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Five ways to take part in Big Garden Birdwatch

RSPB Scotland's Molly Martin shares five ways you can take part in this year's Big Garden Birdwatch from the 25th - 27th January, even if you don't have a garden yourself! You can sign up to be a part of it here. 

Five ways to take part in Big Garden Birdwatch

For the last 40 years, January has meant one thing to citizen scientists across the UK- Big Garden Birdwatch! And this year is no different. 2020 will be the 41st Big Garden Birdwatch event, and you (yes you!) could be one of those citizen scientists who get involved.  

Now, you might be sitting at home, looking out of your window, thinking “but I don’t have a garden to birdwatch in!”. Fear not! We’ve thought of that, and here are some of our suggestions for how you can do your own ‘Big Garden-less Birdwatch’! 

1. How about teaming up with some fellow nature lovers? Spread the word to your friends and family- maybe one of them has a garden you could all watch together? This a great opportunity to coordinate snacks too! It’s nice to spend time with people you care about, and even nicer if you spend that time watching nature.  

group of adult and children stand indoors looking out a large window to the garden

2. Urban green spaces are really important for a lot of our garden species, which means they’re a great place to do your Birdwatch! Chances are, you’ve got a park of some sort not too far from where you live, and you might be surprised by what you see if you take an hour, find a nice bench, and watch the birds around you. Make sure you’re wrapped up warm, and remember that a flask of tea is essential birdwatching equipment! 

two people sit under an umbrella surrounded by trees doing big garden birdwatch

 3. If you prefer to do your Birdwatch in the warm, this is also possible! If your local library or community centre has a garden or outside space, these is perfect for spending an hour sitting cosily next to a window in. You could also go to a café that looks out over a park or garden.  

a mug, some cake, and a big garden birdwatch counting sheet sit on a wooden table

 4. If you don’t live near a park, or you have a favourite green space further afield, that’s fine! My Big Garden Birdwatch 2018 was carried out on my university campus! If you have a particular walk or route you like to take, pausing for an hour and noting which birds you see is fine! Remember- you submit your results along with the postcode you recorded them- as long as it has a postcode, you’re good to go! 

Two people birdwatch in an open green area

5. Did you know Big Garden Birdwatch is also running on Monday? This (we think!) means it’s perfectly acceptable to take your lunch break to watch the birds from your office window! 

Hopefully this list has given you some encouragement to find a garden substitute this weekend. I don’t have an outdoor space in the flats where I live, so I do mine in the park! Registration is now open if you want to get involved, and you can request a free pack online or through the post.

Let us know how will you #BigGardenBirdWatch from Saturday 25 January to Monday 27 January!