When is RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch 2024?
The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch weekend has officially arrived.
But what is it and how can the public get involved in 2024? Here's everything you need to know.
1
What is the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch?
According to the official Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) website, the Bird watch in the large garden is ''Britain's largest citizen science wild animals questionnaire''.
By taking part in the research, nature lovers can help the RSPB, the country's largest conservation organisation charityto understand how garden birds are currently doing.
The results will show whether species are struggling or hopefully recovering.
It is held at a similar time each year so that the charity can compare results with previous years.
Because the Birdwatch takes place over more than one day, this also ensures that RSPB can get the best snapshot of how birds are doing.
The number of native birds has declined sharply in recent decades due to construction developments climate change This will impact species that have lived in Britain for thousands of years, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has warned.
For example, conservation efforts have previously resulted in increases in the populations of circle buntings, stone curlews and corncrakes.
However, if bird numbers appear to be declining, action can be taken to help the animals survive.
When is the Great Garden Bird Watch?
In 2024, the Big Garden Birdwatch starts on Friday, January 26 and ends on Sunday, January 28.
Because the Bird Watch takes place at the same time every year, those involved in the project can look back over the years to see if anything has changed.
How can I participate?
The conservation charity has appealed to the public from across the UK to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2024.
It's very easy to participate in the national bird count and here's how:
- Visit the RSPB website for your free guide and stock up on supplies, with 15 per cent discount and free delivery on food and feeders in the RSPB store.
- Between January 26 and 28, spend an hour observing the birds in your plot and recording the birds that land.
- Tell the RSPB what you saw (even if it's nothing at all). You can do this online or by post.
In 2023, more than half a million nature lovers took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch – no fewer than 9.1 million birds were counted.
How do I watch the Big Garden Birdwatch live?
Luckily for nature lovers, you can follow the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch via live stream at YouTube.
From there you can see live footage from the Nature's Voice feeder cams.
Take to X, formerly known as Twitteron January 25, 2024, the RSPB wrote: ''Don't miss our LIVE #BigGardenBirdWatch feedercams this weekend!
''With RSPB reserves, London ponds and gardens of: @ChrisGPackham, @wesley_fagan, @katemacrae, @timstenton.”