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Big Garden Birdwatch Pack

The document provides information about the Big Garden Birdwatch event organized by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) that takes place annually in the UK. Participants are asked to count the birds in their garden or local park for one hour during the last weekend of January and submit their results to help RSPB analyze population trends. Previous surveys have shown declines in some common bird species like house sparrows and starlings. The document explains how to prepare for the event by feeding birds and provides identification guides and counting sheets to record sightings to submit results.

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cockybundoo
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141 views12 pages

Big Garden Birdwatch Pack

The document provides information about the Big Garden Birdwatch event organized by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) that takes place annually in the UK. Participants are asked to count the birds in their garden or local park for one hour during the last weekend of January and submit their results to help RSPB analyze population trends. Previous surveys have shown declines in some common bird species like house sparrows and starlings. The document explains how to prepare for the event by feeding birds and provides identification guides and counting sheets to record sightings to submit results.

Uploaded by

cockybundoo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Count the

wildlife thats
counting on you
All you need to know
for your Big Garden
Birdwatch.
3031 January 2016

IWow!
never thought Id

see any of those


in my garden.

You can make


a difference
Were delighted youve taken the first step in
helping us find out how the wildlife near you is
doing. Welcome to the Big Garden Birdwatch.

Whats it all about?


The Big Garden Birdwatch is simple. Just choose any hour over the
weekend of 3031 January 2016 and see which birds come to your garden
or local park. Tell us what you see at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch, or send the
survey form back to us. You can also let us know about other wildlife that
you see in your garden or local park during the year. Well then analyse the
results and see which birds are doing well and which might be in trouble.

Why do it?

Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com)

Mark Sisson (rspb-images.com)

With hundreds of thousands of people taking part each year, we get a


snapshot of how the birds in the UK are doing. The more people who
count, the more accurate that snapshot will be. The results of the survey
help us to spot problems and find ways of putting them right. For example,
results show that numbers of house sparrows and starlings have fallen,
which could be due to a lack of food or somewhere safe to nest. Thats why
we encourage people to give nature a home near them.

The survey has


revealed alarming
things. Data has told
us that we have
lost a staggering
58% of our house
sparrows since 1979.

The worlds largest


wildlife survey
Thanks to people like you, the Big Garden
Birdwatch is the worlds largest wildlife survey.
Youre helping us find out how wildlife is doing.

About the event


The Big Garden Birdwatch started as a childrens activity in 1979, and
its still the same simple format today. That means weve collected
36 years of records for our scientists to analyse. Other surveys show that
its not just birds that face problems. Thats why were asking you whether
you see other creatures in your garden or park.

Youre joining a cast of thousands


Now, over half a million people take part every year. We compare
the records year-on-year, so every single response is vitally important in
giving us a big picture of how our garden birds are faring.

Adam, Huddersfield

Look at them all


scrapping over the food.

I love hearing the


birdsong as I walk
to work, so watching
them for an hour is
a real treat.

Im proud to be helping them


through the winter.

Mike Lane (rspb-images.com)

Chris OReilly (rspb-images.com)

And this year, youll be joining us!

Get yourself ready


Youll see more birds if theyve got a reason to
come to you. The first step is to make your garden
a tasty spot for dinner so they know to visit!

All the stresses of the


week just disappear.

Feed the birds

From your cupboard

Different birds like different kinds of


foods, from shop-bought fat balls to
things you may have in already.

Try putting out grated cheese, cake,


cooked potato, fruit, pastry, dry
porridge oats or sultanas (avoid the
dried fruit if you have a dog, as it
can be poisonous).

From the RSPB shop


Sunflower hearts are full of
energy. You can put them
in a feeder, on a table or simply
sprinkle them on the ground.

Suet balls. These are great in
winter when birds need high-fat
foods to survive the cold.

Nick Upton (rspb-images.com)

Bob Glover (rspb-images.com)

Visit rspbshop.co.uk for other bird


food and ways to give nature a
home in your garden.

Dont forget the water


Birds and other wildlife need water
to drink and bathe in, so make sure
theres a fresh supply.
Find more activities you can do
to get ready for the day at
rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. If you
are taking part with your family
or children, youll find fun things
to do together online too.

My three-year-old
doesnt normally
sit still for long,
but hes always
fascinated by the
birds that visit us.
Harriet, Biggleswade

The last weekend of January will soon


come round, so heres what you need to
do on the day itself.

On the day...

Id never really looked


at the birds in my
garden before.

The Big Garden


Birdwatch is here

Yes, Id seen them, but not looked.


Now I will look whenever I can.

1 Its wonderfully simple. Choose when you want to start, make yourself

comfortable and watch the birds for an hour. Record the highest number
of each bird species you see at any one time.

2  Let us know what you see. Fill in the survey form online, or use the live

bird counter at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch on your laptop, tablet or phone.


You can also fill in the form that came with this pack. Why not share your
highlights via our online community group and social media channels?

...and afterwards

Such a simple hour


of watching, but it
keeps me smiling for
the rest of the day.
Jane, Liverpool
RSPB

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Its a sad fact that nature is in trouble. But there are always things we can
do. Everyone needs to act now, and Big Garden Birdwatch is just the start.
No matter how big or small your garden, we can all work together to give
nature a home. Have a look at rspb.org.uk/homes for simple ways you
can create special places for nature in your garden.

RSPB

Lets give nature


a home together
We can all help give nature a home. All over the
UK, the RSPB is working round the clock to save
nature and special places. Heres what we do.

just my
Its
small patch.
But look closely
and theres so
much wildlife
hiding there.

We believe everyone
can do their bit

We campaign for nature

If we all take small actions for


wildlife, together we can make a
real difference for nature. Its what
we do on our reserves, and you can
do it at home too. Take a look at
rspb.org.uk/homes

Everything we do in our lives can


have an impact on nature and the
environment. We encourage
politicians and decisionmakers to
think about nature and sustainability
up front. Nature has a huge value.
We want this to be recognised
before its too late.

We protect
important places

We cant do it alone

We look after a staggering 200+


nature reserves and theyre all
teeming with wildlife. Why not
come and visit one near you? Go to
rspb.org.uk/reserves for more.

We work with landowners, farmers,


businesses and other environmental
organisations to make more space
for nature across the UK. If theres
more nature, we all benefit.

Chris Gomersall

I feel like Im making


a small difference
to the birds in my
garden.
Chris, Glasgow

Rahul Thanki (rspb-images.com)

Thanks for
counting the
wildlife thats
counting on you
Share your story at
#biggardenbirdwatch
and find out the latest at:
RSPBLoveNature
@natures_voice
rspb_love_nature

rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Cover starling by Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com). The RSPB is a registered charity in


England & Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654. 356-0864-15-16. ITM001458 SKU407972

Who are you


looking at?
You can use this handy counting sheet during the Big Garden Birdwatch. Please count the most you
see of each species at any one time, not the total seen over the hour. Then submit your results at
rspb.org.uk/birdwatch or fill in and send us the survey form from the pack dont send this sheet!

Seen something else? Go to rspb.org.uk/birdidentifier


to find out what it might be.

to find out what it might be.

Great tit

Robin

How many have you seen all at once?

How many have you seen all at once?

Long-tailed tit

Blue tit

Woodpigeon

Tiny body; long tail. Known


affectionately as bum barrels in some
parts of the country. Often in groups.

Blue is not the only colour on this tit.


Look out for yellow on its front, green
on its back and white on its face too.

This large garden bird is mostly grey


with a white patch on its neck. Often
on the ground hoovering up fallen seed.

How many have you seen all at once?

How many have you seen all at once?

How many have you seen all at once?

Look for a black stripe down its yellow


front. The males have a slightly thicker
stripe than the females.

Unmistakable orange breast. Some visit


from the Continent in winter. You could
hear its song almost any time of year.

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

Look for the gold in its wings, but also


the red on its head. More than one?
A flock of goldfinches is called a charm.

Bigger than goldfinches, greenfinches


have a chunky beak to crack seeds.
Look out for green/yellow in the wings.

How many have you seen all at once?

How many have you seen all at once?

Male

Female

Magpie

Chaffinch

This large bird will feed on scraps.


Look closely and you might see purples
and greens in its iridescent feathers.

Male chaffinches have a pinky-orange breast, while females are more brown. Both
have distinctive white bars in their wings, which you can see well when they fly.
They usually prefer feeding on the ground or a birdtable.

How many have you seen all at once?

How many have you seen all at once?

Female

Starling

Dunnock

Look closely in winter and youll see lots


of different colours in this mostly black
bird, including white spots.

The dunnock is a small streaky brown


and grey bird. It feeds on the ground,
flicking its wings nervously as it goes.

How many have you seen all at once?

How many have you seen all at once?

Male

Male

Female

House sparrow

Blackbird

Although still at the number one spot in the 2015 Birdwatch, results show that
house sparrows have declined by 58% since 1979. The male has a grey head,
black bib and brown streaky back, while the female is more brown all over.

Males are black and females brown,


both with yellow beaks. Often feed on
the ground on fruit, worms or insects.

How many have you seen all at once?

How many have you seen all at once?

black bib and brown streaky back, while the female is more brown all over.

the ground on fruit, worms or insects.

How many have you seen all at once?

How many have you seen all at once?

Coal tit
Smaller than a great tit, with a black
head and white stripe down the middle
at the back.
How many have you seen all at once?

Collared dove
Look for its black neck collar. It came 10th in the 2015
Birdwatch, after only colonising the UK in the 1950s.
How many have you seen all at once?

Dont forget to submit your results at


rspb.org.uk/birdwatch or fill in the
survey form from the pack and post
it back to us!

Great tit by Steve Round, blue tit by Tony Hamblin, woodpigeon by David Kjaer (all rspb-images.com), robin (Alamy Stock Photo), magpie, goldfinch and dunnock
Great
tit by Steve Round, bluemale
tit by Tony
Hamblin, (thinkstock),
woodpigeon by David
Kjaer chaffinch,
(all rspb-images.com),
robin (Alamy
Stock Photo),
magpie,
goldfinchmale
and dunnock
(all dreamstime.com),
male chaffinch
(thinkstock),
(all
dreamstime.com),
chaffinch
female
greenfinch,
starling,
female
blackbird,
sparrow,
female sparrow
and collard
dovefemale
(all chaffinch, greenfinch,
starling, female blackbird, male sparrow, female sparrow and collard dove (all shutterstock), long-tailed tit, male blackbird and coal tit (all 123rf.com).
shutterstock), long-tailed tit, male blackbird and coal tit (all 123rf.com).
The RSPB is a registered charity in England and Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654. 356-0864-15-16
The
RSPB is a registered charity in England and Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654. 356-0864-15-16

ITM001452 SKU407966

ITM001452 SKU407966

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