Isle Of Wight Residents Being Counted On For Big Garden Birdwatch 2024

The world’s largest garden wildlife survey returns this month, with hundreds of thousands of people watching and counting the UK’s garden birds over the last weekend in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.

Over half a million people took part in 2023, counting more than nine million birds.

On the Isle of Wight, nearly 1,800 people took part, with the House Sparrow taking the top spot as the most commonly seen bird, followed by Blue Tit and Wood Pigeon. 

This year’s event takes place on 26, 27 and 28 January 2024. People on the Island are asked to spend an hour watching and counting the birds in their garden, balcony or local park, then send their results to the RSPB.

This year’s event marks 45 years since the first Big Garden Birdwatch.

Starting in 1979, it has since become a much-loved annual citizen science event, that gives the RSPB a valuable snapshot of how garden birds are doing in the UK.

Over that time, 185 million birds have been counted and nearly 11.5 million hours spent watching and counting garden birds.

Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s Chief Executive, said:

“The birds we see in our gardens, from our balconies, and in our parks, are a lively, colourful and endlessly fascinating part of all our lives.

"By taking part in the Birdwatch, you and hundreds of thousands like you, play an important role in helping us understand how UK birds are doing.

"With birds and other wildlife now facing so many challenges due to the nature and climate emergency, every count matters.”

To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, sign up at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch and simply watch the birds on your balcony, in your garden or in your local green space for one hour at some point on 26, 27 or 28 January.

Only count the birds that land, not those flying over.

Log the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour, and then send your results in to the RSPB.