Tag Archives: birds

People’s Walk for Wildlife – please join!

Everybody who cares about wildlife will be gathering in central London on 22nd September 2018 for the first People’s Walk for Wildlife.  And we know you care about wildlife because your reading this, so please join us there.

Watch this short video for one of the most passionate and yet down to earth explanations of why we have to wake up to what is happening to British wildlife and act. Chris Packham says of our wildlife population’s downward trends “those statistics about those declines become normalised. Like it’s just another part of the conversation”.

He continues “We’re in trouble, we’re in big trouble…… It’s time for us to act. I think it’s time for us to stand up and be counted, and to ask, politely, for things to be fixed”.

Please join this polite, passive walk (it’s not a demonstration or rally) and show your concern for what is happening to our wildlife – whether your interest is for birds, hedgehogs, dragonflies, ferns, trees, fungi or any other of the diverse, beautiful and essential plants and animals that keep our environment healthy.

 If your interested in going and want to travel by train with other members of FNW please let me know so we can co-ordinate travel arrangements or arrange to meet in London.

10am: Gather – Reformers Tree, Hyde Park, London
12 noon: Infotainment
1pm: Walk
2pm: Finish – Richmond Terrace

Woking peregrine goes to Wildlife Aid

The juveniles watched under the Woking Peregrine project started flying on Sunday 10th June. Unfortunately, one flew into a window.  The injured juvenile female was taken for rehabilitation at Wildlife Aid (based in Leatherhead).  She may be there for at least 3 weeks, possibly requiring an operation on the damaged wing.  Let’s hope she recovers soon!  For this and more information about the peregrines please visit www.wokingperegrines.com. 

Woking Peregrines in the News

The Woking Peregrine Project was featured on That’s Surrey TV on 18th May.  The four chicks are still going strong – even a sandwich tern was caught as prey by the parents.  The chicks will be ringed on Tuesday to help understand where they travel as adults.  They should fledge in early to mid June, so keep an eye out if you’re in Woking!  Learn more at http://www.wokingperegrines.com/.

News of the Woking Peregrines

As is often the case with nature, there is good news, but also sad news from the Woking Peregrines.  The good news –  all five eggs were hatched.  But sadly this morning one chick became estranged as the parent began to brood again after feeding. It sadly didn’t make it in the cold.

It’s worth remembering that five surviving to fledge, as they achieved last year, is uncommonly good.  Our hopes continue that the other four will survive to adulthood.

You can do your part, maybe not for the peregrines directly, but for the birds visiting your garden who will also be struggling in this cold and rainy spell.  Keeping your feeders full will help ensure avian parents have one less thing to worry about.

Watch the peregrines live at http://www.wokingperegrines.com/

Photos from Woking Peregrine Project / Woking Borough Council

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2018 Results

The 2018 results for the RPSB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have been released.  The headlines:

  • House sparrows were still top the sightings list.
  • Siskin and brambling numbers were up.
  • Small birds have overall increased.
  • Goldfinches were seen in over two-thirds of gardens.
  • Greenfinch sightings increased by 5% on last year.
  • Blackbird sightings were down by 18%.
  • Robin sightings were down by 12%.
  • Changes could be down to a milder winter meaning more food elsehere so birds weren’t so reliant on gardens, good/bad breeding seasons and other factors.

The rankings:-

  1. House sparrows
  2. Starling
  3. Blue tit
  4. Blackbird
  5. Woodpigeon
  6. Goldfinch
  7. Great tit
  8. Robin
  9. Long-tailed tit
  10. Chaffinch

Do look at the results from the RPSB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) for more detail and explanation.  And do consider participating next year.  An hour of observation provides valuable information for understanding trends and guiding conservation efforts.  And it’s a great excuse to just sit and enjoy your garden for an hour!

Second egg for Woking Peregrines – more to come?

The Woking Peregrine Project celebrates the second egg laid by the peregrines under the watchful eye(s) of the web cameras.  Peregrines have already successully bred here in 2016 and 2017.

Even better news – there may be another egg due on Wednesday as peregrines usually lay in 48 hour intervals.  Do have a look at the live webcam videos and Twitter feed on their website for the latest updates – it’s fascinating and addictive!!

[Photos by Woking Peregrine Project / Woking Borough Council]

Feed the birds, but be aware of risks, say wildlife experts

Feeding our garden birds can provide vital energy resources for our feathered friends, but we are also responsible for making sure it doesn’t have unexpected harm. The BBC report on research by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) on the risks of disease in wild birds from garden bird feeders.

ZSL and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) recommend:

  1. Do keep feeding your birds, especially in winter, but just be aware of the risks and how you can minimise them
  2. Clean bird feeders regularly
  3. Rotate feeding sites to avoid build up of droppings and/or regurgitated food
  4. If you notice a sick bird (e.g. unusually fluffed-up plumage and lethargic):

Learn more about what you can do to help Normandy’s wildlife.