Starlings Hit Record Low in 2025 UK Birdwatch Survey

Fewer starlings than ever before have been spotted in British gardens, according to The Guardian. Reporting on the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ (RSPB) 2025 Big Garden Birdwatch, journalist Helena Horton revealed that the average number of starlings seen per garden dropped from 2.4 to 2.3. This marks the lowest figure since the survey began in 1979.

The RSPB is calling on gardeners to Support declining bird populations by mowing lawns less often and avoiding pesticides. Starlings prefer short grass where they can easily spot predators while feeding. Wildflowers like dandelions and clover, which thrive in less manicured lawns, also help by attracting insects that birds rely on for food.

The broader picture for British garden birds is also troubling. Sparrow numbers fell from an average of 4.0 per garden last year to 3.5 this year. Blue tits dropped from 3.04 to 2.77, and wood pigeons have also seen declines. Since the 1970s, sparrows have fallen by 54%, starlings by 84%, and greenfinches by 67.9%.

Government data show bird populations are steadily declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate breakdown, and disease like bird flu. Between 2018 and 2023, bird numbers dropped 2% across the UK and 7% in England.

Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, stressed that “we’ve done more damage to our natural world than we realise,” but that individual action can help. Keeping gardens wild, planting pollinator-friendly flowers, and putting up nest boxes can all make a real difference.

Supporting our planet’s birds starts with simple steps. Leave your lawn a little wild, plant for pollinators, and choose natural alternatives to pesticides. Protecting wildlife is protecting the future — for them and for us.

Video Source: National Geographic/Youtube

Sign These Petitions! 

Please sign our latest and most urgent petitions to help the planet. Every signature counts!

• Petition: Ban Colorado Man Who Starved a Mama Dog and Her Puppies to Death
• Petition: Demand Justice for Dozens of Dead Animals Found in Texas Home
• Petition: Demand Justice for 54 Abandoned Dogs Found Soaking Wet and Neglected

Related Content:

• Research Shows Birds Nesting with 30 Years of Plastic Waste in Amsterdam
• Bird Flu Reaches Antarctica Threatening Penguins and Seabirds
• Petition: Act Now to Save Songbirds from Toxic Pet Treatments
• Birds-of-Paradise Species Emit Light Through Their Feathers, Study Finds
• Bird Flu Outbreak Leads to Mass Killing of 50,000 Birds

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Stand against fast fashion Pollution by supporting circular brands like Tiny Rescue, which create cause-based collections using recycled, zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade, ensuring it never ends up in a landfill.
• Shop Sustainably for Your Home: Visit SustaiNOBLE.org, an eco-friendly and ethically sourced home decor store that will empower your home with luxurious fair-trade, and sustainable products made by global artisans. 
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!