Big Garden Birdwatch Results

Back in January, nearly half a million people counted 7.2 million birds over one weekend - counting the wildlife that counts on us. The numbers have been crunched by the RSPB scientists and we can now find out what we all saw.

This year in south-east England (my area) 92,000 people took part in Big Garden Birdwatch. The house sparrow remained the most commonly reported bird, with an average of three in each garden. Blue tits swooped in at number two, appearing in nearly three-quarters of all gardens, whilst the starling was the third most spotted bird.

The Top 10 birds seen in gardens this year were:

1. House Sparrow  2. Blue tit  3. Starling  4. Blackbird  5. Woodpigeon  6. Chaffinch  7. Goldfinch     8. Great tit  9. Collared dove 10. Robin

Starling

Female Blackbird

Goldfinches

Goldfinches have swooped into the number 7 spot. Before 2001 they were amber-listed. They are visiting our gardens more now and are particularly partial to nyjer seed.

For the first time in Birdwatch history the great spotted woodpecker has made it into the top 20.

Despite staying at number 1 spot the house sparrow is a red-listed species. Their numbers are down by 62% since the first Birdwatch.

Starling numbers have plummeted by 84% since the first Birdwatch in 1979. It is another red-listed species. The RSPB is urgently researching the reasons for the decline.

Song thrushes have declined by 81% since the Birdwatch began. They are currently in 21st place and like many of our favourite garden birds remain on the red list.

Some of the rarer garden visitors included Lapwing, Waxwing, Grey partridge, Barn owl and Chiffchaff and probably the rarest visitor in this Big Garden Birdwatch was a Yellow-rumped warbler!! 

Garden Birds - Changing diseases

With increasing numbers of bird species visiting gardens it is possible that there might be negative implications for disease transmission. Species that would not normally meet in close proximity are now mixing at garden feeding stations, offering opportunities for diseases to diversify. For example, it is likely that the sudden appearance of finch trichomonosis in 2005 resulted from the mixing of finch and pigeon species. The increase in numbers of birds congregating in gardens might also provide opportunities for diseases to spread more rapidly. The new strain of avian pox virus causing severe skin lesions in Great Tits can be spread via biting insects or through direct and indirect contact that could occur at garden feeding stations.

Washing garden feeding equipment regularly with disinfectant or dilute bleach solution is essential to help prevent the spread of diseases. Some are spread by direct contact between birds and others can be transmitted from bird to surface to bird. I use a feeder hygiene brush produced by ChapelWood. It is ideal for removing stubborn stains on wild bird products, has an extra long handle and extra strong bristles and well worth the £2.99 cost.

The ubiquitous Woodpigeon

October Garden Birds

It is still pleasantly mild in Brighton for early October. The temperature today is 20℃ and the garden is bathed in sunshine with a light breeze.

Since hanging out feeders containing sunflower seeds at the back end of last year the number of Goldfinches Carduelis carduelis has grown from 2 or 3 in January to a squabbling number of 14 or more today, the 'charm' containing first and second brood juveniles. A delight to watch.

Yesterday we had a solitary Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita flitting around in the lilac tree and the Dunnocks Prunella modularis are back after an absence of several months. A pair of Blue-tits Cyanistes caeruleus are daily visitors and a single Great-tit Parus major makes the occasional brief visit. Starlings Sturnus vulgaris have reappeared over the past few days. They certainly enjoy the fruit flavoured red suet pellets. A number of Woodpigeons Columba polumbus raid the feeders every day and since the beginning of the month a Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto has returned. Herring Gulls Larus argentatus and Jackdaws Corvus monedula are always about although they seldom land in the garden. The Jackdaws though do attack the fat-balls with relish.

Noticeable by their absence at the moment are Blackbird Turdus merula and Robin Erithacus rubecula.

Juvenile Birds - Helping Our Wildlife

My constant vigilance in keeping the bird feeders replenished is paying dividends. For some time now we have enjoyed seeing juvenile Goldfinches and Greenfinches visiting the feeders, particularly those containing sunflower seeds. Today, for the first time, I spotted a juvenile Great Tit, rather grey overall with a shadow of the black streak on the breast developing, and a juvenile Robin, its breast developing a pale pink colour before it will have its full red breast.

So, what is the significance of this? Well, for me it is a clear indication of the need for householders to provide food for our native birds in our gardens, not forgetting the need for water as well. I have two bird baths that are constantly replenished and in continuous use. (Mind you, the rain today has done the job for me).

Today I have recorded Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Collared Dove and Woodpigeon on the feeders and in the bird baths. They are a joy to watch, are terrible time-wasters and provide me with a certain sense of achievement.

You too can help to reduce the decline of our resident birds. Place a few seed feeders in your garden and add a bird bath. The rewards are very satisfying and you can be assured that you are aiding the survival of birds that might otherwise not make it through the winter.

A world without birds is unthinkable. They need our help...