Have you ever heard about the Great Backyard Bird Count? Last weekend, or better to say between 12 and 15 February, birdwatchers all over the world joined again for this global event. And me, for the first time. Basically what you can do is to choose your spot of observation, could be even through your window and count as many birds as you can see. Then submit your list in eBird. Simple as that.
Here is the link to the site - https://www.birdcount.org/ where you can find more information about the event.
Now back to my count. Let me tell you it was freezing cold, but it did not stop me of going out. My first thought was to stay indoors and watch the birds through the window and stay warm. For sure there will be few to put in the list as the seagulls, pigeons, crows, magpies, jackdaws and buzzards can be seen flying around. And who knows what else can be spotted flying above.
But no, I put the hat on, warm jacket and gloves and off me went to the park.
Saturday
On Saturday the sun was inviting, but the cold wind just cut you through. Besides my aim was not to count only but of course to photograph the birds. It turned out that most of the photos from both days did not come nicely and I deleted a lot. I was left with few, still not what I wish to be, but my excuse is that I am not so experienced in cold weather. I hate these gloves.
The weather was pretty nice during the week and so warm, the trees start to blossom. Too early if you ask me. Then the frost came suddenly. Well, the forecast was rather accurate and the cold front was expected but not for the trees. Here the almond tree is still in its bloom on Saturday morning, despite the temperature was below zero.
And now let me show you what I saw and counted.
Dove on the ground finding food.
Hooded crow has found bread crumbs, while on the next photo the jackdaw plays with some rubish.
People don't get it, how much trouble they cause by leaving their rubbish on the ground.
Next, the pigeons were gathered on top of the snow patch.
And since I mentioned pigeons, come and check the contest post - Show Me A Photo, the theme is Pigeons. There is still time to submit your entries.
And the last shot from Saturday is that sparrow.
The other birds I saw and included in my list of counting were the Syrian woodpecker and the Great tit.
Sunday
Gloomy Sunday and again I have lots of horrible images and again I have not many to show. I saw more birds and most happy to meet the long-tailed tit, two of them in fact and they were hopping above my head high on the tree branches.
These are relatively good photos but far from what I wished to achieved.
Syrian woodpecker is always here.
Another dove from above.
And a jackdaw.
Although I counted 12 different birds on Sunday, I cannot show them. The wren was faster than me. I could not take the camera so quicky from the bag. There were plenty of goldfinches but too far and the images of the chaffinch and the black bird I have to disregard. There was a common buzzard again on the sky making the pigeons to fly like mad.
So, that was my very first Great Backyard Bird Count.
I will keep on doing it as new birds also appear from time to time and I am looking forward to the weekend to go as usual in the park. What I very much wish to see and hopefully to photophotograph is the sea eagle who has come to our area yesterday. Hubby saw it and told me how big it was. Fingers crossed it will come again.
And that is all for now.
I hope you will too be interested in birds count. It is fun for the whole family.
Thank you for viewing.
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