The RSPB is calling on households across Britain to rethink how they feed garden birds after new data showed starlings have hit record low numbers for the second year running and greenfinch populations remain far below what they once were.The figures come from the charity’s Big Garden Birdwatch, an annual citizen science survey that has been running since 1979. More than 650,000 people took part this year by spending an hour counting birds in their garden or a nearby green space during the last weekend of January. The results give conservationists one of the clearest pictures available of how common garden birds are faring across the country.Starling numbers dropped a further 3% in this year’s survey and have fallen by more than 85% since the birdwatch began. Despite moving up from fourth to third place in the most commonly spotted species list this year the charity said the change reflected a drop in woodpigeon sightings rather than any recovery in starling numbers. The species is now on the conservation red list.Greenfinches came in 18th place. While their average count rose by 2.3% this year their overall population is still two thirds lower than it was in 1979. Scientists say the disease trichomonosis has been a major factor in their decline. The illness spreads more easily when birds gather in large numbers around feeders during summer and autumn.The RSPB is not asking people to stop feeding birds altogether. Instead it wants households to adjust what they put out and when. The charity recommends pausing seeds and peanuts during summer and autumn to avoid drawing too many birds to one spot. Small amounts of mealworms, fat balls or suet are considered safe to offer throughout the year.Other practical steps include cleaning feeders every week, changing water daily and replacing flat-surfaced bird tables. Research found that flat surfaces carry a higher risk of spreading disease between birds.Beccy Speight, the charity’s chief executive, said feeding birds is something millions of people value but that small changes made together can ensure it remains a positive force for wildlife rather than a source of harm.The house sparrow held the top spot in this year’s survey for the most commonly seen species followed by the blue tit in second place. The survey also recorded a sharp rise in migratory species this winter with redwing counts up by 307% and fieldfare up by 70% following cold weather across Europe.
