Big Garden Birdwatch
23rd - 25 January 2026
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is one of the world’s largest garden wildlife surveys, and you’re invited to be part of it. Whether you’re an experienced birder or complete beginner, spending just one hour watching and counting the birds in your garden (or local outdoor space) helps create a vital snapshot of UK wildlife.
It's free, it's fun, and it makes a real difference.
Big Garden Birdwatch
23rd - 25 January 2026
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is one of the world’s largest garden wildlife surveys, and you’re invited to be part of it. Whether you’re an experienced birder or complete beginner, spending just one hour watching and counting the birds in your garden (or local outdoor space) helps create a vital snapshot of UK wildlife.
It's free, it's fun, and it makes a real difference.
Why take part in it?
For conservation:
Your counts help the RSPB track how bird populations are changing across the UK, informing vital conservation work.
For connection:
Taking an hour to watch birds is a beautiful act of mindfulness and connection with nature, right on your doorstep.
For learning:
It’s a wonderful opportunity to improve your bird identification skills and discover which species visit your patch.
For connection:
A perfect activity to do with friends, neighbours and children, encouraging curiosity about the natural world.
How to get ready
1. Sign Up (It's Free!)
Register for the Big Garden Birdwatch on the RSPB website. You’ll receive your pack with ID guides, counting charts, and everything you need to take part.
Click the button to sign up via the RSPB website.
Brush Up on Your ID Skills
Not sure which bird is which?
The RSPB has brilliant resources to help you identify common garden visitors
Click the link to download
3. Set Up Your Garden for Success
The more welcoming your garden is to birds, the more you’ll see during your watch (and all year round!). Try some of these:
- Put out clean water
- Hang bird feeders
- Create shelter
- Add nest boxes
1. Sign Up (It's Free!)
Register for the Big Garden Birdwatch on the RSPB website. You’ll receive your pack with ID guides, counting charts, and everything you need to take part.
Click the button to sign up via the RSPB website.
Brush Up on Your ID Skills
Not sure which bird is which?
The RSPB has brilliant resources to help you identify common garden visitors
Click the link to download
3. Set Up Your Garden for Success
The more welcoming your garden is to birds, the more you’ll see during your watch (and all year round!). Try some of these:
- Put out clean water
- Hang bird feeders
- Create shelter
- Add nest boxes
Want to test your bird knowledge first?
I’ve put together 2 quizzes for you to play.
Do you know your British garden birds?
Tests your birding knowledge – can you tell your dove from your pidgeon?
Whose that bird?
Tests your visual memory – can you correctly identify the bird from the silhouette?
Want to test your bird knowledge first?
I’ve put together 2 quizzes for you to play.
Do you know your British garden birds?
Tests your birding knowledge – can you tell your dove from your pidgeon?
Whose that bird?
Tests your visual memory – can you correctly identify the bird from the silhouette?
Birdwatch Top Tips
Choose your hour wisely
Birds are often most active at dawn and dusk, but any time during the weekend works.
Find a comfortable spot
Somewhere you can see your garden or outdoor space clearly, ideally with a warm drink and your counting sheet.
If you don’t have a garden don’t worry. You can watch from a balcony, on a park bench or in a hide.
Count the highest number of each species you see at one time
If you see three robins, then two, then four, you record four robins (not nine).
This avoids counting the same birds multiple times.
Choose your hour wisely
Birds are often most active at dawn and dusk, but any time during the weekend works.
Find a comfortable spot
Somewhere you can see your garden or outdoor space clearly, ideally with a warm drink and your counting sheet.
If you don’t have a garden don’t worry. You can watch from a balcony, on a park bench or in a hide.
Count the highest number of each species you see at one time
If you see three robins, then two, then four, you record four robins (not nine).
This avoids counting the same birds multiple times.
Don't worry if you're not sure
If you can’t identify a bird, that’s okay. Just do your best and enjoy the watching.
Stay still and quiet
Birds will come closer if you’re not moving around or making noise.
Make it special
Grab a blanket, a cosy jumper, your favourite notebook and a delicious hot cup of your favourite drink.
Don't worry if you're not sure
If you can’t identify a bird, that’s okay. Just do your best and enjoy the watching.
Stay still and quiet
Birds will come closer if you’re not moving around or making noise.
Make it special
Grab a blanket, a cosy jumper, your favourite notebook and a delicious hot cup of your favourite drink.
Love birds? You'll love these
While you’re preparing for your birdwatch, explore Curious Kin’s bird-inspired collection:
After your birdwatch
Submit your results:
Send your counts to the RSPB through their website or app. Every count matters, even if you didn’t see many birds.
Share your experience:
Join the conversation on social media using #BigGardenBirdwatch. What did you see? Any surprises?
Keep watching:
The Birdwatch might be one hour, but your connection with garden birds can continue all year. Keep your feeders topped up and enjoy the daily visitors.
Submit your results:
Send your counts to the RSPB through their website or app. Every count matters, even if you didn’t see many birds.
Share your experience:
Join the conversation on social media using #BigGardenBirdwatch. What did you see? Any surprises?
Keep watching:
The Birdwatch might be one hour, but your connection with garden birds can continue all year. Keep your feeders topped up and enjoy the daily visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't have a garden?
You can watch from a balcony, window, or local park. Any outdoor space works.
What if the weather is terrible?
Don the waterproofs or watch from inside through a window! Birds still need to feed in bad weather.
What if I don't see any birds?
That’s valuable data too. Recording zero birds in an area helps the RSPB understand habitat changes.
Do I need special equipment?
No, though binoculars can help if you have them. A pen, paper, and your eyes are all you really need.
Get started today
The Big Garden Birdwatch is more than just counting birds. It’s an hour to slow down, pay attention, and contribute to something bigger than ourselves. It’s noticing the flutter of wings, the busy energy at the feeder, the way a robin tilts its head.
It’s one hour that counts—for birds, for conservation, and for you.
Get started today
The Big Garden Birdwatch is more than just counting birds. It’s an hour to slow down, pay attention, and contribute to something bigger than ourselves. It’s noticing the flutter of wings, the busy energy at the feeder, the way a robin tilts its head.
It’s one hour that counts—for birds, for conservation, and for you.