Take part in RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch 2024

What Will You See? Get Counting In The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch between 26 and 28 January.

What is Big Garden Birdwatch?

Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers like you take part, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring.

Shockingly, we’ve lost 38 million birds from the skies in the last 50 years, so it’s crucial we do all we can to look after our bird life. Big Garden Birdwatch helps to monitor how garden birds are faring. 

Also, people taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch for the first time often find it sparks a passion for nature. And then we hope they’ll start giving nature a helping hand through feeding their garden birds, putting up nest boxes and gardening in a wildlife-friendly way – actions that can make all the difference to nature. 

How do I take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch?

It’s easy – you simply watch the birds in your garden or local park (e.g. Slieve Gullion Forest Park) for one hour between 26 and 28 January, and record what you see. 

1. Count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour over the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend. It doesn’t matter what time of day you do your Birdwatch, but you’ll see more birds if you do it first thing in the morning. 

2. Only include birds that land, not those flying over. Count the highest number of each species you see at any one time. For example, if you saw four Starlings together, then two Starlings later, your final count will be four (not six). 

3. Go online and tell us what RSPB what you have seen! Click here to get your free guide and submit your sightings. Even if you didn’t see anything at all in your hour, please let them know. It’s all really useful information!

How to attract birds to your Big Garden Birdwatch from RSPB

There are lots of different bird foods available, including mixes for bird feeders and bird tables, as well as for ground feeding. Winter is a time when natural food shortages could occur and these foods can help the birds out during this time.

• Blackbirds mostly feed on the ground and will eat a broad range of foods, from fatty nibbles to mealworms.
• Blue Tits and Great Tits use both a feeder and a bird table, eating seeds as well as suet and peanuts.
• Finches, including Chaffinches and Greenfinches, also use both a feeder and a bird table, and they love sunflower hearts. But don’t forget to clean them weekly to avoid spreading disease.
• Look for good quality bird food – those that don’t include ‘fillers’ such as dried peas and beans that birds rarely eat.
• You can put out leftovers such as dried fruit, or fruit such as apples and pears. Don’t use anything mouldy or salty though, and if you have a dog don’t put out dried fruit – vine fruits such as raisins can be toxic to them.

Where to put bird feeders and tables

• Quiet – where birds won’t be disturbed.
• Safe – not too close to bushes where predators could hide in wait, but close enough to cover that birds can easily dart to and from. Birds like to have a view all around them while feeding.
• Sheltered from harsh winds.
• Wherever you place your feeder, make sure you can see it when you’re indoors so you can get the most pleasure from it! You can even get a feeder that sticks to your window.
• Bear in mind, it can take a little bit of time for the birds to get used to a new feeder, so don’t be disappointed if not many birds visit at first.  You might also consider including a feeder tray where possible to both save on wasted food, and allow more feathered friends a place to perch.

Remember the water

Birds like a drink too. 

You don’t even need a traditional bird bath:

• Try an old dinner plate or breakfast bowl – anything shallow that holds water will do.
• Large plant pot trays work well.
• Add a shallow or sloping area to a pond.
• Use a water feature or fountain.

And remember to:

• Keep it clean.
• Put out fresh water every day.
• Pour warm water onto any ice that forms in the winter, as birds need water all year round.

Keep it clean

It’s very important to keep bird feeders, tables and baths clean to stop a build-up of bacteria and viruses that can spread diseases and infections among garden birds.

• Clean your feeders every week.
• Wear gloves and use warm soapy water.
• Scrub feeders inside and out using a dedicated strong, long bristled brush. Do this outside in a bucket, not in your kitchen sink.
• Use a mild, non-toxic disinfectant.
• Make sure the feeder is thoroughly dry before refilling it with food.