A milder winter has helped small garden birds
The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results have revealed that smaller birds such as long-tailed tits, wrens and coal tits were seen in greater numbers in gardens across the country than in 2019, thanks to the milder weather. Now in its 41st year, almost 500,000 people took part, counting nearly eight million birds.
The event, held over the last weekend in January, revealed the house sparrow held on to its number one spot with 1.3 million sightings. There was an increase in sightings of long-tailed tits, wrens, and coal tits, three of the smallest species to visit our gardens.
Boost for smaller species
More gardens reported seeing long-tailed tits up by 14 per cent, wrens up by 13 per cent and coal tits up by 10 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019. The milder weather we experienced at the start of the year appears to have helped populations of these species as small birds are more susceptible to spells of cold weather.
Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientist, said: “Small birds suffer during long, cold winters, but the warmer January weather this year appears to have given species such as the wren and long-tailed tit a boost. Over the survey’s lifetime, we’ve seen the increasing good fortunes of birds such as the coal tit and goldfinch and the alarming declines of the house sparrow and starling.
RSPB Garden Birdwatch results – House sparrows increasing
“But there appears to be good news for one of these birds. While the overall decline in house sparrow numbers, reported by participants, since the Big Garden Birdwatch began is 53 per cent (1979-2020), in the most recent decade (2010-2020), numbers appear to have increased by 10 per cent, giving us hope that at least a partial recovery may be happening.”
Starlings held down the second spot once more, with the blue tit completing the top three. Throughout the first half of the spring term, the nation’s schoolchildren took part in the RSPB’s Big Schools Birdwatch. The UK-wide survey of birds on school grounds saw close to 70,000 schoolchildren and their teachers spend an hour in nature, counting the birds.
The blackbird was the most numerous species seen, with an average of five per school, and was seen in 85 per cent of all schools that took part.
Numerous blackbirds
Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s Chief Executive, said: “We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider world and bring enormous joy. These are difficult and unsettling times for all of us, but we hope that nature can provide a welcome respite in whichever form and wherever you may encounter it.
“Despite everything that’s going on in the world, nature is still doing its thing. Birds are singing, and blossom is bursting. Watching wildlife, whether from a window or a balcony or even online, can offer many of us hope, joy and a welcome distraction, and so we are keen to help you carry on connecting with the natural world.
“Over the coming days and weeks, we will be helping people to share their wildlife encounters and provide ideas for things you can do for wildlife close to home. You can also join the RSPB for #BreakfastBirdwatch from your home, weekdays, 8am-9am. Follow the RSPB on Twitter and Facebook.”
For a full round-up of all the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.
RSPB Garden Birdwatch results: ranking of sightings
| Rank | Species | Average per garden | % of gardens species recorded in 2020 | % change in gardens since 2019 | LONG TERM Average per garden% change 1979 – 2020 | Change since 2010 |
| 1 | House sparrow | 4.7 | 64 | 2 | -53 | 10 |
| 2 | Starling | 3.0 | 38 | -5 | -80 | -12 |
| 3 | Blue tit | 2.9 | 80 | 3 | 20 | 4 |
| 4 | Woodpigeon | 2.3 | 76 | -1 | 1035 | 35 |
| 5 | Blackbird | 2.1 | 85 | -2 | -46 | -12 |
| 6 | Goldfinch | 1.7 | 32 | -4 | n/a | 50 |
| 7 | Great tit | 1.5 | 58 | 1 | 72 | 11 |
| 8 | Robin | 1.4 | 83 | 1 | -32 | 6 |
| 9 | Long-tailed tit | 1.3 | 30 | 14 | n/a | 37 |
| 10 | Magpie | 1.2 | 55 | 1 | 199 | 26 |
| 11 | Chaffinch | 1.1 | 33 | -11 | -65 | -37 |
| 12 | Collared dove | 1.0 | 40 | -7 | 256 | -25 |
| 13 | Dunnock | 0.8 | 44 | 2 | 6.2 | -16 |
| 14 | Jackdaw | 0.7 | 20 | -1 | n/a | 40 |
| 15 | Feral pigeon | 0.7 | 18 | 8 | n/a | 27 |
| 16 | Coal tit | 0.7 | 36 | 10 | 281 | 11 |
| 17 | Carrion crow | 0.6 | 22 | -12 | n/a | 24 |
| 18 | Greenfinch | 0.4 | 14 | -8 | -65 | -64 |
| 19 | Wren | 0.3 | 24 | 13 | 81 | 45 |
| 20 | Song thrush | 0.1 | 9 | -23 | -81 | – 55 |
