Cold Weather Driving Unusual Birds to UK Gardens
The cold weather is bringing a wide range of unusual birds to UK
gardens, according to the RSPB. The charity has received many calls
during the cold snap from people reporting sightings of species that
are not usually seen in UK gardens.
Waxwings, reed buntings, yellowhammers, redpolls, grey wagtails,
redwings and fieldfares are just some of the unusual garden visitors
that would be expected to forage in the wider countryside. But they
are being seen in domestic gardens as the frozen conditions make it
almost impossible to find natural food sources.
Finches
Finches like bramblings and siskins are also being seen earlier than
normal; they don't usually appearing in gardens until March. Natural
food shortages in some parts of the UK due to the weather mean that
more species are looking for berries and seeds in gardens.
The increased popularity of bird feeding has also had a huge impact on
the number of birds seen in gardens with more species relying on
supplementary food at this time of year. More people are making an
effort to create wildlife friendly gardens too, with ponds and fruit
trees also creating more insects and food for garden birds.
Val Osborne, Head of the RSPB's Wildlife Enquiries team says:
"Although our climate is warming, we can still experience freezing
conditions. We always get lots of calls from people reporting an
abundance of birds in their gardens as they come in search of food at
this time of year.
"But this year there has been a noticeable change in the species
people are seeing in gardens. We would expect lots of garden
favourites like robins and blackbirds and there are still plenty of
those around but to see things like grey wagtails and bullfinches is
more unusual. It just goes to show that feeding our garden birds can
really help them at this time of year and you never know what you're
going to see!"
The range of species bodes well for participants in the RSPB's annual
Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of the month. Around half a million
people report what birds they have seen over the last weekend in
January, providing the charity with vital information on which species
are thriving and which need some attention.
Sarah Kelly, Big Garden Birdwatch Coordinator, says: "A huge range of
different birds are being seen in January and it just shows what
benefits putting food and water out can bring. More and more people
enjoy their garden birds and you could find yourself as familiar with
bullfinches and siskins as robins and blue tits!"
January is a particularly harsh month for wildlife and garden birds
face a constant battle to find food. Food and water that we put out in
our gardens can be the difference between life and death for many
species. For more information on feeding the birds in your garden
please visit. www.rspb.org.uk/advice
Wildlife Extra: January 2009
