Help our beloved native birds
Fancy taking part in the largest wildlife survey in the world? The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is a national effort to record and monitor the different species of birds across the country. This year’s event takes place between Friday 24th and Sunday 26th January. Keep reading to find out how to take part, and so much more.
What is the Big Garden Birdwatch?
Founded all the way back in 1979, the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch aims to take a snapshot of the UK's bird population each year.
It always happens around January, which helps the RSPB to track changes over time, on both a local and national level.
Last year, over 600,000 took part, which made it the largest wildlife survey in the world!
Why should I take part?
There’s so many good reasons to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch.
Here’s just a few:
Help our native birds
The Big Garden Birdwatch allows the RSPB to track which species are declining so they can boost efforts to help protect these vulnerable species.
We’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies over the last 60 years.
By taking part, you’re helping protect these beautiful creatures.
Learn about local wildlife
As well as helping the national effort, you’ll likely benefit from it too!
Taking an hour out of your weekend to watch the various birds that visit your garden is both therapeutic and informative - you may well be surprised by what you see!
Great fun for kids
If there’s two things kids love, it’s collecting things and challenges – the Big Garden Birdwatch has both!
Getting your kids involved is a great way to get them thinking about their local wildlife.
They might even learn a thing or two along the way…!
How do I take part?
It couldn’t be easier to get involved in this year's Big Garden Birdwatch.
Here's how it works:
Step 1: Register to get your free guide
Click here to sign up to the Big Garden Birdwatch and receive your free digital or print Birdwatching guide.
Step 2: Pick your patch
This is the space you’ll be monitoring. It could be your garden or a nearby park. Just make sure you don’t go walking around hunting birds as the point is to monitor a single, fixed area.
Step 3: Choose a 1-hour period
This can be any time on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th or Sunday 26th January.
Step 4: Record what you see!
Make a note of all the birds you see. Your guide will have pictures to help you identify the most common garden bird species. Click here to find out more.
Lend feathered friends a hand
The Big Garden Birdwatch is a huge, nationally co-ordinated effort to monitor and protect our native birds.
But there's also so much we can do on a local level.
With freezing temperatures and scarce food, winter is the most challenging time of year for small birds.
This also means now's the time we can be of the most help to our feathered friends...
Pecky eaters
You'd be forgiven for thinking birds aren’t fussy when it comes to seed mix.
But just like us, they can be pretty picky eaters!
Cheap seed mix is often bulked out with unattractive filler that birds will reject, and they’ll let you know about this but strewing the husks and shells onto your lawn.
This is as annoying for you as it is for the birds!
It’s worth it - for both your sakes - to spend a little more and get the good quality stuff.
You’ll find a great selection of quality bird and wildlife feed at your local British Garden Centre.
Serving up a feast
Bird food is available in a wide range of formats, whether it’s your typical seed mix or high-energy fat balls.
In the same way we don’t serve pizza in a mug or cereal on a plate, different bird food requires different serving methods.
From squirrel-proof seed feeders to suet block cages you’ll find the perfect bird feeder for your chosen feed in-store and online.
Check out a selection below:
Thanks for reading.
