Good fall weather extended into November but reality is bringing early signs of what lies ahead. Juncos that arrived a month ago have settled in, both in the countryside and in our yards. These ground-feeding birds scratch about for seeds so toss mixed seed out as well as keeping some in feeders. Lingering Song and White-throated Sparrows do the same. Black-oil sunflower seed is the #1 choice for the rest of your yard birds like chickadees, nuthatches and finches.
It is early yet but small flocks of Snow Buntings can be found in harvested cornfields, along dirt roads as well as along shorelines where they look for weed seeds. They will also pick up spilled kernels of corn. Later flocks can grow large with hundreds putting on a show in rural areas. Lucky country birders may even find some coming to their yards looking for ground seeds.
Happy Birding!
By Brian Morin
Publisher of Ontario Birding News
