A record number of people took part during the weekend of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch with over 115,000 survey submissions and incredible four million birds counted over two days.
The RSPB hopes this means that overall participation at the end of the submission period will be at an all-time high and is urging those who haven’t submitted the results of their one hour watch to do so by the 16 February in order for their results to be used by RSPB scientists.
Big Garden Birdwatch Project Manager, Teresa Stoneage, said: “More people than ever sent us the results of their one hour birdwatch over the weekend alone, once again proving what a popular activity it is. We hope that more people will take part than ever before and more birds will be counted than ever before.
“Many people submitted their birdwatch results live over the actual weekend but we keep the forms open until mid-February for all the people who wrote their counts down on paper. We just need everyone to send us their results before the 16th February, so their counts can be added to the hundreds of thousands of other submissions. We really mean it when we say that every garden counts, it doesn’t matter if you saw one bird species or ten birds species – it is important that we know.
“These results can help shape the work we do, and the species and habitats we focus on. If you did take an hour out of your weekend, make sure it counts and send us your results.”
Once all results have been submitted RSPB scientists will use them to see how the birds and other wildlife that use our gardens in the UK are faring. Then, together, with other wildlife organisations, they will be able to help those species in decline and find the best ways to give nature a home.
RSPB Conservation Scientist, Daniel Hayhow, said: “Early indications show that it was a busy watch for many across the UK. The temperature dip meant that more birds were visiting gardens for food and water, which bodes well for lots of sightings.
“First results have shown a lot of people have shown a high number of blackcap and fieldfare, but we will have to wait until the results have been monitored and analysed to get the full picture from the weekend.”
Big Garden Birdwatch results can be submitted until 16 February. Visit the RSPB website for more information and to submit your results online: rspb.org.uk/Birdwatch.
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