Table of Contents 1.

Although Dawn Chorus Day is behind us, we can continue to enjoy the sound of the birds singing for some time yet. The sound of birdsong is a defining feature of spring. However, as the BTO point out, this melodic soundscape has become an aural shadow of its former self. Sadly, whatever your age, it is almost certain that every generation prior to yours will have experienced a louder, fuller, and more resonant Dawn Chorus.

As with so many species, research shows that populations of many of our most familiar songbirds are declining, despite occasional glimmers of hope; the story is one of continual decline.

The BTO’s recently published Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report, which is the main scheme for monitoring population changes in the UK’s most common and widespread breeding birds, once again reveals some bleak findings. The annual survey produces population trends for 119 bird and nine mammal species and is funded by combining the expertise of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), RSPB and JNCC, using the dedicated input of almost 3,000 volunteers to provide the single most detailed annual assessment of the UK’s wildlife.

The report shows that the Chaffinch has experienced severe declines across the UK of 36% between 1995 and 2024, and 48% in England in that same period. Trichomonosis, the virulent disease which has resulted in the recent feeding advice from the RSPB, has affected the Greenfinch, with numbers down 68% between 2008 and 2018. It is a similar story for Collared doves, with numbers down by more than 40% since 2005. The virus is also thought to be behind the significant decline in Chaffinch numbers.

But it’s not all down to Trichomonosis. Climate change also appears to be severely impacting a number of species, such as the Willow Warbler. Sadly, their song has all but vanished from the Dawn Chorus in many parts of the UK. Thankfully, it isn’t all bad news as the survey highlights that populations are growing in the north of Britain and Northern Ireland.

It is a similar story for the ever-popular Song thrush, which continues to recover from earlier population crashes in northern regions. However, there has been no change in south-west and south-east England, while in London, there has been a continued decline of 47% since 1995.

Meanwhile, its larger cousin, the Mistle thrush, has declined almost everywhere. It is 40% down across the UK overall, with the largest relative regional declines in London (down 81%), the south-east (-62%), and East England (-72%).

Garden birdwatchers will be all too familiar with the House sparrow, whose chirping is a key part of any urban Dawn Chorus. They, too, continue to disappear from our gardens. The BTO have reported massive declines in the 1970s and 1980s, and now says that the “population level in 2025 was the lowest ever recorded in the time since monitoring began.”

On a more positive note, the BBS showed encouraging signs that large-scale conservation efforts can result in tangible improvements. The creation and restoration of wetlands has contributed to an increase of 51% in Reed warblers since 1995. Not a species you are likely to see in your garden, but with numbers of birds falling more generally, it is encouraging to see that efforts in some areas are bearing fruit.

Prof Juliet Vickery, CEO of BTO, says,“ Despite decades of effort to reverse some of the severe challenges faced by many of the UK’s birds, we are still witnessing catastrophic declines across many of our landscapes. And this matters because these songsters are important indicators of the health of our natural world – a natural world on which we all depend.”

Dr James Heywood, BBS National Organiser, said,“ The Dawn Chorus is still a major highlight in nature’s calendar, and I would encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy it. However, what BBS shows is that the future of this remarkable free symphony is at risk of becoming little more than a whisper if we do not act to reverse these worrying declines.”