bird watch this w/end

I have signed up for the event, and look forward to it.My question is;  I live on a mobile home site,the gardens are open.So do i count just the birds that land and feed on the food i put out,or can i count all birds that i can see feeding around me?As i am the garden & maintenance man,i could say that it is all my garden

If its not worth doing today,is it worth doing at all

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  • think if its within the same time you would count all you see around.  II will.

  • You can count all the birds that have landed in the area, or just pick a certain section to count the birds in it is entirely up to yourself what area you include in your count :-)

  • Are there any particular rules on this question?

    If I see birds feeding in my neighbour's garden, can I count them? I'm not at all sure about this - we would have to be very careful no-one else is counting the same area. This would give incorrect data and the statistics would be worthless.

    Cheers, Linda.

    See my photos on Flickr

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    Susan H said:

    Are there any particular rules on this question?

    If I see birds feeding in my neighbour's garden, can I count them? I'm not at all sure about this - we would have to be very careful no-one else is counting the same area. This would give incorrect data and the statistics would be worthless.

     As I understand it, you only count what comes into YOUR garden - and not just flying over but actually making use of your garden to feed, or perch or whatever.   

    Counting a neighbours feeding birds must surely be cheating - I bet you wouldn't want to count in his earnings when calculating your tax bill  ;-)

    As you say, to give the data some validity we have to resist temptation. Personally its always a bit frustrating as the cherry & walnut trees that many of our birdy visitors use as staging posts while deciding whether we are offering a quality menu are just in the neighbours gardens.  

  • If you go to Groups, and then Big Garden Birdwatch, I think you may find your answers.

  • Hi Brenda,

    I agree this thread should be in the group forum and not here, but there isn't really a definitive answer in the group forum. I copied out the rules for the BTO weekly garden watch count survey, which is more formal, and limited to birds that use the facilities in your own garden. I really am not at all sure what the rules for the RSPB count this weekend actually are, and what is disturbing, I don't think any of us do.

    Cheers, Linda.

    See my photos on Flickr

  • One of the RSPB admin people did write details. I'll see if I can trace it. You are only to count what is in your garden and not birds flying over or in your neighbours garden. The theory being that they could be double counted. That is the way we have always done it.

     Just read on the main RSPB BGBW page and it confirms that you only count what lands in your garden.

  • It seems common sense to me that we only count birds we see using our own garden facilities, or the results would be nonsense. I can't remember exactly, but I seem to think when I registered I was asked the size of my garden and some other questions about it, also the postcode.

    Cheers, Linda.

    See my photos on Flickr

  • Just enjoy Sparrow and hope they turn up. I noticed that they want to know even if you don't see any birds. Wander if any of us will be in that situation !!! 

  • Hi Brenda,

    Thanks Brenda, I intend to enjoy it. I have tried several different places in the house for the best and most comfortable view. The best view is from my upstairs office window as I can see over the flower and shrub tubs, and behind certain other features. However, the windows are too high for me to see out of if I sit down!! I have therefore plumped for downstairs where I can sit in comfort and look through the patio doors. I can stand up if I see movement behind something! I have issued orders that no-one is to open the back doors, under no circumstances are the dogs to be let out, and I have to be provided with consecutive brews!!!!

    Cheers, Linda.

    See my photos on Flickr

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