Starling numbers in long-running citizen birdwatch scheme are ‘reason for concern’ | EUROtoday

The RSPB’s long-running Big Garden Birdwatch citizen science scheme has reported the bottom variety of starlings in its historical past, elevating considerations concerning the species’ future.

Almost 600,000 folks took half within the scheme this yr by dedicating an hour to counting birds of their gardens or native inexperienced areas over the past weekend of January to assist conservationists learn the way the nation’s chook life is faring.

Once a standard sight, the starling, a charismatic backyard chook, dropped from third to fourth place for essentially the most generally noticed species within the annual birdwatch – with an 85 per cent decline in common numbers seen per backyard for the reason that scheme started in 1979.

Beccy Speight, chief govt of the RSPB, described the newest findings as a “reason for concern”.

Although the birds are discovered throughout the UK, with numbers swelling throughout winter when extra of the species arrive from northern Europe, and could be seen in large numbers performing aerial shows often known as “murmurations”, they’re “red-listed” due to considerations over their declining numbers.

The RSPB stated there was not but sufficient proof to substantiate what was making the decline in numbers however stated the UK breeding inhabitants had dropped 82 per cent between 1970 and 2022.

Before the yr 2000, it was repeatedly essentially the most quite a few species recorded within the Big Garden Birdwatch.

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Ms Speight stated: “Starlings are one of our most charismatic garden birds, but this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch result is a reason for concern.

“With one in six species at risk of extinction from Great Britain, we’ve done more damage to our natural world than we realise.

“However, we can all do our bit to support these threatened birds by taking small actions that can not only benefit starlings, but a wealth of other garden wildlife.”

The charity urges homeowners to take easy steps to assist starlings of their again gardens, together with avoiding using pesticides and maintaining a pure garden which permits the birds to forage for bugs reminiscent of crane fly larvae, often known as leatherjackets.

The birds additionally want quick grass to look out for predators, so mowing the garden every now and then is helpful, the charity says, whereas placing up nest packing containers for starlings – with a 45mm (1.8 inch) entrance gap – offers them a nesting website.

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This yr’s Big Garden Birdwatch noticed home sparrows within the high spot, though they’ve additionally seen common numbers decline in gardens by greater than half (55 per cent) for the reason that citizen science scheme started.

In second place have been blue tits, and wooden pigeons got here in third place, each of which have seen numbers improve in gardens within the survey within the final 45 years.

But different widespread birds reminiscent of blackbirds and robins have seen numbers fall for the reason that survey started.

Ms Speight added: “To halt nature’s decline and turn around the fortunes of our native species, we need to help them return to healthy levels, so they become a feature of everyday life once more.

“Our countryside, our farms and our towns all need support to encourage nature, and while our homes and gardens often provide the perfect place for individual people to help, we also urgently need governments and businesses to join us in the wider fight to restore our natural world.”