UK’s Garden Birds See a Concerning Drop: 3.5 Sparrows Per Garden
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📰 The quick summary: British gardeners are encouraged to create wildlife-friendly spaces to help reverse declining bird populations by avoiding pesticides and letting lawns grow naturally.
📈 One key stat: Starling populations have plummeted 84 percent since bird counting began in 1979, highlighting the urgent need for conservation measures.
💬 One key quote: “Starlings are one of our most charismatic garden birds, but this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch results are a reason for concern”
1️⃣ The big picture: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ annual Big Garden Birdwatch has revealed concerning declines in UK bird populations. For the first time since counting began in 1979, starlings dropped to 4th place among most-spotted birds, while house sparrows remained at the top despite their own significant decrease. The survey revealed drops across multiple species, with an average of only 3.5 sparrows spotted per garden in 2025, down from 4 in 2024. Government statistics point to habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use and bird flu as key factors driving these population declines.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Individual gardeners can make a meaningful difference in supporting bird populations through simple changes. Creating pesticide-free gardens allows insect populations to thrive, providing crucial food sources for birds. Letting lawns grow naturally with wildflowers attracts pollinators and creates foraging opportunities. Installing proper nesting boxes gives birds safe spaces to breed and raise young. These small individual actions, when adopted widely, can help create interconnected wildlife-friendly spaces across communities.
3️⃣ What’s next: The RSPB recommends installing garden nesting boxes with specific 1.7-inch entrance holes to support breeding birds. Gardeners should let patches of their lawns grow wild through spring and summer to encourage insects and pollinators. The organization emphasizes that protecting birds requires action across multiple areas, from gardening practices to farming methods and river management. They continue working to protect nature while encouraging public participation in conservation efforts.
Read the full story here: EcoWatch – As British Bird Count Records Low Numbers, Conservationists Urge Gardeners to Ditch Pesticides, Let Lawns Grow
