Big Garden Birdwatch 2024: How can you take part?

Video caption, Big Garden Birdwatch: Martin's surprise visit from a sparrowhawk... and a cheeky robin!

The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch is back.

It's the world's largest garden wildlife survey and over the past 45 years, volunteers from across the UK have helped the RSPB by tracking the birds living in their gardens and local green spaces.

Since the survey began in 1979, an incredible 172 million birds have been counted. This has allowed the RSPB to keep across some dramatic declines and increases in garden bird numbers.

So why is the Birdwatch such a big deal and how can you get involved? Read on to find out and let us know in the comments if you're getting involved or have done so in the past

Why is the Big Garden Birdwatch (BGB) so important?

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Blue tits were the second top bird spotted by volunteers in 2023

Last year, more than half a million people across the UK took part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch, and spotted more than 9.1 million birds between them.

Data about the types and numbers of birds spotted, gives the charity an enormous amount of information about which birds are doing well, and which ones might be struggling and in need of some extra help.

Sparrows were the most commonly sighted bird from 2023, holding onto the top spot for an incredible 20 years running, but sparrow numbers have fallen overall by nearly 60% since the first Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979.

There are now estimated to be 66 million fewer house sparrows than in 1966.

Video caption, National Trust Ranger Jason shows us how to make a bird box

It's just as important to mark down the birds you don't see in your garden and local green spaces, as this can tells researchers a lot about what's happening to bird populations in the UK.

The data collected by volunteers can help conservationists understand how to better help protect certain bird species.

Image source, Eleanor Bentall/RSPB

Image caption, The RSPB wants to know which birds you spot in your garden and local green spaces

When is it happening and how do you take part?

Video caption, Join Oliver for his top tips for garden birdwatching

This year's Big Garden Birdwatch takes place between the 26-28 January 2024.

Anyone can take part, you can do it individually or in a group. If you're doing it as a group the RSPB ask you to only submit one set of results.

The only requirement is you spend one hour watching and recording the birds that land in one location, that can be in the garden, on the balcony, outside your window, or in the local park or green space while you're out and about.

When you have finished recording, you then need to send the results to the RSPB.