The Big Garden Bird Watch

It's no secret that our world is rapidly changing, we see new buildings being constructed every single day, and unfortunately with that comes a decline in natural habitats. These changes make it even more crucial to take a moment to appreciate our wonderful world, and the little things in it! 

That's why we wanted to shout about the Big Garden Bird Watch - an annual event that not only brings people closer to nature, but highlights the important role that birds play in our ecosystem! 

The Big Garden Bird Watch, organised by the RSPB, is the world's largest garden wildlife survey! Across the UK, over half a million people took part in Big Garden Birdwatch 2023, counting a whopping 9.1 million birds! House Sparrows took the top spot, with Blue Tits coming in second, and Starlings third!. With birds facing so many challenges, it’s more important than ever to get involved in initiatives like the Birdwatch. The challenge encourages people of all ages to get involved in by spending 1 hour between the 26th - 28th January counting the birds they see in their gardens and submitting the information to the RSPB. 

Photo credit: RSPB

This event not only provides valuable data on bird populations but also serves as a reminder of the beauty and diversity of the wildlife even in our back garden! 

So, why do birds matter?

Biodiversity: Birds are so important to the biodiversity of our planet. With so many species of bird they play a unique role in the ecosystem, did you know in 2021 it was estimated there are around 10,000 species globally?! Colin's favourites are Magpies and Puffins... I wonder why? .

Pollination: Some birds, such as hummingbirds and sunbirds, are important pollinators (this is just a fancy word for an animal or insect that moves pollen from one place, to another). As they feed on sweet nectar from flowers, they transfer pollen helping more plants grow! This process is crucial for the production of things we rely on every single day, like fruit and seeds! 

So there you go, a couple of reasons as to why you should get involved in the Big Garden Bird Watch! You can sign up HERE and let us know in the comments below if you'll be getting involved this year!