RSPB’s Morwenna Alldis helps us get ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch running from 26-28 January 2024 and shares her top tips for feeding your garden birds this winter.
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, the world’s largest garden wildlife survey, returns on 26, 27 and 28 January. Last year over half a million people across the UK took part, counting more than 9 million birds. This month we hope even more people will come together for nature and join us in the counting the birds on their doorsteps.
Photo above: Two people sat in house with patio doors open taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
Why is the Birdwatch so important?
Now in its 45th year the Big Garden Birdwatch data you gather helps us paint an important snapshot of the health of our UK birds. If your survey results show that a species is in decline, this is an indicator that other species or habitats linked to this bird may be in trouble too; there may be fewer insects or berries to eat or less safe places to nest and climate change could be part of the cause. Your results help us better target our conservation efforts and the advice we give to the public, about how we can all help create a world where wildlife, wild places and all people thrive.
Photo above: Female Blackbird eating bird food from ground feeder by Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Register today
Registration for Big Garden Birdwatch 2024 is now open. Sign up here or Text BIRD to 82727 for your FREE Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird ID chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, and more.
Natural Wellbeing
Taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch also offers a huge boost for our personal wellbeing. Connecting to nature is so important for our mental and physical health, so this New Year gift yourself time outside to enjoy your garden or balcony, pop to your local park or urban greenspace, or visit your nearest RSPB nature reserve – an hour in nature will do you good as well as helping nature too. After all, each of us are conservationists looking after the UK’s largest nature reserve – namely our gardens, balconies, window boxes and allotments, minus the fences and walls that divide them.
Photo above: Two friends taking part in the RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch activity in an allotment by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
Taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch couldn’t be easier
Across the Birdwatch weekend pick one hour to watch and record the birds that land (not those flying overhead) in either your garden, balcony, or local park and submit your results to the RSPB. Tell us the highest number of each bird species you spot at any one time – not the total you see in the hour.
Winners and the Losers
The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch was first to alert us to the decline in Song Thrush numbers, which are still down 81% compared to numbers recorded in the first survey. This species was a firm fixture in the top 10 in 1979, but by 2009, its numbers were less than half those recorded in 1979.
Photo above: Song Thrush foraging by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
House Sparrows celebrated their 20th year as the number one bird spotted in UK gardens in 2023. But despite their top position, they have sadly suffered severe declines, with numbers in gardens dropping by nearly 60% since 1979.
Photo above: House Sparrow perched on in bush with red berries by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
Last year we celebrated the Long-tailed Tit, which rose five positions in the rankings with numbers 39% higher than in 2022. Long-tailed Tits are vulnerable to harsh weather, their numbers have fluctuated since the survey began, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed for them this year.
Photo above: Long-tailed Tit perched in a Pine tree by John Bridges (rspb-images.com)
Star Species
Looking back at the top 10 garden birds spotted in the UK 2023 birdwatch gives us a good indicator of the sort of species to look out for this year. Let’s remind ourselves of the UK’s Top of the Birdwatch Pops last year.
Birdwatching for Beginners
If you’re new to birdwatching, the RSPB has five simple tips to get you started:
Get your garden birdwatch ready this January
Now that you’re excited for your Big Garden Birdwatch, make sure that your garden or balcony has winter bird appeal, to entice your feathered friends to land, it’s good to do this now as it can take a little time for your local birds to find and regularly visit new birdfeeders.
Top tips on how to give your garden birds a home this Christmas
Fruits like apples and pears, even when past their best, will be happily snapped up by Blackbirds and Thrushes. Grated mild cheese (no blue or strong cheese) is a fantastic source of energy and protein, loved by Robins, Dunnocks, and Blackbirds. Place it under your garden hedges for Wrens.
Cooked pastry, defrosted peas, cooked rice, pasta and the inside of potatoes are also great energy sources.
Photo above: Two children hang homemade bird feeders from a bird table by Eleanor Bentall (rspb-images.com)
Foods to avoid
Cooled fats and meat juices can cause birds serious harm. If these types of fats get onto their feathers, they can affect their wings and waterproofing, so please stick to suet and lard.
Birds can’t digest salt and it damages their nervous systems, so avoid bacon rind and salted peanuts.
If you have pets in the garden, ensure you only put out pet-safe foods too!
Less is more
Monitor how much food your garden birds eat and adjust the amount you put out accordingly – uneaten food can turn rancid, so regularly discard leftovers. During winter, feed twice a day if demand calls for it, - make it part of your coffee break routine!
We recommend bird feeders, tables, and baths are cleaned every week, to help reduce the spread of garden bird diseases. Wash using warm water and ideally a 5% disinfectant solution, then air dry outside. Keep feeders and baths outside to clean, use separate utensils, and wear gloves. Always wash your hands when you've finished.
Photo above: Person cleaning birdfeeders in a bucket outside, wearing gloves by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
Your garden birds need fresh water daily to drink and bathe. Use a birdbath, pond, or a recycled, shallow container with a stone inside so that they can perch. Handy tip: during these frostier months birdbaths and ponds can freeze over, preventing birds and other wildlife from accessing the water they need. To help, float a light ball on the surface of your pond or bird bath, it will be moved by the breeze, and will keep a small amount of water ice-free!
Photo above: Female blackbird bathing in a birdbath by Rob Carmier (rspb-images.com)
Photo above: Nestbox installed on a nature-friendly balcony by Oliver Smart (rspb-images.com)
We hope you have a fantastic 2024 Big Garden Birdwatch and that you have fun preparing for it by helping and getting to know your local birds this January.
We couldn't help wildlife and the places they call home without your support. Find out how to become an RSPB Member here, discover our volunteering opportunities here, or make a one-off donation here. Thank you so much for your help.