As usual, on the first weekend of February, the environmental protection group Natagora invites people of all ages to participate in its annual garden bird count.
Participants are told to look out for hawfinches this year. This impressive bird, usually very discreet, has been sighted frequently this autumn, leading Natagora to believe that amateur birdwatchers and other participants in the count may spot the colourful bird. Those living in wooded areas have the best chance of observing it.
“The hawfinch, like other forest species such as the Eurasian siskin or the brambling, migrates according to the abundance of food resources. Unlike most birds, it does not stick to a specific wintering area and can therefore appear in large numbers where food is plentiful,” explains the nature conservation organisation in a statement.
Great tit, European robin, common starling, Eurasian jay… These are just some of the bird species that live in our regions. But to count them, you need to be able to recognise them. To help with this, Natagora provides identification sheets for the most commonly observed species in Belgium on its website.
Data collected by individuals during the count has allowed the association’s ornithologists to track the evolution of garden bird populations for over 20 years. “This valuable information helps to better understand environmental dynamics and guide actions to preserve biodiversity,” emphasises the association.
