Annual bird count in UK gardens raises hopes for greenfinch

RSPB scientists say small increase in sightings points to first signs of recovery of beleaguered species

Greenfinch populations, which were previously in steep decline in the UK, are showing the first signs of recovery, according to the latest annual RSPB big garden birdwatch results.

The citizen science survey gives a good idea of how bird populations are faring in Britain. This year almost 700,000 people took part, counting more than 11 million birds.