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Small garden birds 'hit by cold' | Small garden birds 'hit by cold' |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The number of small birds - including coal tits and goldcrests - spotted in gardens has fallen as a result of this winter's big freeze, the RSPB has said. | The number of small birds - including coal tits and goldcrests - spotted in gardens has fallen as a result of this winter's big freeze, the RSPB has said. |
Coal tit numbers fell by 20% and goldcrests by 75%, the charity's annual Big Garden Birdwatch found. | Coal tit numbers fell by 20% and goldcrests by 75%, the charity's annual Big Garden Birdwatch found. |
But icy weather created more sightings of less frequent visitors, it added. | But icy weather created more sightings of less frequent visitors, it added. |
The count, which took place on 30 and 31 January, recorded more than 8.5 million birds of 73 different species in 280,000 gardens across the UK. | The count, which took place on 30 and 31 January, recorded more than 8.5 million birds of 73 different species in 280,000 gardens across the UK. |
More than 530,000 people took part in the birdwatching event. | More than 530,000 people took part in the birdwatching event. |
Long-tailed tits - which made it into the top 10 most spotted garden visitors for the first time last year - fell by 27% in January's count. | Long-tailed tits - which made it into the top 10 most spotted garden visitors for the first time last year - fell by 27% in January's count. |
These results highlight the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife, especially during prolonged cold periods Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator Sarah Kelly | These results highlight the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife, especially during prolonged cold periods Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator Sarah Kelly |
But there was a rise in countryside birds such as fieldfares, yellowhammers, redwings and bullfinches, which are normally found in fields, farmland trees and hedgerows, the charity said. | But there was a rise in countryside birds such as fieldfares, yellowhammers, redwings and bullfinches, which are normally found in fields, farmland trees and hedgerows, the charity said. |
Song thrushes and mistle thrushes were also seen in higher numbers. | Song thrushes and mistle thrushes were also seen in higher numbers. |
Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator Sarah Kelly said: "We were particularly concerned for small birds over the winter, asking people to make sure they kept feeders topped up and supplied fresh water to help them. | Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator Sarah Kelly said: "We were particularly concerned for small birds over the winter, asking people to make sure they kept feeders topped up and supplied fresh water to help them. |
"These results highlight the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife, especially during prolonged cold periods." | "These results highlight the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife, especially during prolonged cold periods." |
TEN MOST-SEEN GARDEN BIRDS 1. House sparrow2. Blackbird3. Starling4. Blue tit5. Chaffinch6. Wood pigeon7. Robin8. Great tit9. Collared dove10. GoldfinchSource: RSPB | |
The RSPB said an unusually high number of blackcaps - which they would have expected to struggle in the cold - were spotted in the survey, probably as a result of them adjusting their feeding behaviour to take advantage of food put out on bird tables and feeders. | The RSPB said an unusually high number of blackcaps - which they would have expected to struggle in the cold - were spotted in the survey, probably as a result of them adjusting their feeding behaviour to take advantage of food put out on bird tables and feeders. |
The conservation charity said it believed the appearance of the long-tailed tit in the top 10 most seen birds in 2009 was also the result of it becoming more used to feeding in gardens. | The conservation charity said it believed the appearance of the long-tailed tit in the top 10 most seen birds in 2009 was also the result of it becoming more used to feeding in gardens. |
While the birds occupying this year's top 10 were seen in broadly similar numbers to the survey in 2009, the charity said Britain's most common species are in long-term decline. | While the birds occupying this year's top 10 were seen in broadly similar numbers to the survey in 2009, the charity said Britain's most common species are in long-term decline. |
The house sparrow remains the most commonly spotted bird, but its numbers have fallen by 17% in the past five years, and by almost two-thirds since the first survey in 1979. | The house sparrow remains the most commonly spotted bird, but its numbers have fallen by 17% in the past five years, and by almost two-thirds since the first survey in 1979. |
The starling - which has seen numbers fall by 79% since the first annual birdwatch - dropped out of the top two most commonly seen birds for the first time in more than 10 years, pushed back into third place by the blackbird. |
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