It was quite emotional!!!!

[Von1983]

For those of you outside Britain, this weekend was the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Big Garden Birdwatch. It is a census to see what wild birds has declined so they can help fix this and see which bird is thriving.

You sit for an hour and write down what you see! This was my first one as I never ever had the time before - always working, nice perk of being self employed!

I had all my usual suspects which are blackbirds, sparrows, blue tits, sterlings, coal tits.....my robin didn't appear nor my wood pigeons.

I fill the feeders up nearly EVERYDAY so I knew SOMEONE was eating it....just didn't know I had EXTRA visitors in dunnocks, long tailed tits and pied wagtails!

It was lovely!

I only managed to get ONE clear pic lol!

Here is my informal report on the RSPB forum for you!




Just finished my very first watch!
My, it was quite emotional! hehe!
I had the usual suspects but my stars were ones I didn't even know I had!
2 dunnocks, 2 longtailed tits and 2 pied wagtails - my personal stars!!!!

Highlights were watching the same poor male blackbird attempt to eat and a female chasing him EVERYWHERE lol! Poor boy, if he could have spoken......it was like: Right...now....food. *head pops up beside him* OOOOH HI! HI THERE! HIIIII! *groan....*

The other was watching a sparrow taking some bedding into the bush for a nest!!!! I wonder if anyone will move into my bird box? It's close to the food but so is the bush!
I had a little coal tit come 4 times (funny you can tell it's the same ones!) and he loves the bird bath. I've only ever seen it used once so it was lovely!

Altogether I have had 40 birds but I didn't have my usual wood pigeons or my robin.

No wonder I have to fill my feeders nearly every day!
I have 5 feeders, 2 cocunut shell suets, fatballs on 4 branches, 2 suet cages and a dish I put out with whatever my parrot is having that day along with her discarded pellets.
I knew SOMEONE was eating it, but 40 in an hour not including some "regs"???
I am ASTOUNDED!!!!

I just looked through my pics and one clear one...ahhh well!
I forgot that the other highlight was the sparrow you see on the feeder! He chased another off that feeder 3 times. To eat? No, it appeared he just like the swinging!!!

He's to your left. You can make out a sterling on the suet to the right lol!
This was towards the end and everyone had gone!

 

[bogo1]

Wow,
Very cool, Von. I love to look out at our feeding area here. Snow on the ground so birds and others really need what we put out. Neat study.
Barbara

 

[Von1983]

I loved it lots Barb.

I need to take more time to stop and watch properly rather than just when I'm washing the dishes!

 

[antoinette]

I recall when we chatted on the telephone last week, you mentioned the
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, laying on the lawn, taking note of what you spotted. You sure must have enjoyed it Von.
I must inquire, a friend of mine here in South Africa, often goes on bird walks, not far from where we live.............. Something to think about......

 

[Ratzy]

I'm also a member of RSPB, even if I'm in Oz ( Grandad set me up )! I did this a few years ago, when I was last in England. My highlight was an Egyptian Goose and I had two Long Tailed Tits in my Grandad's garden ( he said it was the first time ).
Sounds like you had a great time and some awesome birds!

 

[Von1983]

Yes Ant, you should SO do the trail! It is wonderful watching nature.....sadly I forget how much sometimes. I need to do it more often!

Awww how cool that your Grandad made you a member Ratzy! They do some very, very good work towards conservation, glad you sound proud to be a member!

I didn't know I had long tailed tits until the watch either....they paused to have a mouthful of food and then they were off! Probably why I'd never seen them before. Makes me wonder what else I get!

 

[Ratzy]

Makes me wonder what else I get!

Black and green woodpeckers, peregrine falcons, wall creepers, dunnocks, tree sparrows, great tits, waxwings, snow buntings, snow finches.... little things are hard to catch lol.

Though that makes me wonder what I miss out on down here.
Where are you in England?

 

[wildheart]

Thanks for sharing the fun with us Von! You did not mention the ringnecks that were spotted by other members.

Bird walks are the best! We've been doing that for many years now especially by Kruger Park.

 

[Crazy4Birds]

That is awesome that you got the chance to do that Von. I always love just sitting and observing the birds outside. I love watching the interactions between them and you can really start to see their individual personalities! I could watch them for hours on end if I could! Does anyone know if there is something like the RSPB in the states?

 

[Von1983]

Ratzy I live in Cheshire. The closest city is Liverpool =] North East of England.

I have to confess Linky, I haven't checked yet Mainly down South the parakeets but the book I got for the birdwatch has them in there. Apparently....and I quote....

Ring necked parakeet

Britains only naturilised parrot - it is large, long-tailed and green with a red beak and a pink and black ring around it's face and neck. Parakeets escaped from collections near London and subsequently bred in the wild. They have pointed wings and a steady flight. Often found in flocks, numbering hundreds at a roost site, it can be very noisy.

Family: Psittacidae
Where? Found mainly in the South East, particularly Surrey, Kent and Sussex.
When? All year round.
What they eat: Berries, nuts and seeds.

I would hope anyone who saw them would know what they were....our natural birdies are somewhat less colourful for a start!!!!

It's really lovely Erin.....the RSPB is "The royal society for the protection of birds". Do they take steps to conserve wildlife and birds in the US? I bet they do and you'll find an equivilent .