Page 10 - Thrapston Life January 2023

million recorded sightings in 2022. Blue tit and starling remained in the number two and three
2023, watch the birds on your balcony, in your garden or in your local green space for one hour
positions respectively.
Over its four decades, Big Garden
Birdwatch has highlighted the winners
and losers in the garden bird world. It
was first to alert the RSPB to the decline
in song thrush numbers, which are
down a shocking 81% compared to the
first Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979.
This species was a firm fixture in the
top 10 in 1979, but by 2009, its numbers
were less than half those recorded in
1979. It came in at 20 in the rankings last year, seen in just 8% of gardens.
To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch
at some point over the three days. Only count the birds that land, not those flying over. Tell us the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour.
Beccy added: “Whatever you see
- one blackbird, twenty sparrows or no birds at all - it all counts. It helps us build that vital overall picture of how our garden birds are faring from one year to the next. With so much
challenging our birds now, it’s more important than ever to submit your results. Our garden birds are counting on you!”
“Whatever you see - one blackbird, twenty sparrows or no birds at all”
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