Here it comes, the BIG one, Big Garden Birdwatch weekend - I hope you're all ready to take part.
And don't hold back if you think there aren't many birds coming into your garden this year - that is exactly the kind of information we want.
For me, one bird I think I'm guaranteed this year is a Dunnock. In past years, it has been far from certain whether one will appear during the hour count, but I'm confident this year because my Dunnock has learnt a new skill. 'He's' learnt to balance on the seed feeder!
Now this is a species for whom even a trip to a bird table is normally pushing their ingenuity - they're hard-wired to feed on the ground.
But I have pictures to prove it - here is my performing Dunnock!
As you can see, there's a problem! This trick is all still a bit new to him, and so far he has only learnt to go on the top perch on the rear side of the feeder!
He does come on the bird table too, but he's so nervous I had to grab this shot through the closed window:
But you can still see the fine, insect-eating bill, lead grey neck sides, and streaky crown that separate him from a female House Sparrow. Check out more RSPB Dunnock information here.
I hope you have plenty of your own stories to tell this weekend - happy counting!
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw
Just a note about the dunnocks. I have been feeding my birds for donkey's years and have lots of feeders and three tables and dunnocks come every day, quite a few of them, together with the sparrows and lots of other sorts - yesterday I had two great tits and three blue tits all together with three long tailed tits. I waste so much time ..... I try to spike a couple of fatballs on bits of wood sticking out of bushes and then the birds who can't dangle also get a look-in.
And I'm loving the fact that you're loving your birds, Lolly - us getting pleasure from it all is an important part of the equation in my book. The birds win; we win!
Hello just wee post to say that i am loving feeding and watching all the different types of birds, i am glad i have done the Big Garden Birdwatch. I have a couple of Dunnocks in garden, they have lovely markings but hey nice to hear you have clever ones :-))
Thanks Adrian.Typical of the Grey Wag, and the pair of Bullfinches to not put in an appearance when counting. I have my camera set up in the hope of snapping them. Watch this space.
Good birding, take care, Stich.
Take care all, Stich.
My gallery Here Flickr Here
Grey Wagtail and Bullfinch, eh Stich? I'm liking the sound of your garden!