RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
When: Next: expected 29–31 January 2027 (the last weekend of January; in 2026 it was 23–25 January)Registration for 2027 opens on 9 December, according to the RSPB; the 2027 weekend is our estimate until then.
The UK’s biggest garden wildlife survey: over one weekend in late January, people spend an hour counting the birds in a garden, balcony or park, and the results track how garden birds are doing.
How to take part
- Pick an hour during the weekend.
- Count the most of each species you see at any one time, not the total over the hour (so you don’t count the same bird twice).
- Submit your results on the RSPB’s website.
Organised by the RSPB. Full details and registration: rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch.
Bring a checklist
The UK garden-birds checklist or your country’s list works well: for each bird, record the largest number seen at once.
Open the UK checklistDates checked on 2026-10-14 against the organiser’s page. Always confirm with the organiser before you go.
More dates for birders
- Great Backyard Bird Count · 12–15 February 2027
- Global Big Day · Next: expected Saturday 8 May 2027 (it is held on a Saturday in early to mid May; in 2026 it was 9 May)
- World Migratory Bird Day · Next: expected 8 May and 9 October 2027 (the second Saturdays of May and October; in 2026, 9 May and 10 October)
- Christmas Bird Count · 14 December 2026 – 5 January 2027 (the 127th count)
- Aussie Backyard Bird Count · 19–25 October 2026