RSPB Reports 38 Million Fewer UK Garden Birds

Rahul Somvanshi

New data from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' (RSPB) Big Garden Birdwatch shows severe drops in common bird numbers since 1979.

Photo Source: Lan Livesey Flickr (CC0).

House sparrows are now down by 60%, while Song Thrushes have lost over 80% of their population.

Photo Source: Rhododendrites Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Greenfinches have moved from being the seventh most seen garden bird to eighteenth place, with a 69% decline.

Photo Source: Jacob Spinks Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).

The decline can be attributed to a disease called trichomonosis that has hit many garden birds, especially Greenfinches.

Photo Source: Dennis Church Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Weather and climate changes that affect birds with cold spells have made survival harder for smaller birds

Photo Source: Maher Najm Flickr

Farming changes have affected bird populations. An Essex birdwatcher reports fewer insects in farmland areas, affecting local bird numbers.

Photo Source: Pxhere

Changing weather patterns and decline in farmland insects make it difficult for birds to find food and raise their offspring.

Photo Source: Skyler Ewing (Pexels)

Some birds are doing better, like Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits, and new birds like Buzzards and Red Kites.

Photo Source: Chris Clark Pexels.

But overall, British skies have 38 million fewer birds than 50 years ago, and the yearly Big Garden Birdwatch helps track these changes.

Photo Source: Aleksandar Pasaric (Pexels)

To help: 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.

Photo Source: Mark Flickr

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