Govind Tekale
The birds that once filled British gardens with song and movement are vanishing at an alarming rate. New data from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch shows severe drops in common bird numbers since 1979.
Take the house sparrow. These small, brown birds that used to gather in noisy groups are now down by 60%. Song thrushes, known for their morning melodies, have lost over 80% of their population. Greenfinches have moved from being the seventh most seen garden bird to eighteenth place, with a 69% decline.
“These changes are happening right in our backyards,” says Beccy Speight, RSPB’s chief executive. “The nature and climate emergency isn’t just affecting rare species – it’s hitting the birds we see everyday.”
A disease called trichomonosis has hit many garden birds, especially greenfinches. The RSPB notes this disease can spread at garden feeding stations, making proper cleaning important for bird health.
Weather and climate changes affect birds too. Recent cold spells have made survival harder for smaller birds. Changes in seasonal patterns can affect birds in finding food and raising their young.
Farming changes have affected bird populations. The Essex birdwatcher reports fewer insects in farmland areas, affecting local bird numbers. He hasn’t seen some birds, like chaffinches, since 2020.
The yearly Big Garden Birdwatch helps track these changes. In 2024, 600,000 people spent an hour counting birds, spotting 9.7 million in total. Since 1979, people have counted more than 195 million birds over 12 million hours.
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Some birds are doing better. Great tits and long-tailed tits are holding steady in some areas. New birds like buzzards and red kites now soar over some gardens. But overall, British skies have 38 million fewer birds than 50 years ago.
Sarah Majury, who counts birds with her children in Northern Ireland, shows how families can help. “We put up feeders, keep our garden friendly for birds and bees, and join the yearly count,” she says. Her daughter Freya loves watching blue tits, while her son Rory has a special connection with robins.
Getting involved is simple. The RSPB provides guides to identify birds, and joining the annual count takes just one hour. Clean bird feeders, plant bird-friendly shrubs, and create safe spaces in your garden. These small actions can make a big difference for our feathered neighbors.
