RSPB Garden Birdwatch 2009

This weekend, I did the RSPB Garden Birdwatch on the Saturday and the Sunday at different times, to see if this had any effect on the totals and number of species seen.

Sat between 09:10 & 10:10.
Total = 34 birds, Species = 10, Weather = Frosty

Sun between 10:15 & 11:15.
Total = 45 birds, Species = 11, Weather = Drizzley

Clearly, the later start was better, and maybe the warmer damper conditions were a help also. In previous years, I seem to have had the best counts between 10:15 and 11:15.

As regards my species comparison chart above, it shows the following interesting points:
a) A record year for Goldfinches (9)
b) A welcome return for Greenfinches (3)
c) Chaffinches still on a gradual increase (4)
d) House sparrow numbers holding up (7)

Highs and Lows:
This is the first year that I have recorded a Coal Tit, but not recorded a Dunnock during the birdwatch.
If I had combined the two days then I would also have seen Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1) and Woodpigeon (1), making a grand total of 14 species. Mind you later in the day on Sunday, there were actually 7 Woodpigeons on the lawn!