Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
Very common resident. Included in 77.8% of BirdTrack lists. The East of England long-term trend is increasing +113%*. The long-term trend for Bedfordshire is also increasing +31%. (Green list).
During the first quarter, flocks of 70 or more were 70 at Cardington on 20th January, 100 at Broom East on 30th January and again on 12th February, 80 at Luton Hoo also on 12th February, 110 at Tempsford Airfield on 28th February, 74 at Meadow Lane GP on 24th March and 100 at Thurleigh Airfield on 31st March. Count sizes reduced during the main breeding season, but with still 80 at Blows Downs on 25th April, 110 at Wrest Park on 28th April, 80 at Tetworth Hall Estate on 22nd July and 70 at Broom South Quarry on 17th August. Larger flocks built up again in the last quarter, including 100 at Kempston on 15th October. During the Summer Garden Bird Survey they were in 65% of gardens.
