Choose an hour between the 24th and 26 January and record those birds that land in your garden or patch . Last year across the UK more than 600,000 people took part and counted 9.7 million birds. So if you would like to join the largest citizen science project in the world do give it a try.
Last year I was really lucky on the survey because I not only saw many of the usual garden birds but also spotted a redwing and managed to take a photo. They are visitors from Scandinavia and Russia and stay for the winter as its warmer here than back home despite the fact it was -6 degrees yesterday in our garden. The feature photo with the redwing on the holly bush was taken at Old lodge on the Ashdown Forest. I have been seeing them regularly though at Broadwater Warren. If you go over there take your boots as its very muddy in places where heavy machinery has been taking out diseased Spruce to be disposed of. Its sad to see this happening but its one the few ways to stop the spread of the spruce bark beetle.
The song thrush is one to keep a look out for on the survey . Since 1979, when the Big Garden Birdwatch began, counts across the UK are down an astonishing 85%. However I’m still seeing and hearing song thrushes regularly in Groombridge so you might be lucky.
For full details of this year’s event please click on the link below where you can download a spotting sheet with all the garden birds you are likely to see.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch
The top ten birds last year in order were house sparrow, blue tit, starling, woodpigeon , blackbird, robin, great tit, goldfinch, magpie and long tailed tit .
Phil
Wild Groombridge 