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Post by Gord on Nov 27, 2006 21:06:48 GMT -8
Nice pictures Dave. Promoting the Canon very well. Nice list of birds at your urban feeders Al! Between yours and my parents, Im wishing I could have some feeders, but my yard has no shrubbery, hardly any birds and too many cats running around it isnt a good idea. ;( Keep looking at that chipping sparrow. Like I said, there is absolutely no reason that is isnt one, just wanted to mention (from past personal experience) about the white-crowns juveniles. Get that camera! Santa will come early sometimes. All here will be pleased to help with it's use and sharing here.
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Post by fouram on Dec 1, 2006 13:12:45 GMT -8
I will try this once again, I will try to post the image of the Varied Thrush that has been coming the last few days, as well as the Am. Goldfinches at the Niger feeder--Al
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Post by Gord on Dec 1, 2006 20:48:01 GMT -8
Good pictures of the goldfinches! A great winter species. Wow, the Varied Thrushes came right into town! If you have any apples, cut them in half and impale them on a branch or lay them on the ground. Raisins soaked in water for a while and cut in half also were popular with the thrushes and robins at my feeder at home.
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Post by fouram on Dec 1, 2006 21:14:36 GMT -8
Wow! Thanks for the Apple and raisin suggestion, Gord--I will try to get him "properly fed" to-morrow!--There were two, actually, however the fellow that stayed chased the other off--thanks again--Al
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Post by fouram on Jan 15, 2007 11:57:28 GMT -8
Took two pictures to-day, and while he looks like "another" Song Sparrow, the tail feathers are much longer and the "white split beard" is more pronounced, NOT as pronounced, again as the elusive "other" bird but more so than the first song sparrow pics I put up here ---Al (as well the "eyebrow feathers are muted, and not bright yellow like the "other")
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Post by Gord on Jan 15, 2007 13:56:44 GMT -8
Hey Al keen observations yet it's another song sparrow. Looking at this guy and the other one, I see the differences you spotted. I wish I had a good way to share the key ID points on these guys. I hope someone else can help you better than I, but Ill leave you with this: when something other than a song sparrow shows up, you'll spot it for sure. Next time I or someone else finds a good area with sparrow species (the end of Brett Rd by Brett's Chev dealership is often good) Ill be certain to post it. Once you've spotted the other kinds and soaked up their ID features you'll find the progression in learning sparrows will move along briskly!
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Post by Dave on Jan 15, 2007 18:53:52 GMT -8
Hi Al,
I agree on the Song Sparrow ID, but will add that any bird that looks even minorly different from the usual is worth posting. Pictures are fun for all of us to look at!
I can recommend one of my favourite spots to look at sparrows, Parr Road. Parr Road is the one that goes to the "green dump" off of Yale Road near Hwy #1 (Behind the Free Reformed Church).
Once you turn off of Yale Road onto Parr Road, you can park on the right side in a 'gravel' area and walk along the blackberry bushes on the southside of the road. On the other side of the brambles is a sweet corn field that has not been worked in, so there is a lot of flattenned corn stalks and it is alive with sparrows. I can guarantee that (with a bit of time) you will find Golden-crowned, White-crowned, and Fox Sparrows. One winter I found White-throated Sparrow there, but that is not going to be an easy find! I think it is a great "quick" stop when you are driving in town, and you don't need to leave the public road for the best views. The little ditch there has turned up some goodies as well. The area seems good for Raptors as well (Sharp-shinned, Coopers, etc) Take your camera, shoot pictures of everything that moves (Mostly White-crowned by far), and post here to entertain the rest of us!
Thanks for posting,
Dave
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Post by fouram on Apr 17, 2007 18:04:39 GMT -8
Arrived late last evening, all my feeders (except for the Hummer feeder!) were pretty well depleted, filled the tube feeder with hulled sunflower, and the hopper with Chilliwack mix, went to bed---this morning had my usual house finches, as well as --(I think a couple of Siskens? ;D) they were at the Nyger tube feeder, and then this evening I had a surprise visit from an Am. Goldfinch--at the sunflower feeder--no pics--batteries on the re-charger!---Al--(will freshen the hummer feeder and keep fingers crossed!)
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Post by fouram on Apr 19, 2007 10:28:30 GMT -8
I think the Am. Goldfinches have pretty much taken over the feeders here, the tube feeder was filled with hulled sunflowers, the hopper still has Chilliwack mix, and the Nyjer feeder of course. The Goldfinches seemed to have put the run on the house sparrows, and everyone else seems to be a little scarce, with the exception of the Jays who showed up this morning cadging the peanuts put out for a big gray squirrel. A lone house finch showed up this morning, but was relegated to finding what he could on the ground. Spotted a Chickadee at the suet feeder which I decided to leave up, in case anyone wanted it. I also still have Junco's, albeit not the same numbers as previously---Al
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Post by fouram on Jun 6, 2007 8:10:46 GMT -8
I have moved from my previous location, well, to about 2-3 blocks away--hopefully the numbers and variety--at least some, will find their way here. During the last days at the old place had one errant hummer stop for a few moments, never to return. I have had a couple of visits from House Finches, one Chickadee, and the normal 2-3 House Sparrows, numbers of course are way down, but perhaps it will take time for "word" to get out---Al
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Post by fouram on Jun 8, 2007 15:56:00 GMT -8
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Post by Gord on Jun 8, 2007 19:42:55 GMT -8
Sounds like they're finding you already! Great to hear that even in town a little work can bring nature to your window! Keep up the good work!
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Post by fouram on Jun 10, 2007 11:28:01 GMT -8
This guy has been showing up early--clearly upsetting the Jay's and their morning ritual of finding, calling for, and speeding off--perhaps for their young, with the loot--that this guy is now cadging!---Al
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