Unfortunately, the longer term picture of some of the UK's most loved species is not so rosy. Many have suffered huge declines in the last three decades. 
The house sparrow, despite retaining its top spot for the 6th year running, has declined by 63% since the survey began in 1979, and the starling has dropped by 79%.
And the yellow siskin, which made it into the top 20 for the first time in the survey's history last year, and who was a striking addition to many people's gardens, dropped back to number 26.

 

Creating the perfect habitat
Gardens are an excellent habitat for birds. As more and more people realise the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife, we are seeing a stunning array of birds on our tables and feeders.  Many of the birds that we're seeing will visit any habitat that provides food.
Gardens will actually become even more important for wildlife if some areas of the countryside become poorer sources of food.   This year's survey took place on a chilly weekend and garden birds are heavily reliant on our supplementary feeding in the cold.
It seems we were suitably paid back for our efforts.


The 2009 garden top ten looks like this:
(Nationally)

Position     Species          Average per garden
 1             house sparrow       3.70
2             starling                 3.21
3             blackbird               2.84
4             blue tit                 2.45
5             chaffinch               2.01
6             woodpigeon          1.85
7             collared dove        1.44
8             great tit               1.40
9             robin                    1.36
10           long-tailed tit       1.34

 

Results for Cheshire
House sparrow     3.84
Blackbird             2.89
Starling               2.77
Blue tit               2.28
Long tailed tit     1.83
Chaffinch            1.72
Woodpigeon        1.66
Goldfinch            1.41
Great tit             1.39
Robin                  1.39

This page was last updated 25/03/09

BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH 2009 - RESULTS (continued)