RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the largest garden wildlife citizen science project

RSPB Scotland is celebrating a very special anniversary of the world famous Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend.

Just one hour every year, for the last 40 years, has made the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch the largest garden wildlife citizen science project.

During that time, across the UK hundreds of thousands of people have volunteered their time providing the RSPB with over 8 million hours of monitoring garden birds.

Last year, over 500,000 birds were counted by Big Garden Birdwatchers in Scotland giving real insight into how our birds are faring.

Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “It’s amazing to see how Big Garden Birdwatch has grown from a winter activity for youth members into the largest garden wildlife survey worldwide. With thousands of participants across Scotland, it’s clear that people are truly passionate about their garden wildlife. It’s a huge achievement to reach 40 years of the survey, and it reflects what an enjoyable and accessible experience it is.”

This year’s event takes place on 26, 27 and 28 January.

Across 40 years, the survey has shown increases across the UK in collared dove and woodpigeon numbers and the alarming declines of the house sparrow and starling.