Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 results

This year, 650,279 people took part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, counting an amazing 9,473,932 birds!

House Sparrows retained the number one spot in this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results, but average counts of this much-loved bird are now down by 64% compared to the first Birdwatch in 1979.

Blue Tits held the number two position. Research by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) shows that along with Coal Tits and Great Tits, these little birds had an above average breeding year in 2025, likely benefitting from prolonged good weather. This may be the reason that the Birdwatch results have higher average counts for all three species.

Starlings regained third place from Woodpigeons. This reflects a lower number of Woodpigeon sightings rather than an increase in those of Starlings, with average counts for the latter falling by 3%.

Data gathered from this huge citizen science project, which is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey, helps give us a greater understanding of how garden birds are faring.

The average Birdwatch count for Greenfinches has fallen by 67% since 1979. In addition, average Chaffinch counts have fallen by 73% over the same period.

This year Redwings were seen in many more gardens than in 2025, perhaps reflecting the cold snap that arrived during the week of the Birdwatch. Although not seen in as many gardens during the count, Fieldfares also moved up the results chart too, presumably for the same reason. It’s worth noting, however, that numbers of both these species in gardens were very low last year.

Across the UK, participants saw a wide variety of birds. Judy Docksey, who lives on a nature-friendly dairy farm in Staffordshire, reported a Yellowhammer in her garden. Dan Pattinson was surprised by a Moorhen climbing in a bush. And in Nottingham, Anna, Ariella and Alexander were delighted that their local Great Spotted Woodpecker, nicknamed Edwood, showed up just in time to be counted!

Big Garden Birdwatch participant Melanie Banks said “We took part in the fabulous big bird watch today, just before the sun set, between 3.30pm-4.30pm. We have taken part for many years, but as the children have got older, the event has moved from watching, drawing and colouring bird pictures, to watching/counting birds, nattering and enjoying a drink together.”

The residents of Dementia care home Harleston House had a great time taking part. After a brief they studied their RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch chart and then headed off to their back garden in Lowestoft, the UK’s most easterly town. Activities Co-ordinator Gareth Harding said “This was a great way to get residents to get active and out into the garden on a rather chilly morning. This has been enjoyed by all and was a great activity to do.”

RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch

The Big Schools Birdwatch runs throughout the first half term of the year. The top bird for schools was the Woodpigeon, followed by the Blackbird and Carrion Crow.

St John’s Stonefold Primary School reported that “The children enjoyed exploring our school grounds, counting and observing a variety of different birds, learning how to spot them carefully and responsibly. We even used binoculars to get a closer look, which created lots of excitement and curiosity!”

For Parkside Community Primary School in Canterbury this was a great opportunity to learn about birds and their behaviour. “Children hadn’t made the connection that birds do eat meat, their assumption was that because we put seeds out that all birds were vegetarian, despite knowing that birds eat worms!” said class teacher Joanna Hinson. “It may not be that shocking that insects were not considered ‘meat’! So we discussed worms and grubs, caterpillars and ants, and that led into looking at life cycles and food chains.”

Thank you to everyone who took part in this years’ Birdwatches.