Birding

Birding. Bird-watching. Looking at Birds.

Are birdwatching holidays going to be the big trend for 2026?

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Birding in the UK
Birding in the UK

Birdwatching is growing in popularity with younger generations.

By Camilla Foster

In a fast-paced screen-saturated world, could setting your phone aside and picking up some binoculars to appreciate nature be the perfect way to slow down? New research by excursion booking platform GetYourGuide certainly seems to suggest so.

A survey of 1,000 UK travellers conducted via Toluna found that 55% are keen to try birdwatching on their next trip, while nearly half (47%) now see the pastime as “cool again”.

GetYourGuide’s findings also showed that British Millennials are leading this trend, with 85% saying they’d be interested in birdwatching while on holiday.

“In 2026, birdwatching will soar into the mainstream, propelled by the winds of popular culture,” says Jean-Gabriel Duveau, vice president of brand at GetYourGuide. “With stars like Ariana Grande recently revealing her passion for birdwatching and the rise of #birdtok captivating social media, this once-niche hobby is set to become a headline travel trend.

“At GetYourGuide, we predict that what was once a quiet pastime will step into the spotlight, driving a new wave of travel bookings.”

The role of social media in increasing birdwatching’s appeal to a younger audience is something Dan Free, general manager and tour guide at Wildlife Worldwide, has also picked up on.

“Traditionally, birdwatching has been seen as a middle aged man’s pastime, but more people are certainly starting to realise the benefits,” reflects the tour guide. “There’s definitely been a shift in more younger people getting involved, which I think has been driven by social media.

“There’s a few people on Instagram spreading awareness about it and popular programmes like Springwatch have really helped capture the imagination of a younger audience.

“You could also attribute the Covid pandemic to its rise in popularity. When everyone was stuck at home, I think a lot of people start paying more interest in the wildlife around them.”

A passionate birder since childhood, Free says the main attraction of birdwatching is the opportunity it offers to pause and immerse oneself in nature.

“I find it really therapeutic. It’s probably escapism more than anything,” says Free. “It’s a great opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of normal life and get away from a screen, and go into a place that is a lot more tranquil where you just feel yourself relax a little bit and unwind into that environment.

“Once you get the bug, it’s quite addictive. You want to see the different species and see the different range of behaviour.”

For newbies pondering how to get started, Free recommends visiting your local nature reserves or wetlands.

“A lot of the nature reserves, such as RSPB Minsmere and the Somerset Levels, have hides based onsite which are really good,” says Free. “You want to go somewhere where you can sit and have an opportunity to get a book out and identify the different species and get to grips with them.”

He adds that signing up for a dedicated birdwatching tour with a guide and a small group is an excellent way to learn birdwatching and connect with like-minded people.

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Bearded Tit boom

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Photograph by Steve Laycock

The RSPB is celebrating a highly successful year for Bearded Tit on its reserves in 2024. Last year, no fewer than 120 pairs of Bearded Tits nested at the charity’s Blacktoft Sands reserve in East Yorkshire, producing some 500 fledged youngsters – more than double the success rate of previous years. Nationally, Bearded Tit numbers have increased from 400 pairs four decades ago to around 700 pairs in 2021.

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Five Best Trails in Britain for Bird Watching

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Britain is a bird watcher’s paradise. We may get complacent at times, but Britain boasts diverse habitats and a rich avian population. From the cliffs of Wales to the marshes of England, there’s a trail for every bird enthusiast – here are our top five.

By Rhys Gregory

1. Gower Peninsula, Wales  

The Gower Peninsula offers some spectacular scenery with its cliffs, salt marshes and sand dunes. This Welsh trail offers a lot of variety which creates a haven for birds. The coastal views are stunning, making your bird-watching experience even more memorable.

Birds to Watch: Here, you can spot the charismatic chough with its red bill and legs. The powerful peregrine falcon and various wading birds along the shoreline can be seen. Each season brings different species to observe, and many people travel from afar to see puffins.

Best Time to Visit: Visit in spring and autumn to catch migrating birds. Summer is ideal for watching seabirds during their breeding season.

2. West Highland Way, Scotland  

The West Highland Way is a legendary trail, starting in Glasgow and winding through the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. It’s Britain’s most famous trail for a reason. The rolling hills can feel like stepping into a different universe at times.

Birds to Watch: Look out for majestic golden eagles soaring above, ospreys fishing in lochs, and ptarmigans blending into the rocks.

Best Time to Visit: Late spring and early summer are prime times for spotting breeding birds in the wild setting.

3. Norfolk Coast Path, England  

The Norfolk Coast Path takes you through a mix of marshes and sand dunes, making it quite a British affair. The coastal lagoons and its flat, accessible trail make it ideal for bird watching.

Birds to Watch: This area is famous for avocets, striking marsh harriers and elusive bitterns.

Best Time to Visit: Winter is great for migratory waterfowl, while spring brings breeding waders.

4. Rutland Water, England  

Rutland Water is a renowned bird-watching site with its extensive wetlands and lagoons. The well-maintained trails and hides make it easy to spot a variety of birds.

Birds to Watch: Ospreys are a highlight here, along with the elegant great crested grebe and numerous duck species.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are peak times for migrating birds, while summer is perfect for watching ospreys.

5. Coast to Coast Walk, England  

The lengthy Coast to Coast Walk stretches from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay, offering quite diverse landscapes from the Lake District to the North York Moors.

Birds to Watch: On this trail, keep an eye out for the curlew with its distinctive call, the lapwing and the hardy red grouse in upland areas.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer are the best times to see breeding waders and upland birds along the route.

Conclusion  

Britain’s bird-watching trails are somewhat underrated, with many species being more easily spotted in Wales than elsewhere. From eagles and puffins to guaranteed Osprey sightings, there’s a wealth of diversity and stunning landscapes to immerse yourself when walking Britain. By visiting these trails at the right times, you can experience the best of what British bird watching has to offer.

Source: Five Best Trails in Britain for Bird Watching

Out of Doors – A Robert Burns Special

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Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith with a tribute to our national bard.

Euan and Mark speak to Des Thompson, one of the specialist advisors to the Grouse Moor Review Group about the group’s report and what the licensing of grouse moors might practically involve.

As we gear up to the opening of the River Dee for salmon fishing Euan hears about plans for the celebrations to mark the event. What we plant in our gardens can impact the wildlife that makes its home.

Euan finds out about the types of wildflowers we should be growing to encourage insects and birdlife. And as Saturday marks Burns Night Mark and Euan investigate what goes in to making the ‘Great chieftain o the puddin’-race’ with Dumfries butcher Stuart Houston.

And after 7 o’clock we focus entirely on Robert Burns and in particularly his time in the Dumfries area. In 1788 Burns moved to Ellisland Farm and built a house that he stayed in until 1791.

Mark and Euan take a look around and hear about what Ellisland would have been like in Burns’ day and which of his poems and songs were composed there. Burns was keen on nature and wrote a lot about the wildlife he encountered while farming at Ellisland.

Chris Rollie is an ornithologist, conservationist and Burns enthusiast who tells us all about Burns and his connection with nature.

The Globe Inn in Dumfries was a favourite haunt of Burns during his time at Ellisland and afterwards when he moved to the town. Mark and Euan get a tour from former landlady Maureen McKerrow whose family have a long connection with the pub.

And we end our programme at the Burns mausoleum in Dumfries, the resting place of the poet and his wife Jean Armour

Listen to this program at BBC Scotland: Out of Doors – A Robert Burns Special – BBC Sounds