Almost half a million people took part in the big garden birdwatch of 2018. The big garden birdwatch results for 2018 have been revealed. For some birds, it was a promising and successful year. Greenfinches were one of the successful birds. While for other birds, it was a disappointing year: both the robin and the blackbird had seen a decline in their numbers last year.
Over 6 million birds in the UK were recorded.
This year, in 2019, the big garden birdwatch celebrates a landmark year, as it is the 40th birthday of the big garden birdwatch. This years big garden birdwatch will take place next week - between the 26th of January and the 28th of January. We will have the results of this years big garden birdwatch when the results are published!
Recap Of The Big Garden Birdwatch Results: 2018
The big garden birdwatch results of 2018 made us aware of some changes to the population of some garden birds. The big garden birdwatch results of 2018 show the top 10 garden birds in the UK today. Let's look at the top 10 garden birds of 2018 in the UK.
#10 The Chaffinch
The Chaffinch is a similar bird to the Sparrow. Both the Sparrow and the Chaffinch are of a similar size. Though, there are some differences with these animals. There is an easy way to tell the difference between both animals: the female Chaffinch has a white dash on their sides, whereas, the male Chaffinch is a different colour - the male Chaffinch is blue and red, which makes them easy to identify. Chaffinches are also less populous the Sparrows.
There were 321,629 sightings of Chaffinches last year. These birds are down one place from 2017; where they were number 9.
#9 The Long-Tailed Tit
The Long-Tailed Tit was up one place last year, from the previous year. There was a total of 327,602 sightings of Long-Tailed Tits last year. Long-Tailed Tits are easy to identify: they are birds with white, black and pink feathers. They are also a small bird. What also makes these animals easy to identify is their long tail.
Their long tail is longer than their body.
#8 Robins
Robins are known as the nations favorite bird. Sadly, Robins declined last year by one place. In 2018, there was a total of 330,204 Robins. Robins are probably the top bird on this list which is easy to identity: they are easy to identify and everyone knows what Robins look like; these birds are distinguishable due to their red breast. Robins are also distinguishable due to their song.
The Great Tit is bigger that the Longtailed-Tit, Blue Tit and Coal Tit; their size makes the easier to identify. These animals have beautiful colours. Their yellow feathers make the stand out any any environment; they also have white and black feathers.
Last year was a great year for the Great Tit: they moved up one place from 2017, and their population has increased. There were 357,273 Great Tits spotted in UK gardens last year.
#6 The Goldfinch
The Goldfinch is a charismatic little bird; both for their personality and their colours. They have a collection of colours: red, yellow, black and white - this makes Goldfinches stand out, and become instantly recognizable. Unlike the other animals in this list; Goldfinches have not moved and have remained at number 6.
Last year, there was a total of 431,147 sightings of Goldfiniches last year; which makes these birds one of the most popular in the UK.
The Woodpigeon is found in gardens up and down the country, and even found in the islands of Scotland. They are a popular bird - there was just over half a million Woodpigeons spotted in UK gardens last year. However, in saying that, the Woodpigeon is a non-mover, as Woodpigeons have remained at number 5 from the previous year.
#4 Blackbirds
Blackbird males are instantly recognizable: they are a jet black colour, with a striking yellow beak. However, the female Blackbird is different, they are all brown, and this can make people confuse them for a Thursh. Like Robins, Blackbirds declined last year. In 2017, the Blackbird was at number 3, and in 2018 the Blackbird was at number 4. There were 568,233 signtings of Blackbirds.
#3 Blue Tit
On a positive note; the Blue Tit increased in sightings. In 2017, Blue Tits were at number 4; whereas last year they climbed to number 3. Something which has seen an increase in sightings of the Blue Tit. Last year, there were 622,276 sightings of Blue Tits last year.
#2 Starlings
The second most popular bird in UK gardens in 2018, was Starlings. There was a total of 724,060 sightings of Starlings last year, making them number 2 on this list. They haven't move up or down on the list compared with 2017. Starlings are another bird which are easy to identify. They largely flock in groups. And, these animals also have colourful feathers (despite appearing black). Their colourful feathers, of blue, green and purple, are more noticeable when the sun shines on their feathers.
#1 Sparrows
And, the winner of last years big garden birdwatch, was - Sparrows! Sparrows were the overwhelming winner of the 2018 big garden birdwatch. There was a total of 1,034,239 Sparrows seen across the UK in gardens in 2018. The female Sparrow is small, and a light brown colour. Whereas, the male Sparrow is small and is a darker brown and black. They also are more likley to be seen in flocks.
Will the Sparrow be our winner in 2019? Find out in the results of this years big garden birdwatch...coming soon!