My numbers were fairly well up but the species count was very much down. Not just for the day either. I haven't seen a dunnock, brambling or a coal tit. Very few thrushes and only one robin.
I had 10 species, 9 of which are on the most common list but no more than 3 of anything. Lady Blackcap was no. 1- she's visited several times but no sign of her mate. Blue tits and great tits are nothing like as abundant as they used to be. House sparrows have turned up recently, goldfinches are daily visitors now but I rarely see a chaffinch now.
House sparrow population here has started to pick up again but haven't had any greenfinches in the garden for a few years now. Will be interesting to see the results of the birdwatch this year.
Last year bird watch for South-East of England was for number 1- house sparrows and blue tits second, think it might be different this year - as I have not seen a house sparrow for a while.
Well, I had to have a few muttered words when refilling the feeders. The regulars didn't bother to show up when it counted! I had a paltry list to submit and it was no where near representative of the usual melee.
They stack like planes at Heathrow usually and we get a huge range of wild birds. I am trying not to take it personally (that would be silly) but I suppose it's the same as nurturing children. Love them, feed them and then leave them be .....because you owe them everything and they owe you nothing but the joy of their being happy and free. Hey ho , they are all back again making a din and emptying the feeders.
I think we have the house sparrow population here hmmm.
Marinelilium same when I counted, they all hid !!! However all hiding again today from the wind apart from the crow duo and the pheasant tottering back and forth across the field.
Bunny, for the first 22 of my 24 years in this house, I didn't see a single house sparrow. There was a big colony at my workplace and another in a park I use to dog walk. A couple of years ago the odd one started to turn up here and recently I heard a sparrow party going on in a hedge just down the road. Yesterday there were 4 in my potentilla! I notice they seem to be getting the hang of bird-feeders these days.
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My numbers were fairly well up but the species count was very much down. Not just for the day either. I haven't seen a dunnock, brambling or a coal tit. Very few thrushes and only one robin.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I had 10 species, 9 of which are on the most common list but no more than 3 of anything. Lady Blackcap was no. 1- she's visited several times but no sign of her mate. Blue tits and great tits are nothing like as abundant as they used to be. House sparrows have turned up recently, goldfinches are daily visitors now but I rarely see a chaffinch now.
House sparrows are another species I never see. Chaffinches, green and gold finches are good. reed buntings as well.
In the sticks near Peterborough
House sparrow population here has started to pick up again but haven't had any greenfinches in the garden for a few years now. Will be interesting to see the results of the birdwatch this year.
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Last year bird watch for South-East of England was for number 1- house sparrows and blue tits second, think it might be different this year - as I have not seen a house sparrow for a while.
They stack like planes at Heathrow usually and we get a huge range of wild birds. I am trying not to take it personally (that would be silly) but I suppose it's the same as nurturing children. Love them, feed them and then leave them be .....because you owe them everything and they owe you nothing but the joy of their being happy and free. Hey ho , they are all back again making a din and emptying the feeders.
Oh dear Marinelilium. I think all us counters have had that experience too . What are your most regular visitors?
Marinelilium same when I counted, they all hid !!! However all hiding again today from the wind apart from the crow duo and the pheasant tottering back and forth across the field.
Bunny, for the first 22 of my 24 years in this house, I didn't see a single house sparrow. There was a big colony at my workplace and another in a park I use to dog walk. A couple of years ago the odd one started to turn up here and recently I heard a sparrow party going on in a hedge just down the road. Yesterday there were 4 in my potentilla! I notice they seem to be getting the hang of bird-feeders these days.