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Nearly time for this annual event again.
Jan 27/29 details here https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved...ies/birdwatch/
Enjoy and have fun!
Jan 27/29 details here https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved...ies/birdwatch/
Enjoy and have fun!
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The cats' valet.
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Excellent stuff, well hopefully we'll get a better count this year. We were strict with the counting and the hour etc and got sparrows, dunnocks and a couple of tits but nothing exciting. Within half an hour after stopping we'd seen a flock of starlings, and the field behind us filled with oyster catchers. It's as if they knew. -
Shame the birdwatch wasn't today, as along with all our usual garden visitors we also had 8 oyster catchers and about 40 curlew in the field behind us. Along with assorted gulls and loads of wood pigeons.Comment
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I have my Birdwatch pack.
I've been practising, don't think I can count lots of birds at once though. Is there a knack?Comment
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Well the curlew today were very well behaved just sitting in the field eating so were very static, bigger flocks moving are more difficult, but I tend to count in groups of 5 which is quicker. Really big numbers you're in to estimate territory, where you take a sample area of say 5 square metres count every individual in there then multiply up for the area over which the animals are spread to give you an approximate population sizeComment
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The only bird I'll see lots of are woodpigeons, but the tits may be scattered in various bushes and trees.
It'll be like...........there's one and another, and two over there and another, or did I just count it..........
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Think the bird watch rules say you put down the biggest number of individuals you saw at one time and can guarantee are different birdsComment
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That'll be one then.
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Used to do this every year but fell out with the RSPB as they decided to cull some mountain goats on Loch Lomond as they were eating vegetation which certain birds need...so kill animals to help bird numbers left a bad taste. Surely that's just nature? Ended my donation to them too.sigpicComment
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So there I was this morning, getting a bit of practice in for the bird watch, having a coffee and watching the bird feeders, when I think ooh, that's a little wren out the corner of my eye. On closer inspection it's a bit light and green for a wren, hang on a minute, it's a pair of goldcrests. Never seen them before in our garden and no doubt they won't be back when it's time for the count. Never mind, was lovely to see them.Comment
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I've just seen a Goldcrest too - in the big camellia that grows against the house. Its about the only place I spot them as they're just outside the landing window. If there wasn't glass I could reach out and touch them. Lovely little things.
The wren's nest in the camellia and the tits and bees love it too. I'm often sidetracked on my way downstairs, just by watching all the activity in the camellia. Everyone should have one - or 6.
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In all my years I have only ever seen a Goldcrest once!Comment
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Keep your eye on conifers. Goldcrests love them. You'll often hear them before you see them.
Never been able to photograph as they've gone by time I get back with DSLR.
There's also the similar firecrest.Riddlesdown (S Croydon)Comment
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Not all, mainly the british conifers, Lelandi for instance has nothing to offer but death ans miseryOriginally posted by DannyK View Post
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"Big Garden Birdwatch" - Don't think it means extending your garden into fields etc around you. Well that is my interpretation. Perhaps I could just exclude the geese and count everything else. Mr and Mrs Buzzard, Collar Doves, and the Jackdaws don't land in the garden that often, but watch from the line each day.
Today for the 1st time there was a goose in the garden. We think it caught its wing on the fence and couldn't take off. Called the SSPCA and the pink footed goose if off to Ayrshire for a holiday. We have been having reed buntings and black caps this last few days.
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