The year-round BTO Garden BirdWatch reports
busy times in gardens this autumn. The 40 or so most frequently-spotted garden
birds, have been 15% higher this October compared with the previous three. Woodland
birds have particularly caught the eye.
With seed and nut crops in the
countryside appearing to be patchy, many woodland species have turned to bird
feeders (as have Grey Squirrels) Many householders over recent weeks who have
been enjoying watching Coal Tits busily caching food for the winter. This
diminutive bird was up 62% in gardens this October compared with the three-year
average.
Winter visitors to our shores,
Bramblings, have also been delighting householders. Numbers of this attractive
finch in gardens vary annually depending on levels of immigration and food availability
in the UK countryside. Normally Bramblings move more into gardens from mid to
late-winter, but this year has seen an unexpected early peak. Is this the start
of bigger things to come over the next few weeks, we wonder? Also sweeping onto
feeders in larger numbers than normal have been Siskins – their numbers four
times higher this October compared with the recent average for this month.
Other seed and nut specialists have
been taking advantage of offerings provided by householders. These include
Nuthatch (up 90% this October), Jay (up 85%) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (up
66%).
BTO research shows these and several other species are known to make
greater use of gardens when natural food in the countryside is scarce. The influx
of birds into gardens hints once again at the vital role that gardens play in
the wider foraging environment of many birds.
In parts of the countryside, berries
also appear to be thin on the ground this autumn. In gardens, however, birds
are able to exploit different fruits and berries owing to the presence of many
native and non-native trees and shrubs. These are currently attracting several
members of the thrush family – most notably Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Redwing
and Fieldfare – in unusually high numbers. Providing some fruit, such as apples
or pears, will help cater for these thrushes, and will also help to sustain
visitors such as Blackcap.
Get involved, record your garden visitors:
Laura
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