RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

Counting for conservation

The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch 2025

The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey.

It regularly attracts almost a million participants who spend an hour counting the birds that visit their gardens.

The records  provide a vital snapshot of the UK’s birds each winter so the RSPB can monitor trends and find out how our garden birds are doing.

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2025 took place over three days from the 24th to the 26th January.

How to take part

Find a suitable spot from where you can count birds. If you don’t have a garden then you can go to your local park or other green space.

Spend an hour counting the birds that you see and make a note of them. You can use pen and paper or the RSPB’s online counting tool.

Count the maximum number of birds you see at any one time. If you see 4 sparrows and then later on another 3, the number you  submit is 4.

Submit your results via the RSPB’s website. Even if you didn’t see a single bird they still want to know.

Find out more

Get Birdwatch ready

Create a haven in your garden for wild birds.

Treecreeper Nest Box
Specialist Nest Boxes For Wild Birds
Golfinch Sunflower Hearts
Feeding Sunflower Hearts To Birds
Bird Food Storage
Shop Bird Food Storage
Long-Tailed Tit With Nesting Material
Harmful Nesting Material For Birds
Cat In A Garden
21 Cat Deterrents That Work
Peanut Bird Feeder
Shop Peanuts And Feeders For Birds

Need help identifying a bird?

Try our interactive bird identifier to help you work out which birds you see. Search by size, colour, and other identifying features and we’ll do the hard work for you.

2025’s top ten birds

1. House sparrow (Passer domesticus)

House Sparrow

Noisy, gregarious birds. Found all over the UK from farmland to city centres, feeding and breeding near humans. Sharp decline in their populations in recent years.

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2. Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

Blue Tit

Small and acrobatic, visits trees, shrubs and bird tables. Bright blue cap surrounded by white with blue wings and tail and yellow underside.

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3. Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus)

Wood Pigeon

UK’s largest and commonest pigeon. Mostly grey with a pinkish breast and white neck and wing patches. Shy birds that will not interact with humans.

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4. Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Blackbird

Males are black with yellow bill and eye ring. Females are brown with spotted breasts. They often raise their tail on landing and have a loud, mellow, fluty song.

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5.Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Starling

Appears black from afar but has glossy, iridescent green and purple feathers with white spots. Gathers in huge flocks known as murmurations over cities and farmland.

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6. Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

Robin

Britain’s favourite bird known as the gardener’s friend. Distinctive orange breast. Fiercely territorial and may fight to the death. Can be heard singing throughout winter and at night.

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7. Great tit (Parus major)

Great Tit

The largest of the UK’s tits. Glossy black head and green and yellow body. Can be aggressive towards other birds at feeders. Intelligent birds that can use tools to get food.

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8. Goldfnch (Carduelis carduelis)

Goldfinch

Brightly coloured with a red face and yellow wing patch. Very active. Can often appear from nowhere feeding in the same place for a few days before disappearing.

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9. Magpie (Pica pica)

Magpie

Noisy, chattering birds with striking black and white plumage. Highly intelligent they are scavengers and predators that will gather in flocks outside breeding season.

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10. Long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus)

Long-Tailed Tit

Tiny, acrobatic tit with a long, slim tail, and pink, white, and black plumage. Found in small groups flying “follow my leader” style.

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