We started the bird watch about 9.30 a.m. on Saturday as there were quite a few birds in the garden. We'd topped up the feeders around 9a.m. and the birds started to appear.
First in were Starlings and Blackbirds followed by a couple of Magpies, a couple of Rock Doves and a couple of Wood pigeons. Most prolific visitors were Goldfinches.
There was a distinct lack of Sparrows in our garden this year although we've seen plenty around on our local walks. About an hour after the count finished 4 Longtailed Tits appeared on the fat ball feeder - too late to be counted.
Not great photos I'm afraid as they were taken through the conservatory windows.
The full list
4 Starlings, 3 Blackbirds, 2 Woodpigeons, 2 Rock Doves, 9 Goldfinches, 2 Magpies, 3 Dunnocks, 2 Collard Doves, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Robin.
I've done the bird watch too. Masses of starlings, quite a few blue tits and sparrows, 2 robins, a few rooks, 1 solitary magpie and the best of all a thrush. Been out for a walk and posted off the form.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gill, glad you joined in the count. We hadn't seen any starlings for ages but they turned up that morning. How wonderful to see a thrush, it seems ages since we saw any in this garden, they used to visit for the snails and they used to use a stone near the pond to break the shells:)
DeleteThose Goldfinch are striking! They look quite different from ours here in the Eastern US.
ReplyDeleteThank you Granny Sue, I always think they look as if they are in a colourful uniform, especially around their tails - they always look so smart:)
DeleteGood to hear Goldfinches are doing so well these days with you too Rosie. We don't get anywhere near as many House Sparrows these days as we used to and Starlings rarely visit yet once they were the most common species! Its always the same with the Garden Birdwatch as we've said before that regulars don't put in an appearance or appear just after or before it starts! You did well to get photos I gave up this morning what with the sun, trying to take through a window and constantly moving birds!!! I'll post my results in a few days although no photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline. Yes, we have loads of Goldfinches but can usually count no more than a dozen at any one time as they use a tree to queue up to sit on the feeders. No sparrows here for the count, we see them in hedges on our walks. Shame about the photos, we were early doing the count and the sun hadn't appeared then so it was ok. Look forward to seeing your results:)
DeleteThat's fantastic! Did you have 9 goldfinches in the garden at the same time? Amazing. There was a very poor showing here yesterday, 2 bluetits, 1 magpie, 2 woodpigeons, 2 robins and 2 great tits and 4 naughty squirrels eating all the food! 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you CK yes 9 goldfinches at the same time. We have 3 feeders each with two perches so there are usually six goldfinches eating seed and two ot three others waiting on top of the feeder or in a nearby tree. I'm sure different ones come in but of course they can't be counted as they could be the same ones. You saw some lovely garden birds and yes, there are always one or two naughty squirrels at the feeders too:)
DeleteRosie, I would like to get in touch with you about Loyton Moss pictures, do you have an email address? thanks Sarah
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah, I see I did a post in Feb 2013 and another in March 2014. Gosh 10 years ago! Haven't been back since then. I'm never sure about putting my e-mail on here but below is the one I use occasionally - I'll look out for your e-mail.
Deletegough(dot)famhist(at)ntlworld(dot)com
Our most prolific visitors at the moment are blue tits and sparrows and a couple of robins and blackbirds. We have seen a group of starlings strutting around as well. All our boundaries in the back garden have hedges so there is plenty of cover for them all. Well done with your birdwatch.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverley. We have a few blue tits and great tits but only one appeared in the hour. One side of our garden is fence but the other two are hedges so plenty of refuge for the birds. We used to have lots of sparrows but not many now:)
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