The mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus) is vanishing from UK gardens, wildlife experts warned as they urged people to take part in an annual survey to monitor how birds are faring. Results from the RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch survey have shown that mistle thrushes are now being seen in less than half the number of gardens they were spotted in 10 years ago. The RSPB is urging the public to take part in this year's survey, which takes place this weekend, to help gather important information on how mistle thrushes and other garden bird species are doing. The event, described by the conservation charity as the world's biggest wildlife survey, is now in its 34th year. Since starting in 1979 it has helped highlight dramatic declines in some garden birds. Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) numbers have fallen from an average of 15 per garden in 1979 to just three in 2012, while house sparrow (Passer domesticus) numbers have fallen by two-thirds in the same period, although the two species are still the most commonly seen.
Source: The Guardian, 25 January 2013
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jan/25/mistle-thrush-numbers…
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