Counting garden birds on Saturday and Sunday
Taking part in the garden bird count is easy and takes only an hour.
You need an observation point with a clear view in a garden or a park; preferably it should be chosen near a bird feeder or a feeding ground. After that it is only necessary to find an hour of free time on January 30 or 31, and spend it at your chosen spot, observing the doings of the birds. Birds around a bird feeder can even be observed from indoors through a window, and you can do it alone or together with your family or friends. During the counting hour all bird species on the observation spot must be noted. For each species only the greatest number of individuals see at the same time is to be listed. The results should be entered on the form on the home page of the garden bird count, or if internet isn't available, sent to the co-ordinators of the event (Tallinna Linnuklubi, Mustamäe tee 59, 10621 Tallinn).
The winter garden bird count is arranged for the first time n Estonia, but in many places in Europe it has proved to be a very popular event. In Great Britain the bird observation days, known as Big Garden Birdwatch, have been arranged for more than thirty years and last year nearly half a million bird friends participated. In Finland a similar event, „Pihabongaus“ is arranged for the 5th year, and in 2009 15 000 enthusiasts took part in it. For the scientific results and the statistics it is very important that many observers take part.
Detailed instructions for joining the winter bird count and for entering the observation results are given on the special winter garden bird count home page www.tallinna-linnuklubi.ee/talv. Since this is a first-time event in Estonia which we hope to continue in the following years, we welcome all your comments and suggestions about the methods and organisation of the event.
Weather forecast for Saturday:
Pleasant winter weather.
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