“The Stats” (8pm on 19th Oct)
| This Week: | Totals | vs last week | vs same week 2020 |
| Total No of Species | 56 | ↓ 17 | ↓ 10 |
| Total No. of Birds | 4,576 | ↓ 1,561 | ↓ 855 |
| To October 19th: | 2020 | vs 2021 |
| Total No. of Species | 94 | ↑ 3 |
| Total No. of Birds | 42,515 | ↑ 13,117 |
Cool westerly winds dominated the first half of the week with stronger, more southerly winds bringing milder and wetter weather towards the latter half of the week. The west to northwest winds seem to favour winter migrants arriving from northerly and eastern directions, perhaps giving them lift as they head west.
The week started with
a bang with a noticeable arrival of hundreds of Redwings. Several gardens noted counts of more than 100 birds with over 1,800 being recorded in a single day. With them came a steady flow of Chaffinches heading northwest, peaking on 16th with 82 noted from participants gardens. A few Brambling were also noted – it appears to be a good year for these birds – along with Linnets, Greenfinches, Siskins and even Reed Buntings.
Goldfinch flocks are also more evident, possibly as birds seek food further afield and are joined by birds from other areas. Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks continued to be noted flying over but Swallows and martins were notable by their absence. Late records are still possible but these summer visitors have essentially left us now.
Highlights were thin on the ground with fewer birds being observed this week and no new additions to the autumn list. A Peregrine low over a Stevenage garden was a good sighting as were four sightings of Bullfinch. A Kingfisher was also noted from a Park Street garden while flyover Cormorants, Little Egrets and Grey Herons continue to be a feature.
Looking ahead we still await the arrival of Fieldfares and a proper arrival of Lesser Redpolls. It seems generally that arrivals this year have been at least a week behind last year so, on that basis, Fieldfares would be due this coming week. With winds swinging back to a more north-westerly direction on Thursday visible migration should pick up again. This will undoubtedly speed the passage of Woodpigeons and with them hopefully more thrushes with the chance of a Crossbill or Hawfinch mixed in – keep those ears tuned in!
Waterfowl are on the move and there’s always a chance that Wigeon and Teal may be picked up either calling at night or, if you’re lucky, during the day. Whooper Swans are now arriving on the east coast along with thousands of Pink-footed Geese so it’s not inconceivable that these too may find themselves in Herts airspace. And, of course, keep checking the tit flocks – Firecrest and Yellow-browed Warblers are the target but who’s to say that Siberian Chiffchaffs don’t come through gardens too?! Treecreepers and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are also known to move along with tit flocks so someone might get lucky!
Of interest this week was the BirdGuides article introducing Ashley Cooper’s Garden Birding 100 Facebook group. Based in Ambleside in Cumbria’s Lake District, Ashley has been inspired to set-up a group where those with more than 100 species on their garden list can share their experiences. His own list has recently crossed the 100 mark and the group is not strictly exclusive with others in the group not yet reaching 100. This group may be of interest to Herts garden birders who have big aspirations or who simply enjoy sharing their experiences.
The Garden Birding 100 Facebook group can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/247511703900829
The BirdGuides article can be read here: https://www.birdguides.com/articles/garden-birding-100/
As always please add your garden sightings to the Googlesheet
