Big Garden Bird Watch 2025: Guide, Tips, and Birds to Spot

The RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch is an annual event where UK residents count the birds in their gardens to help conservation. Want to join in 2025? We’ve got you covered. Here’s what to expect.

Quick Facts

• Over 600,000 people take part in the Big Garden Bird Watch, helping to track bird populations and support conservation.

• Join in from 24-26 January 2025 and count the birds in your garden for one hour and submit your results to help the research and protect birdlife.

• Get kids involved in birdwatching with fun activities like building bird boxes or bird hides and encourage a love of nature and wildlife.

What is the Big Garden Bird Watch?

The Big Garden Bird Watch is the biggest garden wildlife survey in the UK with over 600,000 people taking part each year. This massive community event shows how much we all love to watch and protect birdlife. The survey is run by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and has become a beloved tradition for birders across the country.

The main aim of the Big Garden Bird Watch is to count bird populations and identify species that are struggling. Counting the birds in our gardens, parks and green spaces provides vital data for conservation. Gardens are becoming increasingly important habitats for birds, especially in the winter when food and shelter is scarce.

By doing the survey annually, scientists can compare the data and track changes in bird populations over time and get a picture of long term trends and the impact of environmental changes. So when you take part, you’re not just enjoying the birds; you’re helping with the research that will help protect them.

When is the Big Garden Bird Watch 2025?

Book it in! The Big Garden Bird Watch 2025 will take place from 24-26 January. Over these three days, birders across the UK will spend one hour counting the birds in their gardens, balconies or local green spaces. This flexible time slot means everyone can take part whatever their schedule.

It’s open to all and free to take part so anyone can join in and contribute to the data. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a first timer, this is your chance to be part of a national effort to monitor and protect our feathered friends.

Take an hour to watch this weekend and enjoy the birds in your garden.

How to take part in the Big Garden Bird Watch

Taking part in the Big Garden Bird Watch is easy and fun; spend one hour between 24-26 January watching the birds in your designated area. This could be your garden, a balcony or even a local park. Just stay in one spot and watch carefully.

During your hour of birdwatching, count the highest number of each species you see at any one time. So if you see five house sparrows at one point and three blue tits at another, you record five house sparrows and three blue tits. Only count the birds that land in your patch, not the ones flying through.

Once you’ve finished counting submit your results. You can do this online or by post but online is preferred. Please include the location of your Birdwatch when submitting your results. All results must be in by 23 February 2025.

For group participation, only submit one set of results per group. This avoids duplication and ensures the data is accurate. If you didn’t get your guide in time, download it online and you can take part as usual.

And the best bit is it’s free and open to everyone, RSPB member or not. Get your friends and family together, fill your bird feeders and join one of the largest garden wildlife surveys in the world.

Common Garden Birds to Look Out For

One of the fun bits of the Big Garden Bird Watch is spotting and identifying the different species that visit your patch. In 2024 the house sparrow was top of the count with over 1.4 million sightings. These little chaps are a common sight in gardens across the UK and are easy to spot with their brown and grey feathers.

Robins are another regular visitor, with their bright red breast and beautiful song. They’re seen all year round and add colour and music to the winter months. They’re a favourite among birders and can be quite bold, often coming close to humans.

Beyond house sparrows and robins, many other birds will be visiting during the Big Garden Bird Watch. Blue tits with their bright blue and yellow feathers are a joy to see. Goldfinches with their red faces and yellow wing patches are common visitors. Each bird is a bonus and adds to the fun of your birdwatching experience.

To help you identify these birds, check out our Bird of the Week blogs which have more detail and tips. Observing different plumage, behaviour and song makes birdwatching more fun. The more birds you can identify the more accurate and useful your data will be for conservation.

Preparing Your Space for Bird Watching

Making your garden a welcoming space for birds will enhance your birdwatching and support local wildlife. One easy way to attract birds is to set up a bird feeder. Bird feeders provide a food source when natural food is scarce in winter.

Place your bird feeder in an open area near trees or shrubs where birds can take cover from predators. Bird tables and feeders in the right places will bring more variety and more birds to your garden. Nesting boxes are another great addition. Mount them securely out of reach and in the shade to protect the chicks.

Having native plants and berry bushes in your garden provides natural food and shelter for birds. This attracts more birds and benefits your garden as a whole. A diverse habitat will bring more birds to visit and make your birdwatching more fun.

Even if you don’t have a big garden you can still create a bird friendly space on a balcony or by placing feeders near a window. The key is to provide the birds with food, water and shelter. With a bit of effort you’ll get to see different species visiting your space.

If  you are unsure what bird feed to give your local wild birds, take a look at our bird seed mixes, they offer a good selection of different seeds and fruits that will attract an array of different bird species. For more specific birds try out the straight seeds that ensure you fill up your feeder with what your garden birds favour.

Getting Kids Involved in Bird Watching

Birdwatching is a great way to get kids involved with nature lovers and wildlife. Getting kids involved in the Big Garden Bird Watch will turn a simple activity into a fun family day out. Imagine the look on their faces when they spot and identify different birds! As a birder you can make this even more special.

One fun activity is to make a bird hide out of cardboard. This allows kids to get up close to the birds without scaring them. Making homemade binoculars out of toilet paper rolls is another fun and easy project. These crafts make birdwatching more interactive and teach kids about recycling and creativity.

A tuff tray filled with bird seeds can create a mini birdwatching station. Kids can see which birds visit and learn to identify them. Building birdhouses or feeders together is another great way to get kids involved in birdwatching. These activities are hands on and fun.

Get families to make birdwatching a regular habit and strengthen bonds and wildlife observation skills. With every bird they spot they will learn more about nature and conservation. Birdwatching can be a fun and educational weekend activity for the whole family.

Conclusion

The Big Garden Bird Watch 2025 is more than just a birdwatching event; it’s a community effort to save and appreciate our feathered friends. By taking part you will be contributing to vital research that helps monitor and protect bird populations. Whether you’re counting house sparrows, robins or goldfinches every observation counts.

So, take an hour from January 24th to 26th, fill your bird feeders and join the thousands of others in this fun and worthwhile activity. Together we can make a difference for birdlife and enjoy the great outdoors. Happy birdwatching!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Big Garden Bird Watch 2025?

• Answer: The Big Garden Bird Watch 2025 is from January 24th to 26th.

How do I take part in the Big Garden Bird Watch?

• Answer: You can take part in the Big Garden Bird Watch by spending one hour counting the birds in your area and reporting your results on the RSPB website. Easy peasy and great for nature and bird conservation!

What if I didn’t get my guide in time?

• Answer: Don’t worry if you didn’t get your guide on time; you can download it online and still take part without any hassle! Enjoy!

Can I take part in the Big Garden Bird Watch if I’m not an RSPB member?

• Answer: Yes, you can take part in the Big Garden Bird Watch even if you’re not an RSPB member! It’s a great opportunity for everyone to get involved and birdwatch together.

How can I get my kids involved in birdwatching?

• Answer: Get your kids involved in birdwatching by making it fun with activities like making binoculars and birdhouses together. These hands on projects will engage them and create lasting memories!