Big Garden and Big School’s Birdwatch (part 2)

I hope some of you have managed to spend some time relaxing and watching the birds! I was out walking locally on Saturday and managed to see a tree creeper and a great spotted woodpecker along with lots of the usual woodland birds. As a result I didn’t have time on Saturday so on Sunday I sat down at the garden window with a piece of paper, pen and binoculars. The first 20 minutes were brilliant with a visit of a large flock of mixed finches including siskins, a bird we don’t see very often in our garden. Then they all disappeared. I thought, “is there a bird of prey scaring them off?” and then I heard it – a neighbour had started up his shredder. That was it for the rest of the day as he shredded half his garden.

The question is, do I add him to my survey? I suppose not because he wasn’t actually in my garden.

Fortunately I don’t have to wait until next year to watch the birds again. They are not like a solar eclipse that might be missed because of the clouds. We can have the excitement and colour of birds all year round so lets make the most of them and encourage our children to appreciate them as well.

Thank you to all of you who contacted me to say that you were taking part in this year’s bird watch, either as individuals or as a school. It is a great encouragement to know that so many of you enjoy the wildlife around us.

Siskin