At 45 years old, the Big Garden Birdwatch originated as a way to encourage children to spend a weekend admiring nature. The very first weekend in 1979 was promoted by Blue Peter and garnered 34,000 sign-up forms from eager children.

Fast forward to today, and you'll find over half a million keen birders, wildlife enthusiasts, and inquisitive young minds ready to take on the birdwatching challenge from 26-28th January 2024.

It's easy to get involved. Simply head over to the RSPB's website and register for your free Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which contains everything you need to know about the event, as well as a great tracker to log your finds.

What is the Big Garden Birdwatch?

The Big Garden Birdwatch is a fun, free activity that anyone can participate in, and you don't need a garden to do it! It's the largest wildlife survey in the world that attracts almost a million participants each year to spend an hour counting the wild birds seen in their gardens, local parks or from a balcony. 

What date is the Big Garden Birdwatch?

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2024 will take place over three days from the 26th to the 28th of January.

Why is the Big Garden Birdwatch important?

In the last 50 years, we've lost over 38 million birds from the UK skies, indicating that nature is under threat. This is why it's vital for the RSPB, the UK's largest nature conservation charity, to monitor how our wild birds are faring in this climate crisis. But they can only achieve this with our help. Every Birdwatch matters in the Big Garden Birdwatch, and taking part with hundreds of thousands of other like-minded nature lovers will help us protect our birds for generations to come.

How do you take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch?

It's simple! Sign up here to join the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

  • Choose just one hour between the 26th - 28th of January 2024.
  • Count how many birds you see in your garden or local park and what species they are.
  • Submit your results via the RSPB's website. They still want to know even if you didn't see a single bird.

How to attract birds to your Big Garden Birdwatch

Be prepared and ready for the Big Garden Bird Watch with all the bird food and accessories you'll need to attract your local wild birds for the big count.

Need help identifying a bird?

The RSPB Pocket Guide To British Birds will be the best companion for your bird-watching adventures. In this handy-sized book, you will find detailed information and illustrations about all the British birds you will see in your garden and the great outdoors. And when you see a bird but are unsure what species it is, this guide will help you identify it and tell you all you need to know!