RSPB Big Birdwatch 2025 in the West Midlands: How to take part and what to expect

The Big Birdwatch has become a much-loved annual event providing the RSPB with a valuable snapshot of how our garden birds are doing in the UK.

It begins once again on Friday, January 24 until Sunday, January 26.

It first began 46 years ago - back in 1979 - and since then more than 1995 million birds have been counted and over 12.1 million hours spent watching and recording birds in gardens across the country. Sandwell Valley, Walton Hill in Halesowen and Sutton Park are renowned for watching birds. But you can also spot them in your own garden.

The results of the survey help paint a picture of how birds are managing in our gardens. It also helps to identify possible reasons for declines and can be done to try to reverse them.

“Winter gardens can be a real haven for our wildlife,” says Adrian Thomas, RSPB wildlife gardening expert.

“At the harshest time of year, when natural food sources are scarce or hard to access and temperatures are brutal, our gardens can offer both food and shelter to everything from tiny insects to birds and small mammals.”

Over its four decades, Big Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world. 

The blue tit and great tit, much-loved garden species, have seen their average numbers rise by 24% and 61% respectively. 

While species such as the starling, currently at number two in the Big Garden Birdwatch charts, has seen its numbers drop by more than 80% since 1979. 

The RSPB says that the UK has lost 38 million birds from its skies in the last five decades and while starlings look to be doing well, being in second place on the list, their populations across the country have plummeted during this time.

Reasons behind declines in garden bird sightings are complex and continue to be investigated. 

Fewer green spaces, pollution and a changing climate are just some of the challenges faced by many birds. By better understanding what is happening, the charity is better equipped to find solutions.

What are the most common birds you are likely to find in gardens in the West Midlands?

The top birds spotted in the West Midlands during the 2024 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch were: 

1. House Sparrow

2. Blue Tit

3. Woodpigeon

4. Magpie 

5. Blackbird 

6. Starling 

7. Robin

8. Great tit

9. Goldfinch

10. Long tailed tit

11. Carrion crow

12. Feral pigeon

13. Coal tit

How does the West Midlands compare to the rest of the UK?

The most common birds spotted across the country in order of numbers are: 

1. House Sparrow

2. Blue Tit

3. Starling

4. Woodpigeon

5. Blackbird

6. Robin

7. Great Tit

8. Gold Finch

9. Magpie

10. Long Tailed Tit

You can take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch by:

• Watching birds in a local green space for one hour

• Counting the number of each bird species that land

• Reporting the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time

For more information check out the RSPB website