During the recent snowy conditions I was surprised to find a large drop in the number of birds visiting the garden (did anyone else notice this?). However, since the thaw numbers have steadily increased and the past few days have seen a large number and diversity of birds coming in, including an impressive flock of 60+ Goldfinch, 30+ Redwing, 8+ Blue Tit, 6+ Long-tailed Tit, 4+ Great Tit, 4 Blackbird, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Robin, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Magpie, lots of Woodpigeon and singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker (photo above), Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Mistle Thrush, Jay, Wren, Dunnock, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Collared Dove and a flyover Skylark!
This list reflects population trends in gardens throughout Britain. Goldfinch, Blackcap and Great Spotted Woodpecker are amongst the species that have increased in gardens over the last 40 years, whereas House Sparrow, Starling and Song Thrush continue to decline (incredibly, in 11 years I've not once recorded House Sparrow in the garden). Another species that has declined sharply in the last five years is Greenfinch. This has largely been attributed to
trichomonosis - a parasitic desease that prevents birds from swallowing food.
Wow! More than in my yard Lee. Funny enough we've had House Sparrows in this garden and at the previous house in Preston since we migrated north. Similarly I have less trouble finding Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings and Tree Sparrows than I did in the south.
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Yellowhammers and Corn Buntings have noticably declined in Surrey since I was a kid. Beddington Farm just up the road continues to hold a good population of Tree Sparrows, although this is largely thanks to the provision of nest boxes, and years ago Corn Bunting used to winter there in good sized flocks.
ReplyDeleteNice picture of the woodpecker. Thanks for dropping by.
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