In article , Sacha
writes

I think the numbers are dropping off generally. Our nearest farmer is
organic in the larger part of his land but about 5 more houses have been
built in the village in the last 5 years, many of whom own cats......I can't
help wondering if this contributed to the decline, though I doubt it would
account for all of it.

We have cats, as do many of our neighbours - there's around 6 cats
regularly use our tiny garden.

I think I read somewhere that the increasing popularity of bird feeders
and reasonable quality bird food is becoming an important resource to
birds.

Many of the smaller birds, blue tits, finches, robin, like harvesting
insects from the windows' many corners. The windows are all leaded in stone
mullions, so give a lot of 'shelter' for small flies, spiders etc.

Lovely! Our birds are too nervous to come within about 3 ft of windows -
at least when you're in a position to watch them.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"