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Survey: The house sparrow is the most frequent feathered visitor to our gardens.

LAST year's wet weather was a major factor for fewer birds being seen in Worcestershire gardens.

Results from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Big Garden Birdwatch, which was held in January, has revealed the average number of garden birds is at its lowest level for five years. Last year's wet breeding season appears to have had a significant impact on the number of birds visiting gardens. The survey results indicate that blue tits were particularly badly hit by the weather with far fewer visiting gardens than in recent years.

In Worcestershire, the average number of blue tits reported from gardens fell from 3.1 in 2007 to 2.6 in 2008. The species, which normally has only one brood each year, experienced its worst ever breeding season in 2007. Just over half of their young fledged. A late emergence of caterpillers and heavy rain then washing them off leaves were also likely to have caused a food shortage for blue tits.

The results saw house sparrows top the garden bird league table in Worcestershire, with blackbirds and blue tits as runners-up.

Although still one of the most common birds in UK gardens, fewer house sparrows were also reported and the RSPB is concerned about their continuing decline. Nationally, sparrow numbers have decreased by almost two-thirds since 1979.

Louise Pedersen, from the RSPB, said: "The survey findings help us to understand more about the population trends of garden birds. We predicted that last year's terrible weather would be reflected by the Big Garden Birdwatch, and this seems to be the case, especially for blue tits. A snapshot in winter only gives part of the picture, but this year's results also suggest a further fall in sparrow numbers in some areas."

However, not all garden birds had the winter blues. The survey also showed that four colourful species of finches are increasingly visiting our gardens. Siskins, bullfinches, redpolls and goldfinches were all more common in the region's gardens.

Almost 6,000 people in Worcestershire helped the RSPB with its Big Garden Birdwatch on Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27.

The full UK-wide Big Garden Bird-watch results are available on the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch The top five birds in the RSPB survey of Worcestershire gardens: 1. House sparrow.

2. Blackbird.

3. Blue tit.

4. Starling.

5. Chaffinch.

The RSPB is organising its first-ever sponsored walk around Worcester on Sunday, April 13. There are two circular walks to choose from and both start from the Pump House Environment Centre, Barbourne, between 10am and 11am. Registration is required through www.rspb.org.uk/ sponsoredwalks or telephone Sue Hampton on 0121 6166850.

4:14pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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