Shropshire's favourite birds on the decline due to wildlife "housing crisis"

And starlings, surely nobody is seriously suggesting they are in danger?

Well, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, both these familiar species are at risk, having falling victim to Britain's "housing crisis" for wildlife.

The society is asking Shropshire bird lovers to go into their gardens this weekend and spend an hour recording the number of different bird types they see as part of its annual look at the state of Britain's wildlife.

More than half a million people are expected to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, which is now in its 36th year. The survey provides important information about the changes in numbers of birds using our gardens in winter and helps alert conservationists to those species in decline like house sparrows, greenfinches and starlings.

1 House sparrow

2 Blue tit

3 Blackbird

4 Woodpigeon

5 Goldfinch

6 Chaffinch

7 Great tit

8 Robin

9 Starling

Martyn Owen, a professional ornithologist of Alveley, near Bridgnorth, is among those hoping to take part.

He said the survey plays a crucial role in gathering data about which birds are most at risk and helps with research into their protection.

He said: "A lot of these species we see every day are struggling at the moment.

"Starlings and house sparrows are included in the 'red list' of endangered species at the moment.

"Some of the supposedly common species are in decline."

Daniel Hayhow, a conservation scientist for the charity, said to get the most out of the experience, people should watch how the birds use their garden as well as watching the birds themselves.

He said: "Seeing things through the eyes of a bird will help you to understand exactly how they use what's in your garden, spot anything that makes it an unsafe or inhospitable place, and allow you to improve the ways you give nature a home when spring arrives."

The house sparrow retained its position as the most commonly seen bird in Shropshire – and indeed Britain – in the 2014 survey, but is showing worrying signs of decline. The 2014 count found numbers had fallen by 62 per cent since the initiative began in 1979.

And despite retaining its place as the third most commonly seen bird nationally, starling numbers have seen alarming decline, falling by 84 per cent compared to 35 years ago. The fall appears to be particularly acute in Shropshire, where the starling has now dropped to ninth in the table.

Experts at the RSPB are carrying out research to identify the causes of the dwindling populations, but so far no firm conclusions have been reached.

Mr Owen, who began birdwatching as a child, believes modern lifestyles probably play a part.

"In the past there were lots of nooks and crannies where birds could nest, but a lot of modern houses don't have these, making it harder for them to nest.

"House sparrows like to nest in the eaves of the roofs, but it is more difficult with modern house designs.

"This leads to them breeding less and also breeding less successfully.

"Where nests are out in the open, this leaves them more at risk of predators, the magpies can get at them, and they are more at risk of cats and things like that."

Modern farming methods may also be taking their toll.

Mr Owen said: "More intensive farming may be having an effect, and the greater use of pesticides. Farmers also tend to keep their hedgerows tidier, which can also have an impact."

Another bird which has seen a big drop in numbers is the greenfinch, falling to 15th place in the national rankings, with Trichomonosis disease thought to be responsible.

Mr Owen, who runs the Biome consultancy, says it is important to ensure bird tables and feeders are kept clean to avoid the spread of the disease.

Previous surveys have shown that some familiar birds have disappeared completely since the 1990s. Of the 107 most widespread and common breeding birds, 16 of those species had declined by more than a third between 1995 and 2013.

These species included the cuckoo, starling, willow tit, lapwing, whinchat and wood warbler. There is particular concern over the populations of the turtle dove and grey partridge, which have halved since 1995.

The British race of the yellow wagtail has fallen by 45 per cent since then.

To take part in the survey, people are asked to spend one hour at any time on Saturday or Sunday, noting the highest number of each bird seen in their gardens or local outside space.

They then have to submit their results to the RSPB before 13 February, either through the RSPB website, or in the post.

For the second year running, the charity is also asking participants to log the other wildlife they see in their gardens to help build an overall picture of how important our gardens are for giving nature a home.

Mr Owen said the survey was an excellent introduction to birdwatching for people who had never tried anything like it before.

"It's a simple way for people who might not have a huge amount of knowledge about birds to monitor populations in their local area," he said. "It's a good way to accumulate a large amount of data about trends in bird population."

And on the positive side, last year's survey was good news for goldfinches, which swooped into fifth spot in Shropshire, having been "amber listed" as being under moderate threat.

The blue tit has also risen rapidly, climbing to second place, while the great spotted woodpecker made it into the top 20 for the first time since the survey began.

Mr Owens said research was continuing on into how to halt the decline of species such as house sparrows and starlings, but leaving food on bird tables was always helpful as was building nest boxes, long narrow wooden boxes which can accommodate several sparrows' nests.

Mr Hayhow added: "While putting out food for birds is important, it's not the be-all and end-all. Birds need a wide variety of plants to shelter and perch to be able to make use of the feeders, as well as nectar-rich plants that attract insects in summer.

"During this year's Birdwatch look at how the birds approach your feeders using the various trees, shrubs and bushes. Making your garden more nature-friendly is the best way you can help the birds and other wildlife."

For more details on the survey visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

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