Whether you’re planning to count the birds in your garden, from your balcony or local park, here are a few ways you can get ready for your Birdwatch.
The great news is you don’t need to be a bird expert to take part – everyone's welcome! A good start is to get to know the birds in your patch before the Birdwatch. Then all you need do is work out how many you’ve got of each. Take a look at some of the most common species seen during the Birdwatch here.
Birds need plenty of high-energy food, fresh water and shelter to help them through the winter. If you’ve got some outdoor space, leave seedheads in place so birds can find their own natural food and don’t cut plants back too much, so there are plenty of berries to eat and places for birds to perch and stay safe.
If you’ve got the space, you could put out additional food for birds too. Blue Tits, Great Tits, House Sparrows and finches love sunflower hearts from feeders. You can also put out scraps, such as fruit, mild cheese and potatoes. Just make sure you thoroughly clean all feeding areas at least once a week, and move feeders around regularly, to help prevent diseases from spreading.
Stock up on everything you need for a busy Birdwatch with our Big Garden Birdwatch bundle. Packed full of high-energy food, this bundle will help your birds throughout the winter.
A source of fresh water is essential not only for drinking, but also for bathing in. If you can, add a birdbath (or any shallow container such as a plant tray) and you’ll create a splash in your patch. Change the water daily if possible. Use warm water to melt any ice and clean any water areas thoroughly and regularly, to keep them free from disease.
Visit the RSPB shop to stock up on bird food, feeders, cleaning products, homes for wildlife and other items that make your patch even more inviting to our birds.
It’s very important to keep bird feeders and birdbaths clean to stop a build-up of bacteria and viruses that can spread diseases and infections among garden birds.
Whether you have a tiny balcony or a large garden, it’s easy to make your patch more attractive to wildlife all year.
Creating a pond is one of the best ways to help birds and other wildlife. As well as a place to drink and bathe, it might attract a whole range of wildlife too, such as frogs, toads and newts.
If you don’t have much space, how about a washing-up bowl with some rocks and aquatic plants? You’ll be surprised what even a small amount of water can attract.
If you’ve got the space, flowers, bushes and trees are not only attractive for us, but they provide food and shelter to insects, birds and other wildlife. Make a plan for your patch so you have plants of different heights and a variety of flowers throughout the year.
If you don’t have much outdoor space, you could plant wildflower seeds in a window box or tub, or turn a pallet on its side and create a flowering stack of shelves.
At Big Garden Birdwatch time, some birds will already be thinking about pairing up for the coming breeding season. They will be looking for somewhere suitable to nest and raise a family, so why not add a nestbox to your patch?
If you’re feeling creative, you can make your own, or buy one from the RSPB shop.