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Bird flock in the yard: bullfinches, great tit, house sparrow and tree sparrow.

 

At the winter garden bird watch organised by the Ornithological Society – TALV 2012 - over 25 000 birds were observed on January 28 and 29 according to the first preliminary data . 1152 bird enthusiasts had forwarded their observations up to last night  and garden bird watches were made in more than 760 places in Estonia. The number of observers, nearly half more than the forecast number, increases the value of the data collected and ever more reliable conclusions can be drawn in the future about the species composition and changes in numbers of our wintering garden birds.

 

Altogether bird friends observed more than 25 330 birds of at least 56 species. The most abundant species was once again the great tit, which accounted for nearly a quarter of the total number of observed birds. As last year the greenfinch had the second place and the tree sparrow the third. Clearly more blackbirds were seen  - last year 300 birds had been seen at the summing-up of the first results but this year they were more than 750. Unexpectedly few jays were seen – only 276 birds instead of last year’s 570. Many observers have noted that the birds appeared in the feeding places some weeks ago with the arrival of winter weather, but with the cold of the last few days birds have become fewer again and the feeding grounds are visited irregularly. According to the preliminary results the average number of birds seen at the observation places were fewer than last year, stopping at 33 individuals (2011 on average 35 birds, 2010 43 birds). 

 

The Ornithological Society thanks all who participated in the Garden Bird Watch!

We would like to remind that observation results can be submitted until February 10. As before they can be entered on the garden bird watch home page:

http://www.eoy.ee/talv/Vaatlusankeet.html

or sent by post to the coordinator (Estonian Ornithological Society, Veski 4, Tartu 51005).

Observation reports are also welcomed from locations where no birds were encountered during the observation hours.

The final summary will be published at the end of February.

 

Contact when needed:

Aarne Tuule

58002869 

talv@eoy.ee