Sparrows are city’s most common bird

Starlings and Chaffinches are the second and third most commonly sighted birds here, whilst Goldfinches, Blue, Great and Coal Tits, Blackbirds, Pigeons and Doves make up the rest of the top ten.

Over the last weekend in January every year, the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) asks people across the country to spend an hour counting the different birds seen in their gardens, park, patio or schoolyard and submit their results.

Stephanie Sim, RSPB warns: “This year’s results do not mean we can be complacent here in Northern Ireland. Many favourite garden birds are threatened by loss of habitat, climate change and other factors and we need to adopt best practice wherever we can.”

She added: “Because Northern Ireland presents a different picture to the rest of the UK, it is very important that as many people participate in this and other RSPB garden bird surveys.

“The fascinating differences between counties provides all the more reason for people from across Northern Ireland to take part. Our next survey, Make Your Nature Count in June is the perfect opportunity!”

For advice on attracting more birds to your place, and tips on creating a wildlife friendly garden, especially now, at the start of nesting and breeding season, visit www.rspb.org.uk/hfw.