Looks Like 2010 is Going to be a Good Year For Birding

Not boring at all.  Its great to be out and about and just enjoying. Sounds like you have the year off to a great start and I hope you manage to keep it up throughout,  - just wait till the spring, its just around the corner really,  but in the meantime lets hope we don't have constant rain ( keeping us indoors) once the ice and snow go because there's plenty to keep us occupied,interested and happy in the meantime.  A goldcrest in your garden, wonderful

Sounds to me like most enjoyable days out. We are often guilty of carrying on with our routine days without looking and listening. When we do, we realise how much we haave missed.

Hi Paul E,

I'm pleased that your birding has started of well in 2010.

I don't want to spoil your thoughts about it been a good year as to what you are seeing now, it is what are we going to see in future that is of the greatest concern. I have also experienced some firsts in terms of bird ticks, this has only been down to birds driven by hunger to find food. I have also experienced first hand what servere weather conditions do to many species of birds.

Most of the post that have been submitted over the last week with regards to first sightings of particular species sighted in gardens etc, are all down to the birds been driven towards humans for food.

The RSPB is appealing for people to spare a thought for the birds who need our help to survive the cold snap.

Finding food and ensuring they eat enough of it to build - and maintain - adequate fat supplies to store on the body and ‘burn’ for energy is the greatest test for wild birds in winter.

And the food and water we provide can be the difference between life and death in many cases.

The reminder comes as many parts of the country are already experiencing several inches of snow and the Met Office forecasts cold and snowy weather to arrive elsewhere in the next couple of days.

When temperatures fall below freezing, our birds struggle to find the food they need to survive the winter in healthy condition, vital for breeding in spring.

But in reality the weather that we have had upto now in 2010 could have a detrimental effect on many species of birds and other wildlife. Just one species that will suffer large mortality rates are Kingfishers.

The situation is so dire that Britain's The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is concerned that the below zero temperatures will push wildlife to "the brink of a crisis".

The bad weather could be the biggest killer of wildlife of the millennium, explained Dr. Mark Avery from the RSPB in a BBC News interview.

Numerous species of birds cannot access food and some of the birds are too weak to migrate away from the cold weather. UK residents are being asked to put out food and water for birds to ensure they survive the prolonged cold snap.

Regards Buzzard

Well said Buzzard. I would imagine that most RSPB (a million +) and members of this forum are trying to do their bit in gardens and perhaps elsewhere. Lets hope that the other 59 million in the country heed the appeal.

It's exciting for us to see so many unusual birds in our gardens but it's a matter of life and death for them.

TJ

I have been thinking more and more about this over the last few days.  I've text and phoned home when I'm on lates to make sure the birds are catered for, got up at 6am and fumbled around in the dark just to make sure they're ok for when they wake up.  But not enough bother...

Working in a supermarket, I have been pushing (to the best of my ability) the simplest of things onto customers to help cater for the birds, and it has worked to some degree.  But there's always the possibility of doing more.  It would be simple for supermarkets to run up a little piece of advertising in-store "great for garden birds!" or that sort of thing.

In fact this week while I am off, I'm going to see what I can do...

Well said Buzzard for the thought provoking post to make us think of our birds

Paul: I would suggest you ask your workplace (as a supermarket) to ask the managment for any outdated fruit and veggies, cheese etc,, for your birds as a contribtion to their survival.  Yes a thought for birds in your garden would be a good thing to advertise.

A bit like the best food on the block bird style - worth a chat to your boss any day.

Even a 'food' donation to people like the RSPB would be a bonus.

If you have educated 'birdy' workmates all the better,

Just a thought {smile}

Regards

Kathy and Dave

The outdated foodstuffs would not work in the slightest, as a member of management I can vouch for how strict they are :o)  Plus, it can be a very complicated thing throwing food away - believe it or not!

This week while I am off I'm going to look into the route of in-store advertising for helping the birds.  That and of course, every supermarket has a notice board!

Simple bird logo cards stuck on the edge of the shelf by the Product info / price (forgotten what its called) would be good for customers & advertising / sales pushing. E.g by the sultanas, bran, rolled oats, apples/pears etc. It would be good for the big supermarkets to give back to nature. Good PR.

Hi Paul

I think what you will be be doing is a good example to the bird population and it might give you credit in your workplace.

I am not sure what bodies that you need to be in touch with. I am sure someone on this RSPB Forum will direct you so you can help our feathered friends

I would contact one of the moderators, and ask what you can do to help.

Best advice {thumbs up}

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Made a trip to Wilkinsons yesterday  to stock up on bird feed (spent a fortune) the girl on the till informed me that very other person was buying bird feed so that is a good sign at least.