THE latest results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have revealed a golden year for the goldfinch in North Yorkshire.

Recorded sightings of the finch rose by six per cent on 2017 figures for North Yorkshire and it was seen in a third of gardens in the county.

Other small birds that are thought to have benefited from the mild January weather include long-tailed tits, which were up three per cent, and coal tits, which were up six per cent.

The influx of these species to gardens is thought to be linked to the favourable conditions during their successful breeding season in 2017. This, combined with the kind autumn and early winter weather in the run up to the birdwatch in January will have contributed to the rise in sightings.

Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientist, said: “To have hundreds of thousands of people spend an hour watching the wildlife in their garden isn’t only great to see, but it also helps us build up a picture of how our garden birds are doing, which is really helpful.

“Last summer was a really good year for many breeding birds with warm weather creating great conditions for many smaller birds to raise their young to adulthood.

“The rise in sightings of goldfinches, long-tailed tits and coal tits, along with chaffinches and greenfinches nationally, goes to show that in the absence of cold weather they can survive the winter months in good numbers.”

Now in its 39th year, the Birdwatch is a chance for people of all ages to count the number of birds that visit their garden, helping the RSPB build up a picture of how they are doing. This year, more than 450,000 people across the country took part.

For a full round up, visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch