Sunday, January 27, 2008

National Treasures


I have not taken part in the RSPB's gardenwatch day yet, due to working on the weekend it was held the 26th-27th January.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/
I might sit tomorrow for an hour how many garden birds visit my garden. Then use the internet to send my data to the Rspb.
They use it every year as an impromptu snapshot of how the native birds of Britain are doing. Every persons postcode is used to log the sightings on one hour of watching. It can be done in gardens or parks, and the time length is short enough that most people can manage it.
From all the data the RSPB can calculate bird populations and abundance (or scarcity) in any given area or the UK as a whole. This can reflect their future policies and which birds need protecting if they are to remain as a distinct species within the UK.
I think the BBC will publish a news story soon about the Top Ten British garden birds sighted over this weekend, in March.
It was originally used to get children into looking at birds in natural environments back in 1979. Over 400,000 people took part last year spotting some 6 millions birds in 235,000 gardens. Somebody realised you could get adults involved whether bird experts or amateurs.
The awareness of the environment and climate change has made a whole new generation of green gardeners and nature lovers. Who appreciate the Flora and Fauna of Britain as a national treasure.
All we need now is Nicholas Cage with some binoculars and a British Garden Birds book.I have worked all weekend. From dark in the morning at 530am to finishing at 810pm when its dark again. Two Dark days but am off tomorrow. The garden is calling me.....

3 comments:

kate said...

RSPB is such a good idea ... it's great that so many people are now participating in it. I am a poor birdwatcher at the best of times - at this time of year, there aren't many of our feathered friends about!

Georgina said...

Hey Dave!

I bought a bird feeder recently - thinking that they will be an excellent natural deterrent of the snails that wreak havoc in my garden (my primroses are currently blooming with no snail chomped bites)

Anyhoo, the fatballs have been eaten: bird poo has splashed all over the nearest fence, so I know it's the birds, not acid rain.

But there is also evidence of sneaky Edie cat fur-fluff on the fence too... Luckily Edie, although adorable, is a bit clumsy and a bit stupid, so I think the birds will be safe.

STUS, love sis x

David (Snappy) said...

Thanks Kate, The birds here like a helping hand during the winter.All the birds I have seen feeding here are plump and healthy looking.The one robin I saw who appeared one day was raggedy looking.The winter was taking its toll on him.I hope that Spring and Summer brings different birds as well as the usual visitors.I enjoy the garden as a meeting point between me and the wildlife.A neutral zone!
Hey Jaws, its addictive watching birds once you start.You'll go out and buy a little book to identify them and then binoculars to see them better.What better thing to do after a long day then to chill with the birds?
Make Edies collar noisy with a bell!
The birds need a paving slab or a stone to use as an anvil to break open the snail shells.My pavers and soil show signs of the anvil usage! Snails are finding it hard in my bird patrolled garden!