House sparrows dominate bird count, blackbird returns to top 5

More than 90,000 people across the Netherlands have reported spotting over 1.2 million birds in their gardens and on balconies as part of the National Garden Bird Count, which concluded on Sunday evening.

The house sparrow once again took the top spot with 216,973 sightings, continuing its trend as the most commonly seen bird in Dutch gardens. The blackbird, a bird that once consistently ranked in the top three, has climbed to fifth place this year.

Despite its position at the top, the house sparrow’s numbers have declined significantly over the past decades. "House sparrows typically live in groups of seven. While they remain a common sight, their population has more than halved in recent years," said Timo Roeke from Vogelbescherming Nederland (Bird Protection Netherlands). "By making our gardens more bird-friendly with native plants, we can contribute to improving their habitat."

Following the house sparrow in second place is the great tit, with 154,846 sightings, and the blue tit at third, with 105,576 reports.

The blackbird, with over 78,000 sightings, has seen a notable decline in its numbers due to an outbreak of the usutu virus, which heavily impacted its population. "While there are signs of recovery, the blackbird population has not fully rebounded yet," said Vogelbescherming. Other birds in the top ten include the jackdaw, wood pigeon, and robin.

In addition to the common species, this year’s bird count also revealed several rare sightings. Among the special reports were a crossbill, twelve waxwings, ten water rails, and 73 yellow wagtails. Participants also reported sightings of five species of woodpeckers and four types of owls.

Notably, blackcaps and chiffchaffs were spotted more frequently this year, as these species, which typically winter in southern regions, are increasingly staying in the Netherlands during the colder months.