RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Update

Hi wildlife fans!

Well? How did it go? Did you take part? Yes? Fantastic!

Well you were one of many. In fact, you were one of over half a million people who recorded this vital information for the RSPB's records. Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.

So what were the results? Well, for the full details follow the link below, but the great news is that the average numbers of the top ten birds are up in all but one of the species. The starling numbers seem to have dropped slightly but they still remain at number two in the UK Garden ‘Hit Parade'.

And this year's survey had a surprise new entry! Debuting at number 10 is... drum roll please... the long-tailed tit!

The numbers of this sweet little bird have increased 88% since the previous year. Wow, wow and wow again! It's thought that this is because they have adapted to using the various feeders that many people now put out. Time for another pat on the back I think!

It's worth remembering that it's all down to you, and people like you, who took part in the survey, who feed the birds, plant sympathetically in your garden to attract beneficial insects, who leave untidy areas in your garden for wildlife to hide. It's you who help to keep our wildlife safe and who help organisations like the RSPB to understand trends and make provisions so that our children will still be able to enjoy wildlife and the countryside for many years to come.

As you know this edition of the newsletter is about learning from the past. Well, helping to provide this information helps us to do exactly that, to learn from mistakes in the past and to put them right.

Thanks to everyone who took part, you are all amazing!

Fiona

www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/results/

If you want the results by county, click here:

www.rspb.org.uk/Images/countybgbw09_tcm9-213139.pdf

photos (c) Sabrina Willekens 2009

Our affiliate merchant AMAZON has lots of books for sale around this subject. The Big Green Idea is paid a commission if you choose to buy via our links. These are not recommendations by the author and are chosen purely to give a representation.