The Big Garden Birdwatch is an annual event run by the RSPB, inviting people across the UK to spend an hour counting the birds they see in their gardens, balconies, or local parks. It’s a fun and important citizen science project that helps track bird populations and inform conservation efforts. Critically, there’s a specific way you need to count the birds to ensure the data collected is statistically sound and comparable year after year. This precise methodology is what makes the Garden Birdwatch so valuable, providing consistent data over decades, allowing us to understand long-term trends in bird populations.
How to Count Birds for the Big Garden Birdwatch
Here’s a step-by-step guide to counting birds for the Big Garden Birdwatch:
- Choose a location: You can count birds in your garden, from your balcony, or in a local park.
- Choose an hour: Big Garden Birdwatch takes place in the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of January every year. Select any hour within these three days to conduct your birdwatch.
- Count only birds that land: Don’t count birds that are flying overhead. Only count the birds that land within your designated area.
- Record the highest number of each species seen at one time: This is the most important rule. Do not count the total number of each species you see throughout the hour. Instead, record the highest number you observe at any single moment. For example, if you see three sparrows at one point and later see five sparrows, record “5” as your sparrow count. This method prevents you from accidentally counting the same birds multiple times.
- Record all species seen: Record every species you see, even if you only observe one individual. If you see no birds at all during your chosen hour, report that as well – this “zero” data is also valuable.
- Submit your results: You can submit your results online at the RSPB website.
Why the Specific Counting Method Matters
The Big Garden Birdwatch requires you to count the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time during your chosen hour. This is crucial for several reasons:
- Avoids Double Counting: Birds are active creatures, constantly moving around. If you simply counted every bird you saw, you’d likely count the same individuals multiple times, inflating the actual numbers.
- Statistically Sound Data: By recording the highest number of each species present simultaneously, you provide a snapshot of the bird population at that particular moment. This standardized approach ensures consistency across all participants, making the data statistically robust.
- Year-on-Year Comparisons: The Big Garden Birdwatch’s value lies in its long-term data set. Using the same methodology year after year makes it possible to compare results and identify meaningful trends in bird populations. Changes in bird numbers can then inform conservation efforts, targeting specific species or habitats in need of support.
Big Garden Birdwatch: A Consistent Methodology
Remarkably, the core methodology of the Big Garden Birdwatch has remained consistent over the years (learn more about the BGBW). This consistency makes the collected data incredibly valuable for understanding long-term trends in bird populations. The wealth of information gathered allows the RSPB to:
- Track Population Changes: Identify species experiencing declines or increases in numbers.
- Understand Distribution Shifts: Monitor changes in the geographical distribution of different bird species.
- Inform Conservation Efforts: Target conservation efforts where they are most needed.
- Assess Environmental Impacts: Evaluate the impact of environmental changes on bird populations.
Tips for a Successful Birdwatch
- Preparation: Familiarize yourself with common bird species in your area beforehand. The RSPB website offers helpful resources for bird identification. You can also download a bird identification chart to use during your count.
- Equipment: A pair of binoculars can be helpful for getting a closer look at birds, but they aren’t essential. A notebook and pen can be handy for keeping track of your counts or you can use the Birda app to identify and record your Big Garden birds on your smartphone.
Minimize disturbance: Try to minimize any disturbance to the birds during your birdwatch. Avoid making loud noises or sudden movements. - Make it a group activity: The Big Garden Birdwatch is a great activity for families and groups. Children can get involved in identifying birds and recording counts. However, if you’re counting as a group, submit only one set of results per location.
- Enjoy the experience: Relax and enjoy the opportunity to connect with nature and contribute to a valuable citizen science project.
By following these simple guidelines, you’ll be contributing valuable data to the Big Garden Birdwatch, helping scientists understand and protect our feathered friends. Find out when the next Big Garden Birdwatch is.
Read about why the event is in January and how the Big Garden Birdwatch started.
