Popular garden birds facing decline
RSPB’S annual Big Garden Birdwatch survey reveals a drop in 16 out of 20 most spotted species
Eighty per cent of Britain’s most popular birds are facing decline, the RSPB has warned. The organisation’s Big Garden Birdwatch found that 16 out of the 20 most commonly spotted garden birds were less populous than last year. More species were on the decline than in 2020, when half the birds in the top 20 were dwindling. The house sparrow held on to its top spot, but there are concerns about the chaffinch and greenfinch, sightings of which fell to their lowest numbers.
EIGHTY per cent of Britain’s most popular birds are facing decline, the RSPB has warned, after its biggest-ever annual Big
Garden Birdwatch.
The world’s largest wildlife survey, now in its 42nd year, found that 16 out of the 20 most spotted garden birds faced a decline on the previous year. More species face decline than in 2020, when half the birds in the top 20 were dwindling in number.
More than a million people across the UK took part in the survey over the last weekend in January, counting 17million birds. The study found that the house sparrow held on to its number one spot, but 16 out of the top 20 species showed declines in average counts compared with last year. Only robins, blackbirds, carrion crows and the song thrush grew in number on 2020.
The top five birds seen in peoples’ gardens were house sparrows, blue tits, starlings, blackbirds, and woodpigeon.
Loss of habitat and food is the reason most birds have seen decreases since the birdwatch first began, and the RSPB is launching a digital platform this month called Nature on Your Doorstep to encourage the public to make room for birds in their outdoor space. “One way you can help revive our world is to bring nature to you,” said Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive.“your garden, balcony, and even windowsill are potential havens for wildlife.”
Conservationists hope that the rise in song thrush sightings will continue; in
1979, it was in the top 10, but its numbers have declined by 78 per cent since then. This year, it is the 20th most spotted bird.
There are concerns about the greenfinch and chaffinch, which have been seen in their lowest ever numbers this year. Both birds are impacted by trichomonosis, which can kill. To combat the disease, it is advised that people clean their bird tables and replace seed regularly.
The British Trust for Ornithology recently launched an appeal to fund a programme of research into the disappearance of the UK’S chaffinches amid fears they could be lost for good as a common bird. The starling slid down the ranking from 2nd place for the first time since 2010, with numbers down 83 per cent since 1979. The cause of its decline in the UK is unknown, but because of this drop in numbers, it is now red listed as a bird of high conservation concern.
Despite the bad news for many garden birds, the RSPB is enthusiastic that the past year has made people develop more of an appreciation for nature, meaning they may be galvanised to help the birds. “We have been blown away by the enthusiasm with which people have taken part in the Birdwatch this year,” Ms Speight added. “Lockdowns have brought few benefits, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people, right on their doorsteps.
“This winter has been a bleak ordeal, but as the dawn chorus starts to burst into song and the blossom starts to flower from the trees once more, we are emerging from this pandemic a new generation of nature lovers.
“We hope the Birdwatch has kindled a new passion for wildlife for the thousands who took part for the first time this year – we need every voice raised to stand up for nature. The wildlife that gave us so much interest and solace is now just a fraction of what should be there.
“On the back of this wave of public support, we need the Government to take the global leadership, policy and legislative opportunities open to it this year to reverse the decline and restore nature now.”