Essex birds come in from the cold

01 Dec 2010 | No. 2010-12-58

Latest results from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden BirdWatch survey show that birds are flocking into Essex gardens. During the recent snowy weather almost a quarter of Essex gardens had a Green Woodpecker visit and nearly half supported a Jay – both well above the national average.

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 When cold weather arrives, birds, including many unusual visitors, pour into gardens, benefitting from food provided by householders and urban temperatures elevated by heat pollution. During the past four weeks an amazing 13% of Essex householders who participate in the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch saw a Grey Heron, compared with just 5% in the rest of Britain and Ireland. With lakes and ponds freezing over in the wider countryside many herons appear to have turned to Essex garden ponds for an easy meal. One Essex householder even spotted a Snipe – a long-billed wading bird that is a rare garden visitor.

The most frequently seen species during the past four weeks have been Blackbird, Blue Tit and Robin, each occupying over 95% of Essex gardens. Starling, one of the most glamorous garden species with its bright, iridescent plumage, occupied fewer Essex gardens (85%) but, owing to its large flock sizes, was the most abundant species with an average of nearly 13 individuals per garden. Starlings are a red-list species of conservation concern and so Essex gardens could be an important refuge for these birds. The average number of Starlings per garden in Essex was almost double that found nationally.

The unique garden bird community of Essex has come alive and, as the inclement weather continues, the BTO is encouraging more householders to enjoy the birds in their gardens and to record what they see through the BTO Garden BirdWatch. The scheme has run every week since 1995 and is the largest year-round survey of garden birds in the world, with over 350 participants in Essex alone.

Dr Tim Harrison, BTO Garden BirdWatch, commented: “Essex householders can be amazed at the birds that they have in their gardens. During the past four weeks, the county’s gardens have held 58 species including garden rarities such as Skylark and Linnet. Other species have been observed in unusually high numbers including Fieldfare, Collared Dove and the tiny Goldcrest.”

He added, “Many people watch birds in their gardens and BTO Garden BirdWatch enables Essex householders to record what they see and, in the process, make a real scientific contribution. Whether you watch the birds for 10 minutes or 10 hours per week you can still get involved.”

To make your Essex garden count or for a free enquiry pack please telephone 01842 750050 and ask for the Garden BirdWatch team, email gbw [at] bto.org or write to GBW, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU.

Notes for Editors

1. Top 20 garden birds in Essex: the past four weeks

	Top 20 Essex	% gardens occupied	Top 20 Rest of Britain and Ireland	% gardens occupied
1	Blackbird	98.1	Blue Tit	98.1
2	Blue Tit	96.2	Robin	97.6
3	Robin	96.2	Blackbird	96.8
4	Collared Dove	94.3	Great Tit	93.8
5	Woodpigeon	92.5	Dunnock	90.7
6	Great Tit	90.6	Chaffinch	87.4
7	Dunnock	88.7	Woodpigeon	84.3
8	Starling	84.9	Coal Tit	81.0
9	House Sparrow	83.0	Goldfinch	74.4
10	Chaffinch	79.2	Magpie	73.4
11	Goldfinch	77.4	Collared Dove	72.3
12	Magpie	71.7	House Sparrow	70.1
13	Greenfinch	66.0	Starling	66.7
14	Jay	47.2	Greenfinch	65.7
15	Great Spotted Woodpecker	45.3	Wren	52.8
16	Coal Tit	43.4	Long-tailed Tit	48.8
17	Long-tailed Tit	41.5	Great Spotted Woodpecker	44.8
18	Pied/White Wagtail	37.7	Carrion Crow	40.4
19	Wren	35.8	Jackdaw	37.5
20	Jackdaw	26.4	Song Thrush	31.1

2. The BTO is the UK’s leading bird research organisation. Over thirty thousand birdwatchers contribute to the BTO’s surveys. They collect information that forms the basis of conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Norfolk and Stirling, who analyse and publicise the results of project work. The BTO’s investigations are funded by government, industry and conservation organisations.
3. The BTO Garden BirdWatch is the only nationwide survey of garden birds to run weekly throughout the year, providing important information on how birds use gardens, and how this use changes over time. Currently, some 15,000 people take part in the project nationally, with some 350 in Essex. The project is funded by participants’ contributions and is the largest year-round survey of garden birds in the world. For more information see www.bto.org/gbw

Contact information 

Tim Harrison (BTO Garden BirdWatch Development Officer)
Office: 01842 750050 (9am to 5.30pm)
Email: gbw [at] bto.org

Paul Stancliffe (BTO Press Officer)
Office: 01842 750050 (9am to 5.30pm)
Mobile: 07585 440910 (anytime)
Email: press [at] bto.org

Images are available for use alongside this News Release
Please contact images [at] bto.org quoting reference 2010-12-58

The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews
Please contact us to book an interview Office: 01842 750050 

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