21 January 2009

As many visitors to devonbirds.org will already be aware, this coming weekend sees the 30th Anniversary of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. To take part, all that’s needed is to watch your garden for an hour on either Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 January. Simply record the highest number of each species seen actually using your garden (as opposed to merely flying over it!) at any one time.

Further details, including how to submit your results online, are available from www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

In 2008, the top ten species seen in Devon gardens, with the average 'highest count at any one time' per garden, were:

House sparrow 3.68
Chaffinch 3.15
Blackbird 2.66
Starling 2.55
Blue tit 2.55
Greenfinch 1.58
Robin 1.48
Great tit 1.41
Woodpigeon 1.34
Goldfinch 1.23

Which species will prove to be the winners and losers after last year’s dismal summer and the harsh New Year conditions?