Day birding columnist Robert Tougias held a chat on www.theday.com recently. Here are some reader questions, and his answers.

Q. A friend reported seeing pileated woodpeckers in Lyme or Old Lyme a couple of weeks ago. How rare are they?

A. This woodpecker is uncommon in our region, but not rare. They prefer mature woodlands.

Q. How can I attract Baltimore orioles?

A. You can attract these birds with orange halves cut and placed on nails attached to a tree, or on a squirrel-proof baffled feeder. And of course they sell nectar oriole feeders at most feed or bird shops, place them out in mid to late April.

Q. I live in a suburban neighborhood without a lot of wildlife. Could you share some places locally that I could go to see more interesting species than those in my small back yard?

A. Yes, here is a small list: Bluff Point, Groton; Hammonasset State Park, Madison; Babcock Wildlife Mangement Area, Colchester; Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts. Always visit in the early hours.

Q. I once observed a tree full of robins in February. Is it normal for these thrushes to stay here year- round?

A. It is very normal for robins to winter over year-round. Robins are out of sight in the winter, however, as they flock along rivers or deep in wetlands.

Q. Is there a bird feeder out there that's truly squirrel-proof? The fat squirrel who visits our yard simply flings himself against the pole to knock the food from the feeder onto the ground.

A. Yes, I believe there are feeders that are 95 percent squirrel-proof. I highly recommend the hanging

Brome feeder. Also, the Heritage Farms feeders are good, and Droll Yankee are not bad. But squirrels are very smart, and you need to place the feeder five feet off the ground or more and away from trees.

Q. We had a hummingbird feeder last summer that we kept stocked with sugar water but no hummingbirds visited. Any idea what we did wrong?

A. That is very unusual as they are rather abundant and love the feeders. Perhaps you could make sure there is some red coloring on the feeder and a few red salvia flowers planted near the feeder. That will also help attract them.

Q. In the past 4-5 weeks I have noticed an unusually large number of red-tailed hawks perched in trees along Interstate 95 as I drive through southeastern Connecticut. Are more hawks residing here now?

A. Many hawks are beginning to move north. These may be early arrivals.

Q. I get finches and sparrows at my feeders. I have two feeders, one with thistle and one with black oil sunflower seeds. I also put out suet, which brings starlings and the rare woodpecker. How can I get a wider variety of birds at my feeders?

A. Continue to use the black oil sunflower, as that attracts the widest variety of birds. I would also feed the ground-feeding birds with a platform feeder and in that feeder I would use white Proso millet and fine chick feed with cracked corn. Now, with many migrants headed north, use some fruit such as raisins, cut apple pieces and even tofu. This will increase the odds for a wider variety. Meal worms and suet are another way.

Q. I spotted my first bluebird of the season in my back yard about two weeks ago, searching for a nest box. I thought it was still too cold for bluebirds. When should nest boxes go out and do bluebirds really go south for the winter? Along the same lines, how soon before I should put my hummingbird feeders out?

A. Bluebirds do stay in the general area, and only some migrate any real distance. You can place your bluebird nest boxes out now. They are scouting the nest boxes as we sit here. Don't waste any time. Hummingbirds will return in late April and place the feeders out around then.

Robert Tougias Writes A Regular Birding Column For The Day. It Runs In Daybreak On The First Friday Of Each Month.

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