Big Garden Birdwatch 2023 results - twelve years on top for House Sparrows - Scottish Nature Notes - Our work

14 Apr 2023

Big Garden Birdwatch 2023 results - twelve years on top for House Sparrows

Between 27-29 January this year, something amazing happened - 36,425 people across Scotland stopped what they were doing and spent an hour watching birds in their garden or local greenspace. Now that our scientists have sorted through the data, we can reveal the winners and losers of Big Garden Birdwatch 2023.

Read on for our full rundown of the top 10 in Scotland.

10. Feral pigeon

We start our countdown with a bird that climbed one place from last year, sneaking in at number 10. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours, but overall you counted nearly 22,000 Feral Pigeons.

A close up of a Feral Pigeon. There is text which reads, "10, Feral Pigeon - Up one place".

9. Great tit

The biggest losers of the top 10, Great Tits dropped to 9^th place this year. Not only were they recorded in less surveys compared with 2022, but they showed up in lower numbers too. Fingers crossed for a recovery next year.

A Great Tit is perched on a branch looking at the camera. There is text which reads, "9, Great Tit - Down two places".

8. Robin

Robins turned up in more surveys than any other bird this year. However, unlike many other garden birds, they’re known for being loners, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that they finished up in 8^th place.

A close up of a robin holding a grub in its mouth. There is text which reads, "8, Robin - up one place".

7. Goldfinch

Goldfinches were one of the biggest winners in 2022, when they climbed 2 places. They’ve maintained strong numbers this year and have risen once again, finishing up in 7th. A good result but they’re still some way from claiming gold.

A close up of a goldfinch perched on a thorny branch. There is text which reads, "7, Goldfinch - Up one place".

6. Woodpigeon

While they’ve retained the same position for the third year running, Woodpigeons have sadly seen a slight decline overall. They showed up in less counts and in smaller numbers compared with 2022.

A close up of a Woodpigeon looking at the camera. It looks like it's challenging the viewer to a fight. There is text which reads, "6, Woodpigeon - a non-mover".

5. Blackbird

Another non-mover compared to 2022, Blackbirds are often seen hopping along beneath feeders, looking for fallen scraps. Like Robins, they were seen in a lot of surveys, but not in large enough numbers to rise above 5^th place.

Two Blackbirds - one male and one female - are standing on grass next to a half-eaten piece of fruit. There is text which reads, "5, Blackbird - a non-mover".

4. Blue tit

Two of our most colourful garden birds fought it out for 3^rd place, and Blue Tits were the ones to lose out this year. Slight declines saw them lose their spot on the podium to our next bird.

A blue tit is perched on a mossy twig. There is text which reads, "4, Blue Tit - Down one place".

3. Chaffinch

Rising one place since last year, Chaffinches have taken the bronze medal. They didn’t even make the top 10 in the UK-wide results, but it’s been a good year in Scotland for the Breacan-beithe.

Five Chaffinches - two female and three male - are feeding on seeds on a tree stump. There is text which reads, "3, Chaffinch - Up one place".

2. Starling

Almost the anti-Robin, starlings don’t always show up, but when they do, they do so in large numbers. Just as in 2022, they finished in 2^nd place in Scotland.

A close up of a Starling looking at the camera. There is text which reads, "2, Starling - A non-mover".

1. House sparrow

Can anyone knock House Sparrows of the top spot? This is the twelfth year running they’ve finished top of the table in Scotland. You counted nearly 120,000 of them, almost double the number of second-placed Starlings!

Two House Sparrows - a male and a female - are perched on a rocky wall. There is text which reads, "1, House Sparrow - A non-mover in top spot".

And there you have it! We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year's Big Garden Birdwatch. The sheer volume of data it provides is incredibly useful in telling us how our feathered friends are faring. Hopefully you had a good time as well!

See you in 2024!