Over the weekend, members of the public counted and reported which birds visited feeding sites around Sweden. The number of participants has increased since last year - from around 14,900 to 19,000, according to BirdLife Sweden, which is organizing the bird count.
"An important reason why there are relatively many people participating this year is that winter weather has prevailed throughout Sweden. When temperatures are low, people stay indoors," says Anders Wirdheim, one of those responsible for the count.
The large number of observed blackbirds - 52,364 - may be due to an unusually mild autumn and early winter, which causes them to remain in the country.
As in previous years, the great tit is the most numerous at bird feeders, followed by the blue tit and chaffinch. In addition to the blackbirds, an unusually high number of great tits (at least in southern Sweden) and goldfinches stand out.
The silktail and the birch thrush are declining compared to last year. The bullfinch, now in fifth place, was most numerous in the four northern counties last year and is also declining.
The reports come in from all the country's municipalities, according to Anders Wirdheim.
"One example that stands out is Norrtälje municipality, which has by far the most participants relative to its population," he says.
1. Great tit
2. Blue tit
3. Chaffinch
4. Blackbird
5. Bullfinch
6. Goldfinch
7. Magpie
8. Greenfinch
9. Jackdaw
10. House sparrow
