Icy weather may hit robin numbers - 29/01/10
The RSPB has said the recent spell of wintry weather is likely to affect the number of small birds such as the robin in this weekend's Big Garden Birdwatch.
Garden favourite Robin could drop out the 10 most seen birds list for the first time in 30 years of the annual nationwide survey.
The prolonged icy weather has hit several species including robins, wrens and long-tailed tits, which made their debut in the birdwatch's top 10 in 2009 but are unlikely to feature again this year.
But the charity said householders participating in the study are likely to come across some unusual visitors such as redwings and tree sparrows which may be driven to gardens foraging for food.
Conservation experts are keen to see how the garden bird numbers have been affected by one of the harshest winters in years, and how many of the more unusual species are venturing near homes.
They are also hoping to observe how the figures have been affected across regions as the birds fly to warmer places in search of more easily available food.
