Sparrows should be no problem, but you might be hard pressed for a little wren.
That’s assuming, of course, that you know the difference. If not, now is your chance to find out.
If you’ve been staring out of the window during lockdowns 1, 2 and 3 then maybe the annual Garden Birdwatch is just right for you.
Next weekend people from all over the country will be taking part in the largest wildlife survey in the world.
For more than 40 years the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have been organizing a massive citizen science project to keep tabs on how different varieties of birds are faring by asking people to check which ones are visiting their garden, window or balcony.
By compiling the results the RSPB get a good idea of which birds are thriving, and which are declining.
And you don’t have to be a bird expert to take part. They provide easy guides to identifying them, plus a guide to how to feed them to make sure they keep coming back to visit you.
Once again the RSPB are asking the people of Worcestershire to watch the birdie, alongside publishing last year’s snapshot of the most regular visitors.
Here’s last year’s ‘guest list”:
1 House sparrow
2 Starling
3 Blue tit
4 Woodpigeon
5 Blackbird
6 Goldfinch
7 Great tit
8 Robin
9 Long tailed tit
10 Magpie
11 Chaffinch
12 Collared dove
13 Dunnock
14 Jackdaw
15 Feral pigeon
16 Coal tit
17 Carrion crow
18 Greenfinch
19 Wren
20 Song thrush
An RSPB spokesman said: “This year we’ve seen how important the natural world is to our mental health and wellbeing, with a surge of interest in the nature on our doorsteps seeing many people come to rely on garden birds to bring joy and comfort in these unsettling times. That’s why the RSPB is hoping to see more people than ever take part, after over 6,000 residents took part last year.”
The RSPB will provide a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden, for those who text BIRD to 70030 or register at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch .
WINTER FEEDING TIPS
• During winter, birds are more likely to come into our gardens to seek sanctuary and food in order to survive. Here are some tips on keeping the birds coming back
• Provide food like fat balls and crushed peanuts
• Seed mixes have calorie-rich contents, while sunflower and nyjer seeds have particularly beneficial oils and proteins.
• Use kitchen scraps if you want to cut down on expense. Mild grated cheese, soft fruits, cooked rice and pasta, porridge oats and unsalted bacon are all suitable.
• A supply of water is essential at this time of year. Keep it clean and unfrozen
• Go to www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch for more tips
All pictures courtesy of the RSPB
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here