Rspb Garden Bird Watch

[SueA]

Thanks SBP, that's great I'll print it off when I get some new ink tonight. The last time we went was to Martin Mere when they had the free entrance for 60 years of the WWT. O.H. was a bit bored though, he only likes 'Downy duckling' days when they have lots of little ducks to play with!
As everyone was mentioning robins early as well I'm attaching a pic. I took last Sept. in one of the domes at the Eden Project. They have quite a few birds squatting in the domes, I don't think they mind some as they keep down the pest problems but I think they get annoyed when they steal the seeds from the plants & nibble fruit etc.

[smallblueplanet]

... O.H. was a bit bored though, he only likes 'Downy duckling' days when they have lots of little ducks to play with!

LOL!

Not sure when 'downy ducklings days' are, but think the end date for the voucher is 31st May.

WWT offer

[Birdie Wife]

Hi everyone,

Here's another reminder that it's the Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend!

Maybe next week we could post our 'best bird seen while doing the BGB'? Or other wildlife, of course!

[Nicos]

Thanks for the reminder- I hope to do it tomorrow morning! (better keep the cats in and refill the bird feeders!)

[green ghirl]

had fun doing the bird watch and a brill surprise at the end when a sparrowhawk (i think) turned up,his timing was great as i was just finishing the count.Got a couple of pics and fingers crossed i will get it right this time
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...7/DSCF0238.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2.../DSCF02481.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...7/DSCF0252.jpg

[Alice]

Hello Green ghirl and thanks for the great pics. I reckon that's a sparrow hawk. |Recognise them better when I see them in action. Hope he went hungry.
And thanks for your pics Madderbat. I'll try and post mine tomorrow when I have time. Spent half the time chasing a pesky squirrel off the feeders, but hopefully got some good pics and managed my count.

[SueA]

One measly blackbird & two starlings! That's the last time I clean the feeders & fill them up for that ungrateful lot if they won't come when I want them!

[SueA]

Lovely pics Greenghirl, didn't get any myself but they wouldn't have been that interesting anyway!
SBP, I've just seen an article on the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust & it's free entry on Friday 2nd Feb.http://www.wwt.org.uk/about/news.asp

[Nicos]

Crow and a pigeon at the same time, and a blackbird and a magpie on their own....Where on earth were all the others we usually get?????
Must admit that it was rather blustery , so maybe that affected the results?

[Grandpadragon]

Crow and a pigeon at the same time, and a blackbird and a magpie on their own....Where on earth were all the others we usually get?????
Must admit that it was rather blustery , so maybe that affected the results?

Many people are commenting about lack of birds and the general opinion is that the mild winter has enabled the birds to find enough food in the fields and woodlands. My count was way down for example 1 greenfinch the first I've seen all winter last year 6 or 7 at a time all winter! However did see two new species for our garden Wren seen them elsewhere locally but not in our garden. The real high light was a Tree sparrow and it really was tree not house it has come back several times and I've been able to get a good look at it with my 400mm lense brown head not grey and collar round back of neck.

[JennieAtkinson]

I noticed the starlings this morning starting to pick up bits for nest building. They seem a little earlier than usual.

[Nicos]

You got to keep checking under your bonnet from now on JA?

[Mrs Dobby]

Saw a flight of about 60 geese in a wonderful V formation the other day down our plot, then this morning whilst in the car park at work a flight of 5 more, all of whom were flying north! Is it me or are they a tad early this year?

[rustylady]

I work in a sort of hostel for women and children and got them all involved in the Birdwatch. Printed off ID charts and the scoring charts. I actually had the weekend off so did my own from home, but when I went into work on the Monday I checked the score chart and I was actually amazed at the numbers recorded. We regularly feed the birds, and when you are having a coffee or smoke break you get to know who uses the garden (birds and squirrels). I did check with the mums before I sent the results in on-line and they told me the children had got a bit carried away (and also had said they could have done with binoculars!!!). Fortunately the mums had noted the actual max numbers so we went ahead. One new one for us was a green woodpecker!

[smallblueplanet]

Great idea rustylady. As for binoculars well perhaps you could try contacting the RSPB? I know they collect 2nd hand pairs for 'overseas projects' (cos we gave them our last 'old' pair), maybe they'd consider donating you a couple of pairs?