Whos keeping an eye on me....

Monday 31 January 2011

RSPB big garden bird count

For over 30 years, the RSPB have been asking supporters to count the birds in their garden for one hour over a specific weekend during late winter. During this time, more than 3 million hours have been clocked up watching and enjoying the birds that visit our gardens (that's more than 380 years worth of info!), and every year, over 6 million birds are spotted and recorded. These figures go along way to understanding the trend of species that are indecline and those that are prospering more.

Of course the hrs watch is only a snapshot of whats going on, its great to get the kids seeing whats under their noses too but also its a quick indicator of how some species have fared after the winter cold.

I did my hrs RSPB Big Garden birdwatch on Saturday 08.45-09.45:
A Hard frost overnight should have had the early birds flocking by the dozen up and down the UK:

In order of appearance:

Greenfinch 6
Blackbird 2
Carrion Crow 2
Robin 1
Starling 15
Lesser Redpoll 21
Blue Tit 2
Chaffinch 3
Woodpigeon 4
Siskin 3
Goldfinch 2
Mealy Redpoll 1 this is its 7th week as a daily visitor and is a county rarity!
Magpie 1
Housesparrow 4 (these live in the roof of our house! I think we have 10 so 6 stayed in doors)
Dunnock 1
Fiedfare 1
Wren 1
Feral Pigeon 6
Collared Dove 1

Some garden regulars didnt show during my hours recording, species such as Coal Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw while the Greater Spotted Woodpecker turned up shortly after the results were sent in.

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