Take part in the bird counts and help nature!
The latter part of January gives us all a great chance to do something for nature from the warmth and comfort of home! And there are four bird counts taking place in January and early February.
Wildlife surveys give important data to conservation charities. Their results enable them to plan and work out what the most important things to do are to help a species. And if your first reaction is eek, I don’t know my robin from my blackbird, fear not – bird charities have lots of resources to help you work out who is who.
Over a period of time, surveys give conservationists an invaluable build up of data, showing trends and surprises or shocks. For instance, the RSPB say that their Big Garden Birdwatch every January shows them which species are doing well and which need help.
The more people who take part, the better – it gives conservationists a chance to build up a clearer picture.
It’s also a chance to connect with nature and improve our knowledge of the different birds there are. And for the charities and conservationists involved, these citizen science projects are vital – they help build up a picture of how birds are faring over a number of years and that means that steps can be taken to help the birds in trouble.
The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from the 23rd to 25th January in the UK. Just pick an hour between 23rd and 25th January 2026 and then all you need do is count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local part. Just count the birds that land – and then tell the RSPB what you saw. Even if you don’t count anything, the RSPB would love to know. It’s free to do Find out more & register (free) here.
The RSPB’s Big School Birdwatch runs from the 6th January to the middle of February – a wonderful way to get kids outside and learning more about our feathered friends. I think it’s great that this gives thousands of schools the chance to get involved and really be a part of something. There are plenty of resources and help for schools online.
The Big Farmland Bird Count is for farmers in the UK and it’s organised by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. The annual event encourages farmers and land managers to record the bird species and numbers on their farms, and it can show how important a role farms play in helping farmland birds. It also helps to measure the impact of conservation work that the farms and estates may be doing. Find out more.
13-16 February: Global Bird Count
Globally, there’s the Global Bird Count from the 13th to 16th February – it should be very exciting, watching the observations come in from around the world! All the information flying down the line helps scientists get a better understanding of the bird populations in the world, before one of their annual migrations. Fly off to join in here.
If you're sitting inside shivering with the cold, and feeling for our feathered friends outside, you could take a look at the National NestBox Week. Its website has all the information you need about putting up nest boxes, from choosing them to deciding on location, and if you have nowhere to put a nestbox, you could still spread the word about it! Flap your wings as you fly off to their website.
The RSPB Shop has a special offer on bird nest boxes at the moment. You can save £2 when you buy two promotional Nest boxes! Take a peek at them here.
As an aside, one of the ways I’ve learnt about different birds is to draw them into a sketchbook and label them. And some of the birds are starting to look like what they are! It’s a great way to have a new hobby and something fun and creative to do in the evenings, and to learn about birds at the same time!
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