THIS year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch survey — the world’s largest garden wildlife study — has recorded an increase in the most common birds seen on the Isle of Wight.


On the Isle of Wight, 17 per cent more residents took part inthe survey compared with last year.

The Island’s top three most common garden birds — the house sparrow, blackbird and wood pigeon — have all enjoyed a rise in numbers of the past decade, and a rise in numbers in robins, goldfinches and long-tailed tits this year.

The number of robins seen visiting gardens is at its highest level for more than 20 years.
 
However, the Isle of Wight’s blue tit and great tit population saw their numbers drop 28 per cent and 21 per cent respectively, compared with 2007 figures. 

Both species are susceptible to changes in weather throughout the year and scientists believe prolonged wet weather during the 2016 breeding season led to fewer younger birds surviving than usual, meaning there were fewer to be seen in gardens. 

Islanders took part in the 38th annual national RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch survey over the last week of January.

Weather conditions which lead up to the survey meant UK gardens were treated to a range of different and unusual visitors this year,which included an explosion in migrant birds, such as waxwings.

Results fromalmost half a million participants showed waxwings were seen in around 19 timesmore gardens in the South East this year compared with previous years. 

RSPBconservation scientist, Dr Daniel Hayhow, said: "Using the information from theweekend, we’re able to create a snapshot of how our garden birds are doing. 

"In the lead up to Birdwatch, there was speculation as to whether we couldsee a 'waxwing winter’ — and the results prove that to be the case." 

Along with waxwings, there was also a large jump in other migrant bird visits, such as redwing and fieldfare, as sub-zero temperatures on the continent forced them to hunt for milder conditions. 

The South East region saw numbers of redwingtriple, while our gardens saw a five-fold increase in fieldfare sightings. 

This year’s results also pointed to the positive effects that wildlife friendly gardens are having on bird behaviour.
 
Similar patterns were also observed by schoolchildren, who noticed a similar pattern when taking part in the RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch. 

Reporter:  jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk