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
92%
91.5%
91%
87.7%
86.8%
83%
80.2%
76.9%
75.9%
72.6%
67.5%
66.5%
66%
63.7%
59.9%
49.1%
38.2%
36.3%
30.2%
29.7%
23.6%
21.7%
20.3%
20.3%
19.8%
12.7%
12.7%
10.4%
2.4%
1.4%
0.5%
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.


 

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