GOING DOWN…

STARLING Hit by: shift to more intensive pasture across Europe (many birds visiting UK gardens in winter are migrants); shortage of nest sites. SONG THRUSH Hit by: falling insect populations, including through use of slug pellets and other common garden pesticides. HOUSE SPARROW Hit by: declines of wildflower seeds and farmland insects; loss of nest sites to building renovation. GREENFINCH Hit by: loss of winter stubble and wildflower seeds; outbreaks since 2006 of trichomonosis, a disease spread via bird-feeders. CHAFFINCH Hit by: loss of winter stubble and wildflower seeds; trichomonosis (less affected than greenfinch).