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panbiker
Senior Member


2301 Posts
Posted -  05/01/2008  :  15:36
This is an annual event to help identify bird populations across the country. This years RSPB national bird watch weekend is on 26/27th January 2008. All you have to do is select a 1 hour period at sometime over that weekend and observe the numbers and species of birds visiting your garden. An online form will then be available to report your sightings. Over 400,000 people took part last year. If you do not have a garden you can do the suvey at a local park or other recreation area. You can download a tally sheet, with bird identification pictures from the RSPB website shown below. I have added this to the OG Calendar. Have a go and help the RSPB to identify species that may be at risk. We have done this for a few years now and it's quite a lot of fun. What's in your garden?

http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/index.asp




Ian
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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 20:27
Ian, your one sparrow seems to refute the colony theory! Or perhaps it's a lonely little fella - have you fed him? He might bring his pals.


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panbiker
Senior Member


2301 Posts
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 21:11
We always have food out through the winter Tizer and water if it's freezing. We usually see a bunch of them together but one on his own on Sunday.


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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 30/01/2008 : 10:53
Ian, my wife has graciously allowed me to "publish" her list of sightings for the RSPB survey this year! This was done in south Somerset, on the edge of the Somerset Levels.

1 Robin
14 Starlings
8 Sparrows
1 Wood Pigeon
2 Collared Doves
1 Blue tit
2 Blackbirds
1 Chaffinch
1 Great tit
1 Pied wagtail

(No partridges in a pear tree!) 

 Like you, we found that some birds declined to turn up for the event. We had been getting a blackcap every day on our Mahonia bush (seems to raid the nectar in the yellow winter flowers). And usually there are lots of pigeons and doves. Sometimes we get a flock of long-tailed tits - I'm glad that yours turned up on the day.

 Tizer


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moh
Silver Surfer


6860 Posts
Posted - 30/01/2008 : 11:06
Where exactly are the Somerset levels Tizer?


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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 30/01/2008 : 12:48
The Somerset Levels are roughly between Bristol and Taunton. As you go south-west from Bristol you come to the Mendip Hills, then down onto a flat plain for most of the 25 miles or so to Taunton. It's bounded on the north-west by the Bristol Channel. Glastonbury is in the middle of the flat area and the Tor has great views.

Much of the Levels are at sea level. A thousand years ago they were marshes but in about the 1200s the monks at Glastonbury started draining the marshes so that they could use the land for farming - and they made a lot of money out of it! But the advantage for people living in these parts now is that we have excellent flood protection, thanks to the monks. If only the government could do as well now as the monks did then...

Tizer 


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moh
Silver Surfer


6860 Posts
Posted - 01/02/2008 : 12:01
Anywhere near Midsomer Norton or Clutton? (wherever they are!!)


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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 02/02/2008 : 11:00
Some miles south-west of there, Moh, on the flat. Those places are in or around the Mendip hills.

There is a raised bump in the Somerset Levels called Athelney and this is where King Alfred hid from the Danes in the 9th Century. He would rush out with his army, harass the Danes, then race back into the marshes where the Danes couldn't find them. He eventually beat them and, at a small church in the Levels, forced the leader of the Danes to take up the Christian faith. Alfred was the first ruler of all England and so, in a way, England began in the Somerset Levels.


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moh
Silver Surfer


6860 Posts
Posted - 02/02/2008 : 14:22
Thank you - hope to visit this year it is where my gt. grandparents came from.


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Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 03/02/2008 : 17:08
The Mendip hills are a very attractive area just a few miles west of Midsomer Norton. Then a short distance south you have Wells with its beautiful cathedral, then Glastonbury with its abbey and tor. To the west, the Cheddar Gorge (limestone scenery)  and further on, Weston-super-Mare on the coast. To the north are Bath and Bristol, both with interesting places to see.

Having talked about the Somerset Levels, I've added a couple of pictures below taken on Saturday from Langport. The fields are flooded but this is normal in winter - it is done to prevent flooding in the towns and villages and the silt deposited by the water is good for the farmland. So you can live in a flood plain but be quite safe - as long as the drainage is managed properly by reliable people with long experience.

 

Somerset Levels from Langport

 Somerset Levels 2


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moh
Silver Surfer


6860 Posts
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 11:16
Looks and ideal spot for overwintering migrant birds.


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Gloria
Senior Member


3581 Posts
Posted - 22/01/2009 : 13:58
It's that time again this weekend.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/

Edited by - Gloria on 22/01/2009 2:00:05 PM


I'd be dangerous with a brain!!!!!
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moh
Silver Surfer


6860 Posts
Posted - 22/01/2009 : 15:10
That has come around quickly!!!


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panbiker
Senior Member


2301 Posts
Posted - 31/01/2010 : 17:58
Pretty poor showing from our small garden this year despite the goodies on offer, tally below:

2 Bluetits

2 Blackbirds

2 Coaltits

1 Goldfinch

Nice to see the blackbirds turning up, they normaly visit regularly but have missed during the survey for the previous 2 years.

Any more results?

 


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GAK
Regular Member


133 Posts
Posted - 31/01/2010 : 20:23
I think I have found out where your sparrows have gone, they have emigrated to New Zealand. There is certainly no shortage of them here. We only have to put out a little bread, and they show up in droves.
I am most intrigued with a bird which I had never seen before we moved to Feilding four years ago, its name is Spur winged Plover.
They are quite large, about 18 inches (45cm) tall, and frequent most of the flat farmland round us.They have very striking light grey plumage, a black head, with a white collar.
We unfortunately have Indian Mynah birds too. I would be pleased to see the back of these.
GAK 


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moh
Silver Surfer


6860 Posts
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 13:40
I loved the Pukekos (spelling?) when we were there.  One morning I saw one running across our daughter's grass with a slice of toast in its mouth.  They are like a colourful moorhen.
We have quite a few sparrows but more dunnocks.  Plenty of starlings, a pair of blue tits, a robin and a coal tit.  Wonder where the greenfinches & chaffinches have gone - not seen them for months now.


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