RSPB reveals deadly motive why it is best to take down chook feeders this summer time | EUROtoday

Concerns are mounting over the well being of the UK’s greenfinch and starling populations, as new information from the RSPB’s long-running Big Garden Birdwatch reveals vital long-term declines.

The fashionable starling has hit document low numbers for the second consecutive yr, experiencing an additional 3.0% drop on this yr’s survey. The RSPB highlights an alarming 85.1% discount of their inhabitants for the reason that citizen science scheme started in 1979.

While greenfinches noticed a modest 2.3% enhance in common counts this yr, their general numbers stay two-thirds decrease than these recorded in 1979, underscoring persistent issues for the species.

RSPB scientists mentioned the songbirds are among the many species in danger from ailments that may unfold at chook feeders and are urging households to make changes to when, how and what meals they supply.

Beccy Speight, the charity’s chief govt, mentioned: “We’re not asking people to stop feeding, just to feed in a way that protects birds’ long-term health.”

This yr, greater than 650,000 folks took half within the birdwatch, which entails spending an hour counting birds in a backyard or native inexperienced area over the past weekend in January.

The outcomes can assist conservationists gauge how the nation’s chook life is faring.

The home sparrow held on to the highest spot and the blue tit remained at quantity two once more this yr, adopted by starling in third, woodpigeon in fourth and blackbird in fifth.

While starlings jumped from fourth to 3rd place for essentially the most generally noticed species in 2026, it was largely as a result of fewer woodpigeons have been reported in comparison with final yr, the RSPB mentioned.

The charismatic birds are discovered throughout the UK, with numbers swelling throughout winter when extra of the species arrive from northern Europe, and might be seen in large numbers performing aerial shows often known as “murmurations”.

Before the yr 2000, starlings have been often essentially the most quite a few species recorded within the Big Garden Birdwatch.

However, they’re now “red-listed” due to issues over their falling inhabitants.

The RSPB mentioned there’s a lack of proof behind what is perhaps driving the decline though a fall in chicks’ survival charges over their first winter may very well be contributing.

Meanwhile, greenfinches – which got here in 18th place – have seen their inhabitants significantly devastated by the illness trichomonosis, which spreads extra simply when birds collect round feeders in summer time and autumn.

The songbird can be on the conservation “red list”, with different UK-wide surveys indicating a lack of greater than two million birds for the reason that mid-Nineteen Nineties.

Ms Speight mentioned: “Feeding birds is something millions of us love and value but the science shows us that birds such as greenfinches have been affected by the spread of disease at feeders.

“By making small changes together, we can ensure garden feeding continues to be a positive force for nature.”

The charity’s consultants mentioned households ought to feed birds seasonally, adjusting what goes into feeders in the course of the summer time and autumn months when the chance of illness spreading is greater.

This may embody a pause on seed and peanuts to stop too many birds gathering in a single place, though small quantities of mealworms, fats balls or suet are secure to supply year-round.

Other suggestions embody cleansing or shifting feeders weekly, altering water day by day and retiring flat-surfaced feeders after analysis discovered a better threat of illness unfold on flat surfaces, together with chook tables.

When launching the survey in January, the RSPB mentioned chook lovers may take pleasure in a bumper yr for migratory species after chilly and unsettled climate throughout Europe.

The outcomes recommended the variety of redwing and fieldfare recorded did surge this yr, with common counts rising by 307% and 70% respectively.