JOY FOR JAYS!
THE results of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2022 are in, and some of the UK’s native bird species have had a great year, with their numbers increasing.
More than 700,000 people took part in the annual bird count earlier this year, with an incredible 11 million birds counted. The biggest surprise for conservationists was the huge 73% increase in the number of jays seen.
The RSPB’s chief executive, Beccy Speight, said:
“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.”
Another species on the rise is the greenfinch, which saw a huge population crash in 1993. Numbers are still low, but more sightings bring more hope.
House sparrows remain the most-seen bird in the UK, counted in 63% of gardens that took part in the count.