Hi @Fran IOM I find it so interesting and I’m pretty sure the data they receive from this project is a lot more helpful and representative of trends in the bird population than the annual RSPB one. I suppose the RSPB one is more useful in gaining people’s interest in feeding birds and providing basic information on bird populations, it’s what got me started years and years ago.
Hi @CatDouch Found that link really interesting and will look into it further. Do you pay the annual fee? As you say it would be of more interest than the results of one random day in January. You are probably right about the birdwatch encouraging people to feed the birds so that can't be a bad thing.
@Fran IOM - I've signed up to it [yesterday] after seeing @CatDouch 's link and you don't have to pay a fee, although I don't know if that's just the first year. I agree that it should be more useful than just one day, but encouraging folk to feed birds and generally take an interest is a good thing. I think there should be more emphasis on the fact that it's important to keep feeding, topping up feeders etc, once you start though, especially through winter and into the breeding season. I'm not sure I ever hear people saying that. There was a wumman from RSPB on the radio recently talking about the upcoming birdwatch, and it was never mentioned.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl@CatDouch. I will sign up for it having read your posts. When I was going through it yesterday it mentioned a £17 annual fee but if you haven't had to pay it may be for something else. I would like to think that people would realise they have to keep on feeding them during the coming months. I know it can become quite expensive as I feel I spend more on the birds than I do on the dog and cat! Sunflower hearts don't come cheap and the goldfinches can empty a feeder in a day no problem. Unfortunately if the weather is really bad I can't get over the road to refill the feeders. Plenty of water there for them along with berries and windfall apples.
It is certainly an expensive ‘hobby’ feeding the birds, I buy sunflower hearts in 25 kg bags and shop around online, at the moment Garden Wildlife Direct seems to be the cheapest, it works out at £1.77per kg (not an ad 🙈) I don’t feed the birds any mixes as there is so much waste, I use sunflower hearts for the finches, siskins, robins, nuthatch and sparrows and peanuts for the tits and woodpeckers, I also hang up a couple of the suet blocks which are a real favourite with them all. Expensive but gives so much pleasure ☺️
It is certainly an expensive ‘hobby’ feeding the birds, I buy sunflower hearts in 25 kg bags and shop around online, at the moment Garden Wildlife Direct seems to be the cheapest,
Thanks for this @CatDouch. Certainly cheaper than the local pet-food shop I get mine from. I usually get 20k sacks for ~£45 (sourced from Bulgaria) but at £37 post-free GWD will probably be getting my custom in future.
Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
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You are probably right about the birdwatch encouraging people to feed the birds so that can't be a bad thing.
I agree that it should be more useful than just one day, but encouraging folk to feed birds and generally take an interest is a good thing.
I think there should be more emphasis on the fact that it's important to keep feeding, topping up feeders etc, once you start though, especially through winter and into the breeding season. I'm not sure I ever hear people saying that. There was a wumman from RSPB on the radio recently talking about the upcoming birdwatch, and it was never mentioned.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for this @CatDouch. Certainly cheaper than the local pet-food shop I get mine from. I usually get 20k sacks for ~£45 (sourced from Bulgaria) but at £37 post-free GWD will probably be getting my custom in future.
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful