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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 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 robin was "entwined into our national psyche" as a "Christmas card pin-up". | |
| 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 | 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: | 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. |
| He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think the robin is totally entwined into our national psyche - it is the Christmas card pin-up and the supposed gardeners' friend. | |
| "So the robin's everywhere. And I think most people would cite the robin as one of the birds that they actually could recognise." | |
| Most voters - some 60% - were not associated with bird-watching or conservation organisations, meaning a "completely new audience" now had a "vested interest in nature", added Mr Lindo. | |
| "It's great to reach a new audience and get people thinking about birds, so it has been a great success." | |
| He said the blackbird had been in second place until children's votes were counted - and that they favoured the owl. |