Big Garden Birdwatch provides a snapshot in time of how garden birds are doing in the UK. It is held at a similar time every year so that the RSPB can compare the results with previous years. The number of birds visiting gardens and parks varies throughout the year, so it is better that everyone counts over the same long weekend. This year Big Garden Birdwatch is from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th January.

It is easy to do the Big Garden Birdwatch. Simply choose an hour between 27th and 29th January, and count the birds that you see land in your garden, local park, or from your balcony. Then tell the RSPB what you saw.

The time of day you do your Birdwatch may affect the numbers and variety of birds you see but it will not affect the overall results. This is because there are so many people counting birds at different times over three days, and because the results are based on information from so many people doing the Birdwatch, the effects of weather, food, and time all even themselves out.

Goldfinches were one of the big winners in the 2022 #BigGardenBirdwatch. After falling out of the top 10 the previous year, they jumped by over 40% to secure 8th place this time around.

Special Species

Scotland is home to habitats of international importance. These exceptional habitats in turn support a stellar cast of birds and other wildlife, including golden and white-tailed eagles, the corncrake, Scottish crossbill (the UK’s only endemic bird), and capercaillie, with wintering waders and wildfowl enjoying our rivers and firths.

Through targeted conservation programmes, RSPB Scotland is striving to improve the conservation prospects for all of the 16 highest-priority UK bird species that are resident in Scotland, including the Arctic skua, capercaillie, curlew, hen harrier, Slavonian grebe, and wood warbler.

Be part of something positive this weekend and take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch!

Images courtesy of the RSPB.