I always do the Bird Count, but often wonder how misleading it could be. There being such a variation in the hours. Sometimes I have maybe thirteen long tailed tits, while another hour none at all. Similar with blue tits, so variable. Just my opinion.
Did our bird count yesterday - nothing too exciting or scarce around here - we have a kestrel that shows itself in our garden most days hence the shortage of smaller birds. The noise of a gull or crow chasing the kestrel is enough to send most birds away from our bird feeders.
We took part for the first time yesterday. The RSPB sent out a lovely family pack with some stickers and a paper wall chart that my 3 year old could mark when we saw something. I've filed this years results so we can compare year on year in the future and introduce a little science study to the girls.
We also missed a few of our 'regulars' during the hour window but I guess the huge population size of the study will increase it's overall validity. As they are comparing year on year with the same study design a fairly accurate overall trend should be observed. Nothings going to be perfect I guess.
We recorded a good range and our Jay and Collared Doves appeared. We were missing sparrows and long tailed tits though that are usually around at some point during the day.
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Finally managed to do it between 2 and 3 -later than intended, but there were birds about, hurrah!
2 collared doves, 2 wood pigeons, 2 bluetits
1 dunnock, 1 male blackbird, 1 female blackbird, 1 robin, 1 crow, 1 greattit, 1 jay
No coaltits, no house sparrows, no long tailed tits, so not totally representative but not bad, especially in comparison to last year.
I always do the Bird Count, but often wonder how misleading it could be. There being such a variation in the hours. Sometimes I have maybe thirteen long tailed tits, while another hour none at all. Similar with blue tits, so variable. Just my opinion.
Did our bird count yesterday - nothing too exciting or scarce around here - we have a kestrel that shows itself in our garden most days hence the shortage of smaller birds. The noise of a gull or crow chasing the kestrel is enough to send most birds away from our bird feeders.
I done my bird count part outside after feeding the birds was nice hearing the sounds they make, spotted a few then finished off in doors
2 Doves, 2 Wood Pigeons, 2 blue tits, 2 long tailed tits, 2 black birds, 1 goldfinch, 1 magpie, 1 robin also spotted a few crows
more magpies arrived later, I did see one bird in the tree but could not tell what it was
Have not seen any sparrows for a while and only 1 starling last week
Has any one seen sparrows?
I have quite a lot of sparrows in the garden generally, just not this afternoon.
LG the librarian where are you in the country I am in Hampshire
I'm in SE London, Gardengirl. I think the house sparrows like all the houses - they certainly nest in a lot of the roofs down my road.
We took part for the first time yesterday. The RSPB sent out a lovely family pack with some stickers and a paper wall chart that my 3 year old could mark when we saw something. I've filed this years results so we can compare year on year in the future and introduce a little science study to the girls.
We also missed a few of our 'regulars' during the hour window but I guess the huge population size of the study will increase it's overall validity. As they are comparing year on year with the same study design a fairly accurate overall trend should be observed. Nothings going to be perfect I guess.
We recorded a good range and our Jay and Collared Doves appeared. We were missing sparrows and long tailed tits though that are usually around at some point during the day.
been gardening today - and there were all the robins that weren't there for the count, and the wren, Still not a goldfinch to be seen.
I wonder if the birds hide and count us instead?
I think you may be onto something, gardenning granny!