In January the RSPB are launching the Big Garden Birdwatch 2011. If you want to take part in the RSPB Birdwatch, but can’t tell a blackbird from a starling do not despair!
We have compiled a list of videos and tips to help you identify the UK’s top ten garden birds. We’ve also listed each bird’s favourite food to help you lure these feathered guests to your garden.
1. House sparrow
The house sparrow historically dominated any common garden birds list. But sparrows are currently on the RSPB red list due to numbers diminishing by 60% over the last 20 years.
They like to eat: seeds, berries, nuts and kitchen scraps
2. Blackbird
One of the most commonly sighted UK birds, you can see them all year and enjoy their particularly mellow song. They feed off the ground or off of a table.
They like to eat: insects, worms.
3. Starling
Also in the RSPB red list, the starling’s numbers have dropped by 70%. However, their numbers swell in Autumn due to the arrival of Scandanavian starlings who spend the winter in the UK.
They like to eat: insects, worms, snails, berries, fruit, kitchen scraps.
4. Blue tit
A very acrobatic and pretty bird that readily breeds in nest boxes.
They like to eat: insects, caterpillars, seeds, nuts. Particularly partial to fats in the autumn and winter months.
5. Chaffinch
With a rather loud song you may well hear a chaffinch coming before you see one. A very colourful bird that is also one of the most common breeding birds in the UK.
They like to eat: insects and seeds.
6. Wood pigeon
A commonly seen bird with a familiar cooing voice. Watch out for your veggie plot when these birds are around!
They like to eat: crops, buds, shoots, seeds, nuts and berries.
7. Robin
Perhaps the nation’s favourite and as firm a symbol of Christmas as Santa himself. You can see robins all year round and although cute, they are very territorial and can be quite aggressive.
They like to eat: worms, seeds, fruits and insects
8. Great tit
The UK’s largest tit, they are very distinctive with their beautiful colours. They can be quite aggressive at bird tables and feeders, fending off smaller birds.
They like to eat: nuts and seeds, sunflower hearts, insects.
9. Collared dove
Most often seen either alone or in pairs, these birds prefer to eat off of the ground or on bird tables.
They like to eat: seeds and grain.
10. Goldfinch
Extremely colourful, sociable and have a delightful song and call. They are using bird tables and feeders more and more often.
They like to eat: seeds and insects
Now that you know what they look like and what they like to eat, get yourself set up with some bird feeders and tables and join in the next RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in January 2011.
The Big Garden Birdwatch will be happening on January 29th and 30th 2011. You can choose which day is best for you and set aside an hour to count all the birds that visit your garden in that time. Once you’ve totted them up simply submit your results online.
Registration is open now at http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/.
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Great to see you promoting the RSPB big garden birdwatch. One thing you may like to think about is putting a short piece of text stating whether the plumage of the different sexes of the same species are either virtually identical, or give a short description of any differences . EG Female blackbirds are much browner than males.
Hello again to all at the Dobbies Blog, I expect you’ll all be feeling quite festive at the moment
Well done, an excellent post for those new to birds and the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. I am certain these videos will help greatly with ID’s.
I have been supporting the RSPB on my blog for the last four years. Each year, as well as the stats from my own garden, I post the stats of the present year along with previous ones and perhaps new and vetern supporters of the Birdwatch might be as interested in these comparisons as I have been.
Perhaps new supporters of the Birdwatch might also be interested in my blog with a little history of the RSPB which also has links for Recycling campaigns the RSPB encourages now too which includes mobile phones.
It is brilliant that so many gardening, bird and other blogs help promote events such as The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Together we can all make a difference