THE house sparrow has come out as Wiltshire's garden bird champion, taking top spot in the RSPB's record-breaking Big Garden Birdwatch survey.

However, the survey revealed that the number of house sparrows has plummeted to an average of five birds seen per garden compared to an average of ten in 1979, the first year of the Big Garden Birdwatch.

Starlings came in as the second most common with an average of 4.7 birds seen per garden. Blackbirds were most widespread, with 2.6 birds seen in 93 per cent of Wiltshire's gardens.

Overall the number of gardens surveyed in Wiltshire this year was more than 3,200, an increase of more than 800, which was welcomed by the RSPB.

Tony Whitehead, Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator for the South West, said: "We are absolutely delighted that more than 5,000 people took part in this year's event in Wiltshire. This demonstrates the interest and concern that people living in the county have for the birds around them."

Big Garden Birdwatch 2003 saw 303,000 people taking part nationally, including 44,000 children a figure which beats last year's figure of 262,000 and also the world record held by BirdLife International's 2001 World Bird Festival for the biggest bird event.

Big Garden Birdwatch, which takes place over the last weekend in January, asks participants to spend an hour counting the birds in their garden, school grounds or local park.

Although the house sparrows flew in nationally as the second most common garden bird after the starling, with an average of 4.9 birds seen per garden, studies over the last 25 years have shown that their population has more than halved and the reason for their decline is still not known.

The RSPB is aiming to find out more about house sparrow numbers throughout the UK. The society's house sparrow survey runs from May 9 to 11 to help find out where and why our much loved house sparrow is in decline.

To take part in the survey call the RSPB's house sparrow hotline number 0870 601 0215.