RSPB Garden Bird Watch Reminder

[wellie]

OK folkies, it's only a week away now: 26th/27th January.
So DON'T FORGET!
and as Piskie said - don't count your bluetits twice!

[srodders]

I've been putting out lots and lots of food for the past couple of weeks now so they all know where to come next Sat/Sun. Got at least 40 House sparrows, 30 Starlings and loads of Chiff-chaffs and Goldfinches now.

Knowing my luck they'll all be full up next week-end and stay away!!

[Hazel at the Hill]

I've worked out a way that I can feed the birds (and not the cats ) so I've been feeding the birds too since the New Year. Fabulous fun to watch - there are some right characters!

Here's the link to the RSPB birdwatch site

[royboy]

Im also ready. Got plenty of feeders, fat balls and a pair of bonoculars my daughter bought me for chrimbo...cant wait.

[wellie]

It's going to be fun in our house! Unless our next door-but-one neighbour (Dave) is here to adjudicate: Trousers insists that every Chaffinch he sees is a Bullfinch, which it isn't, apart from ONE time when Dave WAS here for a coffee fairly recently, and Dave assures me that they DID see a Bullfinch. I wasn't here, so I've had to take their word for it...... Give me strength!

[Flummery]

Mr F feeds the birds all year round. Doesn't make any difference. They hide on bird watch day!

[Digger-07]

The bird count should have been ten minutes ago.
A murmuration of starlings have just descended on the lawn outside the study. There must have been over 150 - never seen anything like it here before. Could it be something to do with the rain and that this must be the driest (only 20mm of water standing on the lawn) part of Leeds this morning?

[seasprout]

I'm ready..!

Topped up my feeders at home today, am going to do the count at work though (as i working that weekend), so i am taking lots of extra birdfood tomorrow to gear them all up.

Ive been to the rspb bird watch site and printed off a recording sheet to help count up all the birdies. Dug out my Bird ID book.

Incidentally I've recently been listening to last years podcasts regarding the Big Garden Bird watch and it has inspired me to join in for the 1st time, i even came home from work tonight and dug into my paper recycling bin to retrieve the recording leaflet which came in a magazine last week. So i'm primed and ready.

[piskieinboots]

now you all know that I'm struggling to know how many times I've counted a bird - so Snowdrop says (sick black humour alert) 'the only way is to shoot each one on sight and line them up and send in the photo'

He's nothing to do with me I tell ya

We're ready and the birds are very regular visitors here so it should be fun - I have picked the usual breakfast time slot to count as we get tons in when we are eating - so bacon butties and birds it is then

[Headfry]

I am ready too!
Hazel, what is your cat/bird method of feeding? please tell as I have two cats (much loved)
and want to feed birds (much loved)
thanks

[Hazel at the Hill]

Hi Headfry - I have a Plan! My 'orrible mogs go out when I get up, but by about 11am they are both back in and snoozing for the day.

THEN I cut up a piece of bread into tiny cubes which has been spread with fat/stock from the gravy jug, and I put this on the courtyard wall. Then the wind blows it all off into the courtyard

I get junior blackbird, mr and mrs blackbird, mr robin, starling gang, mr and mrs magpie, mr rook and mr crow, and every now and again familiy wagtail. to dine all day.

My pusskas stretch and rouse themselves at tea time, at which point the feathered friends have tucked themselves up for the night....

[seasprout]

Burds.

I did my watch 8.45 till 9.45. very fruitful. Don't suppose a sun bathing fox counts...? wished i got my camera with me.

[mapcr77]

Birds are shying away from my wee garden this weekend... I wonder if they were lured away by those who are feeding them fancier foods specially for the RSPB warden watch? Worse still... they may have been scared off by a neighbour chopping off the two huge trees from his garden yesterday

[rustylady]

I keep feeders out all year and usually have loads of birds in the garden. However, this year they haven't been eating at their usual rate - don't know if it's because it's been so mild they haven't needed the extra food. Blackbirds are still about, also sparrows and starlings. Have seen bluetits and a chaffinch, but the little bu***rs are hiding this weekend. All I've seen is a blackbird and a feral pigeon.

[Flummery]

Our best count (i.e.largest in number) was the tree sparrow!