Highland Court Birdwatch 2023

On Saturday 28th January, six residents, including two children, joined me in our first Highland Court birdwatch. It was a cold morning so a big thank you to everyone that took part.

We managed to identify a total of 20 individual birds of 9 different species during the survey which has now been submitted to the RSPB.

I thought it was a good tally for our first attempt and worth repeating next year. I noted that the bramble hedge was the place where most birds could be seen and heard. While the brambles will be tidied and reduced in area to some extent, it is obvious that we should keep an area of them to give our wildlife a much needed helping hand. As well as providing cover for birds and other wildlife, they are also an excellent nectar source for pollinators when in flower, while for people they are brilliant for security, and of course, provide a delicious fruit to forage in late Summer.

As well as thinking about plants for birds we have now installed 3 next boxes and continue to maintain the gardens without poisoning their food sources with pesticides and weedkillers. The birds also have water available to them and a feeder high in one of the lime trees at the front. There have been rat problems on site over the years so I would encourage caution in feeding the birds in any other way. The main aim is to provide natural food and shelter for them.

Here are our birdwatch results in full:

House sparrow 5

Magpie 4

Woodpigeon 4

Long-tailed tit 2

Blue tit 1

Great tit 1

Robin 1

Blackbird 1

Dunnock 1

The year's other big national wildlife survey happens in July/August and is focussed on butterflies and day-flying moths, which I would be happy to hold here if there is interest.

Best wishes

Gary

Blackbird