HAMPSHIRE’S house sparrow population is in falling, the RSPB’S Big Garden Birdwatch has revealed.

The number of house sparrows, pictured right feeding its young, spotted on average per garden in Hampshire dropped to a new low of just 2.47 – down from 9.50 in 1991.

The bird is now the fourth most common species in Hampshire, while in Southampton it was knocked off top spot by the wood pigeon.

Across the UK, the house sparrow kept its top spot for the sixth year running with an average of 3.70 seen per garden. But, its numbers have fallen 63 per cent since the first survey in 1979.

A record 21,500 people across the county took part in the survey, while the number of people participating in Southampton increased six-fold to more than 6,100.

Numbers of the highly sociable long-tailed tit more than doubled in the Southampton from the previous year. The species flew into both the Southampton and UK top ten for the first time in Big Garden Birdwatch history.

The increase is being linked to the mild winters leading up to 2009. Long tailed tits feed mainly on insects during winter and these are easier to find in milder temperatures.

Over the past ten years, longtailed tits have also adapted to feeding on seeds and peanuts at bird tables and feeders.

As birds learn from each other that tables and feeders offer a wide variety of food, this behaviour has spread.

Hester Phillips, RSPB South East spokesman, said: “It’s been a record turn out in Southampton and across Hampshire so we’re thrilled.

“Big Garden Birdwatch paints a picture of the wildlife on your doorstep, which is why it’s so useful. The Southampton results show how the success of a species can vary from area to area.

“Many species have seen a very slight increase in the past year.

The significant increase in longtailed tit sightings highlights the impact feeding can have on some species. They have only started coming to feeders fairly recently, and more people are seeing them as this behaviour develops.”

Goldfinch numbers also increased in Southampton. This bucked the county and national trends, which saw finch numbers slip.

Ms Phillips added: “As more and more people realise the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife, we are seeing an increasing variety of birds on our tables and feeders.

“This year’s survey took place on a chilly weekend when garden birds were particularly reliant on the extra food we put out. It seems we were suitably paid back for our efforts but we need to continue.”

Across the UK, a record-breaking 552,000 people took part in Big Garden Birdwatch during the last weekend of January.