Each year the RSPB set aside a few days where they ask members of the public to spend 1 hour recording the birds that they see. This citizen science project attracts a lot of engagement from the public.

The recording protocol was to spend 1 hour between 26-28 January and record the highest number of each species that are seen at any one time (to avoid double counting the same bird). Only those birds that land are recorded, not those in flight.

I positioned myself looking out into my back garden, with a feeder topped up with suet balls and seed mix. The weather was a little blustery, 7 degrees c, dry and sunny. Being south facing the sun was in my face which meant it wasn't always the easiest to see through the windows.

RSPB

Big Garden Birdwatch

26 January 2024

I saw 2 wood pigeons. They spent a long time at or around the base of the feeder, approx. 25 minutes!

Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus)

The Blue Tit has a small, blue cap with a black eye-stripe.

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

With distinctive red-breast and face. I counted 2 of these.

Robin (Eruthacus rubecula)

A small tit with long tail. Black band on side of head indicates this could be ssp. rosaceus.

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)

When moving around fast I was unsure if this was a juvenile robin as it is the same size. On closer inspection it is clear it is boldly streaked and has a grey head with grey-brown ear-coverts and crown indicating this is a dunnock. It looks a bit browner so possible a juvenile.

Dunnock (Prunella modularis)

Results

The count submitted was:

1 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Robin, 2 Wood pigeon

Reflection

This was an enjoyable hour spent bird-watching! I learned that positioning and knowing where the sun is coming from is worth considering, as the glare and reflections from the sun through the window meant it wasn't always easy to see. I was a little disappointed I didn't see more blue tits as often I see higher numbers of them. I also didn't spot any great tits, which are also often present.

It was interesting to observe the behaviour of the birds and how they interacted with one-another. I saw the robin(s) chase the dunnock away on a number of occasions and the wood pigeons spent a long time at the feeder! In the distance I saw some crows chasing/mobbing a red kite but as they didn't land in my garden they couldn't be counted.