Get Ready for Nature with the Big Garden Birdwatch
Winter is the perfect time to slow down, step outside and enjoy the feathered friends that visit our gardens, parks and balconies - and the Big Garden Birdwatch is the ideal excuse to do just that!
The Big Garden Birdwatch is an annual wildlife survey run by the RSPB. It’s free, easy to join, and has become the world’s largest garden wildlife survey - with hundreds of thousands of people across the UK taking part each year to help conservation scientists understand how garden birds are faring.
👉 Official details & sign-up here.
🐥 What the Birdwatch Is All About
Participating is simple: choose one hour between the event dates and quietly watch the birds that land in your garden, local park or even from your balcony. You count how many of each species you see - even if that’s zero, then submit your sightings to the RSPB online.
This snapshot helps conservationists track trends in garden bird populations year by year and spot species that may be in trouble. Over the decades, birdwatchers have clocked up millions of hours and millions of bird sightings that help scientists understand the state of nature.
And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert - everyone can take part. It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s a brilliant way to connect with nature!
How Families & Kids Can Get Involved
The Big Garden Birdwatch is a brilliant activity for kids - nature, counting and fresh air all in one!
Here are some ideas to make your Birdwatch hour extra fun:
Get set up together – Create a cosy bird-watching spot with blankets or cushions near a window or in the garden.
Make it a mini project – Let children help prepare a bird watching chart or checklist of birds to spot.
Take photos or sketches of the birds you see.
Go beyond the hour with fun birdy activities like bird feeder crafts or nature journaling.
At The Den Kit Co., we love turning nature time into creative play - which is why our Bird Pizza Kit is a perfect companion to your Birdwatch weekend! It’s a hands-on way to feed garden birds safely (and entertain kids while you wait for the feathered visitors to arrive). Watching who comes for a bite can be a highlight of your Birdwatch hour!
Why It Matters
While the Birdwatch is fun for families, it also plays a valuable role in wildlife conservation. The combined efforts of birdwatchers up and down the UK help scientists monitor changes in bird numbers and spot worrying trends early. That means each hour you spend watching counts toward protecting nature for future generations.
So grab your binoculars, bundle up the kids, and join in — one hour could make a world of difference!