The RSPB Tells Us Why We Should Take Part in The Big Garden Birdwatch

Question 1

Why does Birdwatch take part at this time of year as opposed to the spring or summer?

Accepted Answer

Winter is a great time to see birds in your garden as there are no leaves on the trees or foliage for birds to hide in. Often food is scarcer in the wider countryside at this time of year so birds will be more likely to be searching for food in gardens and therefore there’s plenty to see and enjoy.

There are a number of large-scale surveys monitoring birds during the breeding season (spring and summer) but fewer that monitor birds during winter which makes these results particularly interesting. There are also migrant birds that spend some or all of the winter in the UK (e.g. redwing, fieldfare, waxwings) which would be missed by a summer survey.

[caption id="attachment_3811" align="aligncenter" width="600"]<img class="wp-image-3811" src="http://uploads-cdn.thgblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2017/01/20164341/Goldfinch.-John-Bridges.jpg" alt="Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis, looking around from a bare twig, Co. Durham, November" width="600" height="405" /> Goldfinch. Image Credit: John Bridges via RSPB[/caption]

Question 2

When did it start? What was the motivation behind it originally?

Accepted Answer

Big Garden Birdwatch began in 1978 as a collaboration between the junior branch of the RSPB and BBC’s Blue Peter. In the first year RSPB staff had to sort through 34 bin liners of post which were observations from BGBW sent in by the public.

The BGBW began to grow in popularity among adult RSPB members in the mid 1980s when it was discovered that numbers of song thrushes were falling dramatically. These birds were at number 10 in 1979 but now don’t even make the top 20.

Question 3

Were there any surprising results from 2015 and 2016? Do you expect different results this year?

Accepted Answer

Some very unusual and exotic birds have ended up being recorded in gardens over the years, including an American robin in Putney, black throated thrush on the Isle of Bute, common rosefinch in Yorkshire, and a little bunting in Gloucestershire.

In 2015, there were fewer finches visiting our gardens, perhaps due to a good natural seed supply found in the wider countryside. Last year, the tiny long-tailed tit made it into the Big Garden Birdwatch top 10 for the first time in seven years. Experts linked the increase in sightings of long-tailed tits, as well as other smaller gardens birds such as coal tit and great tit, to the mild weather in the months leading up to the 2016 Birdwatch.

This winter there have been reports of waxwings arriving from Scandinavia in their hundreds which might mean these exotic visitors are spotted in gardens during RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Known as an ‘irruption’, this only occurs every 7 or 8 years when the food supply in their breeding grounds is short.

[caption id="attachment_3810" align="aligncenter" width="600"]<img class="wp-image-3810" src="http://uploads-cdn.thgblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2017/01/20164336/Coal-Tit.-Genevieve-Leaper.jpg" alt="Only for use in Big Garden Bird watch press release. Coal tit Parus ater, Aberdeenshire, October" width="600" height="400" /> Coal Tit. Image Credit: Genevieve Leaper via RSPB[/caption]

Question 4

Is it true that once you start leaving food out you must keep it up? Why is this? What is the best way to leave food out, perhaps is there a particular birdfeeder you recommend?

Accepted Answer

Feeding garden birds can help give them a better chance of survival during winter months when natural food sources are scarce. Once you establish a feeding routine, it’s best to stick to it to help ensure your feeders are visited consistently. Remember to clean your feeders regularly and keep an eye on demand – don’t let uneaten food accumulate as it can spoil and harbour moulds and bacteria that can cause disease. There is nothing wrong with teacup feeders as long as you can keep the contents dry and they are cleaned regularly. However some novelty bird feeders could be unsuitable as they may be hard to clean, or have sharp parts which could be a danger to birds. There is a range of suitable designs available from the RSPB shop. [caption id="attachment_3815" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Greenfinch Carduelis chloris, male perched on lichen covered branch

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris, male perched on lichen covered branch

Greenfinch. Image Creidt: Ben Hall via RSPB[/caption]

Question 5

Is there anything people without gardens can do?

Accepted Answer

People without gardens can absolutely still take part! You don’t need a huge garden – or indeed any garden at all – to help wildlife and feed garden birds. Just a simple feeder on a balcony will do, and we even have feeders which can be affixed to windows, allowing you and your family an extra close-up view of birds feeding. Big Garden Birdwatch can be also be done from your local park or green space. You could also give nature a home by installing nest boxes, including much-needed boxes for swifts; not that we see these summer visitors in January of course!

Question 6

What does the data of people taking part in this event in the last years say about the British people? Are we more involved, are we more concerned with our environment? Is there still a long way to go?

Accepted Answer

At the RSPB, we believe those who know and care about wildlife are more inclined to help protect it. So the fact that more people are taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch every year – the number of participants doubled between 2003 and 2016 – is very encouraging.

Birdwatch is especially important in getting children interested in the natural world around them. If a child whose imagination is sparked by doing their first Birdwatch goes on to work in conservation, then that’s a win for nature.

However there is still a long way to go. Nature is in trouble here in the UK and around the world, and the more we as individuals do to help it, the more we can keep it safe for future generations to enjoy.

[caption id="attachment_3814" align="aligncenter" width="600"]<img class="wp-image-3814" src="http://uploads-cdn.thgblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2017/01/20164554/1072605.jpg" alt="Family recording bird visits, Big Garden Birdwatch event, Cambridgeshire, October 2013" width="600" height="401" /> Image Credit: Rahul Thanki via RSPB[/caption]

Question 7

And finally, why is it important to take part in this event?

Accepted Answer

Taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch is a chance to take time out of our busy lives to connect with the nature on our doorsteps. It also helps provide an invaluable overview of garden wildlife across the country. By comparing results to those of previous years, we can monitor trends and work out which species may need help. Take the song thrush – a melodic, tool-using bird which many remember fondly from childhood. Our statistics show they have declined in UK gardens by 70% since the Birdwatch began. On a cheerier note, your data also helps us note species on the up, such as long-tailed tits. So fill up your feeders, reach for a cup of tea and enjoy spending a relaxing hour with your feathered neighbours.

[caption id="attachment_3813" align="aligncenter" width="600"]<img class="wp-image-3813" src="http://uploads-cdn.thgblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2017/01/20164549/1072577.jpg" alt="Filling in survey form, Big Garden Birdwatch event, Cambridgeshire, October 2013" width="600" height="399" /> Image Credit: Rahul Thanki via RSPB[/caption]

Related Posts

15 Wonderous Ways of Repurposing a Window

4 Budget-Friendly And Low Maintenance Small Pets

British Institutionalised Furniture

#PrelovedHour: Time to get Preloving!

Delivering Happiness through Eco-Friendly and Second-Hand Goods

Thrifty Chicken Coop Ideas

A Scammed Buyer’s Story: The 12 Warning Signs

Fridge Organisation Hacks: How to Maximise Space and Keep Food Fresh