BRITAIN'S best loved bird species are continuing to decline, according to the results of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2013.

Starlings - already a 'red-listed' species - hit an all-time low in the 2012 Birdwatch 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.

In Dorset, the house sparrow was the most commonly seen bird, with an average of 3.7 per garden. 

Next most popular was the blackbird, with an average of 2.6 per garden and then the bluetit, with 2.4 per garden.

The starling was sixth, with 1.8 per garden. 

In Hampshire, the blue tit and house sparrow were most common, with 2.9 per garden, followed by the wood pigeon with an average of 2.6 birds per garden.

The RSPB said some species had fared better than others, with garden sightings of siskins, fieldfares and jays up by as much as 85 per cent. But that may have been down to a shortage of food in fields and hedgerows forcing the birds into gardens.

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.''

He added: ''But 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.''

Mr Harper highlighted the important role gardens play in supporting threatened birds.
''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,'' he said.

He added: ''Gardens make up around 4% of land area in the UK and their role as habitats for our wildlife is clear.

''They are the places that birds come to for food and shelter when conditions in the countryside are especially tough and together, we can all play a part in making them more welcoming and supportive for wildlife, whether we have a garden full of greenery, a yard or a window box.''

You can find out how to make your garden wildlife-friendly here

Britain's Top Ten 

  1. House sparrow 3.7
  2. Blackbird 2.9
  3.  Blue tit 2.6
  4. Starling 2.6
  5. Woodpigeon 2.0
  6. Chaffinch 1.9
  7. Great tit 1.4
  8. Goldfinch 1.4
  9. Robin 1.3
  10. Collared dove 1.2

 

Dorset's Top Ten

  1. House sparrow 3.7 (down from 4.5 in 2012)
  2. Blackbird 2.6 (up from 2.6 in 2012)
  3. Blue tit 2.4 (down from 3 in 2012)
  4. Woodpigeon 2.0
  5. Chaffinch 1.9
  6. Starling 1.8 (down from 3.1 in 2012)
  7. Great tit 1.4
  8. Robin 1.4
  9. Dunnock 1.0
  10. Greenfinch 0.8

 

Dorset and Hampshire Birdwatch results 2013

National Birdwatch results 2013 and 2012