Twitterers on stand by for unusual sightings

Published on Thursday 27 January 2011 16:40

TENS of thousands of Scots are expected to take to their gardens tomorrow to count birds as part of the RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch.

The harsh early winter is likely to have driven more birds than usual into gardens in search of food, including some unusual visitors, experts said yesterday.

RSPB Scotland said the country is usually gripped by its coldest weather in January and February, and the early start to winter and extremely low temperatures mean gardens will have seen higher numbers of birds than usual.

And species that do not commonly turn up in gardens will have had weeks of cold weather to find food left out for birds and adapt to using feeders and bird tables - making it likely that this year's bird-watch will record some unusual sightings.

Some of the rarer species that could turn up include yellowhammers, reed buntings, tree sparrows and waxwings, while the RSPB said that last year one man spotted a bittern on his garden pond.

The charity has sold a record amount of birdseed this winter, as householders rushed to help wildlife in the face of freezing conditions.