Great Garden Birdwatch

This year's birdwatch yielded more species than previously seen on RSPB birdwatches including some redwings which I have only seen once before on the site. The redwings may have come in from farmland due to the sharp frost on the day with the moat and ground frozen. The species list did not include the usual mallards who had been around for a few days prior to the watch but presumably went off to find some water they could swim in. Because of the cold I conducted the birdwatch by walking around the moat and down the drive rather than my usual practice of watching from an upstairs window so again the results are not directly comparable to previous years. Species seen were Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Crow, Magpie, Robin, Moorhen, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Starling, Chaffinch, Redwing and Wren. I also thought I saw Coal Tits and Stock Doves but couldn't get the binoculars on them quick enough to confirm them.