THE BLUE Tit was the most frequently spotted bird in Warwickshire during this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
A total of 5,228 people across the county took part in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey, counting the number and types of birds visiting their gardens.
In second spot in Warwickshire was the House Sparrow followed by the Wood Pigeon.
Nationally, the House Sparrow held onto the top spot and Blue Tit remained at number two, with Starling creeping up one place to number three. Woodpigeon and Blackbird make up the other top five most recorded species in UK gardens.
Over 650,000 people in total took part in the survey which started in 1979 and provides a valuable annual snapshot of how the most common garden birds are faring.
Survey organisers the RSPB reported that it was further down the garden rankings where the real story lies.
At 18th spot on the list is Greenfinch, which has seen a 67 per cent decline in average numbers recorded since Big Garden Birdwatch began in 1979. Other UK-wide surveys show that Greenfinches have dropped by over 65 per cent since the latest UK wide surveys began in the mid‑1990s, equating to the loss of over two million birds.
The cause of these losses is disease, especially a disease called trichomonosis, which spreads more easily when birds gather around feeders – particularly in summer and autumn. As a result of these declines, Greenfinches are now on the UK Red List due to disease-related declines.
The results of the Big Garden Birdwatch will help the RSPB carry out vital conservation efforts to support nature throughout the year.
Visit www.rspb.org.uk for more details.
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