The RSBP are inviting people to spend an hour watching and counting birds in the garden, or a green space nearby – as part of a national survey. There are very few birds in our garden – the neighborhood cats make sure of that.
In search of a green space, I met a dozen or so members of the Green Gym who were litter picking along the Ock Valley walk. The walk is still shut but they had arranged access with the Town Council.
The most frequent birds were tits.
Then there were blackbirds.
And robins. These pictured birds have probably got used to being fed near the bench where I sat – they came so close. Other birds stayed further away: crows, magpies, ducks, pigeons, and probably more unusual species I didn’t spot.
Same in my back garden….off Daisy Bank.
I was given a Bird Feeding station for my birthday,
many different options on the menu, seeds/fatballs/mealworms/nuts and seeds…..
So far nothing has visited…..I suspect the 2 cats, always fighting are to blame..
We love to see the birds in the garden and feed them. However, this winter we have not had one bird in the garden in South Abingdon. It is very unusual. We do not think it is just the cats that are preventing them from coming.
Colin, you have to be patient, it takes a while before the birds visit. You also need to make sure the feeders are within scrambling distance of cover so the birds feel secure. They will arrive even with cats about. If the weather gets colder they’ll arrive more quickly.
I’ve also found the area to be light on birds within gardens. I have a birdfeeder — at first all was going well but they soon dwindled.
Similarly, when the bird flu outbreak was in the news I left a saucer of Lemsip out most nights. Come the morning — totally untouched.