The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is Back
On the back of last year’s record breaking number of participants comes the Big Garden Birdwatch 2016. 2014’s event saw 585,000 people take part, counting more than 8.5 million birds over a January weekend and now it’s time to start the countdown to this year’s survey.
(Photo Credit: RSPB)
Now in its 37th year organisers the RSPB are hopeful that more people than ever will get involved with the Big Garden Birdwatch to help them create a snapshot of Britain’s birds. As well as seeing which birds frequent our gardens, information gathered from surveys over a number of years can identify trends in population numbers and show which birds are on the increase and which aren’t doing so well.
In 2015 there were twice as many recordings of wrens than 2014 and robins also climbed three places to be the seventh most spotted bird. There were also dramatic losses too with greenfinches dropping down to 25th on the list. However, changing data can also help us see how our garden birds are doing in long term. Last year’s survey found that starlings are continuing to decline and have now dropped in number by 80% since the launch of the Big Garden Birdwatch back in 1979.
If you’d like to get involved in this years event all you need is a spare hour over the weekend of 30th-31st of January. You don’t need any bird identifying skills or any fancy birdwatching equipment, just a cosy spot in your home to watch out the window and either a checklist or notebook to record your sightings.
You can request your free RSPB pack online (Photo Credit: Kirstin McEwan)
For advice on taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, to receive a free info pack or to find community events near you check out the RSPB website.
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