[Gill Catton]

I took part in the RSPB/BTO Garden Watch scheme earlier this year. You had to count the number of birds in ONE HOUR on ONE DAY. I only turned up about six species at the allotted time! It was a real Horror of a day with rain and strong winds! My "local" (within a one mile radius) count is 44 species. So what does that tell you?

I really feel that such polls and observations should be far more wide-spread and over greater lengths of time, otherwise it ends up like the questions on Family Fortunes!!!

They are the British Trust for Ornithology has very large and widespread surveys that are conducted annually over many years and are used to determine population dynamics rather than big RSPB related events such as garden watch which although still useful, are better for promoting awareness of birds rather than accurate population assessment.

All I know is that there are no Sparrows in my parent garden even though they live out in the sticks - there used to be I remember twelve around the table once, and that from my place in Gloucester, I Can hear one chirping male where I'd expects to hear plenty from years gone by!
Gill

[El Annie]

Gill, are you doing the BTO Garden BirdWatch, I'm just coming up to my second year and enjoy participating very much, it certainly keeps me aware of what's going in the garden!! It's shortly due to go on-line so those with puters will be able to put there findings straight on to the site and apparently there's going to be lots more useful stuff:

"Don't forget, GBW Online will allow you to do much more than this. You will be able to view the reporting rate graphs (updated on a weekly basis) and maps of where birds are seen. You will also be able to view all of the GBW observations you have submitted over the years and compare weeks with each other. Over the coming months many more things will be added allowing you to do even more, e.g. see how your results fit into the regional and national patterns."

I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in birds, it's good to be able to 'do your bit'!!

El Annie :)