RSPB SOUNDS GARDEN ALERT: WHY ARE OUR BLACKBIRDS AND ROBINS IN DECLINE?

Robin - various factors believed responsible for its decline

THE RSPB has sounded an alarm note on UK population declines in both blackbirds and robins.

According to its latest Garden Birdwatch survey, which was carried over the weekend January 25-27 this year, their numbers 46 per cent and 32 per cent respectively. 

Says the Sandy-based charity: "The reasons behind these declines are complex and continue to be investigated, but fewer green spaces, pollution and a changing climate are just some of the challenges faced by garden birds."

Meanwhile, the survey reveals that the house sparrow remains the most abundant visitor to UK gardens.

Its 2020 list, in order of abundance, is as follows:
1.
House sparrow
2.
Starling
3.
Blue tit 
4.
Woodpigeon
5.
Blackbird
6.
Goldfinch
7.
Great tit
8.
Robin
9.
Long-tailed tit
10.
Magpie

In its commentary, the organisation states: "This year’s top ten for the UK is little changed from 2019, with the top three birds the same as last year. 

"Once again, top spot is taken by the house sparrow, making it first for the seventeenth year running. 

"There’s a little bit of shuffling at fourth and fifth, with the woodpigeon moving into fourth and last year’s number four, the blackbird, dropping one spot to fifth.

"There is one new entry to the top ten, with long-tailed tits flying into ninth position. 

"The chaffinch meanwhile has dropped from number nine last year to number 11."

The statement adds an ominous note: "While house sparrows and starlings may be the UK’s most commonly sighted birds, a closer look at Big Garden Birdwatch data shows that numbers have in fact dropped dramatically since the surveys began in 1979. 

"House sparrows are down 53 per cent, while starlings are down 80 per cent."