Waxwing

Waxwing
"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour."

From "Auguries of Innocence"

by William Blake

Tuesday 28 January 2020

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2020





I know many of you have done the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and it is always interesting reading what other people have seen.


As everyone seems to find a few of the "regulars" were missing during the hour but this is what I saw

Magpie x 2
House Sparrow x 4
Robin x 1
Great Tit x 1
Blackbird x 2
Wren x 1
Blue Tit x 2
Wood Pigeon x 3
Long Tailed Tit x 3
Collared Dove x 1
Carrion Crow x 1

Wren and Long Tailed Tit were a pleasant surprise as they are not usually seen on a daily basis.

The RSPB also ask what other wildlife you have seen and in the last year we have had a couple of Fox sightings, Grey Squirrels are seen on a daily basis and Frogs (and Smooth Newts) occur in the pond.


14 comments:

Rustic Pumpkin said...

ooooops, *red face icon* I forgot all about it. Mind, since I stopped hanging out so many feeders most of the birds go next door now.

Ragged Robin said...

Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks and there is always next year. To be honest I nearly ran out of time. I don't put out as much food as I used to these days thanks to the dreaded decking next door constantly attracting r*ts! None atm thank goodness!

CherryPie said...

I didn't do the bird watch but at this time of year there are very few birds frequenting my garden.

If I did the birdwatch in a couple of months time the result would be quite different.

Pam said...

Quite a good selection, Wrens are quite few and far between in the garden these days! I'll be posting my results over the next couple of days.

Ragged Robin said...

CherryPie - Thank you for the comment. Interesting about there being fewer birds in your garden atm than a few months ago.

Pam - Thanks. We see the wren a couple of times a week usually foraging round the patio pots and ivy. Look forward to seeing your results :)

Rosie said...

You saw a good selection of birds in your hour and lovely to see a wren and the long tailed tits too. Long tailed tits are one of my favourite garden birds. I forgot to mention frogs and newts in our pond on the survey. Never mind they did ask the size of garden and if there was a pond, although we don't have many frogs in it now. There were four grey squirrels chasing each other around the garden just now, they are amusing to watch:)

Caroline Gill said...

Yes, a good selection of species and a good number of avian visitors, RR, even if some of your 'regulars' were also missing. And, of course, who has shown up today here but the Great spotted Woodpecker. We usually have a male and female so this is a start, with the breeding season about to commence. Thank you for your kind comment. I have just spent a birthday book token on a biography of Gilbert White by Richard Mabey: I wonder if you have read it?

Ragged Robin said...

Rosie - Thanks so much. Long tailed tits always make a day :) For some reason I never got the page which asked questions about the actual garden. Not sure why as I didn't log in as I couldn't remember the password!!!! I enjoy watching the squirrels here too - they can be amusing :)

Caroline Gill - Thanks so much. Glad to hear your GSW showed up - we used to have a pair regularly visit but only get occasional sightings these days. I do have the Gilbert White book by Richard Mabey but haven't read so far. Every time I go to read it I wonder should I read the Gilbert White book again first!!!! I think on reflection I will read the Mabey book as he may well quote Gilbert White.I hope you enjoy it. Currently reading two non-fiction but when I've finished will try and read it.

The Quacks of Life said...

that't not a bad set

Ragged Robin said...

The Quacks of Life - Thanks Pete :)

Bovey Belle said...

I did mine on Monday. Fewer than the usual number of everything when I did it, but isn't it always the way? I shall post my findings later today.

Ragged Robin said...

Bovey Belle - Thank you. I think many find birds disappear during that hour. I look forward to your post and sightings :)

Anonymous said...

Darn it, I forgot! Mind you, I did it last year and saw very few birds at all.

Ragged Robin said...

Toffeeapple - Not to worry - there is always next year :) I only found the time to do it on the last day! I think low counts are as important as high counts for the RSPB.