During the summer we were surveyed by Pauline a volunteer from the RSPB the aim being to determine the number of bird species at Greenheyes.

The entire list reached 38 different species many of these are regarded as common throughout the UK.

The RSPB have three colours determining how common/threatened birds are Red for “species of high conservation concern”
Amber for “ species of medium conservation concern”
Green for all other species of lower concern.

Of the 38 species listed
25 are Green
8 are Amber
5 are Red.

The five red species are House sparrow, Song thrush, Starling, Tree sparrow and Willow tit.

Our house sparrow colony thrives and these little birds nest under the eaves of the brick buildings pictured in June 2002 nature report. Often they make their way into the buildings looking for any spilt cattle feed.

Our inspectors always tell us to make the buildings more secure!

Song Thrushes nest in our hedges, which due to our countryside stewardship scheme are “perfect”, quote Pauline.

Starlings nest in the eves of the buildings and one particular pair nest here where this wooden piece has fallen out. Starlings used to be very common and by the river Dane there is still a winter roost where several hundred stay during the winter months (when I was a child there were thousands).

Greenheyes buildings are old but modern buildings usually have plastic fascia boards on the eves and so access for them to nest is impossible.

The two gullies by the Humpety back and Rancho both provide good habitat for tree Sparrows.

By the river Dane the trees are old and apart from the cows and the occasional fisherman the Willow tits are left in peace.

It has been interesting to have this survey taken and we are hoping the RSPB will take a winter survey of our bird population

To learn more about the work of the RSPB click here www.rspb.org.uk

See you next month PHIL.

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