RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results

The number one bird most frequently spotted across UK gardens during the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is the House Sparrow.

It is celebrating its 20th year as the number one bird spotted in the UK.

In Dorset, more than 9,500 people took part, with the House Sparrow taking the top spot as the most commonly seen bird, followed by Starling and Blue Tit.  However, bird declines since the survey began are “startling” with 22 million House Sparrows alone lost from UK skies since 1966.

This year more than half a million people across the UK took part in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch, counting more than nine million birds.

Since the RSPB’s first Big Garden Birdwatch, in 1977, more than 38 million birds have been lost from our skies, and this shocking figure is only set to rise without urgent action.

While nearly 1.5 million House Sparrows may have been spotted across the January weekend, these popular garden birds have sadly suffered severe declines. In fact, the number spotted in gardens across the UK has dropped by nearly 60 per cent since the survey first began.

Over its four decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers. It was first to alert the RSPB to the decline in Song Thrush numbers, which are still down 80 per cent compared to the first Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979.

This year’s results have also highlighted the vulnerabilities of garden birds, from weather changes to disease. The Longtailed Tit, a much-loved species, rose five positions in the rankings this year, with numbers 39 per cent higher than in 2022. However, their numbers fluctuate because these little birds are badly affected by adverse weather conditions.

Meanwhile, Greenfinches and Chaffinches have been affected by the disease trichomonosis. As a result, the UK Chaffinch population has declined by 34 per cent over the last decade, while Greenfinches have declined by 65 per cent over the same time frame.

Trichomonosis can be spread by contaminated food and drinking water. Garden owners can help by ensuring that feeders, bird tables and bird baths are moved around to stop food waste building up, regularly cleaning with a mild disinfectant and only filling up feeders with enough food to last up to two days. If you see sick birds where you are feeding, temporarily stop feeding for at least two weeks and leave bird baths dry.