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Birds in Franqueville gardens - The Great Garden Bird Count

article and photos by Alphonse

The GONm (Groupement Ornithologique Normand) was created forty years ago.

It was inspired by the example of the British ornithology association named RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). Ten years ago, the GONm initiated (among many other activities) the GREAT GARDEN BIRD COUNT.

In 2013, the selected dates were Saturday January 26^th and Sunday 27^th. During one hour, volunteers had to record the different species observed and the greatest number of each species watched together.

So, I prepared the equipment:

            - Fat ball and bread crumb for birds

            - A counting sheet supplied by GONm.

            - A pencil.

            - A pair of binoculars.

            - A camera with telephoto lens.

            - A tripod for the camera

            - A lot of patience.

The counting sheet included different information :

-   Name, address, phone and email of the observant.

-   Date, hour and place of observation.

-   List of observed birds.

On Saturday 26^th, at 9:30, I began the watching.

I was surprised to notice the great number and variety of species frequenting my garden.

We never take the time to carefully observe the spots where we live!

During this hour, I counted (together for one species)  :

-         10 sparrows.
-         2 starlings
-         2 blackbirds
-         2 Gulls.
-         2 Chaffinches.
-         2 robins.
-         2 great tits.
-         1 carrion crow.
-         1 long tailed tit.
-         1 magpie.
-         1 wood pigeon.
-         1 nuthatch.
-         1 collared turtle dove.
-         1 dunnock.
-         1 blue tit.
                                               That is to say 15 different species during one hour!

I sent the counting sheet by mail to GONm who will process all the data and make statistics on the evolution of the watched populations.

Wait and see……

Sparrow	Starling
	Blackbird
Gulls
Chaffinch
Robin	Great Tit
Crow	Blue Tit
Magpie
Wood Pigeon
Nuthatch
Collared Dove	Dunnock (also known as Hedge Sparrow)
with Alphonse's permission, we have added some photos of some unusual winter visitors - Bramblings and Siskins - seen and photographed by Rosemary in her garden (also in Franqueville):
Chaffinch (left) and Bramblings (Bramblings in winter are paler and pinker than Chaffinches, but in spring the heads and back of the males become blackish)
A Greenfinch (behind), two Goldfinches (middle and left), and a Siskin (front right)

Glossary

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