RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch returns

The charity's asking people to take part in the world's largest garden wildlife survey

Author: Karen LiuPublished 28th Jan 2022

The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch is back this weekend and people are being asked to take part.

It is for their world largest garden wildlife survey in which usually the house sparrow tops the list as the most common in North and East Yorkshire.

In North Yorkshire the blackbird and the blue tit are usually second and third or the starling and blackbird in East Yorkshire.

Last year around 30,000 people took part across both counties.

This year's event takes place from today (Friday 28th January) to Sunday 30th and participants are being asked to spend just an hour of their time recording the birds that land as seen from their windows, balconies or gardens, and submitting their results to the wildlife charity.

Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s Chief Executive, said: “We were blown away by the enthusiasm with which people took part in the Birdwatch in 2021. We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider natural world and bring enormous joy. Over the last year, there has been a broad and much-needed realisation that nature is an important and necessary part of our lives especially for our mental health and wellbeing. But nature needs us too.

“By taking part in the Birdwatch, you are helping to build an annual snapshot of how our birdlife is doing across the UK. It is only by us understanding how our wildlife is faring that we can protect it. We know that nature is in crisis but together, we can take action to solve the problems facing nature.”

Beccy added: “Whether you saw one blackbird, twenty starlings or no birds whatsoever, it is really valuable information as it helps us build a picture of how our garden birds are faring from one year to the next.”

For your FREE Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch  

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