Mistle thrushes 'missing' from UK gardens

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/21143664


Mistle thrushes are becoming a rare sight in UK gardens

Mistle thrushes have disappeared from UK gardens at a "staggering" rate, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Results from the charity's annual survey suggest the birds are seen in fewer than half the number of gardens they were 10 years ago.

Population estimates published at the end of last year confirm there are now just 170,000 breeding pairs.

The warning comes on the eve of the RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch.

[leveymg]

1. There's something marvelously Monty Python about this . . Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

annual Big Garden Birdwatch. The Mistle thrush are missing!

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. The RSPB has a membership of over a million

So imagine an organisation of about 5 million in the USA. When they get members to do a survey, it's major.

[leveymg]

3. Charming, regardless.

Maybe it's just that they speak the language better than we, but the Brits just seem by and large smarter but inescapably silly, in an endearing way.