Last weekend D and I took part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.
We saw the following birds:
Wood Pigeon 3
Dunnock 1
Blackbird 1
Robin 1
Coal Tit 1
Blue Tit 4
Great Tit 2
Carrion Crow 1
Magpie 1
As always many species failed to turn up. The most surprising omission were Goldfinches who are always on the feeders. There was a cat in the garden at the start of the survey which may initially have kept birds from visiting.
It was certainly our lowest total for many years. In 2025 we saw 15 species and in 2024 14 species.
There again every count is important to the RSPB however many species you see and it is always good fun to take part. We certainly enjoyed it :)
6 comments:
Gosh, that is a low count! At least you did it, and they welcome the data even if it's zero species as it all helps the research.
I often found birds did a runner during the chosen hour, and returned thereafter in good numbers! Awkward little tykes!
Thanks Debbie. Yes it is often the way that the regulars just don't visit!! But as you say they welcome all data as it is all important. I did enjoy though - nice to spend an hour just focusing on garden birds and forgetting everything else.
It does seem sometimes that the birds stay away on count days. You had some nice garden birds though. I've seen more Dunnocks this year both in the garden and out and about. We have three that come to visit here but we only saw two of them during the count. Shame about the Goldfinches, they seem to be our most numerous visitors apart from the pigeons:)
Thanks Rosie. So far this year I have only seen the one Dunnock but there are often two Robins around. Goldfinches are definitely the most numerous visitors here - I saw 18 the other day. Probably closely followed by Wood Pigeons. I rarely see Starlings these days and House Sparrow numbers are limited to just a couple that visit most days.
The main thing is that you did it as, as you say, the results are important for the RSPB no matter how many or how few birds you see. I think that was a decent variety anyway. We see so few birds from inside the house because only three main species come to our feeders, yet sitting outside in the summer we see a good variety around and over the garden.
Thanks Mandy - as you say all results are important for their research into how well birds are faring.
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