'Every bird counts' as the Big Garden Birdwatch returns

Friday, 24 January 2025 12:00

This year’s event is on 24, 25 and 26 January.

Islanders are being asked to join the hundreds of thousands of people who will be watching and counting garden birds this weekend.

The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. It first took place in 1979.

Since then, 195 million birds have been counted and nearly 12.1 million hours have been spent watching and counting garden birds by those taking part.

In the Channel Islands, more than 500 people took part last year.

This year’s event is on 24, 25 and 26 January, and people are again asked to spend an hour watching and counting the birds in their garden, balcony or local park, then send their results to the RSPB.

Last year, the House Sparrow took the top-spot both locally and nationally, followed by Goldfinch, and Wood Pigeon.

The data gives the RSPB a valuable snapshot of how garden birds are doing in the UK. With birds now facing so many challenges due to the nature and climate emergency, every count matters.

Morwenna Alldis from the RSPB says: "It helps us pin-point which garden birds are doing really well, so we can continue doing the things in our garden to help; but, perhaps most importantly, the species that are struggling, so we can look at and better advise the public on how they can help at home.

"It's great for wildlife, but it's also great for wellbeing. There's been so many studies done on how having that daily connection with nature helps boost us physically and mentally."

Participants must register online and remember to submit their data.