Record numbers flock to RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
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More than 78,000 people in Scotland took part in record-breaking RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
A total of 78,066 people across the country took part by counting their garden birds over a weekend in January, recording a staggering 1,527,163 birds.
The event held over the last weekend in January revealed the house sparrow held on to its number one spot.
But 10 out of the top 20 bird species have shown declines in average numbers in Scotland compared to last year.
Over one million people across the UK spent an hour watching the birds that visit their garden or outdoor space, double last year’s participation numbers
The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest wildlife survey and gives RSPB scientists insights into how our garden birds are faring
The number of nature lovers who took part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch more than doubled from 2020 this winter after a year of lockdown restrictions saw people turn to nature for comfort.
Now in its 42nd year, the Big Garden Birdwatch is a chance for people of all ages to count the number of birds that visit their garden helping the RSPB build up a picture of how they are doing.
Hopes were raised for a bumper participation this year after results from a YouGov survey revealed the pandemic is making the public more aware of nature, with 41 per cent of people in Scotland believing the pandemic has made them more aware of the nature around them, and almost a third of people in Scotland (32 per cent) saying they learnt something new about the wildlife in their local area.
The YouGov survey of 2,071 adults across the UK revealed 63 per cent of people said watching the birds and hearing their song added to their enjoyment of life since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, including 55 per cent of people in Scotland.
When the final Big Garden Birdwatch results were counted, RSPB Scotland bosses said they were 'blown away by the phenomenal response' from the public.
Over the first three days of submissions alone, numbers were up 85 per cent compared to the same time period in 2020.
Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the number of people who have taken part in this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch, making it the biggest year ever for RSPB Scotland.
"Of course, this has generated a massive amount of data which will help our scientists with important conservation work but it also shows how many of us have turned to nature after what has been a very difficult 12 months.
Over its four decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted which species are thriving and which are struggling in the garden bird world.
It was first to alert the RSPB to the decline in song thrush numbers which are still down 78 per cent across the UK compared to the first Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979.
This species was a firm fixture in the top 10 in 1979.
By 2009, its numbers were less than half those recorded in 1979, it came in at 20th in the rankings this year, seen in just 13 per cent of Scottish gardens.
The house sparrow remains at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird in Scotland with more than 250,000 recorded sightings throughout the weekend.
Starlings continue in second place but numbers were down 14 per cent compared to 2020.
Goldfinches saw the greatest decline in Scotland’s top 10, falling four places from sixth position last year, with reported numbers 47 per cent fewer than 2020.
Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, said: “One way you can help revive our world is to bring nature to you. Your garden, balcony, and even windowsill are potential havens for wildlife, and this month we’re launching a digital platform, Nature on Your Doorstep, to help show you how.”
For a full round-up of all the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results and to see which birds were visiting gardens in the strath click here
For more information on Nature on Your Doorstep click here
