Garden birdsunder threat warns RSPB

The conservation body spoke out as it released the results of its Big Garden Birdwatch Survey 2013.

A number of species remain on the UK’s Red List - meaning they are of high level conservation concern.

Starlings hit an all-time low in the Birdwatch last year and their numbers sunk by a further 16 per cent in gardens this year.

Numbers of house sparrows, also on the red-list, dropped by 17 per cent in gardens compared to 2012, whilst bullfinches and dunnocks, both amber-listed, fell by 20 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said; ”We know from the many people who take part in Big Garden Birdwatch every year that garden birds are incredibly precious to us and connect us to nature every day.

“Several of our familiar and best-loved species have been declining at alarming rates over the 34 years that the RSPB has been running the Birdwatch and this year’s results show a continuing decline.

“We go to great lengths to ensure that special UK habitats are given the right levels of designation and legal protection because of their role in supporting threatened wildlife, but what’s very clear is that every one of our gardens, the places literally on our doorsteps, are important too.”

Whilst the decline of some species continued, others fared better with garden sightings of siskins, fieldfares and jays up by as much as 85 per cent.

The cold, harsh conditions in the wider countryside back in January is likely to have driven more of these birds into gardens on their search for food.

9,000 people in East Sussex took part in the survey.