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Group of birds in yard: bullfinches, great tit, house sparrow and tree sparrow

 

In the Winter garden bird count arranged by the Estonian Ornithological Society during the previous weekend, more than 50 000 birds were observed according to  preliminary reports. Until noon on Monday more than 1800 bird friends had forwarded their observations, and garden bird watches had been held in 1350 places all over Estonia. The number of watchers, more than a third higher than last year, increases the value of the collected data, and ever more reliable conclusions can be drawn in the future about changes in the species composition and numbers of the garden birds wintering here.

 

The bird friends observed more than 50 000 birds altogether, of 60 species. The most numerous species was once more the great tit, more than 20% of the total of the observed birds. As in previous years the greenfinch was in second place and the tree sparrow in the third. According to the preliminary data no great changes have occurred in the numbers of the species. Many observers noted that the weather conditions favoured birdwatching, and in many places clearly more birds were seen than usual. This also shows clearly in the statistics – in 2011 on average 35 birds and in 2012 33 birds were seen in an observation place, whereas this year the average was 37. Of more exciting species the pygmy owl was seen in seven places, the wren in three places, and the dipper in one place.

 

The Estonian Ornithological Society thanks all who participated in the garden bird watch! Observation results are welcome until February 5th. They can be entered on the home page of the Garden bird watch: http://www.eoy.ee/talv/vaatlused/

On the home page all results already entered and their locations on the map can be seen in real time.

 

We also look forward to receive forms from the observation sites where  no bird was seen during the hour of observation.

Report forms can also be sent by post, address:

Eesti Ornitoloogiaühing, Veski 4, Tartu 51005.  

 

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