Birding Takes Flight on TikTok

TikTok reports that UK posts tagged #birdwatching and #birdtok have risen by a third over the past three months, while the broader #birding tag is up 40 % in the UK. Globally, posts with any of these hashtags now total about one million. A video of a seagull named Steven being fed raw Tesco salmon has amassed more than 52 million views, and content from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has drawn nearly 9 million views in the past year, a third of which come from users under 24.

The Guardian

Commentators link the boom to a “craving for something ‘real’” amid a digital landscape dominated by polarising and AI-generated content. Apps such as Merlin, described as a “Shazam for birdsong,” make identification easy, while the low barrier to participation—anyone can watch a bird from a window—appeals to younger audiences. The terminology is also shifting: younger creators prefer the umbrella term “birding” over “birdwatching,” and the once-niche label “twitcher” no longer describes the majority of hobbyists.

The Guardian

• Jack Baddams, 33, Derbyshire-based bird enthusiast, TV researcher and one of 3,000 British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) ringers, has 300 k TikTok followers; his bird-ringing tutorial reached 7.5 million views.

The Guardian

• Tim Jones, 35, professional ornithologist from York, runs the “Begin Birding” brand with 48 k TikTok followers and 210 k Instagram followers, highlighting weekly birdsong lessons.

The Guardian

• Samuel Levy, youth-engagement officer at the BTO, notes a surge in demand for events aimed at 11- to 25-year-olds.

The Guardian

• Joshua Edwards, social media manager for the RSPB, praises the growing youth interest as a gateway to lasting wildlife connections.

The Guardian

The BTO confirmed a marked increase in attendance at bird-focused camps, walks and talks for younger participants, describing the shift as the first time it can claim to be “trendy.” The RSPB called the trend “brilliant,” emphasizing its potential to foster long-term engagement with nature. However, the government’s upcoming ban on social-media use for under-16s, slated for next year, could curtail the platform-driven growth of the hobby.

The Guardian

• “It’s a craving for something ‘real’ and birding is a really nice gateway to that,” — Jack Baddams

The Guardian

• “If you saw a birder under the age of 40 a few decades ago it would be notable. That’s really changing now because you’re seeing twentysomethings and teenagers all the time,” — Jones. Nomenclature

The Guardian

• “It was a struggle getting young people to events but now are seeing huge demand for everything we do,” — Samuel Levy

The Guardian

• “It’s hugely encouraging to see more young people engaging with birds and wildlife. That interest can be an important first step towards building a lasting connection with the natural world,” — Joshua Edwards, the RSPB’s social media manager

The Guardian