Bird populations are flourishing in northern parts of England but are painting a grim picture in the south, figures released by the RSPB revealed.

According to data from the RSPB, the number of birds in the North West of England jumped 16 per cent between 1994 and 2009, while in the South East they dropped 12 per cent during the same period.

Birdlife in areas above the Humber is performing well, and London is doing even better than other regions in the South.

Farmland species of birds have suffered a decline of 28 per cent in south east and 23 per cent in South West parts of England respectively. On the other hand, the numbers slipped merely 3 per cent in the North West of England.

London and North East of England reported an increase of 7 per cent and 3 per cent respectively.

Number of woodland birds jumped 31 per cent in the North West of England, but slipped 19 per cent and 13 per cent in the South East and South West regions respectively.

Commenting on the figures, RSPB Conservation Director Martin Harper said, “If birds struggle it may say a lot about the quality of our countryside and our own quality of life.”

Factors such as climate change, development, water scarcity and attitude play a vital part in shocking regional differences in birdlife.