Birdwatch picture more complex than it seems

8:09pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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The Green Guardian article on the state of Merton's bird populations sadly misses the point.

The excellent RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch needs expert interpretation, as it monitors numbers visiting our gardens in the winter.

Numbers coming to bird feeders can be low when winters are mild and the birds can find plenty of natural food, as has been the case in recent years.

Much better information comes from the Breeding Bird Survey, another scheme that the RSPB supports.

This shows that most of London's birds are thriving. On average, the populations of these bird species have increased by a quarter since the survey began in 1994.

The few species that have decreased, like the house sparrow and starling, are very much the exception.

It would be excellent if we could manage our gardens to improve food, shelter and nesting sites for birds.

This will surely help wildlife.

However, we are still ignorant of the reason for the decline of houses sparrows and starlings in urban areas.

Until we solve the mystery, all the good work may not bring them back to their former abundance.

Dave Dawson
Wimbledon Park