Portsmouth people urged to boost garden wildlife in lockdown as small bird sightings rise

PEOPLE stuck at home during lockdown have been urged to take time to care for the wildlife in their gardens after a warmer winter proved a victory for populations of small birds.
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The plea from Portsmouth Friends of the Earth’s joint co-ordinator, Rachel Hudson, comes as results from the RSPB’s 41st Big Garden Birdwatch in January show noticeable gains in biodiversity across Hampshire.

Increases in garden sightings of house sparrows, long-tailed tits, wrens and coal tits by the 17,300 county residents who took part in the initiative have been attributed to a milder start to 2020.

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But Rachel, from Southsea, said the ‘fantastic news’ need not stop there, as many people now have a chance to get out in their garden while the nation remains in lockdown.

A coal tit perched on a mossy branch. Picture: Sue Tranter, RSPB ImagesA coal tit perched on a mossy branch. Picture: Sue Tranter, RSPB Images
A coal tit perched on a mossy branch. Picture: Sue Tranter, RSPB Images

‘I took part in the birdwatch myself and I saw a wren in my garden multiple times over a period of about two or three days,’ she said.

‘I was really surprised but it was great to see it in a city area like Southsea.

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‘Birds are now nesting so this is a really good time to get out and feed them.

A female house sparrow in a Hampshire garden. Picture: Eric EddlesA female house sparrow in a Hampshire garden. Picture: Eric Eddles
A female house sparrow in a Hampshire garden. Picture: Eric Eddles
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‘We would really like to encourage people to think about gardening and wildlife and, if they do have access to seeds and plants, to consider pollinator-friendly plants for the bees.’

She added: ‘I would also encourage anyone to have a pond, even a really small one, because that will really increase the biodiversity in your garden.’

The birdwatch found the house sparrow was the most seen bird in Hampshire and has enjoyed a 10 per cent upturn in population numbers, recorded by participants, over the decade to 2020.

Starlings, blue tits, woodpigeons and blackbirds made up the rest of the top five, having been seen in between 40.6 per cent and 84.4 per cent of participating gardens.

A wren. Picture: Graham MayA wren. Picture: Graham May
A wren. Picture: Graham May
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Meanwhile wren were seen in 21.7 per cent of county gardens, compared to 19.5 in 2019, coal tits were up almost six per cent to 36 and long-tailed tits rose from 32.1 per cent of gardens to 33.7.

Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s chief executive, said: ‘We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider world and bring enormous joy.

‘These are difficult and unsettling times for all of us, but we hope that nature can provide a welcome respite in whichever form and wherever you may encounter it.

A long-tailed tit captured at Farlington Marshes. Picture: Jim WalkerA long-tailed tit captured at Farlington Marshes. Picture: Jim Walker
A long-tailed tit captured at Farlington Marshes. Picture: Jim Walker

‘Despite everything that’s going on in the world, nature is still doing its thing. Birds are singing and blossom is bursting.

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‘Watching wildlife, whether from a window or a balcony or even online, can offer many of us hope, joy and a welcome distraction, and so we are keen to help you carry on connecting with the natural world.’

The RSPB has pledged to give out ideas on how to bring wildlife closer to home on its Twitter and Facebook pages during lockdown.

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