The world’s largest garden wildlife survey is returning later this month, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch across the UK.
The annual event invites people to spend one hour counting the birds they see in their garden or local green space over the last weekend in January. In 2025, nearly 600,000 people took part nationwide, recording more than nine million birds. In Devon alone, just over 16,000 people joined in, with House Sparrow ranked as the most commonly spotted bird, followed by Blue Tit and Blackbird.
This year’s Big Garden Birdwatch will take place from 23 to 25 January 2026. People in Devon are being encouraged to watch birds in their garden, allotment, balcony, or nearby park, and then submit their results to the RSPB.
With less than two weeks to go, registration remains open. Anyone who signs up by Sunday 25 January 2026 can receive a free postal or digital Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, tips for taking part, an RSPB shop voucher, and advice on attracting wildlife to gardens. Registration is available by calling 0800 473 0251, texting BIRD to 84901, or visiting www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.
First launched in 1979, the Big Garden Birdwatch has grown into one of the UK’s most popular citizen science projects. Over the past four decades, more than seven million surveys have been completed, with over 200 million birds counted and nearly 12.6 million hours spent observing garden wildlife. The data provides the RSPB with an important snapshot of how garden birds are faring across the country.
Beccy Speight, Chief Executive of the RSPB, said the Birdwatch plays a vital role in monitoring bird populations. She said: “By taking part in the Birdwatch, you and hundreds of thousands of other nature lovers across the UK are helping us understand how garden birds are doing. Birds and wildlife are struggling right now, and every observation counts, even if you see nothing at all.”
She added that anyone can take part, regardless of where they live. “Whether you’re in a city or the countryside, a park, balcony, allotment or even a window box is enough. Simply spend an hour counting the birds you see. It’s good for wildlife, and evidence shows it’s good for our wellbeing too.”
Results from last year’s UK-wide survey showed that House Sparrow remained the most frequently recorded bird, followed by Blue Tit and Woodpigeon. Starling and Blackbird completed the top five. While the top 10 species list remained unchanged from 2024, average numbers of House Sparrow, Blue Tit and Starling declined. These results may have been influenced by Storm Eowyn, which coincided with the Birdwatch weekend, making this year’s findings particularly important.
Although House Sparrow has topped the rankings for 22 consecutive years, its numbers have fallen sharply over time. Average counts in gardens, parks and community spaces have dropped by 64% since the Birdwatch began in 1979. Starling numbers have also continued to decline, falling by a further six per cent last year to the lowest average count ever recorded. The reasons for these declines, particularly in urban areas, are still not fully understood.
Other familiar species, including Great Tit, Goldfinch and Long-tailed Tit, remain in the UK top ten. Long-tailed Tits, often described as looking like “cotton wool balls on sticks,” are frequently seen moving around in small family groups.
Beccy Speight said garden birds bring moments of joy, even in winter. “We need nature, and nature needs us. By joining the Big Garden Birdwatch, you’re doing something positive for birds and for the natural world. When we act for nature together, we can achieve so much more.”
To take part in Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 in Devon, people are asked to watch birds for one hour at any point over the three-day event. Only birds that land should be counted, not those flying overhead. Participants should record the highest number of each species seen at one time, rather than the total number spotted during the hour.
Registration for Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 is open until Friday, 22 January. Free digital guides are available at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.
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