Fewer birds than ever (From News Shopper)

Fewer birds than ever

8:44am Sunday 8th April 2007 in Bromley By Jon Cheetham

THERE are more bird enthusiasts in the area than in any other London borough.

This is despite the number of birds visiting gardens in the area being the lowest ever recorded.

In Bromley, 2,301 took part in this year's Big Garden Bird Watch organised by the RSPB.

This was 10 per cent of the 23,674 who took part in the survey across London - a higher figure than in any other borough.

The number of people in Bromley borough who took part was the same as last year, while 1,669 participated in 2005.

The national garden bird watch records the number and species of garden birds during the last weekend of January each year.

Starlings, bluetits and wood pigeons were the most commonly seen birds.

However, their numbers are less than half of those recorded 27 years ago.

This year, participants recorded an average of three starlings per garden, compared with 15 in 1979.

RSPB London manager Paul Forecast says climate change and this year's warm winter are behind the falling number of birds visiting our gardens.

He said: "The results of the 2007 Big Garden Bird Watch show numbers of many common London birds are generally down compared with previous years.

"Mild winters mean there are more berries and seeds in the countryside and fields.

"This affects the behaviour of birds in Bromley more than it does those in Westminster.

"There is less need for them to look for food in gardens."

Explaining the high number of participants in Bromley, he said: "We have a very strong RSPB group in Bromley and are well supported there.

"There are so many green and open spaces and gardens.

"It has always been a popular place for birdwatchers."

One bird to benefit from the warmer weather is the ring-necked parakeet.

The bird, which originally comes from India, was the 17th most-seen bird in Bromley's gardens.

According to Bromley RSPB member Bob Land, the parakeets may have been released or escaped into the wild.

Mr Land says they have started nesting and breeding in woods in the area.

He said : "They have adapted to the conditions here.

"You can see them all over the borough."