RSPB Census

Did a count this morning but it was well down on last year rather disappointing considering the numbers and variety that have shown up during the recent frost and snow.
Blackbird - 3 (but we've got 3 male and 3 female semi tame and regulars in the garden)
Blue tit - 2 (about average)
Collared dove - 1
House sparrow - 6
Jackdaw - 1
Robin - 1
Starling - 3 (there were 12 or more later in the day!)
Wood pigeon -2 (we just love this pair who often sit on the window feeder and look at us)
Wren -1 (appeared during the final couple of minutes of the survey)

Was quite surprised that no finches showed up, though they do seem to be generally less in evidence in the garden this winter. No coal or great tits either and I think sparrow numbers may have been hit by the cold despite the amount of feeding we do.

 

Poor show, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Starling, 1 Dunnock, 2 House Sarrows.
No Blue Tits or Chaffinches, they appeared outside the recording time!

 

I did my birdwatch today too. Not quite the event I was hoping for - my hubby and I have been really looking forward to doing it, even turned over some soil yesterday to encourage a few worm eaters. Alas, my lovely father in law died unexpectedly in the night, so my OH has rushed off to be at his mothers side. What a dreadful shock.

The children and I motored on, and I have to say, it was a little bit like the birds put in a special effort for us.

Blackbird 2 (1m 1f)
Song thrush 1
Mistle thrush 1
Robin 1
Chaffinch 1
Blue tit 3
Long tailed tit 5
Collared dove 2
Goldfinch 1
Tree creeper 1
Jackdaw 2
Starling 3
Dunnock 3
Wren 1
Greenfinch 2
Magpie 2

 

Sorry to hear about your loss in the family VP.

A good bird tally, is the Tree Creeper a one off or seen frequently?

 

We see it most days, but u need to very vigilant. When you want to see him most you won't, if you know what I mean!

 

I did my first birdwatch yesterday, I remember seeing on Springwatch last year, that house sparrows were in the decline and I was intending buying nest boxes but they seem quite common around here

I got:

1 Blackbird
1 Dunnock
1 Great tit
1 Magpie
1 Pied Wagtail
2 Blue tits
2 Robins
2 Chaffinches
2 Coal tits
2 Starlings
9 House Sparrows
9 Wrens

 

9 WRENS!!!!!!

You lucky thing!!! All at once? I am thrilled to see our one :(

 

Yes :D My feeders are on a large golden leylandii hedge so I think they all feel sheltered in amongst it, nine were either on the feeders or the ground below all at the same time. Anyone know where wrens nest? Are they usually not as common? I'll try and get a pic of a large group but there will probably be a house sparrow or two who'll want to intrude.

 

I think wrens are so beautiful. Definitely see fewer than when I was a little girl, but maybe that's just the local area - my mum still sees a few in the old family home.

I'm becoming a bit of a twitcher :o - my mother in law is starting to take the mick. She text me the other day to tell me she had an ostrich on her bird feeder!

 

I wonder why the word 'twitcher' came about. It gives this weird image of geeky, bird watchers, literally twitching under their hoods!! :hehe: