Don’t forget that it’s the Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend. Over half a million people will be taking part in what is the world’s biggest wildlife survey and two of them will be here on Ramsey. The island garden can be an unforgiving place in the winter. Despite the mild climate on the coast, with few frosts (only 1 so far this winter) and with snow a rarity, it is the wind and exposure that make it tough for common garden birds.
So what can we expect this weekend? The house sparrow came top of the chart last year across Wales, with an average of over five per garden. However, we are very unlikely to see one as they rarely make the crossing from the ivy-clad slopes of St Justinian to Ramsey. However, we do have both blue and great tit over-wintering with us, both in last year’s top ten. And although these colourful tits will not stay to breed in the summer the same five birds have been with us since October. In fact, they are becoming quite pushy when they want to be fed, often following Greg or myself around the farm, making a row and diving around until we oblige with suet and seed. Other winter visitors include song thrush and starling.
I would hope to get our resident blackbird, wren, robin and dunnock on the list. With the mild conditions and the odd sunny day, they have all been singing from the brambles and willow in the farmhouse valley.
We also have a stunning male bullfinch with us at the moment. Apologies for the rather shaky photo but I had to lean out of the bathroom window to get it! He has been here for over a week, so fingers crossed he will stay until Saturday. Other possibilities for the weekend include chaffinch, kestrel, stonechat, starling and goldfinch.
To step up for nature and take part, simply spend one hour over the weekend of 28-29 January, counting the birds in your garden or local park, and record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time. Visit the Big Garden Birdwatch webpages for more information and to submit your results online.