Saturday 28 January 2012

Grubs up

It's feeding time again.


I'd just like to point out that this feeder post is not leaning. No, that was the photographer, and no I wasn't drunk. These finches came to visit my garden yesterday. In fact, I had 32 goldfinches at one point. And if you're wondering how I managed to count 32; I took a photo of the flock and then counted them. Easy peasy.

Today is the start of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch event where people throughout the UK are invited to spend one hour this weekend counting the birds in the garden. Now I wouldn't advise actually standing in your garden to do it. For one thing, it's a bit cold, but more importantly, the birds will just fly away, and then they'll be watching you, and that's not quite what it's all about.

If you haven't got a garden, and don't fancy going to the local park, you can still join in, sort of, by visiting WildlifeKate's Garden Blog tomorrow between 11.00am and midday, when Kate will be focusing her live cameras on her bird feeders.

I was going to mention how a lot of the birds seem to do a disappearing act on this weekend, but this year it's not the case. Yes, they've all come visiting today, I've even seen three siskins, the first sighting this season. Now that's what I call timing.

And finally today, I'd like to give a special thank you to Professor Ian D. Rotherham for mentioning this blog in his article in today's 'The Star'. Thank you kindly, sir. Much appreciated.

7 comments:

  1. We did our Birdwatch today and as well as loads of goldinch, greenfinch we saw lots of redwings which don't seem to be around much this year. No fieldfares though.

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    1. We've had a flock of over 30 goldfinch in the area lately. They were flying around during the Birdwatch, but then they split up. I only got 10 of them in my garden, my neighbours got the rest.

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  2. How fun!! So how many different birds visited your garden?

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    1. I recorded 15 different birds for the Birdwatch event, but then the following day a beautiful bullfinch turned up. He must have got stuck in traffic. Oh well, there's always next year.

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  3. I like the feeder! Such fun to have a country wide bird watching event like this!

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    1. We also have a year-round scheme organised by the BTO where we can record all the birds, butterflies, animals and insects that we see in our gardens every week. Very useful to check back on their database to see when something last appeared in your garden.

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  4. Hi Crystal, 15 species is a great count! Interesting that we're sharing in the Siskins too. Now... that Bulfinch is on my wishlist for any day... maybe...

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