Bullies Back in Town

It was good to see the return of the "Bullfinch" in my garden this evening, even if the little bastard was eating the buds from my favourite amelanchier tree. I think he was also showing off to his mate who was perched happily on a branch above and likewise stripping my buds.....(there is a huge amount of shagging going on amongst the birds in my garden at present).

I am of course remorseful in the extreme having slaughtered generations of this bird in the late sixties and early seventies, both in my grandfathers orchards and under instruction from my head Gardener. In those days they were abundant and a pest for all fruit growers. We had "Bully" traps which could catch up to 50 in a morning. It was my task to move the traps to different parts of the orchard every morning throughout spring. My excuse was that firstly I knew no better, secondly they really were a pest, thirdly I was only 12 or 13, and lastly I was simply following orders.....which I believe the Nazis at the gas chambers also used as an excuse.

The Bullfinch has Amber Status at the RSPB, meaning one of the following criteria are met....


Historical population decline during 18001995, but recovering; population size has more than doubled over last 25 years

Moderate (25-49%) decline in UK breeding population over last 25 years, or the longer-term period

Moderate (25-49%) contraction of UK breeding range over last 25 years, or the longer-term period

Moderate (25-49%) decline in UK non-breeding population over last 25 years, or the longer-term period

Rare breeder; 1300 breeding pairs in UK

Rare non-breeders; less than 900 individuals

Localised; at least 50% of UK breeding or non-breeding population in 10 or fewer sites, but not applied to rare breeders or non-breeders
Internationally important; at least 20% of European breeding or non-breeding population in UK (NW European and East Atlantic Flyway populations used for non-breeding wildfowl and waders respectively)

The opening days at Plantsmans Corner for 2011 are as follows...

April 3rd & 17th;
May 1st & 15th;
June 5th & 19th;
July 3rd & 17th;
August 7th 21st;
September 4th & 18th;
October 2nd & 16th;