Big Garden Birdwatch 2026
The Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 takes place from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 January, and from countryside to capital cities, everyone is welcome to take part.
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Players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps the Big Garden Birdwatch fly
Discover how players of People’s Postcode Lottery help those without gardens take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch.
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The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK’s biggest citizen science wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people take one hour, over one weekend in January, to count the birds that they can see in their outdoor space.
It’s easy, fun, free and a great way to connect with nature. However, most importantly, it helps us to see how our garden birds are faring. Now, thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, more people than ever are taking part in urban areas.
No garden? No problem!
That’s right, you don’t need a garden to join the Big Garden Birdwatch. So, here are our top tips for taking part if you don't have access to your own green space.
Picking a perch
Gardens can be difficult to come by in urban areas. However, from counting crows outside a café or pigeons by a park bench, to watching Wrens from your window, you can do the Big Garden Birdwatch in any outdoor space.
Just pick a perch, start your count and spend some time with nature.
Identifying the birds
If you struggle to tell your Blue Tits from your Blackbirds, don’t worry. When you register for the Big Garden Birdwatch, you’ll receive a free ID guide to help you recognise your new feathered friends.
Do you live in Manchester or Glasgow? If so, a free Birdwatch 2026 pack could fly through your door thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Finding the time
It takes just one hour to complete the Big Garden Birdwatch and you can do it at any time across the Birdwatch weekend (23 – 25 January 2026). You’ll probably see more birds in the morning but just pick a time that suits you best!
The Big Garden Birdwatch and People’s Postcode Lottery
Cities like Manchester and Birmingham have fewer gardens than many other places in the UK. However, in 2025, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, we sent free Big Garden Birdwatch packs to hundreds of thousands of households across both cities.
The packs contained a bird ID guide and chart and explained how those of us living in urban areas can take part. As a result, the number of participants in both cities almost doubled!
People’s Postcode Lottery flies again
For Birdwatch 2026, players of People’s Postcode Lottery is supporting us once again. This time, its funding will see hundreds of thousands more Birdwatch packs fly through letterboxes in Glasgow and Manchester. So, if you live in the area, keep an eye out; a Birdwatch pack might just land in your doorway!
Big Garden Birdwatch: why it counts
There are lots of benefits to taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch. It’s a fantastic way to have fun, relax and connect with nature. However, it’s also a great way for us to see how our garden birds are faring.
Thank you to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, for making this possible. The Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 will take place between 23 and 25 January 2026. If you can spare an hour to count the birds on your local patch, it would be a fantastic help. Thank you!
Together, let’s make it count.