THE number of smaller birds across Hampshire represents a “worrying trend” according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

According to the charity, there are almost 30 per cent fewer blackbirds in the county, which follows the national crash in numbers of the house sparrow and starling.

Despite the figures, the charity also says that sparrow numbers are now increasing.

It comes after the 39th annual Big Garden Birdwatch, which also reveals that a surge in sightings has been recorded for the goldfinch and long-tailed tit.

Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientist said: “Our small birds are part of our everyday life, whether it’s the robin perched on the garden fence or the flock of starlings you see on your way to work.

“The rise in sightings of long-tailed tit, goldfinch and coal tit, along with chaffinches and greenfinches, goes to show that in the absence of cold weather, they can survive the winter months in good numbers.” Despite the increase in some species, the RSPB said a worrying trend in Hampshire gardens is the decline of the blackbird.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “The species is currently not a bird of conservation concern, but it is a species we will be watching closely.”

Across the south east, blackbirds are down 22 per cent, and robins dropped 18 per cent, while sightings of the tiny wren went down 14 per cent in the region.

Dr Hayhow added: “We all have noticed that the weather earlier in the winter was slightly warmer than we’re used to, and our garden birds have felt this too.”