France in Focus

LPO have published the results of the annual bird count made towards the end of January

https://mcusercontent.com/38ecf9fdd37a4 ... F_cps2.pdf

Thanks [mention]exile[/mention] that looks interesting.

Thanks for that. I participated in the count and our garden seems fairly typical of the results received. However, we has a fair few greenfinches (verdiers) over the winter though they disappeared around the end of March/April. Dunnocks (accenteur mouchet) seem to be on the decline, but we have them nesting here - beautiful song.
Spuggies are plentiful all year round, chattering away.
The only bird I dislike in the garden is the pigeon ramier - the dogs love the droppings

Didn't participate this year.
We have a lot of greenfinches, always nest here and raid the feeders, bullies.

Our numbers were notably down.
Most of the more occasional visitors didn't visit this winter - Bramling (only come out of the forests when there is a good snow covering and the whole winter I saw just one bird), no Bullfinch or Hawfinch and no woodpeckers.

Greenfinch numbers were down but Goldfinch numbers were up. Even Magpie numbers were down.

As an aside, I've just found a guide on the Oiseaux des Jardins to differentiate between related species, as some birds look very similar it might be helpful to some.

If you click on the card you're interested in, it enlarges into a pdf file and you can download it or print it off.

https://www.oiseauxdesjardins.fr/index.php?m_id=20121

Thats wonderful, thanks very much Char.
We are active bird watchers and do get confused from time to time as they sometimes look different from ones in uk.
This year purchased the new Collins European birds which also helps.

That's our bible, Doug. We've had the English version for years and eventually treated ourselves to the French one which has been really useful. The paging corresponds pretty well between the two versions.

I use 'Le guide ornitho' I've not seen the collins but this one shows winter and summer plumage which is handy because it's amazing how different some look in the winter, it also shows juveniles and similar types a listed on the same page so you can compare them. The collins one probably does the same I expect.

That's the same one, Char ! It's brilliant because it shows the similarities and differences between birds that look alike.