Why not take part in the world’s largest wildlife survey on 25-27 January and do something great for nature. Just choose an hour any time over the three days and enjoy time with nature counting birds.

How to take part

It’s so easy to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. An hour with the birds is a wonderful opportunity to sit back, relax and spend time with nature. So, pop the kettle on, put your feet up and start counting!

Watch the birds for one hour 

Choose an hour between 25 and 27 January to watch the birds in your garden or local park.

Count the most birds that land at once 

Only count the birds that land in your garden or park, not those flying over. The same birds may land more than once, so you can avoid double counting by recording the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total number you count over the hour.

Tell the RSPB what you saw 

Every count is important, so don’t worry if you don’t see anything. Observing which birds aren’t around is as important as seeing the ones that are. You can submit your results online at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch from 25 January until 16 February.

If you’d prefer to send your results by post, you can download a submission form from rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. Please make sure you post your findings back to us by 11 February. 

What about other wildlife?

The threats to nature mean that it’s not just birds facing tough times. It’s our hedgehogs, frogs and other wildlife too. So, to help the RSPB get a more complete picture of our garden wildlife, they also ask about what other animals you see in your garden as part of the Big Garden Birdwatch. By filling in this section – even if you don’t see anything – you are helping them to build up a fuller picture of how our garden wildlife is faring.

Happy watching!