Feathered finds
Sparrows the most common bird
THE results are in from this year’s Great British Garden Birdwatch and house sparrows have held on to the top spot.
There were more than 1.7 million sightings of these cheeky chirpsters during the birdwatch weekend in January, which has become the world’s largest wildlife survey.
Blue tits and starlings remained in the number two and three positions respectively, and there was good news for the UK’s jay and greenfinch populations. The jay, which is a loud and colourful member of the crow family, moved up nine places to number 23, an increase of 73% compared to 2021 numbers.
Big Garden Birdwatch results also found a small increase in greenfinch numbers, which gives scientists a glimmer of hope that this might be the first signs of a population recovery after numbers plummeted.
Unknown reasons for jay sightings
These pretty garden birds had suffered a numbers crash of 62% since 1992, largely caused by the disease trichomonosis, which is spread through contaminated food and drinking water. As a result, greenfinches went on the UK endangered Red List last year.
RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight said: “It’s been brilliant to see so many people taking part again this year, taking time out to watch and reconnect with birds and then submit their sightings.
“We don’t know the reasons for the sudden increase in jay sightings this year. It may be down to food availability as we have reports that last year was poor for acorns, but whatever the reason a sighting of this stunning bird is enough to raise one’s spirits any day of the year.”