My garden in Orrell has gone strangely quiet over the last 2 weeks despite there being plenty of food available - seed, peanuts, bird cake etc. This happened last year too just in time for RSPB's garden bird survey! Throughout the year I have 4 species of Tit- Blue, Great, Coal and long tailed plus Blackbird,Song Thrush, Dunnock, Wren, Goldfinch Greenfinch,Chaffinch, Collared Dove,Woodpigeon and feral pigeon plus the occasional Sparrowhawk. Has anyone else noticed this or is it an unfortunate peculiarity of my garden. Responses appreciated
Mike
Neil Ferguson said
Sat Jan 18 9:14 PM, 2014
A busy day on the feeders today.
10 Goldfinches
3 Bullfinches 2 male one female
2 Nuthatch
Female Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Pair Collard Doves
Great,Blue, Coal and Long Tailed Tits
2 Blackbirds
Mark Burgess said
Sat Jan 18 4:55 PM, 2014
Long tailed, Great, Blue, Coal and Willow Tit on the feeders over a 10 minute period
marvin lewis said
Fri Jan 17 8:47 PM, 2014
Male Bullfinch appeared on the feeders today.First one this winter.
0 Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Song Thrush, Wren or Starling.
David Walsh said
Sun Jan 12 12:13 PM, 2014
Sunday 12th January 2014, 8.00 - 8.45am. Freezing cold morning.
BTO Early Bird Survey, Stalybridge
Blackbird, then a robin before first light Then blue tits, great tits, dunnock, house sparrows, then the goldfinches arrived and nothing else could get near the feeders.
Greenfinch, chaffinch, and coal tits seem to arrive with the mixed flocks as and when
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Jan 11 9:20 PM, 2014
Redpolls reached my garden for the first time this winter as well today (six) during an early heavy shower. House sparrows making up the bulk of the other birds, with 15+ seen. My guess is that over 20 are using the garden.
With regards to finches (as raised by John below): Goldfinches never more than 3 in recent weeks (and infrequent at that), greenfinch as rare as ever, siskins non-existent this winter. Chaffinches have increased over last winter, with three males and a female seen recently. Still, overall, activity is well down on previous winters with only sparrow numbers telling a happy tale.
Dave Colton said
Sat Jan 11 10:56 AM, 2014
Heyside, Royton.
After a week of going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark, chuffed this morning to see the Redpoll back on the Nijer feeder.
Only low numbers of birds are visiting my suburban garden. Reason for writing is a complete absence of Finches in the garden this winter. Past years have seen maximum counts in double figures for Goldfinches, single figure counts for Greenfinches, a couple of resident Chaffinches, whilst Redpoll and Siskin are only occasional.
I guess they have succumbed to the trichomonosis virus but I was wondering how widespread this lack of Finch activity is at the moment, or is it just local to me?
Cheers John
Ian McKerchar said
Fri Jan 10 6:18 PM, 2014
Originally posted by Paul Pennington today:
Red Legged Partridge in a neighbours back garden at 3pm. Pennington area.
Mike Cooper said
Fri Jan 10 3:36 PM, 2014
Hopwood, heywood bto early bird survey 8:45-9:00 fri 10/1
,first bird a Dunnock before dawn, then chaffinch, blue tit, 2robins!!!, great tit, 2collared doves, blackbird, house sparrow and coal tit
just afterwards magpie and wren and goldcrest, latter 2 first since last year
Bill Myerscough said
Thu Jan 9 2:58 PM, 2014
A male Blackcap this morning feeding on the yellow flowers of the Mahonia plant in my Chadderton back garden. This is the first record in the garden of a wintering Blackcap for a good few years now. The first since a pair in December '06/January '07 and a male in December '08, again all birds observed feeding on the nectar/pollen of this particular winter flowering shrub. Indeed in January '07 the female was observed pulling off the flowers and swallowing them whole! I suppose it is not too surprising this is the first record for a good while, as the most recent and much colder winters than the current mild one we are experiencing, have usually resulted in the flowers all being killed in autumn/early winter by prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures.
Cheers,
Bill.
marvin lewis said
Wed Jan 8 7:53 PM, 2014
Delighted to see a male Blackcap on the feeders today.First one this winter.Still getting regular visits by Long-tailed Tits on the birdcake.
Keith Mills said
Tue Jan 7 11:03 AM, 2014
Five Long-tailed Tits feeding in low bushes in my garden just now. The first seen here for some time.
David Lumb said
Mon Jan 6 7:44 PM, 2014
As I took some peanuts out to the bird table this afternoon a Woodpigeon flew up from the ground and landed on the roof part of the table. It stayed there while I put the peanuts on the table staying in reaching distance. I thought it was giving me dirty looks for leaving the table empty after being out all day, but then I saw a few feathers scattered on the ground by the bird feeders at the other side of the garden. Obviously one of our local Sparrowhawks had paid a visit. The bird eventually managed to fly onto a neighbours shed a few yards away, returning to my garden before dark. Hopefully it will be ok tomorrow.
Before going out this morning I had a couple of Wrens in the garden. Unusual birds here and the first time I have had more than one.
As usual I also had a pair of Collared Doves, 2 Dunnocks, a Robin, a male Blackbird (not seen a female for months), 2 Coal Tits, 2 Blue Tits, a Magpie, and a male House Sparrow.
IANMOFFAT1 said
Mon Jan 6 7:30 PM, 2014
Winton,Eccles
A first in my part flooded back garden yesterday a pair of Grey Wagtails.
Cheers Ian
Alan Turner said
Sun Jan 5 8:05 PM, 2014
Ashton-under-Lyne garden today - Treecreeper, first seen anywhere for ages.
Also:-
Goldfinch,c.12
Greenfinch, 5
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Blackbird
Dunnock
Robin
Starling
House Sparrow c.10
Jackdaw
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Collared Dove
Woodpigeon
Black-headed Gull, over
Phil White said
Sun Jan 5 5:41 PM, 2014
Seen today at the feeders in my Irlam garden whilst pot washing. 2 Woodpigeon 4 Blackbirds 1 Dunnock 1 Robin 5 Starlings first for a while 2 Blue Tits feeding and giving the new nest box's a look over
Tony Mossman said
Sun Jan 5 4:25 PM, 2014
27 Fieldfare in trees behind our house in North Reddish.
Chris Porter said
Sun Jan 5 3:27 PM, 2014
First for my Hulme garden - a male sparrowhawk perched on feeding station (stayed for a minute before departing empty handed).
Dave Colton said
Sun Jan 5 2:34 PM, 2014
Heyside, Royton.
2 Redpoll back in the garden this afternoon. This time on the Nijer feeder feeding happily alongside the Goldfinch.
Hopefully they'll stick around a while.
Dave Colton said
Sat Jan 4 1:25 PM, 2014
Heyside, Royton.
A garden first for us this morning. I went out early and filled the feeders and threw a small handful of mixed seed in the corner as usual.
When we returned from the weekly shop about 10ish was delighted to find half a dozen Redpoll feeding on the seed on the ground.
Always good to have a new garden tick but not one I had expected as I have never heard of or seen any Redpoll in the area.
Paul Dewey said
Sat Jan 4 10:29 AM, 2014
Male blackcap was briefly in my garden this morning, sadly none of my food offerings tempted him to stay any longer.
David Gornall said
Wed Jan 1 12:09 PM, 2014
A female Sparrowhawk was just perched at the top of garden for about 5mins, looking wet and very sorry for herself
Other birds prior to this :
at least 15 Housesparrows 5 Blackbirds 2 Dunnock 2 Robins 3 Blue Tit 2 Great Tit 1 coal tit 4 Magpies ( eating old mince pies)
Karen Foulkes said
Tue Dec 31 12:19 PM, 2013
A male Bullfinch put in an appearance in the gloom this morning. Also A pair of Collared Doves Mistle Thrush 2 Chaffinch 6 Blackbird 2 Dunnock 2 Jackdaw Woodpigeon Male House Sparrow - a garden rarity these days c10 Redwing flew across the back of the garden
Some additional sightings early afternoon
Pair of Bullfinch Goldfinch (first for a while) Song Thrush
Plus the usual Blue, Great and Coal Tits and Greenfinches
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Tuesday 31st of December 2013 12:20:20 PM
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Tuesday 31st of December 2013 04:43:12 PM
Graham Smith said
Tue Dec 31 11:05 AM, 2013
A flock of 8 Redwings along with 2 Song Thrush constant visitors today Redwings garden 1st
Kevin Coffey said
Mon Dec 30 5:05 PM, 2013
First showing this winter of male and female Bullfinches in my garden this morning, clinging onto the feeder for dear life in the gale. I was beginning to think that the building of a football stadium nearby was having an impact in the birds visiting my garden, since the start of the building the birds seemed to have dropped off.
Ivan Ellison said
Mon Dec 30 4:24 PM, 2013
The female blackcap I have had for a couple of weeks on daily basis has now been joined by another female, hope that the male from last year may follow.
Lawson Dauer said
Mon Dec 30 4:15 PM, 2013
A grey wagtail ferreting round in the leaf litter of my Rhodes, Middleton, garden this afternoon was the second new garden tick in three weeks (after a GSW). A nice way to end the year.
marvin lewis said
Sun Dec 29 9:18 PM, 2013
Delighted to see 5 Redwings in my garden today,although they didn't hang around for long. Still getting regular visits by Long-tailed Tits on the [homemade] birdcake feeders,also enjoyed by Starlings and Tits. Otherwise,mainly Goldfinches and Greenfinches + usuals.
stuart mackay said
Sat Dec 28 4:37 PM, 2013
Standish garden this afternoon between 1-2pm.
3 Blackbirds
5 Blue Tits
1 Coal tit
3 Great tits
1 cock Bullfinch
7 Starlings
1 Collard Dove
2 Woodpigeon
2 Goldcrests
9 Redwings
3 Nuthatches
1 House sparrow
16 Jackdaws
1 Robin
1 Dunnock
3 Chaffinch
3 Goldfinch
1 Heron (in the tree!)
Tim Roberts said
Sat Dec 28 12:44 PM, 2013
An unusually solitary Redwing landed in a berry-bearing tree in a neighbour's garden here in Denton but stubbornly refused to hop over the fence and become a garden tick for me.
Jason Dulhanty said
Sat Dec 28 12:20 PM, 2013
Redwing over my Swinton garden this morning Cheers Jay Don't twitch and drive
David Walsh said
Wed Dec 25 11:08 PM, 2013
That date is a new moon, therefore minimum natural light pollution. Can be done on any day during the week though.
See BTO website for details
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 11:31:32 PM
Neil Ferguson said
Wed Dec 25 10:01 PM, 2013
David Walsh wrote:
Sounds straightforward enough - I like the bit that states:
"Get yourself comfy before sunrise on Thursday 9th January in a position where you can see your bird feeders from your house."
Unfortunately, most of mine aren't visible from the house, so the comfy spot will be an incompletely-paned greenhouse with a large mug of freshly brewed coffee.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 21st of December 2013 06:53:06 PM
Why a Thursday?
It would make more sense to do it over the weekend when less people would be working???
steven burke said
Wed Dec 25 7:12 PM, 2013
3 ravens over my old Trafford garden at 12.05pm heading north Also 1 male goldcrest, 1female sparrowhawk.
Barry Corless said
Wed Dec 25 6:36 PM, 2013
Norden; Rochdale today
in 10 minutes
Wood Pigeon Jackdaw Magpie Coal Tit Great Tit Blackbird Starling
Jon Bowen said
Wed Dec 25 2:21 PM, 2013
m & f Bullfinch in the garden this morning to bring some colour along with increased numbers of Blackbirds (7) and Great Tit (9) Star of the watch this morning though was a male House Sparrow - 3rd record
colin moran said
Wed Dec 25 1:57 PM, 2013
male blackcap in my worsley garden today
Bernard McGurrin said
Mon Dec 23 4:32 PM, 2013
2 pied wagtail in font garden, don't usually see them in the gardens they are normally in the school playground across the road.
Andy Bissitt said
Sun Dec 22 9:42 PM, 2013
Not strictly speaking 'garden birds', but still only a few feet from where my front garden ends. Six redpoll feeding in birches was a nice little bonus whilst cleaning the car. It's usually between Christmas and New Year that the first ones come into the garden proper, so I expect this was just a near miss before I see them round the back of the house.
Steve Suttill said
Sun Dec 22 10:35 AM, 2013
Karl Bishop wrote:
Might be a while before I get 10 different species in my "garden"................ After the starlings ,hedge sparrows, woodpigeons and collared doves .........how long does it go on for..
Yes Karl, I think I would be there all day waiting for 10 species like you!
The serious answer from the website is:
Is there a time limit on this survey?
No, there is no time limit. Preferably, if you can, we'd like you to watch your feeders until you see some birds but we're also aware that people have other things to be getting on with in the morning. If you can spare an hour after dawn then that would be great; if not, your observations will still be valuable. Please remember to record your start and end time.
Sorry, I know I'm causing the thread to move away from bird sightings but just wanted to draw attention to the survey...
Karl Bishop said
Sat Dec 21 10:50 PM, 2013
Might be a while before I get 10 different species in my "garden"................ After the starlings ,hedge sparrows, woodpigeons and collared doves .........how long does it go on for..
marvin lewis said
Sat Dec 21 10:27 PM, 2013
Funnily enough,Andy,Goldfinches are one of the few species regularly visiting my garden feeders at present,which,along with the Greenfinches and Tits,love the sunflower hearts
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Dec 21 9:56 PM, 2013
You have to take anything that comes in what I feel is going to be a quiet winter in the garden. Today's highlights were a jay which sat low in our elderberry shrub for several minutes, which stopped the other birds feeding on the lower feeder for a bit. Next best were the redwings, which are still raiding next doors cotoneaster. When dive-bombed by the mistle thrush, four flew up into our alder tree, whilst a fifth, which had been hiding in the same elderberry that that the jay had used, moved in on the berries unseen. Missing at the moment are the goldfinches that have almost become an annual highlight. I suppose they just don't need us at present.
David Walsh said
Sat Dec 21 6:52 PM, 2013
Sounds straightforward enough - I like the bit that states:
"Get yourself comfy before sunrise on Thursday 9th January in a position where you can see your bird feeders from your house."
Unfortunately, most of mine aren't visible from the house, so the comfy spot will be an incompletely-paned greenhouse with a large mug of freshly brewed coffee.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 21st of December 2013 06:53:06 PM
Steve Suttill said
Sat Dec 21 9:04 AM, 2013
The BTO will be running an Early Bird Survey on 9th January.
It requires people to get up just before dawn (which is relatively late in January), watch their garden feeding stations and record what time they see the first 10 different species arriving; we will also record some additional information on the local environment.
A day off work today, so got to see some 'action' before and after shopping! First thing, a male greenfinch was the first for this winter, and at dusk there was a small thrush at the bottom of the garden as I went to fill the feeder down there. I didn't see it leave, but nearby calls suggested it was a redwing. Fieldfare could also be heard not far off. Outside my front door, just a few feet away, three goldcrests were foraging in the birches. Yesterday, the nuthatch was seen briefly, even flying down onto the ground to pick up a seed or such. Not a good idea in a cat infested area!!
Here's to more good stuff, but not too likely yet with more mild weather to come.
Jon Bowen said
Wed Dec 11 4:12 PM, 2013
Another good day in my Horwich garden, despite the trees both inside and outside the garden having been pruned over the weekend;
Bullfinch M & F Blackbirds 4M 2F Robin Blue Tits (max count 7) Great Tits (max count 5) Long Tailed Tits 3 Coal Tit 1 Willow Tit 1 Chaffinch 6 Jay 1 Magpie 2 Crow 1 small flock of 6 Redwing flew over Moorhen 1 Reed Bunting 1
sid ashton said
Wed Dec 11 4:12 PM, 2013
12 - 14 Redwing making a good effort at stripping the berrys off a Rowan tree in our Hale garden this afternoon.
Has anyone else noticed this or is it an unfortunate peculiarity of my garden.
Responses appreciated
Mike
10 Goldfinches
3 Bullfinches 2 male one female
2 Nuthatch
Female Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Pair Collard Doves
Great,Blue, Coal and Long Tailed Tits
2 Blackbirds
3 Siskin (1m, 2f), 1 Redpoll, 1 Blackcap (male), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Bullfinch (3m 2f), 5 plus Redwing, 15 Goldfinch
0 Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Song Thrush, Wren or Starling.
BTO Early Bird Survey, Stalybridge
Blackbird, then a robin before first light
Then blue tits, great tits, dunnock, house sparrows, then the goldfinches arrived and nothing else could get near the feeders.
Greenfinch, chaffinch, and coal tits seem to arrive with the mixed flocks as and when
Redpolls reached my garden for the first time this winter as well today (six) during an early heavy shower. House sparrows making up the bulk of the other birds, with 15+ seen. My guess is that over 20 are using the garden.
With regards to finches (as raised by John below): Goldfinches never more than 3 in recent weeks (and infrequent at that), greenfinch as rare as ever, siskins non-existent this winter. Chaffinches have increased over last winter, with three males and a female seen recently. Still, overall, activity is well down on previous winters with only sparrow numbers telling a happy tale.
After a week of going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark, chuffed this morning to see the Redpoll back on the Nijer feeder.
5 Redpoll
10 Goldfinch
1 Chaffinch (male)
1 Great Tit
4 Starling
Only low numbers of birds are visiting my suburban garden. Reason for writing is a complete absence of Finches in the garden this winter. Past years have seen maximum counts in double figures for Goldfinches, single figure counts for Greenfinches, a couple of resident Chaffinches, whilst Redpoll and Siskin are only occasional.
I guess they have succumbed to the trichomonosis virus but I was wondering how widespread this lack of Finch activity is at the moment, or is it just local to me?
Cheers John
Red Legged Partridge in a neighbours back garden at 3pm. Pennington area.
Hopwood, heywood bto early bird survey 8:45-9:00 fri 10/1
,first bird a Dunnock before dawn, then chaffinch, blue tit, 2robins!!!, great tit, 2collared doves, blackbird, house sparrow and coal tit
just afterwards magpie and wren and goldcrest, latter 2 first since last year
This is the first record in the garden of a wintering Blackcap for a good few years now. The first since a pair in December '06/January '07 and a male in December '08, again all birds observed feeding on the nectar/pollen of this particular winter flowering shrub. Indeed in January '07 the female was observed pulling off the flowers and swallowing them whole! I suppose it is not too surprising this is the first record for a good while, as the most recent and much colder winters than the current mild one we are experiencing, have usually resulted in the flowers all being killed in autumn/early winter by prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures.
Cheers,
Bill.
The first seen here for some time.
Before going out this morning I had a couple of Wrens in the garden. Unusual birds here and the first time I have had more than one.
As usual I also had a pair of Collared Doves, 2 Dunnocks, a Robin, a male Blackbird (not seen a female for months), 2 Coal Tits, 2 Blue Tits, a Magpie, and a male House Sparrow.
Winton,Eccles
A first in my part flooded back garden yesterday a pair of Grey Wagtails.
Cheers Ian
Ashton-under-Lyne garden today - Treecreeper, first seen anywhere for ages.
Also:-
Goldfinch,c.12
Greenfinch, 5
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Blackbird
Dunnock
Robin
Starling
House Sparrow c.10
Jackdaw
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Collared Dove
Woodpigeon
Black-headed Gull, over
2 Woodpigeon
4 Blackbirds
1 Dunnock
1 Robin
5 Starlings first for a while
2 Blue Tits feeding and giving the new nest box's a look over
27 Fieldfare in trees behind our house in North Reddish.
2 Redpoll back in the garden this afternoon. This time on the Nijer feeder feeding happily alongside the Goldfinch.
Hopefully they'll stick around a while.
A garden first for us this morning. I went out early and filled the feeders and threw a small handful of mixed seed in the corner as usual.
When we returned from the weekly shop about 10ish was delighted to find half a dozen Redpoll feeding on the seed on the ground.
Always good to have a new garden tick but not one I had expected as I have never heard of or seen any Redpoll in the area.
Male blackcap was briefly in my garden this morning, sadly none of my food offerings tempted him to stay any longer.
Other birds prior to this :
at least 15 Housesparrows
5 Blackbirds
2 Dunnock
2 Robins
3 Blue Tit
2 Great Tit
1 coal tit
4 Magpies ( eating old mince pies)
A male Bullfinch put in an appearance in the gloom this morning.
Also
A pair of Collared Doves
Mistle Thrush
2 Chaffinch
6 Blackbird
2 Dunnock
2 Jackdaw
Woodpigeon
Male House Sparrow - a garden rarity these days
c10 Redwing flew across the back of the garden
Some additional sightings early afternoon
Pair of Bullfinch
Goldfinch (first for a while)
Song Thrush
Plus the usual Blue, Great and Coal Tits and Greenfinches
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Tuesday 31st of December 2013 12:20:20 PM
-- Edited by Karen Foulkes on Tuesday 31st of December 2013 04:43:12 PM
Redwings garden 1st
I was beginning to think that the building of a football stadium nearby was having an impact in the birds visiting my garden, since the start of the building the birds seemed to have dropped off.
Still getting regular visits by Long-tailed Tits on the [homemade] birdcake feeders,also enjoyed by Starlings and Tits.
Otherwise,mainly Goldfinches and Greenfinches + usuals.
3 Blackbirds
5 Blue Tits
1 Coal tit
3 Great tits
1 cock Bullfinch
7 Starlings
1 Collard Dove
2 Woodpigeon
2 Goldcrests
9 Redwings
3 Nuthatches
1 House sparrow
16 Jackdaws
1 Robin
1 Dunnock
3 Chaffinch
3 Goldfinch
1 Heron (in the tree!)
Cheers Jay
Don't twitch and drive
See BTO website for details
-- Edited by David Walsh on Wednesday 25th of December 2013 11:31:32 PM
Why a Thursday?
It would make more sense to do it over the weekend when less people would be working???
Also 1 male goldcrest, 1female sparrowhawk.
in 10 minutes
Wood Pigeon
Jackdaw
Magpie
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Blackbird
Starling
Star of the watch this morning though was a male House Sparrow - 3rd record
Yes Karl, I think I would be there all day waiting for 10 species like you!
The serious answer from the website is:
Is there a time limit on this survey?
No, there is no time limit. Preferably, if you can, we'd like you to watch your feeders until you see some birds but we're also aware that people have other things to be getting on with in the morning. If you can spare an hour after dawn then that would be great; if not, your observations will still be valuable. Please remember to record your start and end time.
Sorry, I know I'm causing the thread to move away from bird sightings but just wanted to draw attention to the survey...
"Get yourself comfy before sunrise on Thursday 9th January in a position where you can see your bird feeders from your house."
Unfortunately, most of mine aren't visible from the house, so the comfy spot will be an incompletely-paned greenhouse with a large mug of freshly brewed coffee.
-- Edited by David Walsh on Saturday 21st of December 2013 06:53:06 PM
It requires people to get up just before dawn (which is relatively late in January), watch their garden feeding stations and record what time they see the first 10 different species arriving; we will also record some additional information on the local environment.
For full information, check out the website
http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/early-bird-survey
Here's to more good stuff, but not too likely yet with more mild weather to come.
Bullfinch M & F
Blackbirds 4M 2F
Robin
Blue Tits (max count 7)
Great Tits (max count 5)
Long Tailed Tits 3
Coal Tit 1
Willow Tit 1
Chaffinch 6
Jay 1
Magpie 2
Crow 1
small flock of 6 Redwing flew over
Moorhen 1
Reed Bunting 1