread, but I laughed anyway.


It's not a pretty picture, no. Tabitha mentioned the subject earlier though. It is nature. Like watching those nature shows, and you think, "ah, no. I was relaxed, enjoying watching the cute animals. Why'd they have to show that?"

Dcn. Jae's picture

Dcn. Jae

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carolla wrote:

It is a gross image jae - I would appreciate if you consider editing your post to remove it. 

While I disagree that it is a gross image, this is your thread, and you have asked me in a kindly way to remove it. Thus I was going to, however the "edit" link does not appear for me on that particular post. That's a strange thing about this place - on some posts of mine I see an "edit" link, on others I don't.

Admin Aaron, can you please remove the picture. Thanks.

Dcn. Jae's picture

Dcn. Jae

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Kimmio wrote:
chemgal wrote:

Not appropriate for this thread, but I laughed anyway.


It's not a pretty picture, no. Tabitha mentioned the subject earlier though. It is nature. Like watching those nature shows, and you think, "ah, no. I was relaxed, enjoying watching the cute animals. Why'd they have to show that?"

It is a picture of reality. If one is going to set about appreciating nature, should one not seek to appreciate all of nature.

Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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My apologies. Tabitha mentioned the "bird feed" as cat foot, not the bird as cat food. Sorry. When I read it I thought of my bird hunting cat- or Sylvester and Tweety. :(


Jae. I think you're right, it is nature. You could come across a dead bird in a park, or on your doorstep, that a cat or other animal got to- it happens. That's what animals do. When my cat did it, it wasn't pleasant to see, though. Not something I enjoyed seeing. Then again, can't be too squeamish. I eat poultry. It wasn't always sold at the grocery store. That's life. Makes me want to be a vegetarian but that's another thread. As Kay mentioned, some people eat pigeon. I only look at them downtown (another bird I see often).


But it's even even less pleasant to see a dead bird on a thread discussing watching live birds. It's gross to look at. Not a huge deal, then again, kind of unnerving. I understand everyones' point here. Although, Jae, I'm pretty sure you didn't see it as an admirable photo so much as you were being a joker, right?


I don't think you can edit your post because it's been quoted (my fault. Sorry. I didn't realize there'd be this much objection either- just thought it was "ew, gross" I took my post down- which also contained the photo). When it's been quoted, you're locked out of editing it.

lastpointe's picture

lastpointe

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Certainly I agree that nature is cruel. Survival of the fittest. Everyone is food for someone else.
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My comment related to house cats. These are well fed animals , pets. When they roam, they still hunt and kill. Not for food, just in their nature. I don't expect them to change their nature but I expect people to control them.
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The song birds they kill is astonishing when you look into it.
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Hence my belief that pet cats should not be able to roam outside. We don't let dogs roam, we should not let cats roam.

Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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True. We do let dogs off the leash for a run. A cat would never come back when called, though. :) And they need fresh air and good exercise, too. Tough call.

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