D and I spent an hour watching the birds in the garden last Sunday for the yearly RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.
Unusually most of the regular species put in an appearance - in the last 5 minutes we were willing the Collared Doves perched a few gardens down to visit our garden. Unbelievably they finally did just within the hour! None of the species that visit less often decided to appear though.
Dunnock and Wood Pigeon - sorry photos are record shots only and I only took a few. I nearly didn't bother including them until I realised I don't think I've ever done a post before without photos!
The last few years I don't seem to have seen as many species as I used to but this year we managed to get the total up to 14. I think it helped that D took part as well as these days I normally I end up doing the count on my own.
The full list of birds seen is as follows:
Blackbird x 3
Blue Tit x 2 (one bird was investigating the nest box)
Goldfinch x 6
Wood Pigeon x 5
Coal Tit x 1
Dunnock x 1
Great Tit x 1
House Sparrow x 2
Robin x 2 (nice to see a pair in the garden)
Long Tailed Tit x 2
Carrion Crow x 1
Magpie x 1
Wren x 1
Collared Dove x 2
One very scruffy list!
I am really enjoying reading about what other people have seen.
10 comments:
That's a great list of visitors to your garden, you saw far more different species than we had here. Glad the Collard Doves obliged. We very rarely see a coal tit and only occasionally a wren. Although there are crows in the trees at the bottom of the school grounds, just over the hedge they never seem to land in the garden. Like you I enjoy reading what others have counted in their gardens:)
Rosie - Thanks so much. I think we were lucky this year in that most of the regulars visited for once! Coal Tit was the first sighting this year tbh but the wren is often spotted foraging on the patio. Its a fun thing to do even if you don't see many species and helps contribute to the RSPB's data :)
Wow! That's a great variety! I forgot about it as usual, but if I were to look out of the kitchen window near the feeders it would be about 20 sparrows, and a few blue and great tits. Boring!
Millymollymandy - Thanks so much. Saw more this year probably due to D helping! Lynn next door (the other side to the nightmare house with building work!) feeds the birds too and I think that helps bring in a good variety. Plus we are near to a river and country park so they may come from there looking for food?
What a variety of birds. Most of them I have yet to see.
Haddock - Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment.
As usual here were only a couple of 'bird visitors'. I would love to take part in the annual bird watch but our birds emerge a few weeks after this.
CherryPie - Thanks. I think all records are needed even if no birds seen as it helps the RSPB gauge how bird species are faring.
What a wonderful list, RR. We also had four eyes spotting, but our numbers still seemed very low. But at least all returns count and add to the picture. I have been so hoping to see Waxwings which a neighbour has seen in our area ... so far no joy. Never mind, there are many signs of spring emerging from early daffs to snowdrops.
Carolne Gill - Thanks so much and you are so right when you say all returns count and are important.
Good luck with the local Waxwings - I do hope you see them. Despite it being a "Waxwing Winter" I haven't seen any yet this year. Its a joy to see the snowdrops :)
Post a Comment