Dunnock  (Prunella modularis)

Although the dunnock appears to be an abundant and familiar bird, figures compiled by the British Trust for Ornithology show that in the decade from mid the 1970s, populations fell by nearly 50%. This was particularly true of woodland dunnocks, and the cause is still unknown. However, the populations have stabilised and there are signs of a slight recovery in recent years.

While the dunnock remains a relatively common bird, recent studies have shown that populations in woodland habitats are at risk. Many of the UK’s once common birds have declined drastically in the last 30 or 40 years, many as a result of increased agricultural pressure. Although the dunnock is a bird that seems adapted to survive in a variety of habitats, the pressures of our increasing demand for urban and industrial development could still prove damaging.

Recently, wildlife-friendly gardening techniques have become more popular in both rural and urban environments. So long as we provide our garden birds with a healthy balance of wild plant and insect food, there is no reason why our still familiar species such as the dunnock cannot maintain their numbers and continue to gladden us with their modest but cheerful winter songs.