RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 Reports UK Bird Population Trends and Conservation Advice

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) conducted its annual Big Garden Birdwatch in 2026, with participants across the UK. Each participant spent one hour observing and counting birds in their gardens or nearby parks. The event, which began in 1979, provides data on garden bird populations.

Results indicated variations in bird sightings by region. In nearly four-fifths of local areas, house sparrows ranked first. Blue tits topped the list in some counties, all in England, while starlings led in some areas.

Chaffinch and jackdaw each ranked first in one Scottish local authority, and in Conwy, Wales, jackdaw fell to fifth place. Blackbirds dropped from third to sixth in Northern Ireland compared to 2025 and remained in the top five only in County Down.

Nationwide, blackbirds recorded the largest decline in average counts from 2025.

Sightings of starlings, woodpigeons, and robins also decreased since 2025. Blue tits showed the highest percentage increase among the top 10 most sighted species compared to the previous year. The tit family, including blue, great, coal, and long-tailed tits, saw rises in counts across UK gardens.

Tit numbers have generally risen since the survey's inception in 1979. A woodpigeon decline allowed starlings to reclaim third place in the UK-wide rankings.

The greenfinch, added to the conservation red list in 2021, fell to 18th place from seventh in 1979. Its population has declined over the past two decades, primarily due to trichomonosis disease.

The RSPB advises pausing seed and peanut feeding from May to October to reduce bird gatherings.

Participants should clean feeders weekly, provide water only if it can be cleaned daily, and avoid flat-surfaced feeders to lower disease risk.

“We're not asking people to stop feeding, just to feed in a way that protects birds' long-term health. By making small changes together, we can ensure garden feeding continues to be a positive force for nature.”

Experts recommend planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers to create habitats. These support birds and insects. Such measures can benefit local populations, especially with spring planting underway.