The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

This weekend sees the return of world’s largest garden wildlife survey! The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch builds a snapshot of how our birdlife is doing across the UK and helps us in understanding what we need to do to protect it. Find out how to get involved in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch here.

Why not take an hour or so to look out for and report the birds you spot in your garden, neighbourhood or maybe your balcony. Stay warm and dry to bird watch through your window or venture out to local greenspaces - looking for feathered friends can bring moments joy and comfort to your day. We've seen over the past year, how important the natural world is to our mental health and wellbeing.

Use our handy guide below to help see which birds have made a home in your garden:

Blackbird Turdus merula

Famous songsters. These sun-worshipping earthworm feasters are regular visitors to British gardens.

Male Blackbirds are all black, females, on the other hand, are dark brown with lighter brown streaks across their breasts. Young Blackbirds have copper streaks and may be mistaken as adult females.
You're likely to see a Blackbird hopping around on the ground, looking for food, whether you're out in the woods or simply pottering in the garden.

Habitat: gardens, woodland, grassland
Diet: insects, earthworms, fruit, berries

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Feisty & celebrated, Robins sing nearly all year round (not just at Christmas). Males and females look identical, and young robins have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown. Despite their cute appearance, they are very territorial to other birds and are quick to drive away intruders.
Simply step out into your garden and you may spot a pleasant robin these birds.

Habitat: gardens, woodland, parks, hedgerows
Diet: worms, fruit, seeds, insects

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

Known for its bright, bold plumage. Spot Blue Tits performing acrobatic displays in your garden!

Blue Tits have a vivid blue cap, white face, black stripes across the eyes, bright yellow breast, and blue, green and white wings.
Blue Tits can be found in deciduous and mixed woodland, hedges, gardens and parks across the UK. Look for it perched on trees in the woods or hunting for food at bird feeders in gardens.

Habitat: woodland, gardens, hedges, parks
Diet: insects, spiders, caterpillars, fruit, seeds

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Plump, small and rather loud-mouthed.
Wrens are little, short birds that only reach a length of 6-10cm. They have brown underparts and darker wings, and their undersides are paler. Their bodies are plump, with a cocked tail and a sharp, pointy bill. Your best chance of identifying this little bird is by listening out for its loud song. For such a small bird, it has an incredibly powerful voice.

Habitat: woodland, heathland, farmland, gardens
Diet: insects, spiders

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Seed-eating specialists with a bright red face.

Adult goldfinches have a specific purple face with a black cap and black across the eyes. Note: Young Goldfinches have a more brown-grey face. Their wings are darkish with a striking yellow patch and a light brown-grey breast.
They can thrive in nearly any habitat with scattered trees and bushes and woodland and gardens.

Habitat: woodland, farmland, parks and gardens
Diet: seeds, invertebrates

Spot all our Bird mugs online here.