HOUSE sparrows remain the most commonly seen bird in West Yorkshire gardens.

They once again topped the regional rankings in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.

People of all ages were asked to record the number of avian visitors, over the last weekend in January.

The house sparrow was found in 60 per cent of West Yorkshire gardens and it also headed the survey nationally, with more than 2.6 million sighted.

Completing the top three in this region were starlings and blackbirds.

The RSPB says more than one million people nationally took part in this year’s initiative – double the number that participated in 2020. In West Yorkshire, there were over 29,000 participants.

Results from the survey are used by the charity to evaluate how different breeds of birds are faring.

Beccy Speight, for the RSPB, said: “We have been blown away by the enthusiasm with which people have taken part in the Birdwatch this year. Lockdown has brought few benefits, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people, right on their doorsteps. This winter has been a bleak ordeal but as the dawn chorus starts to burst into song and the blossom starts to flower, we are emerging from this pandemic a new generation of nature lovers.”

For full Birdwatch results, visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.