The results of Citizen Science surveys carried out by Surrey Wildlife Trust volunteers have revealed a potentially troubling picture of Surrey’s bird populations, with many species that would have been expected in large numbers in past years now only being sporadically seen or heard.
The 120 surveys across Surrey throughout April and May 2025 covered urban, woodland, heathland, wetland and sporting areas such as golf clubs across the county, so will have provided a fairly representative sample of Surrey’s birdlife.
While some species, including Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Blackbirds and Robins, Great Tits and Blue Tits were recorded in large numbers, the only finch species to feature in any number was the Chaffinch – tied with the Dunnock at 21 recordings.
Other finches – once popular mainstays of gardens, farmland and hedgerows and which require both seed and insect food to thrive – were barely seen or heard. Yellowhammers and Bullfinches were tied at three sightings each, and only two Greenfinches were recorded. A mere five Goldfinches appeared on the list, and no Siskins or Linnets.
Other surprising absences were House Sparrows and Starlings, birds which only a few decades ago would have been expected in huge numbers. However, gardens were excluded from this surveying exercise, and greater numbers may have been recorded if these habitats were included.
The citizen science project, managed by SWT Citizen Science Officer Dan Banks, was initially set up help the Trust gain a better understanding of the location of endangered Nightingale populations, but volunteers also recorded the calls and sightings of other birds.
It should be noted, however, that the recorders focused on scrubby areas most favoured by Nightingales. Learn more about the Nightingale study and its potential implications for landscape management in Surrey.
Citizen Science Officer Dan Banks says:
“While smallish one-off surveys of this sort can only provide a snapshot, they are incredibly useful in helping us understand how populations of birds and animals are doing. Combined with what we know from wider research, this data appears to confirm that the size and distribution of UK birdlife is changing – and in many ways not for the better.
"Finches are the most obvious casualty of changing land use patterns, but it’s also sad to confirm that populations of other farmland birds including the Turtle Dove and Grey Partridge remain at dismal levels.
“We need to work harder to create and maintain thriving habitats that can support a greater diversity of life, and that will mean working with on our 60-plus reserves and with landowners and communities right across the county to reduce pollution and create connected wild areas.
"There’s no reason why every public space, farm or garden should not contain abundant insects and seeds for food, plus shelter, nest sites and water for wildlife of all kinds to benefit from.”
Interestingly, some species appear to be benefiting from a warming climate – most notably the Chiffchaff and Blackcap, both common warblers that are now increasingly choosing to overwinter in the UK.
Citizen science – including repeat surveys to establish greater reliability of results - is expected to play a growing role in SWT’s work and in conservation around the world. Another bird species the Trust has been focusing on is the Common Swift, which sadly has ended up on the Red List of endangered species in the UK.
As part of our Five2Find project, we asked citizen scientists to record sightings of this soaring species above their own gardens and towns, and this knowledge will help conservationists map breeding populations and formulate plans to help them.
Early results seem promising, but there is still a great deal of work to do to ensure that the Swifts’ iconic call is heard for generations to come.