Rspb Garden Bird Watch

[Alice]

The RSPB are having their Big Garden Bird Watch on 27th and 28th January. Here's a link for anybody interested in taking part.
Big garden bird watch

[Birdie Wife]

You beat me to it Alice! I would recommend this to anyone who takes the remotest interest in the birds in their garden, it only takes an hour and you can get the whole family involved. You don't have to have anything special in your garden, or even be a birdwatcher with special powers.

[wellie]

Many, many thanks girlies for the timely reminder ! I had completely forgotten about it since last year, and I really enjoyed taking part.
We have an extremely healthy variety of birds visit our garden as I hang nutfeeders from three of the trees all year round to attract them in from the woods just over the dry stone wall. They forage amongst all my borders and plants, picking off all manner of pests and grubs that I have no need for (!)
and I often sit in the conservatory watching them for hours before I realise what the time is !
Thanks again.
Wellie

[Nicos]

We did it last year...and will again this year!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Did it the last couple of years and had my paper reminder from the RSPB today in the post. Looking forward to seeing any changes this year from previous years. Dexterdog

[green ghirl]

looking forward to it, got my letter yesterday from the rspb
the big difference i have from last year is that i put a niger feeder up a few weeks ago and now have four goldfinches that visit every day,they are one of the most beautiful birds and luv watching them.One bird i have not seen in the garden(at least when ive been looking) is the tree sparrow,do any of you have them in the garden and what their fav food.
happy birdwatching

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hello GG - I'm very lucky in that I've had lots of goldfinches in my garden for the last three years. Sparrows - only a couple until last summer when I've had quite a few. Due to being out at work 0730 - 1700 each day, don't see many birds! Looking forward to the RSPB weekend - shall sit watching my trees/bird feeders etc through the kitchen window - all day! DDL

[Grandpadragon]

The RSPB watch is good for keeping the grandchildren quiet
Seems less birds about this winter haven't seen Nuthatches or Coal tits, and the chaffinch flock seems smaller. I wonder if the very mild winter is enabling them to find more food in fields and woods?

[nick the grief]

I try and soit if I remember, trouble is we only get house sparrow!! still they're rare in most of the UK !

[Alice]

You're right about the sparrows Nick. We have just loads of birds in the garden as we have plenty of food and shelter for them but in 20 years we've never had sparrows. I'm sure the RSPB would love to know where they are so maybe you could find time to fill in the survey.

[nick the grief]

I live just round the corner from 260 acres of mixed woodland & so most of the little gits are in there rather than eating at my bird table

I think I managed about 4 different sorts of birds last year

[Benacre]

Looking forward to this Birdwatch, I will be in my local wood again this year.
Colin.

[wellie]

Alice/ Nick,

That's because I've got all the Sparrows! We're inundated with the gorgeous little darlings. Largely, I think, because we have a little 'shed' at the bottom of the garden, which has it's roof entirely covered in a Cotoneaster, which looks like a 'thatched roof', and they all live and nest in there.
Sparrows are incredibly sociable birds, and like effectively living in 'terraced housing', i.e. next to one another....

[Benacre]

I manage 12 Species in my regular woodland walk.
I have just over 400 on my British Life List. I am a Birder. No not a TWITCHER a Birder.
Benacre

[madderbat]

We live on the edge of town, and lately don't have many birds at all (blame it on the cats!)
Would love to join the RSPB Bird Watch, but feel discomfobulated that there really aren't any at all sometimes. I'm sure that some people along the road get more birds than we do, but I can't count theirs!