This week saw this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch results announced, and, thanks to those who participated, over 6.7 million birds were counted across UK gardens.
I myself had a slightly disappointing Big Garden Birdwatch with just 2 collared doves turning up over the hour I participated. Although I enjoyed watching as they both tried to balance on one section of my feeding station, I did wonder why the four jays I’d seen the previous weekend decided not to make an appearance or at least the regulars of Mr and Mrs Blackbird.
It was not my year for counting the birds in my garden but I know a lot of you had far more success. Many of you saw the delightful goldfinch which, though a non-mover at number six on the charts, was seen 11% more than in 2017. Blue tits were up 5% and moved up a place to number three. But there were some declines on last year. Blackbirds dropped by 18% and robins by 12% (though still appearing in the top ten).
Watching the birds in your garden isn’t reserved for one weekend in January though. I’m sure in recent weeks you’ve seen plenty of feathered friends foraging in your garden. Nature’s Home reader Geoff Simmonds is no exception. He’s been able to capture a charm of six different finch species in his garden.
Amongst the hawfinch, brambling, goldfinch, chaffinch and greenfinch are a family of siskins appearing at number 24 on the Big Garden Birdwatch charts (Photo by Nature’s Home reader, Geoff Simmonds)
From the scale of a hawfinch to a juvenile siskin, the rainbow from the green of a greenfinch to the orange breast of a brambling, what a sight to see, and better yet to snap a photo of.
Thanks for sharing this with us Geoff.
What unusual sightings have you seen in your garden recently? Let us know below or send a picture to natureshome@rspb.org.uk and you might feature in the magazine or right here on our blog.