For nearly three years now we have been taking part in the British Trust for Ornithology weekly Garden Birdwatch. We thought others might be interested in hearing of our observations and we would certainly be happy to compare notes with other people who keep an eye on their garden birds.
We spend an hour a week observing for our weekly return – though of course once you start doing that it becomes habit to keep an eye open most of the time when at home as well. As much as possible we count at the same time each week. Although the purpose is to dispassionately count what is there – so absence is as important as presence – one does tend to be disappointed with a ‘low’ turnout!
We have identified 40 different species in the garden at one time or another, though some have been present at the ‘wrong’ time so not appeared on our returns.
There is one rarity which we claim to have seen – in fact we are convinced – but which is barely possible according to an expert on Cornish birds we consulted! The bird was a Twite which was present all of one day last winter. It was about the only day on which there was a bit of snow on the ground and it pottered about finding discarded seed underneath. At the time we did not have a suitable camera to snap it so did not have a picture with which to convince the expert (who said in his long experience he had never heard of a Twite in Cornwall). It is possible he thought he had come across a couple of Twits in Cornwall.
So while we say we are convinced, there will always be a nagging doubt. Not long after that we bought ourselves a suitable camera but that particular bolted horse has never returned.
The largest number of a species we have recorded was twenty two Goldfinches. These sorts of numbers were regularly present at the end of last summer. The other birds we have seen in numbers were the House Martins who nest around our roof and Long Tail Tits, erratic in their appearances but we have had as many as twelve at a time.
Apart from the usual tits, robins, sparrows and finches that are regulars at most bird tables we also see a number of slightly less common birds. A pair of nuthatches can be seen most days and from time to time we see Siskins, Bullfinch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Garden Warbler and Grey Wagtail with very occasional sightings of Blackcap. Once we spotted a Goldcrest which we think may be around in the conifers regularly unseen. The garden pond has brought Kingfisher and Heron, with mixed feelings for those who feel protective towards their pondfish.
Of the heavy brigade we have Buzzard, Pheasant and (more mixed feelings) Sparrow Hawk.
Our usual count is around 14 species and perhaps 30 individuals but we have recorded up to 20 species in a single session. The lowest number of species was seven.
We have quite a large garden including small paddock with open views towards Bodmin Moor. The garden adjoins woodland and grass farmland.
Because we have two distinct areas of garden, one at the front and one to the side, we watch one each. There are feeders at each point. Communication is important to pick up total numbers visible at any one time without double counting. If action is limited it is easy to start pottering with dish washing etc in the kitchen. This can put a strain on efforts to communicate!
Our feeders usually contain peanuts, fat balls, general seeds (sometimes sunflower hearts), cake and nyger seed. The latter is essential to attract the goldfinches and siskins and also has a lot of appeal for greenfinches.