STARLINGS and song thrushes are being seen less frequently in school grounds, according to this year’s RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch.

Both birds are of high conservation concern due to massive declines over the last four decades.

Emma Reed, the RSPB’s education officer for the north, said: “It’s sad to see this drop in numbers among Cumbria’s birds.”

The Big Birdwatch results are released today (Thursday) at www.rspb.org.uk