Birdwatching has become the second fastest growing hobby among young people in Britain, according to a multiyear study of more than 24,000 individuals. The research, conducted by Fifty5Blue and published by the RSPB, reveals that almost 750,000 Gen Zers (aged 16 to 29) in Britain now regularly enjoy watching birds, marking a 1,088% increase since 2018.
Rise Across Generations
Regular birdwatching has seen a 47% overall increase over the past eight years, embraced by all generations. Among millennials, it has risen by 216%, while Gen X has experienced a 66% increase. This surge indicates that birdwatching is shedding its outdated image and attracting a younger, more diverse audience.
Personal Testimonies
Jess Painter, 24, a member of the RSPB Youth Council, shared her experience: "When I'm watching birds, I'm not thinking about anything else – it's a moment of peace and a way to reconnect with nature, and with myself. By taking a moment to be curious, to watch, listen and learn, you open yourself up to endless small moments of wonder."
Molly Brown, 29, a wildlife adviser at the RSPB, added: "It's brilliant to see so many young people choosing to get into birdwatching. This new research shows that watching birds is no longer a niche or old-fashioned pastime and is attracting a younger, more diverse crowd. It's something that everyone can do, no matter how much or little they know about birds. It'll inspire you to get outside and discover beautiful green spaces, exercise and generally slow down, which everyone can benefit from."
International Dawn Chorus Day
The research was published ahead of International Dawn Chorus Day on the first Sunday in May. This event marks the spring period when early morning birdsong reaches its peak as birds breed and defend their territories. The RSPB encourages people to wake up earlier than usual and enjoy the dawn chorus.
"Most of us are asleep when the dawn chorus happens, but it's truly a sound worth waking up for," said Brown. "There's no right way to experience it, whether you listen from your bedroom window, walk along a riverbank or through a woodland, or visit a nature reserve. The most important thing is that you're ready to hear it around 45 minutes before dawn, when the air is still and the light is low."
Health Benefits
Amir Khan, a doctor and broadcaster who serves as president of the RSPB, highlighted the health benefits: "Hearing birdsong, especially during the dawn chorus when they're at their loudest and most beautiful, can produce more serotonin and make us feel good. For millennia, humans have evolved alongside nature, so it's inherent that we want to connect with it. There's even a scientific term for this theory, the biophilia hypothesis, which means we actively seek out nature, and a perfect example of this is listening to birdsong – hearing a blackbird or a song thrush singing is one of the purest joys of life."
A recent study also suggests that watching birds may slow age-related cognitive decline, adding another incentive for people of all ages to take up the hobby.
