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Robin selected as Britain's national bird in vote | Robin selected as Britain's national bird in vote |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The robin has topped a poll of more than 200,000 people to choose the UK's first national bird. | The robin has topped a poll of more than 200,000 people to choose the UK's first national bird. |
The red-breasted bird received 34% of votes, followed by the barn owl, which received 12%, and the blackbird, 11%. | The red-breasted bird received 34% of votes, followed by the barn owl, which received 12%, and the blackbird, 11%. |
More than 224,000 people voted online, at ballot boxes in schools and by post in the poll, which began in March. | More than 224,000 people voted online, at ballot boxes in schools and by post in the poll, which began in March. |
Ornithologist David Lindo - who launched the campaign - said the result was "fitting", as the robin was Britain's most familiar bird. | Ornithologist David Lindo - who launched the campaign - said the result was "fitting", as the robin was Britain's most familiar bird. |
BBC Springwatch presenter Mr Lindo began the project last year, saying Britain should have a national bird like many other countries. | BBC Springwatch presenter Mr Lindo began the project last year, saying Britain should have a national bird like many other countries. |
The robin was initially selected - along with nine other birds - from a list of 60 in a preliminary vote. A ballot for the final 10 then opened to the British public in March. | The robin was initially selected - along with nine other birds - from a list of 60 in a preliminary vote. A ballot for the final 10 then opened to the British public in March. |
Polling closed on the day of the general election, 7 May. | Polling closed on the day of the general election, 7 May. |
Other contenders included the wren, the red kite and the kingfisher - which came 4th, 5th and 6th respectively. | Other contenders included the wren, the red kite and the kingfisher - which came 4th, 5th and 6th respectively. |
The mute swan came 7th in the vote, followed by the blue tit, the hen harrier and the puffin. | The mute swan came 7th in the vote, followed by the blue tit, the hen harrier and the puffin. |
National birds from around the world | |
If the government agrees the robin should represent the UK, it would join the ranks of these other national birds from around the world: | |
Mr Lindo has said he would speak to the government to ask for the winner to be officially recognised as Britain's national bird. | Mr Lindo has said he would speak to the government to ask for the winner to be officially recognised as Britain's national bird. |
"The robin is Britain's most familiar bird so it's perhaps fitting that it has been chosen by the nation to be our national bird." he said. | "The robin is Britain's most familiar bird so it's perhaps fitting that it has been chosen by the nation to be our national bird." he said. |
He added: "What has become the UK's biggest ever nature vote has reminded the British people how much they love the nature around us." | He added: "What has become the UK's biggest ever nature vote has reminded the British people how much they love the nature around us." |