Why it’s important to count the birds in your garden

THE world’s largest garden wildlife survey is back, and the RSPB has started its annual search for families to get involved.

It wants as many people as possible to join in January’s Big Garden Birdwatch, checking and counting the UK’s feathered friends.

More than a million people took part in 2021, counting 17 million birds – making it the biggest Birdwatch ever – and this year it’s hoping to top that. Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s chief executive, said: “We were blown away by the enthusiasm with which people took part in the Birdwatch in 2021.

“We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider natural world and bring enormous joy.

“Over the last year, there has been a much-needed realisation that nature is an important and necessary part of our lives, especially for our mental health and wellbeing. But nature needs us too.

“By taking part in the Birdwatch, families are helping to build an annual snapshot of how our birdlife is doing.” The 2022 event takes place on January 28-30 and everyone taking part is asked to spend one hour watching and recording the birds in their garden, balcony or local park, and send their results to the RSPB.

That one hour every year, for the last four decades, has made the Big Garden Birdwatch the largest garden wildlife citizen science project. The house sparrow has remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird with 2.6 million sighted in 2021 – down by 58% since the Birdwatch began in 1979. The blue tit and starling completed the top three, with starlings down by 83%.

Beccy added: “Whether you see one blackbird, 20 starlings or no birds whatsoever, it is really valuable information as it helps us build a picture of how our garden birds are faring from one year to the next.”

For your free Big Garden Birdwatch guide, text BIRD to 70030 or visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch