Garden Observations 19 June 2024

Today I had several jobs to do in the garden, therefore, the following is a list of bird species either seen in the garden, or seen from the garden.

Sparrowhawk seen passing over garden

House Sparrow (adults/juveniles)

Starling (ad/juvs)

4+ Blackbird

30+ Swift

Blue Tit (ad/juvs)

6+ Herring Gulls

Rook

Jackdaw

Wood Pigeon (on nest)

Collared Dove

Magpie

1 Lesser Black-backed Gull - North

4+ Buzzard

1 Sparrowhawk (female)

12+ Goldfinch

1 Greenfinch (singing male)

2 Dunnock

My forty feet long hedgerow in my garden was planted by myself 10 years ago and comprises all native species, these being Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Dog Rose, Silver Birch, 1 Ash tree, Goat Willow, and a couple of Alders.  This habitat is attractive to nesting species, birds seeking food and shelter, and also acts as a corridor for birds and insects to pass through.

The most visible birds present today was House Sparrows and Starlings, both species accompanied by young birds.  Goldfinches were particularly mobile with single figure birds (largest number of 7 birds) passing through.  Young Goldfinches were present, these are identifiable by their plain brown heads. A single male Greenfinch was singing.

Both adult and juvenile Blue Tits passed through, one juvenile seen quite well feeding in the willow.  The juvenile Blue Tits are readily identified by their distinctive yellow cheeks (white in adults).  A Wood Pigeon was on the nest in the willow.

Overhead movements in the morning saw at least 6 Herring Gulls pass over and one Lesser Black-backed Gull flew North.

By mid-afternoon it was sunny and pleasantly warm.  A female Sparrowhawk passed low and directly over the garden, this bird was clearly carrying prey in its talons.  

Swifts were present all day with a notable gathering high overhead in the evening.