Luckily I did half an hour count at the back where I seem to get more of the smaller birds yesterday, it is far too windy today - the feeders are swinging and swaying in the wind. I will try again tomorrow for the other half an hour in the front garden. Fingers crossed the wind drops by then.
16 Starlings, 12 House Sparrows, 2 Chaffinches, 3 Blue Tits, 1 Great Tit, 3 Blackbirds, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 2 Woodpigeons and 1 Collared Dove.
We've had a Yellowhammer and a family of Long-tailed Tits recently but didn't show today. I keep hearing that Starlings and House Sparrows are declining but both are the primary species in similar numbers year in year out with this count.
Why do they do it this time of the year? Is there some particular reason I wonder.. Might get a more reliable count in the spring with the hope of better weather.
Also people are more likely to feed birds in the winter months. Harsh weather too drives species into gardens where they otherwise wouldn't be. The yellowhammer I've seen is primarily a farmland bird.
Thanks @purplerallim. That explains it but its still irritating that the usual birds are not there due to the weather. The least they could do is turn up when we have all that food out.
Too true @Bijdezee , ungrateful things.😉 I have just put in my numbers and there have been over 2 million birds registered already. Last year there was 6.75 million , with house sparrows and Starlings still the top, I seem to have just over the average for both. We don't get things like Siskins or Fieldfares, or even bullfinches. It's too early for the Greenfinches or Chaffinches they visit late summer. At least today the birds are enjoying the food, the Sparrowhawk must be having a day off.😀
The siskins are on the feeders this morning along with the regular birds. I'm tempted to sneak another hour of watching just to add them on. Still no greenfinches though, last year they used to dominate the feeders at this time of year
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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We've had a Yellowhammer and a family of Long-tailed Tits recently but didn't show today. I keep hearing that Starlings and House Sparrows are declining but both are the primary species in similar numbers year in year out with this count.