Great tits in greatest numbers
Text: Estonian Ornithological Society and Tallinna Linnuklubi
Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Great tit and tree sparrow.
Dear bird friends!
The winter garden bird count TALV 2010 arranged by the Estonian Ornithological Society and Tallinna Linnuklubi (Tallinn Bird Club) turned out to be popular far above our expectations.
Preliminary information shows that more than 750 bird enthusiasts have presented their data, and garden bird counts were arranged in more than 600 places all over Estonia. Such a number of observations makes it possible to draw reliable conclusions about changes in the species and numbers of winter garden birds in the future.
All together bird friends observed more than 26 000 bird of 50 species. The most numerous species was, as expected, the great tit, that was seen in 95% of the observation sites, and makes up 1/4 of all observed birds.
Surprisingly the greenfinch came second. Until now it has been a rather seldom seen winterer this year. In the total count number they were followed by sparrows, hooded crow, jackdaw and bullfinch.
Surprisingly the greenfinch came second. Until now it has been a rather seldom seen winterer this year. In the total count number they were followed by sparrows, hooded crow, jackdaw and bullfinch.
The blackbird turned out to be surprisingly often seen, and was observed in nearly half of the observation sites. Similarly surprising was the number of chaffinches, a little frequent winterer in Estonia, that was noted in 35 observation sites. In addition such winter rarities as starling, redbreast, collared dove and middle spotted woodpecker were seen.
Of birds of prey sparrowhawk, goshawk and buzzard were observed, and in five observation sites also this year’s bird, the great grey shrike.
The Estonian Ornithological Society and Tallinna Linnuklubi thank all who took part in the garden bird count! We would also like to remind that results from the count can still be submitted until the end of this week. As before, the results can be entered on the garden bird count home page
or sent by post to the co-ordinator:
Tallinna Linnuklubi, Mustamäe tee 59, 10621 Tallinn.
The final summary will be ready next week.
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