Gen Z leads birdwatching boom as more Britons reach for the binoculars

Birdwatching is the second fastest growing hobby for generation Z after jewellery making, according to a multiyear study of more than 24,000 people.

Almost 750,000 gen Zers (16 to 29-year-olds) in Britain regularly enjoy watching birds, a -1,088% increase since 2018, according to research by Fifty5Blue published by the RSPB.

Regular birdwatching has been embraced by all generations over the past eight years, with a 47% increase overall. Among millennials it has risen by 216% alongside a 66% increase in gen X birders.

Jess Painter, 24, a member of the RSPB’s Youth Council, said she had noticed more young people birdwatching, with knowledge and passion shared in new ways on social media.

“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,” she said. “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, said: “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.”

The research was published before International Dawn Chorus Day on the first Sunday in May. It marks the moment in spring when early morning birdsong reaches a crescendo as birds breed and defend their territories. The RSPB is encouraging people to set their alarms, wake up earlier than usual and enjoy the song.

“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.”

Amir Khan, a doctor and broadcaster who is president of the RSPB, said: “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 found that watching birds may even slow age-related cognitive decline.