The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden Bird Watch is the largest year round survey of birds in the world. More than 15,000 people collect weekly records of the birds and other wildlife visiting their gardens. These observations are then analysed by researchers at the BTO, who use them to find out how birds and other wildlife use gardens and how this use has changed over time. Their findings then feed into conservation policy, contributing to such things as Government’s Quality Life Indicators and alerting conservation organisations to sudden changes in bird populations. It is BTO Garden Birdwatchers who have highlighted the decline in House Sparrow, Song Thrush and Starling, the increase in Goldfinch and Woodpigeon and increasing use of winter gardens by Blackcaps.
If you want to take part in the project, and become a ‘Citizen Scientist’, get in touch with the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch Team. There is a yearly subsidy of £15 to cover admin charges; however, members receive a quarterly magazine including articles and the latest survey results, access to garden bird expertise and deals on the latest BTO publications, in return.
The rate that diverse species are documented changes each season, with a noticeable dip in autumn in garden usage. This dip covers the time when plenty of birds are feeding in the wider countryside, or become less apparent as they go through their yearly shed.
The survey has also divulged interesting information about certain unfamiliar garden guests. The survey has logged a rise in use of gardens by Siskins, which is a species that has profited from the launch of conifer cultivated areas. BTO surveys have logged this rise since the 1970’s; during this period, this gorgeous species was just documented in 7% of gardens. Nowadays it is logged yearly in 19% of gardens that take part in Garden BirdWatch; the peak in garden usage comes at the beginning of January. Additionally, a rise in the number of gardens situated near to ripe conifer cultivated areas has Siskins stopping throughout the summer months, with their offspring.
Percentage of Garden Bird Survey (1995-2008): Species Most Frequently Noted
| 2008 Rank | Species & Percentage | Increase or Fall between 199-2008 |
| 1 | Black Bird – 97.5% | Steady |
| 2 | Blue Tit – 91.9% | Steady |
| 3 | Robin – 91.7% | Steady |
| 4 | Dunnock – 81.6% | Steady |
| 5 | Chaffinch – 80.2% | Slight Fall |
| 6 | Woodpigeon – 77.9% | Increasing |
| 7 | Great Tit – 77.3% | Slight Fall |
| 8 | Collared Dove – 70.8% | Steady |
| 9 | Greenfinch – 64.4% | Falling |
| 10 | House Sparrow – 64.2% | Falling |