MORE than a million nature lovers took part in last winter’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, and the results are now in.

The annual census of garden birds is now in its 42nd year when people count the number of birds that visit their garden, helping the RSPB build up a picture of how birds are faring. This year across the country some 17 million birds were recorded, with more than 28,800 in Devon taking part.

When the final Big Garden Birdwatch results were in, the RSPB was surprised by the phenomenal response from the public. Over the first three days of submissions alone, numbers were up 85 per cent compared to the same time period in 2020.

Beccy Speight, RSPB CEO said: ‘We have been blown away by the enthusiasm with which people have taken part in the Birdwatch this year. Lockdowns have brought few benefits, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people, right on their doorsteps.

‘This winter has been a bleak ordeal but as the dawn chorus starts to burst into song and the blossom starts to flower from the trees once more, we are emerging from this pandemic a new generation of nature lovers.

‘We hope the Birdwatch has kindled a new passion for wildlife for the thousands who took part for the first time this year – we need every voice raised to stand up for nature. The wildlife that gave us so much interest and solace is now just a fraction of what should be there. On the back of this wave of public support, we need the government to take the global leadership, policy and legislative opportunities open to it this year to reverse the decline and restore nature now.’

The Big Garden Birdwatch, held over the last weekend in January, revealed that nationally the house sparrow held on to its number one spot, but 16 out of the top 20 bird species showed declines in average counts compared to last year. Starlings slid down the ranking from second place for the first time since 2010, with numbers down 83 per cent since 1979. Further national declines were recorded for greenfinch and chaffinch, with the lowest average for both types of bird ever recorded during the Big Garden Birdwatch. Only robins, blackbirds, carrion crows and the song thrush saw an increase on 2020 across the UK.

The house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings in Devon as the most commonly seen garden bird. Meanwhile, blue tit and blackbird joined house sparrows to form the top three most sighted birds in Devon as local people enjoyed watching the wildlife found in their gardens.

For a full round-up of all the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.