Big Garden Bird Watch 2018

Here we are again, but the chosen hour watching birds on Sunday 28th January yielded results which were not representative of the visitors which I've seen during casual observation while washing up or generally gazing out at the back garden. And this despite putting out bird food, which has proved quite popular.

Present and correct:
1 blackbird (male)
8 sparrows (peak number  last autumn was 18)
1 robin (a second one has been around recently)
1 starling (although there are lots more around)
1 blue tit

Absent without leave:
Dunnock
Wren
Gold finch - although I haven't seen one since autumn
Long-tailed tits - I haven't seen any of these since autumn, when the family supergroup flitting through the gardens and partying in the trees numbered 22
The pair of bullfinches
The pair of chaffinches
Mrs blackbird, and there's been a second male around
Song thrush
Jackdaws
Collared doves
Rooks

The bird feeder, with seeds and peanuts as well as a net of fat balls, has been more popular than last year's single net of fat and seed balls. I just wish the birds would come and be counted when the Big Garden Bird Watch is on!