Green Woodpecker

Yes, it is rather a grand name for a process which involves staring out of my kitchen window and looking at the bird feeder. But it’s not a title I used so I thought I’d give it a go. Today’s entries for the BTO survey have hit a new low in terms of numbers and lack of variety, but they say all results are useful, even the things you don’t see.

We’ve had a good run recently with several new species and  several species we’d only seen before we started recording. None of them have been rare. During the week we saw goldfinches flying over, but they didn’t stop. Since moving in we’ve also seen a green woodpecker nearby (and know that Mum and dad had one in the garden when they lived here), parakeets and kites. We also know there’s been a sparrowhawk in the area. So there’s plenty of potential for future sightings, it’s just a case of keeping going and seeing what happens.

Male Reed Bunting

When we used to feed birds on the farm it took a while for the full variety to show, but once, for instance, we attracted Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, they seemed to become regulars quite quickly.

Part of the problem is the sparsity of habitat in the garden. There’s a lot more to do to the design as there’s only a narrow bed at the back and the shrubs in it overgrown. I want to do more with it, but I don’t want to disrupt their current habits all in one go.

I’ve already been looking at seed catalogues and I’m now going to have a look at books on plants for wildlife. Somewhere in the middle I’m sure we can find a balance. I’m aiming for wildlife friendly plants and a tropical field. With rhubarb. Rhubarb is sort of tropical, and it’s good to eat. I almost forgot that – the new garden design needs to be wildlife friendly, tropical themed, with fruit and veg. And it needs to be low maintenance. What could possibly go wrong with that plan?

Redpoll and Goldfinch on the Ecocentre feeder

Photos are from around the Ecocentre – as i say, we got a better variety of birds.