One of the prettiest and daintiest birds, the long-tailed tit, is storming gardens according to this year's record-breaking RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

Numbers of this highly sociable bird nearly doubled compared to last year. The increase is linked to mild winters leading up to this January's survey.

Long-tailed tits are tiny with cream, pink, white and black feathers, long tails and loud 'tzee-tzee-tzee' calls.

They are clever and have learned from each other to feed on seeds and peanuts at garden bird tables and hanging feeders.

Small, insect eating birds like long-tailed tits soon die when food gets hard to come by in frosts and snow. Milder winters and bird feeding have led to less tits dying.

A record 550,000 people across the UK took part in this January's survey (see notes to editors for your county's participation and top ten bird list).

House sparrows were top of the tree in most gardens this year, closely followed by starlings and blackbirds.

Pretty goldfinches and greenfinches slipped a little downwards but most gardens still have them, as well as robins, blue tits, great tits, wood pigeons and collared doves.

Andy Waters at the RSPB said: "Creamy, dreamy and dainty - long-tailed tits are a joy to see around. It's amazing how a little food and fresh water in your garden will bring stunning nature bursting into your life."

Results

This table shows the average number of the 2009 top 12 species of birds recorded per garden across the UK, and compares this with the 2008 and 1979 surveys.

Central Counties Participation

2009 Big Garden Birdwatch participation (adults and children taken part)

Nottinghamshire