UK – This weekend is the annual RSPB Garden Birdwatch – unfortunately only open to UK residents.

This post has been done in order to support the work of the RSPB – the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Our Mission: Big Plans for Nature – The RSPB

The brilliant thing about the Birdwatch is that you never know what you might see. Head here for everything you need to enjoy your Birdwatch.

Devote just 1 hour of your weekend time to record all the birds that visit your garden.

Log them all down and at the end, do a final count up of numbers and types.

Then submit your information to the RSPB in order that they can add your data to obtain a nationwide review of how bird species are increasing or declining; and where in the UK this is happening.

Taking Part in Big Garden Birdwatch – RSPB

How does Big Garden Birdwatch help?

Thanks to people like you taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, we now have over 40 years of data and this has helped increase our understanding of the challenges faced by wildlife.

It was one of the first surveys to identify the decline of song thrushes in gardens. This species was a firm fixture in the top 10 in 1979. But by 2019, those numbers had declined by 76% – coming in at number 20. And did you know that house sparrow sightings have dropped by 53% since the first Birdwatch in 1979? However, in the past 10 years their numbers have grown by 10% showing that we are beginning to see some signs of recovery.

Results like these help us spot problems. But, more importantly, they are the first step towards putting things right.

Taking Part in Big Garden Birdwatch – RSPB

How to take part:

1. Pick a time
   You can choose any hour between 29 and 31 January. So whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, you can still take part.
   
   
   
2. Tell us what you see 
   Count the birds you see in your garden or from your balcony*. Ignore any birds that are still in flight. To avoid double-counting, just record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not a running total.
   
   *This year our advice is to take part in the safety of your own home. This could include a birdwatch from your window if you overlook a green space or courtyard.
3. Submit your results
   Online: You can submit your results online at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch from 29 January until 19 February.
   By post: If you’d rather send your results by post, you can download a submission form below. Please post your results to us before 15 February.

Every count is important so, if you don’t see anything, please still submit your result. Finding out which birds don’t visit your area is as important as understanding those which do!

See our resources below for printable bird ID sheets to help you, or posters you can display to show you’re taking part.

Tell us what you saw

By counting the birds in your patch, you’re helping to take a snapshot of how they are doing. And the more people that submit their results, the better picture we will have of how garden birds are faring across the UK.

You’re vital in helping us understand the challenges faced by wildlife. Whatever you saw – even if it was nothing – it still count

Identify a bird:

Bird Identifier | British Garden Birds and Many More – The RSPB

WAV Comment – make sure you take part; it is fun and great education on birds for the youngsters.   Plus, you are giving a little bit of time but helping to contribute towards a massive annual survey of all the birds in the UK.  Good luck !

Filed under: GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional |