Families, set your diaries for the wildlife event of the year, which happens this January from Friday the 24th to Sunday the 26th inclusive. It’s free, takes just one hour, and allows children and adults to be part of the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey. During the event, families and individuals across the nation simply count the birds they spot in the garden, park, local green space, or even balcony over the course of 60 minutes. The results of hundreds of thousands of these surveys are compiled by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to build a picture of the health of the nation’s bird populations. It’s important scientific and ecological work and children can become citizen scientists if they simply take part. Learn more about the Big Garden Birdwatch and how to take part in today’s guide for families with children.

“With birds facing so many challenges, it’s more important than ever to get involved in the Birdwatch.” — RSPB.

The Purpose of the Big Garden Birdwatch

Nature is in trouble (more info). Threats include disease, pollution, climate change, habitat loss, incompatible farming methods, and the use of harmful chemicals in gardening and agriculture. Such issues adversely affect nature, leading to declines in the health of the flora and fauna of Britain. Insects including important pollinators like bees and butterflies are in decline because of this, as are many of Britain’s bird populations. And, if nature is in trouble, so are we. That’s because we depend on nature in so many ways, not least in relation to the growing of crops for food.

“House Sparrows took the top spot, but counts of these chirpy birds are down by 60% compared to the first Birdwatch in 1979.” — RSPB.

With all this in mind, the RSPB has organised an annual citizen survey, which has taken place every January since 1979. By gathering and analysing results from the survey each year, trends can be identified in bird populations, including in specific species which might be in trouble. Through such information gathering and analysis, it’s possible to see whether things are improving or declining. Only then is it possible to know what steps are needed to help any species in danger.

“We’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 60 years.” — RSPB.

The Birdwatch is Worthwhile & Enriching for Children

Children will love being involved in this important nature-based activity. They’ll not only play their part in helping birds and nature, but they’ll also have fun and learn something along the way. They will discover some of the many wonderful feathered visitors who live in their neighbourhood and learn about some of the important issues affecting the natural world. They’ll begin to grasp the impact of humans on Britain’s flora and fauna and learn the importance of conservation and looking after the natural world around them. Through this endeavour, they’ll learn how they can make a positive difference. They will also become little citizen scientists! It’s fun, educational, and will give them a wonderful sense of achievement too. It may even change their outlook over the long term and help them think about their own impact on the planet, which is a wonderful outcome. And last but not least, spending time in and around nature is hugely beneficial to children.

Get Involved!

Families, children and individuals across the nation can play their part in this important annual survey. Apart from a little bit of time, it costs nothing to take part. The RSPB supplies free, downloadable, identification reference for the bird species that they’d like monitored, along with simple instructions.

How to Take Part in the Big Garden Birdwatch

Step 1: Register & Get the Free Guide

Registration for the January 2025 event is now* open. So, why not join the thousands of other families across Britain who have already registered and get ready for this truly worthwhile event? Sign up to register here. You’ll then be able to download your free Birdwatch guide. Downloadable and printed versions are available and you/your children can use these to identify birds in Step 4. Registering also gives you access to a discount in the RSPB shop, by the way, which may be useful if you want to buy things like birdseed to attract as many birds to your chosen patch as possible.

^{*(Time of writing: late Dec 2024).}

Step 2: Decide on a Time & Date

Decide which hour your children or family will monitor birds. It needs to be some time during the period from Friday 24 and Sunday 26 January 2025 inclusive. You can do more than one survey if you like, but must choose a different location and hour for each separate one.

Step 3: Choose a Location

Decide where you will monitor and count wild birds. This could be your garden, local park or open space, or simply viewing from somewhere like a balcony.

Step 4: Count Birds

Once the chosen time and date arrive, all you/your children need to do is monitor birds landing on your chosen patch. Count those that actually land rather than any flying otherwise there’s a danger that one bird could be counted multiple times. What you need to record for the survey, though, is the largest number of each bird species that have landed at any one time during the hour. So, for example, if you spot two blackbirds that have landed at the same time in the first half hour, but later in the hour you can see 4 that have landed at the same time, then you need to record “4” for blackbirds.

“Record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time.” — RSPB.

Submit your survey results even if you see no birds during your hour — such data is just as important as a positive result as it could indicate a problem in the bird population in your area.

Step 5: Submit Your Results

Once you have recorded your findings, submit them to the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch online by 23 February. That link may not allow submissions until the event has actually started, so you won’t be able to submit your bird survey early. Alternatively, you can submit via post so that it arrives no later than 18 February. The postal address is shown on the free guide that you downloaded or requested in Step 1 above.

• You can submit more than one survey, so long as you choose a different location each time.
• Submitting results online gives you a much longer list of birds than space allows on the paper/post version.
• However, you can also include additional birds you see in the free text box if using the paper form.

“Every bird you do – or don’t – count will give us a valuable insight into how garden birds are faring.” — RSPB.

Children Love Nature at Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green

If you/your child enjoyed this activity, also check out our own free nature guides for little ones. We have a children’s ID guide for birds, one for butterflies, one for mammals and another for minibeasts. Children love looking out for these wonderful creatures and learn so much from nature-based activities. That’s why, at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green, we also have large grounds, nature zones, and wild areas for children to play in. There, they can explore, discover and learn from the natural world and better understand their place within it. It’s just one part of the comprehensive early years education that’s on offer at this wonderful nursery and preschool near Wigan and Bolton, Greater Manchester.

High-Quality Weekday Childcare for Children Under Five, near Wigan

Why not come and see this unique childcare setting for yourself? Bring your baby, toddler, or under-five child with you and see how they’re suited. We’d love to show you around and answer any questions you may have and, if you think we’re a good fit, we’d love to enrol your child for a nursery place. Please choose an option below to start exploring the wonderful possibilities for your child at Little Acorns Nursery: