Which species were most commonly found nesting?
The following table shows the top 10 species that were most frequently recorded nesting in gardens in the survey. Over half the gardens which took part in the study reported an active Blackbird nest in at least one week. Blackbirds were probably seen most frequently partly because gardens provide the kind of habitat that they need to nest, and they also have a long breeding season, making multiple breeding attempts across the spring and summer.Their nests are often in fairly conspicuous locations in hedges or creepers, meaning the birds can be quite noticeable when building nests or feeding chicks.
The second most frequently seen species was Blue Tit, with nearly half of gardens recording this species. Gardens also often provide good nesting habitat for Blue Tits, particularly where nest boxes are available. Nest boxes also allow the nesting behaviour of the birds that use them to be observed relatively easily.
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Species
|
% GNS gardens recording nesting
|
% GBW gardens reporting (rank)
|
|
Blackbird
|
51.8
|
96 (1)
|
|
Blue Tit
|
46.3
|
88 (2)
|
|
Great Tit
|
26.9
|
75 (6)
|
|
Robin
|
26.3
|
81 (4)
|
|
House Sparrow
|
22.5
|
68 (8)
|
|
Woodpigeon
|
20.3
|
88 (3)
|
|
Dunnock
|
17.3
|
80 (5)
|
|
Wren
|
11.8
|
26 (17)
|
|
Collared Dove
|
10.5
|
70 (7)
|
|
Starling
|
9.65
|
58 (12)
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The ten species that were most commonly recorded nesting in the GNS, and the percentage of GBW gardens that recorded these species in spring 2010.
Many of the top ten species recorded in the GNS were also frequently observed in GBW gardens over the same period. Blackbirds and Blue Tits were the most frequently reported species in both the GNS and by Garden Birdwatchers during spring 2010. However, a few species (Dunnock, Chaffinch and Greenfinch) were in the top ten in GBW gardens but were not present in the top ten nesting species. These birds may either rarely using gardens to nest (finches), or have nests that are relatively inconspicuous (Dunnock). In contrast, Wren, Great Tit and House Sparrow nests were found more frequently in the GNS than other species which were more often observed in GBW. Great Tits often use nest boxes, and House Sparrows regularly nest on peoples’ houses, meaning nesting activity may be more easily observed.
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