RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2022: dates, how to take part, which birds to spot and how to use RSPB identifier

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place every year, with people taking up a spot at their window to observe the birds landing in their garden.

But when does it take place and how can you get involved?

Here’s what you need to know.

When does the Big Garden Birdwatch take place?

This year, the Big Garden Birdwatch takes place between 28 to 30 January.

Last year, more than one million people took part in Big Garden Birdwatch, all coming together to look out for birds.

The UK has lost 38 million birds from its skies in the last 50 years and the RSPB said it “really is vital we do all we can to look after our birdlife”.

How can I take part?

If you’re wanting to take part in this year’s birdwatch, all you need to do is count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour between 28 and 30 January 2022.

Next, go to the RSPB website to tell the charity what you saw - even if it was nothing at all.

The RSPB website said: “The more people that submit their findings, the better picture we will have of how garden birds are faring.”

If you are unable to submit your results online, you can instead complete and send in a form.

You can also use a guide to help you spot the birds you see, which can be downloaded from the website.

Which birds might I see?

There are a multitude of birds you may see during your birdwatch featured in the guide, including:

• Blackbird
• Blue tit
• Chaffinch
• Coal tit
• Collared dove
• Dunnock
• Goldfinch
• Great tit
• Greenfinch 
• House sparrow 
• Long-tailed tit
• Magpie
• Robin
• Starling
• Woodpigeon
• Other bird

RSPB said that due to limited space on the paper guide they can’t include all the birds you may see in the UK, as the list of species is huge.

However, you can still include other birds you see in the free text box on the form or go online to add your results, where a much longer list of birds is available to add to your record.

What is the RSPB identifier?

The RSPB bird identifier lists 407 species of birds found in the UK, including some rare overseas visitors.

You will be able to use one of the following filters on the website to get started with identifying the bird:

• Where did you see it?
• How big was it?
• What colour were its feathers?
• What was its beak like?
• What was it doing?
• What colour were its legs?