Sparrows continue to rule the roost in Scotland after Big Garden Birdwatch

Some of Scotland’s favourite small garden birds have benefited from a mild winter, according to a recent nationwide survey.

House sparrows retained the top spot as the most commonly seen garden bird in Scotland, despite a small drop in sightings

Results from the 2020 Big Garden Birdwatch, run by the RSPB conservation charity, show sightings of long-tailed tits and wrens were up this year compared to 2019 - rising by 21 per cent and 14 per cent respectively.

The top five birds most commonly sighted in Scottish gardens and green spaces remained unchanged from 2019, despite fewer sightings of each.

The house sparrow retained its top position as the most commonly seen bird, reported at more than 72 per cent of sites.

Starlings held onto the number two slot, in 41 per cent of green spaces.

The chaffinch took third place, followed by the blue tit and blackbird in fourth and fifth.

Goldfinches, wood pigeons, robins, great tits and long-tailed tits completed the top 10.

More than 33,000 people across Scotland took part in the count, which involved noting all the birds spotted in gardens or other outdoor spaces during an hour on the last weekend in January.

Nearly half a million birds were recorded in all.

Keith Morton, senior species policy officer at RSPB Scotland, said: “The results of Big Garden Birdwatch are a great way of seeing how individuals counting birds in their garden can add up to some really impressive citizen science.

“You telling us you saw a long-tailed tit in your garden for the first time helps us work out how they are doing across the country.

"The huge number of people that take part in the Birdwatch all over Scotland helps us get a better picture of our wildlife, so thank you to everyone who joined in - we couldn't do it without you.”

In a separate event, the nation's schoolchildren took part in the RSPB's Big Schools Birdwatch throughout the first half of the spring term.

More than 6,000 pupils and their teachers spent an hour counting the birds in Scottish school grounds.

Blackbirds were seen at more than 80 per cent of schools and took the top spot, followed by starlings, with the carrion crown in third place.

Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “It is always uplifting to see how many people get involved with Big Garden Birdwatch, it shows a real connection between us and nature.

“By increasing our awareness of the wildlife in our gardens we can appreciate it more and learn how to take care of ourselves and the environment.

“We all benefit from having a connection with nature, and whether you have a garden, balcony, or just a view of a street tree, in these unusual times it has never felt more valuable to be able to spend a bit of time noticing the wildlife you can see from your window.”

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