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Science & environment
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Big Garden Birdwatch: help our scientist gain a better knowledge on bird population trends

Thousands of people across Wales will join the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch project in the last week of January this year to celebrate their love of nature and avian.

Swans are the largest extant members of the waterfowl family Anatidae, and are among the largest flying birds. (Courtesy of Rufei)

Welsh people are being encouraged to join the 42nd annual Big Garden Birdwatch held by RSPB to help scientist gain a better knowledge on bird population trends.

This year, bird experts of RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) will answer questions the participants may have and bring their photos and facts about the birds they see.

“It’s Big Garden Birdwatch time again,” said Dara who keeps fighting to save nature. “It really is a most wonderful way to gaining knowledge and connecting with our surroundings!”

Resorting to bribing any nearby birds with all the good bird foods so the results aren’t just feral pigeon and starling. (Courtesy of Pip form Twitter)

As the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, RSPB has a Centre for Conservation Science which is aiming to finding practical solutions to the most pressing conservation problems and Big Garden Birdwatch survey is an important part of it.

Through taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch project, the participants can help scientist learn about the garden bird populations and how avian visitors are faring in UK.

You can even find various avian from the creek in residential area.

“I love birds. I walk and listen to them almost every day,” said Karma who keep up with the various birdwatching events on Twitter. “It’s not only an interest, I actually learn a lot of bird knowledge from not only the other bird lovers but also real bird experts.”

Last year, over 24,000 people in Wales took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch project, counting a total of 462,109 birds.

Katie-Jo Luxton, RSPB Cymru Director, said: “Lockdown brought few benefits, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people.”

Roath Park attracts a diverse variety of wildlife including about 100 swans and a number of geese.

“Because of the lockdown since Christmas, I have more time to observe the surrounding nature,” said Samantha who joined the birdwatch project for the first-time last year. “I have a beautiful little garden. Every time I have a rest from working at home, I’ll go out and see whether there are any animals visiting my yard.”

Last year, the top five birds in Wales for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is house sparrow, blue tit, starling, blackbird, and chaffinch. The organizers are looking forward to more kind of birds in this year’s project which will run from January 29 to 31.