The average number of robins seen in gardens is at its highest level since 1986.

Big Garden Birdwatch also reveals an ‘explosion’ of waxwings

The average number of robins seen in UK gardens is at its highest level since 1986, results from the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch show. 

Held over the last weekend in January, the event also revealed an ‘explosion’ of waxwings. These birds only flock to the UK once every seven or eight years when the berry crop fails in it native Scandinavia.

Figures revealed that waxwings were seen around 11 times more in UK gardens in 2017 than in the last couple of years. The birds were seen as far west as Wales and Northern Ireland.

“Flocks of these striking looking birds arrived in the UK along the North Sea coast and will have moved across the country in search of food, favouring gardens where they can feast on berries,” said Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientist.

“With it only happening once every seven to eight years, it will have been a treat for the lucky people who managed to catch a glimpse of one.”

It was also good news for the blackbird, which has now become the UK’s most widespread garden bird after being spotted in more than 93 per cent of gardens.

The survey highlighted a downturn in the recorded sightings of blue tits (-11%), great tits (-10%) and coal tits (-14%). This is thought to be due to the prolonged wet weather during the 2016 breeding season which led to fewer younger birds surviving than usual.

The RSPB said that the results also showed the positive effect that wildlife friendly gardens are having on bird behaviours. Recorded sightings increased for 16 of the top 20 Big Garden Birdwatch birds between 2016 and 2017.

“Our gardens can become an invaluable resource for birds -throughout the year birds need food, water and a safe place to shelter,” said Claire Thomas, RSPB wildlife advisor. “If we all provide these things in our outdoor spaces it will be a huge help to garden birds, perhaps even playing a role in reversing some declines.”