Hugh’s News – May 2019

Big Garden Birdwatch Results 

We can now reveal 2019’s Garden Birdwatch results.  Once again, the house sparrow has hit the top spot.  At number two is the starling, closely followed by the blue tit and the blackbird.  The woodpigeon flies in at number five, followed by the goldfinch, great tit, and robin at number 8.  The top eight remain the same as last year, so it’s a battle for numbers nine and 10. The chaffinch has seen off the long-tailed tit to be at number 9, and the magpie has crept in at number 10.

These are the national figures, but of course there will be variation across the country and even from garden to garden in the same region.  How did you fare?

Great Egret Successfully Released

The RSPCA had to carry out a water rescue after a Great Egret became entangled in fishing line at Thornycroft Hall near Macclesfield, Cheshire.  The bird was unable to free itself at the site and concerned anglers contacted the animal welfare charity after spotting the distressed egret.  Despite some injuries, the bird is doing well and has now been released back into the wild at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB reserve following a full recovery.  Nice to hear a story with a happy ending.

Birding Cur-tailed! 

I have some news from the home front. We have just bought a Border Collie puppy which will certainly curtail my birding, in the short-term at least!  So I have decided to start a new bird list, to add to my current British, European and World lists. “Birds seen while walking the dog”!  Until Blaze has completed his vaccinations, we are restricted to the garden, so we are missing out on lots of passing migrants. However, we already have Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and a fly-over Raven ticked, as well as a few common garden birds.  I will post occasional updates on our progress!

Hugh Stewart