Early Bird Survey Results

The BTO have put the first results of the Early Bird Survey up on their website. We took part in this on 9th January (see post of that date).  Nationally, Blackbird came first, but we did not see one in the first half hour after first light.  The birds we recorded were:

1. Bluetit - nationally 4th
2. Dunnock - nationally 5th
3. Chaffinch - nationally 14th.

3455 people took part nationwide, 53 in Sussex.  There is a complete list of the birds recorded with average times of first appearance after first light, and a map showing the locations of participants - there were two other people in Steyning.  They are still analysing the data on artificial light and that will come out in due course.  To see the results so far in full go to: http://blx1.bto.org/ebs/ebs-results.jsp.  

Early Bird Survey

We have just taken part in the BTO Early Bird Survey.  This involves recording the birds that arrive on your bird feeders at first light - which species and at what times.  It got light here at 08:00 and first up were two bluetits, then a Dunnock at 08:05 and then another Bluetit and a male Chaffinch at 08:14.  We stopped at 08:30 and had just had return visits from those species.  There was a Robin singing in the dark at 07:15, but that did not count in the survey.  We had to record cloud cover: 100%, and maximum and minimum temperature overnight: 11C, dropping to 9C.  They were also interested in the location of streetlights.  You can still take part in this up to 12th January.  Go to http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/early-bird-survey for details.