The starlings leave one sentry in the tree to call the others when I put out the food. One year I put 46 into the Bird count (it was correct) and the RSPB queried it.
I think they should ask if you feed the birds, because it makes a great difference to the numbers. Though we have plenty of wrens and wagtails and they never come to the bird table.
All my birds deserted me on bird count day. I think the neighbours with kids put out food that day,and my birds went to check out new feeding points. The blackbirds are currently queuing in the magnolia, waiting for breakfast.
And lo! What have we here ! A New Year Blue tit, oop t'lotty. Happy new year everyone.
About this RSPB bird count. I can identify with all the comments about the birds disappearing on the day, when the day before, there were veritable FLOCKS of whatever you can think of ! Only yesterday, Vee and I counted 4 starlings, 3 dunnocks, 8 spuggies, 4 (?) blue tits, 2 Blackies,(waiting for us!) evidence of pheasants scratching around under the feeders, and, WAIT FOR IT !........ a first timer, a small group of LONG TAILED TITS ! TA DAHHHHHHH ! It was the first time Vee had seen them live, and only three days ago, I had been wistfully thinking how nice it would be to see some oop t'lotty. All things come to those who wait with good intention. But, RSPB census is the kiss of death for our birds. I do however, send them reports of what turns up whenever an unusual visitor condescends to bestow upon us , it's presence and glory to wor plot.
So here we go again. Another year of planning ( ho ho ho ho ), digging and preparation for the best, expecting the worst and getting something wonderful where we least expect it. As it Tony Hancock show, 'It's a GAME, isn't it Sid'?
blackbird (they are enjoying some gammon fat I put on Christmas Day)
collared dove
starling
dunnock
wren
I would struggle with a head count, we have so many sitting in the trees and bushes whizzing backwards and forwards to the feeders.
I started putting out mealworms for the first time yesterday, not much interest yet but I hope they might attract some new species and provide some variety to the regulars.
I forgot, we also had, 3 chaffinches, 2 coal titters, 3 jackdaws, and no fartridges in pear trees, 'cos our pear trees are on final warnings. No fruit, yer out this year !
We put mealworms out on the studio roof every morning, mixed with surplus porridge/ porrage and within minutes, the starlings, spuggies and jackers are swooped down and stuffing themselves.
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I think they should ask if you feed the birds, because it makes a great difference to the numbers. Though we have plenty of wrens and wagtails and they never come to the bird table.
All my birds deserted me on bird count day. I think the neighbours with kids put out food that day,and my birds went to check out new feeding points. The blackbirds are currently queuing in the magnolia, waiting for breakfast.
I think you may have sussed it Fidget
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
New restaurant in town, everyone tries it, then goes back to the trusted favourite.
I feed the birds all year round. They know where to come in bad weather.
Same here - but maybe I'll try some new feeds over the next few weeks to keep them on their toes and interested in my garden and not other peoples
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Woke up this morning to see new visitors at the feeders, long tailed tits, lots of them too, a really nice surprise for New Years Day
And lo! What have we here ! A New Year Blue tit, oop t'lotty. Happy new year everyone.
About this RSPB bird count. I can identify with all the comments about the birds disappearing on the day, when the day before, there were veritable FLOCKS of whatever you can think of ! Only yesterday, Vee and I counted 4 starlings, 3 dunnocks, 8 spuggies, 4 (?) blue tits, 2 Blackies,(waiting for us!) evidence of pheasants scratching around under the feeders, and, WAIT FOR IT !........ a first timer, a small group of LONG TAILED TITS ! TA DAHHHHHHH ! It was the first time Vee had seen them live, and only three days ago, I had been wistfully thinking how nice it would be to see some oop t'lotty. All things come to those who wait with good intention. But, RSPB census is the kiss of death for our birds. I do however, send them reports of what turns up whenever an unusual visitor condescends to bestow upon us , it's presence and glory to wor plot.
So here we go again. Another year of planning ( ho ho ho ho ), digging and preparation for the best, expecting the worst and getting something wonderful where we least expect it. As it Tony Hancock show, 'It's a GAME, isn't it Sid'?
Great idea
So far today:
blue tit
magpie
great tit
long-tailed tit
wagtail
robin
sparrow
jay
blackbird (they are enjoying some gammon fat I put on Christmas Day)
collared dove
starling
dunnock
wren
I would struggle with a head count, we have so many sitting in the trees and bushes whizzing backwards and forwards to the feeders.
I started putting out mealworms for the first time yesterday, not much interest yet but I hope they might attract some new species and provide some variety to the regulars.
I forgot, we also had, 3 chaffinches, 2 coal titters, 3 jackdaws, and no fartridges in pear trees, 'cos our pear trees are on final warnings. No fruit, yer out this year !
We put mealworms out on the studio roof every morning, mixed with surplus porridge/ porrage and within minutes, the starlings, spuggies and jackers are swooped down and stuffing themselves.