As has been the case for several years these indicators show winners and losers among our wild bird populations. Of the species covered 26 are showing long-term declines including several species familiar to garden birdwatchers such as Mistle Thrush, House Sparrow and Lesser Redpoll. One of the most worrying declines affects our Greenfinches, numbers of this once familiar garden visitor have now declined so low that it qualifies to be ‘red-listed’. The red-list designation is a rating that shows it to be ‘endangered’. The decline in Greenfinches is attributable to widespread and severe outbreak of trichomonosis, which affects the upper digestive tract, that began in 2005. Prior to this their numbers had actually increased. It highlights how important feeder hygiene is and should act as a reminder to all of us to clean our feeders regularly.

This latest report made me think about how I use my garden, is it enough just to put out food? Our gardens can offer a little respite from a countryside dowsed in pesticides and in places devoid of cover. If we plant sensitively it’s possible to offer more than just the food we put out, native trees provide berries and insect food at crucial times of the year to many species. A wildflower mix or an area of long grass can do the same, ponds can provide water for bathing and drinking.