Would you support pigeon feeding stations in your city? The idea of pigeon feeders is to move them from areas where they are not welcome and prevent rats/ rodents in general from eating the food intended for wild birds. Also, keeping the birds for those tourists who think feeding pigeons is something to do while visiting cities. (I'd skip it).

I don't think there are parrots and other exotic pet type of birds living in Toronto. I know I haven't seen any in Barrie, where I live now. Could they migrate this north and live through the winters? Winters are milder overall but one good, cold snap could be too much for birds used to a southern climate.

The Parrot Sanctuary (Toronto) From what I read the birds are from people who had them as exotic pets. So, parrots and other exotic birds are still not able to survive winters north of New York.

Brooklyn Parrots - about a non-native species which is surviving and doing well, without causing problems for the native environment. Or at least merging with the existing pigeon population and not causing more trouble than the pigeons.

The site has a wild parrot FAQ, intended for the local, New York area.

The Monk Parakeet, also known as the Quaker Parrot, is an adaptable, hardy bird from South America noted for its intelligence, sociability, creative approach to nest-building, and general resourcefulness. They were first detected in the wild in New York City in the late 1960s, and continue to be seen around Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and occasionally in Manhattan.

For more than 40 years, the birds have survived on New York’s tough streets, weathering tornadoes, hurricanes, and a multitude of predators — both avian and human. Populations have come and gone in New York City, and this will likely recur as urban habitats change.

Monk parakeets are considered by some scientists to be an example of “charismatic megafauna” whose ability to charm humans helps keep them alive and viable as a species.

I read the title "3 Ways to Keep a Naturalist's Notebook" and felt that buzz of inspiration. But, reading the post, it was just about other people's projects, people long gone and famous for their other writing. It wasn't what I was hoping for. I wanted something, fresh, something on the scale of in my own backyard versus famous places and perfect settings. So, what was there to do but collect my own ideas for a backyard naturalist, like myself.

First of all, if you don't have a backyard, there is a whole world out there. Take a look at a local public place like a church, cemetery, park, or get creative. Being a naturalist isn't just about walking around in a forested area. Studying urban areas is important too. Even if you walk on paved ground instead of grass, nature can be found. Not even just outdoors!

Make notes about what you see. Including illustrations. Don't try creating masterpieces with your drawings. They can just add to your words as you find more to be curious about, or make note of. If you make a digital notebook you can add digital photos. Later you can look into a magnifying glass and fancier equipment. But, the main thing is to see what you discover while its still out there to be seen. Technology and more equipment can be distracting and time consuming. To start with at least, stick to a pencil and notebook for quick notes.

What can you find in your immediate, local ecosystem? Learn to identify different plants growing in your backyard. What types of grass are in your lawn? What are the "weeds" you see? Watch for animals in your yard, not just birds. What do they find to eat and how do they eat? Do they interact or avoid each other? Add details like the location, season, the weather, time of day, colours, texture, how they move (or blow in the wind), so many details you can think to add once you get started.

Consider all your senses when making observations and notes: sight, sound, smell, hearing and touch. Include your sixth sense, your feelings, too. Avoid touching poisonous plants. Try not to disturb animals and plants in general. That doesn't mean you can't touch things around you, just learn to understand them without endangering or upsetting them. You don't want to harm life while studying life - be responsible for your actions, not a bumbling professor uncaring/ thoughtless about the chaos your actions can create.

How does the environment affect the natural world? The environment can include the location, traffic from vehicles or people, buildings, sidewalks, fences, a river, trees, everything. I think of the odd weed poking up in an otherwise pristine sidewalk. There is the natural world surviving in the environment it finds itself in.

Take time and return. You may see something interesting while busy and make quick notes before moving along. But, plan ahead and choose a time and location where you are not rushed and can return to again and again. Things change in the natural world. You need more than one visit. Try a sunny day and later a rainy day, even in the same week.

You could make a study of just one weed growing where it manages to get a start. What changes day by day? What struggles does that weed have? Does it grow to full height or remain stunted? Does it produce flowers or seeds? If someone pulls it out, does it have enough root to grow back? Endless questions and observations.

Don't forget the motto (used by urban explorers) "take only photographs, leave only footprints". Whatever you bring with you should leave with you, no littering. On the other hand, don't remove things from their environment. Instead hope you will see them/it again next time you visit. I make an exception for seeds and clippings from plants which you could add to your notes. But, don't harm the plants, make sure there is enough of it to keep thriving. In some locations you may need to stay on trails, especially in fragile ecosystems. Think of it as the butterfly effect without the time machine.

Dress appropriately. Think about insects (bees and mosquitos). Think about the weather. Bright colours or anything flashy will make it harder to watch animals, no matter how patiently you wait. Bring everything with you in an easy to haul around backpack or something else that works well for you.

Give yourself credit for what you have learned, progress you have made in understanding the ecosystem and new discoveries you make. Celebrate your discoveries. Add to your research by looking into history and lore about the plants and animals in your own backyard. Which plants are edible? Find out about foraging and cooking/ baking with wild plants. Learn tracking skills for seeing where the animals came from and where they go.

Here are some reflection questions to help you choose your next outdoor adventure: What am I excited to learn outside? What would be easy for me to do in the amount of time I have? What would be easy for me to do in the locations I have nearby? What areas of nature study am I most passionate about? What areas of nature study have I not done in awhile? If you ever get stuck and unable to go deeper in a particular area of naturalist curricullum… simply take a break and go study something else for awhile!

Quoted from Brian Mertins, Nova Scotia.

• Discover the World Around You: Your Guide to Becoming an Amateur Naturalist
• Citizen Science 101: What It Is and Why It Matters
• Backyard Naturalist podcast (US based).
• Backyard Naturalist (Australia)

Small acts of nature conservation. A couple of these we already do but others would be new and different to work on this year, in the garden especially. Includes things like not raking up all the leaves in the Autumn. You can rake them off the grass and into the flower beds, good for the plants and the wildlife.

It's a shame people think of sharks as such dangerous killers when in fact, humans are responsible for far more human and shark deaths than sharks. That's something for you to think about next time you go swimming.