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Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2024

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the RSPB's Big Schools' Birdwatch. The results are now in, so it's time to see how your school compared with the rest of the UK.

Three children sat on a wooden bench outside of their school.
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Which bird came top? 

Big Schools’ Birdwatch provides an annual snapshot of how some of our best loved birds are faring on the school grounds. Take a look to see the top ten birds sighted in this year’s Big Schools Birdwatch. How does it compare with what you saw in your school grounds? 

The survey would not have been possible without teachers and pupils becoming citizen scientists for the day. Thank you!

Big Schools' Birdwatch number one 2024

This year’s number one bird is the Woodpigeon. Woodpigeons are the UK’s largest and most common pigeon. They are found in the countryside, as well as towns and cities. Listen out for their repetitive cooing, which some people remember with the phrase, “My toe hurts, Betty”!

A lone Woodpigeon perched on a branch.

Numbers two to 10

A Common Blackbird perched on a moss covered rock.
Blackbird
Blackbird

Blackbirds are common garden birds. Listen out for the male Blackbird singing, often from the top of a tree or chimney pot.

A House Sparrow drinking water with droplets falling from their beak.
House Sparrow
House Sparrow

House Sparrows are only found near people. They will often visit bird feeders and you might see then nesting under the eaves of houses.

A lone Magpie perched on the end of a moss covered branch.
Magpie
Magpie

These large black and white birds can be quite noisy and have a harsh call that sounds like a chuckle. Have you heard one?

A lone Carrion Crow perched on a mossy branch.
Carrion Crow
Carrion Crow

Crows belong to a family of birds known as corvids, which includes Ravens, Jays, Jackdaws, Rooks and Magpies. How many types of corvid have you seen?

A Starling perched on a log singing.
Starling
Starling

Starlings are sociable birds and famous for gathering in large flocks in winter that can contain up to a million birds.

A Robin stood on a lichen covered branch.
Robin
Robin

Did you know that Robins are sometimes called the gardener’s friend? Often Robins follow gardeners as they dig, hoping to catch a worm or bug disturbed by digging.

A Blue Tit stood on the top of a log.
Blue Tit
Blue Tit

Blue Tits are colourful little birds with blue, green and yellow feathers. They will happily visit bird feeders and readily use a nest box.

A Pigeon walking along a rock
Feral Pigeon
Feral Pigeon

Feral Pigeons come in lots of different shades and colours, and are common throughout the world in urban areas.

The two Gulls walk together down a gravel park trail in springtime light.
Two Black-headed Gulls
Black-headed Gull

Although we normally think of the seaside when we think of gulls, Black-headed gulls are as happy inland as they are by the sea.

Keep learning through nature

If you enjoyed Big Schools Birdwatch, then take a look at the RSPB’s Wild Challenge. This is a free award scheme for schools to help engage children with nature through practical learning opportunities. By doing Big Schools' Birdwatch, you're already one step closer to achieving a Bronze Award. You’ll find lots more activities, as well as ideas for creating more space for wildlife in your school grounds. 

Wild Challenge

A group of school children being lead through a long grass meadow by their teacher.
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