Garden BirdWatch (GBW)

Garden BirdWatch monitors the changing fortunes of birds and other garden wildlife through its network of 'citizen scientists'. Observations collected by BTO Garden BirdWatchers are analysed by BTO researchers and published in leading journals. BTO Garden BirdWatchers have charted the decline of the House Sparrow, the rise of the Woodpigeon, have discovered that urban birds get up later than their rural counterparts and have alerted conservationists to the impact of an emerging disease in Greenfinches.

Latest News 

Gold rush - annual GBW results published

 

Annual Results for the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch survey were published in March, revealing another intriguing year of garden bird activity. The stars of the show were Goldfinches, with record numbers recorded and no sign of their success levelling-off. Goldfinches were, however, just one of a host of movers and shakers during 2011.

Find out which species prospered or struggled, how garden birds fared in your region, and the 2011 monthly highlights.

Birds with abnormal plumage

 

Latest results from the BTO Abnormal Plumage Survey have just been published. The survey, which is charting birds with unusual plumage characteristics in gardens, has had a brilliant response with some 700 people having taken part in a matter of weeks.

If you have ever seen a bird with unusual plumage in your garden, and you have not yet taken part in this simple survey, please get involved. Please post any photos to the Garden BirdWatch Flickr group or email them to gbw [at] bto [dot] org – see unusual-looking birds in our Abnormal Plumage Survey gallery. 

Know your thrushes 

 

This time of year is when you will begin to hear Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush coming into song. Both species make use of gardens, with Song Thrush in particular associated with this habitat. With declines reported in their breeding population it is important for us to be able to monitor their changing fortunes. The two species can be difficult to distinguish so, to help, the BTO Garden Ecology Team has produced a free guide.

If you would like a copy of the guide to be posted to you, please email gbw [at] bto [dot] org (subject: Request%20for%20Thrush%20identification%20guide) .

View the BTO’s Song Thrush vs. Mistle Thrush BTO ID video.

Give the gift of Garden BirdWatch

 

Our smart new presentation pack means that you can now give the gift of BTO Garden BirdWatch to a friend or relative. The pack, which retails at £19.95, contains all that is needed to get started recording garden wildlife. Once the activation card is returned, the recipient will be sent a free copy of the acclaimed Garden Birds & Wildlife and four quarterly issues of Bird Table magazine. Order your copy today.

The pack contains: an annual sunscription to GBW, a welcome letter, an activation card, a quick start guide, instructions, advice on feeding and attracting garden birds and a car sticker. Return the activation card to receive a free copy of Garden Birds and Wildlife, four quarterly issues of Bird Table magazine, access to BTO experts, access to GBW Online.