INTRODUCTION

London is a surprisingly green city and its many parks and open spaces are major contributors to urban biodiversity. Birds are the most frequently encountered urban wildlife, yet, despite their popularity (an estimated 75% of households provide food for birds in their gardens), little is known about the populations of birds in cities and suburbs. In addition, recent results from BTO monitoring data have indicated that a number of formerly common species have undergone worrying population declines in urban areas over the past 5 years.

RESULTS:

Although we are currently analysing the vast amount of data collected over the past 2 years we do have some preliminary results to share with you.

In total, we have received data from 211 sites (and a further 100 intensive core sites) throughout the whole city. A sample of 150 of these were analysed and from this we know that 50% of all sites covered were classified as ‘Parks’ and a further 20% as ‘Cemeteries’. The sizes ranged from 0.25ha to 65.0ha. There was a surprisingly high diversity of habitat recorded.

A total of 88 species were recorded, included 6 Biodiversity Action Plan species: Skylark, Song Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, Bullfinch, Linnet and Reed Bunting. In all 6 visits Blackbird was the most widespread, occurring in between 91.5% (early winter) to 97.9% (late winter) of all sites. Worryingly, House Sparrows were found in only between 18-34% of sites, almost as many sites as Ring-necked Parakeets were recorded in.

We will also be comparing the results from the BTO London Bird Project with data collected from the Garden BirdWatch (GBW) and Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) in London and should have some exciting results to share with you soon. Watch this space!

We will also be comparing the results from the BTO London Bird Project with data collected from the Garden BirdWatch (GBW) and Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) in London and should have some exciting results to share with you soon. Watch this space!
	Blackbird was the most widespread species recorded, occuring in 91.5% of all sites (winter) and up to 97.9 (late winter).