(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Garden bird, rspb on 2008-01-27, 12:39:00

I have not taken part in the RSPB's gardenwatch day yet, due to working on the weekend it was held the 26th-27th January.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/
I might sit tomorrow for an hour how many garden birds visit my garden. Then use the internet to send my data to the Rspb.
They use it every year as an impromptu snapshot of how the native birds of Britain are doing. Every persons postcode is used to log the sightings on one hour of watching. It can be done in gardens or parks, and the time length is short enough that most people can manage it.
From all the data the RSPB can calculate bird populations and abundance (or scarcity) in any given area or the UK as a whole. This can reflect their future policies and which birds need protecting if they are to remain as a distinct species within the UK.
I think the BBC will publish a news story soon about the Top Ten British garden birds sighted over this weekend, in March.
It was originally used to get children into looking at birds in natural environments back in 1979. Over 400,000 people took part last year spotting some 6 millions birds in 235,000 gardens. Somebody realised you could get adults involved whether bird experts or amateurs.
The awareness of the environment and climate change has made a whole new generation of green gardeners and nature lovers. Who appreciate the Flora and Fauna of Britain as a national treasure.
All we need now is Nicholas Cage with some binoculars and a British Garden Birds book.I have worked all weekend. From dark in the morning at 530am to finishing at 810pm when its dark again. Two Dark days but am off tomorrow. The garden is calling me.....

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Garden birds, crow, feeders, rspb on 2007-12-15, 06:32:00

I saw this silhouetted bird sat on a bare tree a few hundred yards from the garden.Even with binoculars he was not distinct.I think he is a crow due to his size.Black feathers, and black beak.

He makes a good silhouette against the bare winter tree. I was looking up garden birds last night and how to attract them to your garden.

In Cheltenham there were lots of garden birds visiting the bird table, and fat balls hung on the fences. It was surrounded by trees and a monster Lavatera bush.
I have moved the bird feeders about. There is a seed mix, some peanuts, and fat balls.I also put out bread and seed mix in a plastic tub on the pavers, and fresh water in a dish.
I have not seen one bird yet in the garden. The next thing I want to buy is a bird table to see if that attracts them. A pyrocanthus bush and honeysuckle are on the list too.
I wander if all the building work has displaced the birds temporarily. There is some overgrown woodland behind the hedge that sits at the back of the garden. It is a buffer zone between the building site and the alleyway.
I keep watching for the birds, as the crow is watching the world go by from his tree top vantage point. I ordered a free booklet from the Royal Society for the protection of Birds (RSPB), the British charity for all our birds, both native and visiting.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/
The camera is charged and ready, just need them to visit my garden.