Hungry birds flock to gardens for food

• Small-bodied birds, such as the blue tit, were affected by the snowy weather

Figures released from observations across 17,000 gardens found 70 species of birds and large spikes in numbers from varieties that normally stick to the countryside for food.

The average number of blackbirds per garden rose by 23.7 per cent compared with five years ago, while robin numbers were up 27.8 per cent. Chaffinch retained top spot as the most common bird, with an average of 5.77 recorded in each garden.

More than 37,000 Scots helped carry out the survey for bird charity RSPB on 30-31 January, the largest contribution in the Big Garden Birdwatch history.

They said the snowy start to 2010 had an impact on small-bodied species such as the coal tit and the long-tailed tit. The tiny birds are particularly susceptible to cold, needing dependable food supplies to survive icy conditions. The average number of both species dropped significantly, with the coal tit crashing out of the top ten just 12 months after entering the list at number six.

Migratory species from the thrush family, including the fieldfare and redwing, as well as the bullfinch and yellowhammer, were forced away from their traditional homes in hedgerows, woods and fields, when food became scarce, said the charity.

Spokesman James Reynolds said: "We constantly say how important it is to feed garden birds and this year birds became more reliant on people who feed them.

"All the birds don't carry a lot of body fat so they can't store it up. So if a dog scares them off, they expend energy that they need to keep warm. That's why we are very thankful for people heeding our call during the winter to be more sensitive to enjoying the countryside."

Big Garden Birdwatch is the biggest wildlife survey in the world and provides the RSPB with a snapshot of how garden birds are faring.

Countryside birds such as the fieldfare increased in Scottish gardens by 45.5 per cent, while 167 per cent more redwings were recorded and the number of yellowhammers seen at home feeders doubled.

Greenfinches fared the worst this year, with an average of 1.20 greenfinches in each garden, compared with 1.33 five years ago – a 50 per cent decline. The greenfinch in particular relies on bird feeders during the winter.