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Garden or no garden, why everyone should get involved in this year's Big Garden Birdwatch
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Wednesday, 21 January 2026 at 12:30 pm
Find out how to take part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch, taking place from 23-25 January.
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This January the 47th Big Garden Birdwatch takes place, an annual event where the RSPB invite nature lovers across the UK to help count birds. It takes only one hour and you can do it in your garden or any open space, such as your local park.
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What is the Big Garden Birdwatch 2026?
The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world's largest garden wildlife survey, run by the RSPB. Last year, 590,000 people took part across the UK. For just one hour over a weekend, people count the birds they see in their garden, park or other green space. This helps to work out how different bird species are faring. A total of 9.1 million birds were counted last year.
When is it?
The Big Garden Birdwatch takes place over the weekend from 23 to 25 January, 2026.
How do you take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch?
Spend one hour counting birds over the weekend of 23 January. Log the highest number of each type of bird you see, rather than adding every one you see over the hour. For example, if you see three blackbirds together, and then later two blackbirds, record the number you spotted as three.
Once you have your results, fill in the form on the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. There is also a digital guide and bird spotting form on the website, which you can print out to record your bird numbers.
Why is the Big Garden Birdwatch so important?
This annual survey helps keeps track of which bird species need our help and provides a vital picture of bird populations across the UK. This is especially important in light of continued habitat loss and climate change.
Our top tips for bird watchers
Blue tit feeding on fat balls. Getty Images
New to bird watching? Here are a few suggestions:
- Stay quiet and still and observe visiting birds from a distance
- Wear natural coloured clothes to help camouflage yourself
- Take an ID chart or guide to help you identify the birds you spot. The RSPB has a pocket guide, and you can also buy from Waterstones
- Invest in a pair of binoculars – the RSPB has an extensive range, as well as Jessops and Currys
- Consult a field guide to help identify common garden birds and find out where and when you’re most likely to see them.
- Download a birdsong app onto your smartphone so you can identify different bird calls
Which common birds might I spot during the Big Garden Birdwatch?
The five most spotted birds in 2025 were the house sparrow, blue tit, woodpigeon, starling and blackbird. Other common garden birds include robins and great tits. Find out more about the different species you might see over the weekend.
- From robins to sparrows: the birds you’re likely to spot for the Big Garden Birdwatch 2026
- Could your kitchen scraps be on tonight's menu for garden birds?
Got the bird watching bug?
If you’re inspired by the Big Garden Birdwatch, why not introduce bird nesting boxes into your garden to provide the perfect habitat for our British garden birds? Different birds have different needs, so if you’re looking to introduce birds to your garden this way it’s a good idea to have a range of bird nesting boxes. You can also install a bird box camera and follow your feathered friends as they raise a family.
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Putting up a bird box? Monty Don shows you how in this easy-to-follow video guide:
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