This nationwide bird's eye view held over a late January weekend provides an important guide to the changes in garden visitors, and has been doing so since 1979.

It's apparently been a very good year for finches with the ubiquitous chaffinch joined by goldfinch and greenfinch in the top 11. This has been attributed to warmer temperatures here and the preference by many householders for the wilder, less manicured garden. You can certainly include ours in that description.

I was intrigued to learn that one of the biggest climbers in this year's survey was the siskin which was spotted in three times as many gardens as last year. I've never caught sight of this attractive bird on our plot but while on holiday in mid-Wales over Easter we were treated to daily visits.

The nut holder within yards of our window seemed to be the most popular bird haunt for miles around. In addition to the usual suspects we were also delighted to enjoy close-up views of serin, coal tit and great-spotted woodpecker.

A conveniently-placed bird table surely has to be one of the finest of small pleasures for residents blessed with an English country garden of whatever size.

I've just learned that BBC 2's Springwatch programme over May and June will be based at Pensthorpe. This is great news for the reserve and everyone associated with it.

I do have a problem with the knowledgeable Bill Oddie whose tendency to revert to Goodies mode in company with the long-suffering Kate Humble I find irritating. But there's no doubt this three-week extravaganza captures terrific images and uncovers all sorts of fascinating insights.

The fact that filming takes place right on our doorstep will add an extra dimension to the whole experience. What's the betting that attendance at this magical spot increases in leaps and bounds following such a spectacle.

• News that the Wells Road Post Office is likely to be included in the county-wide cull will come as a shock to many. I suppose we assume that such vital services will somehow go on for ever.

These days, of course, nothing much is sacred. Should the worst happen, Fakenham will still retain its main office in Miller's Walk, but I do wonder how it would cope.

Crammed at the back of a paper shop there's limited space for queuing as it is. Having to take on all the extra transactions would inevitably cause major hold-ups.

We haven't yet reached that point and I know there's a determined campaign under way to save the Wells Road service. Hundreds of signatures have been collected, the local MP is lending his weight and both the town and district councils are supportive. This story still has some way to go.

Village communities which lose their post offices are even harder hit, of course. Lack of transport – or familiarity with the Internet – mean residents are bound to be heavily inconvenienced. This type of business has always been much more than just about stamps and parcels. For years it has doubled as a social centre, especially for families and the elderly. Such sentiments don't carry much weight these days.