Garden Bird Feeding Survey results

The BTO’s Garden Bird Feeding Survey (GBFS) had charted the use of garden feeders for over 40 winters. The wealth of information collected has revealed a huge increase in the number of species of birds coming to feed during autumn and winter.

Published results from the GBFS show that in the 1970s an average garden feeding station hosted 15.9 species during autumn and winter. This figure rose sharply to 20.7 species last decade before reaching an all-time high of 22.7 species during the winter of 2010-2011 – up by 49% on the winter of 1970–71, when the GBFS commenced. 

Species
Percentage of gardens 19/20
Long term graph
Long term rural/suburban graph
Robin
92%
Blue Tit
91.5%
Blackbird
91%
Dunnock
87.7%
Great Tit
86.8%
Chaffinch
83%
Woodpigeon
80.2%
House Sparrow
76.9%
Goldfinch
75.9%
Coal Tit
72.6%
Magpie
67.5%
Collared Dove
66.5%
Long-tailed Tit
66%
Starling
63.7%
Greenfinch
59.9%
Jackdaw
49.1%
Great Spotted Woodpecker
38.2%
Sparrowhawk
36.3%
Wren
30.2%
Carrion Crow
29.7%
Siskin
23.6%
Song Thrush
21.7%
Nuthatch
20.3%
Rook
20.3%
Blackcap
19.8%
Jay
12.7%
Tree Sparrow
12.7%
Pied Wagtail
10.4%
Mistle Thrush
2.4%
Brambling
1.4%
Redwing
0.5%
Fieldfare
0.5%

Participants in the GBFS record the maximum number of each species using food or water provided for them on a weekly basis between October and March. Predatory species, such as Sparrowhawk, which are spotted hunting the birds that use these resources, can also be recorded. Over its history, over 175 species have been recorded through the GBFS.


 



Related content