Churchill College recorded its second-highest bird count, spotting 56 individual birds across 17 different species during this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch, the RSPB’s annual nationwide citizen science project.
The College’s Grounds & Gardens team joined forces with staff and student volunteers to survey two locations: the gardens at 68/70 Storey’s Way and the woodland Copse behind the Chapel. Despite increasingly blustery winds affecting the Copse location, the total of 56 birds represents the second-highest count since Churchill began participating in 2023, with species diversity remaining consistent with previous years.
Rare visitors and new arrivals
This year also brought several exciting firsts. Dunnock, Goldcrest, Wren and Herring Gull were all recorded at Churchill for the first time during the Birdwatch although they have been spotted in the grounds at other times of the year. The Goldcrest sighting was particularly notable as this tiny bird ranked just 43rd out of 80 species in last year’s national results, making it an unusual garden visitor.
Blue Tits dominated the count with nine sightings, comfortably exceeding the national average of three. Observers also noted an impressive flock of 40 Black-headed Gulls foraging for worms on the College field after a wet week although these were not counted in the Birdwatch as they were not in the survey area.
“Participating in the Big Garden Birdwatch gives us as a community an opportunity to pause and think about the value of the wildlife around us. The College grounds continue to surprise us with the variety of species we see! We are looking forward to the coming year and recording as much wildlife as we can” said Kath, Gardens Team Leader.
A growing tradition
This marks the fourth consecutive year Churchill has contributed data to the RSPB’s vital monitoring work. The Grounds & Gardens team includes keen birdwatcher Charlie Ison, whose striking wildlife photography (see images below) captures the College’s rich biodiversity throughout the year. Events like the Big Garden Birdwatch demonstrate Churchill’s ongoing commitment to nature conservation and environmental stewardship.
Stay tuned for more updates and wildlife images from around the College grounds.
