1,100 Channel Islanders took part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2026.
Over 650,000 people took part in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey, counting more than nine million birds of over 80 species.
In the Channel Islands, the House Sparrow as the most frequently spotted bird, followed by Blue Tit and Wood Pigeon.
The Top 10 for the Channel Islands are:
House sparrow, Blue tit, Woodpigeon, Great tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Robin, Goldfinch, Carrion crow, Blackbird.
But, the RSPB says it is further down the garden rankings where the real story lies.
Greenfinch is 18th UK-wide. They have seen a 67% decline in average numbers recorded since Big Garden Birdwatch began in 1979.
Other UK-wide surveys show that Greenfinches have dropped by over 65% since the latest UK wide surveys began in the mid‑1990s, equating to the loss of over two million birds.
Greenfinches are now on the UK Red List due to disease-related declines.
The RSPB is asking islanders to adopt simple seasonal changes that will help protect bird health in the long term.
It says it is important to feed seasonally, meaning from 1 May to 31 October we should pause filling bird feeders with seed and peanuts to prevent too many birds gathering in one place.
It’s okay to keep offering small amounts of mealworms, fat balls, or suet year-round.
To help keep birds healthy, we are asked to prioritise hygiene by cleaning feeders weekly, changing water daily, and avoid flat-surface feeders.
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