Wild Bird Statistics 2024Updated 18 hours ago
Garden bird statistics across the UK 2024
it is interesting to note changes in garden bird populations across the UK as time passes by. There are a number of sources of data for garden birds which we have collated here for you along with our interpretations and thoughts.
Big Garden Birdwatch Results 2024
The Big Garden Birdwatch has been an annual event for 45 years. In 2024, over 600,000 people helped out by noting birds arriving in their gardens across the UK. The results are shown below for 2024.
The results reflect bird observations over a single weekend.
| Bird | Count |
|---|---|
| House Sparrow | 1,442,300 |
| Blue Tit | 1,094,401 |
| Starling | 879,006 |
| Woodpigeon | 835,408 |
| Blackbird | 708,004 |
| Robin | 539,820 |
| Great Tit | 523,638 |
| Goldfinch | 478,740 |
| Magpie | 446,678 |
| Long-tailed Tit | 383,166 |
BTO Bird Trends Report
The British Trust for Ornithology collect data from birdwatchers and reports their findings, producing action plans to improve wild bird populations. They regularly produce reports including trends on breeding populations.
The BTO detail long-term (34 years) and short-term (5 years) population changes which we have noted below
Wild bird population changes
Long term changes (1967-2021)
| Long-term population decreases | Long-term population increases | Short-term population decreases | Short-term population increases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Dove | Goldfinch | Turtle Dove | Stock Dove |
| Winchat | Chiffchaff | Wood Warbler | Gadwell |
| Tree Sparrow | Mallard | Willow Tit | Blackcap |
| Willow Tit | Jackdaw | Spotted Flycatcher | Ring-necked Parakeet |
| Spotted Flycatcher | Woodpigeon | Swallow | Canada Goose |
| Grey partridge | Mute Swan | House Martin | Corn Bunting |
| Lesser Spotted Woodpecker | Nuthatch | Greenfinch | Red Kite |
| Tree Pipit | Blackcap | Dipper | Stonechat |
| Nightingale | Great Spotted Woodpecker | Peregrine | Cetti’s Warbler |
| Starling | Buzzard | Little Owl | Fieldfare |
Source: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
The chart above indicates a broad decline in wild bird populations of 15% since 1970. Woodland birds that often populate gardens have declined by 37%.
Birds of Conservation Concern 5 results
The Red List For Birds
The Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) for birds is a well-established process that identifies bird species and the degree of concern over their population numbers.
Bird species appearing on the red list are noted as conservation priorities based on their severe population declines or threats of global extinction.
70 species of birds are now on the red list, which is nearly doubled in volume (from 36) since the original review in 1996.
New additions to the red list include Swift, House martin, Ptarmigan, Purple sandpiper, Montagu’s harrier and Greenfinch.
Garden Bird Data Interpretations & Thoughts
The data make grim reading. As wild bird habitats continue to reduce, bird populations suffer. One in six wild bird species are in danger of disappearing.
How to help wild bird populations
The RSPB provide the following guidance for gardeners to help to increase wild bird numbers:
- Provide wild bird food
- Provide shelter
- Provide water
- Don’t use garden chemicals
- Don’t use peat-based compost
Sources
BTO – Key Findings – Bird Trends 2023