Eyes are set to turn to gardens, parks and balconies across the Isle of Wight for the return of the world’s largest garden wildlife survey.
From January 23 to 25, nature lovers will count feathered visitors in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch.
Nearly 600,000 people took part in 2025, recording more than nine million birds across the UK.
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A blue tit perched on a branch in a garden. (Image: Ray Kennedy)
Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, said: “By taking part in the Birdwatch, you and hundreds of thousands of other nature lovers across the UK are helping us understand how garden birds are doing.
“Birds and wildlife are struggling right now. Every observation counts, even if you see nothing at all.
“Whether you live in a city or the countryside, anyone, anywhere, can take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch – even if you don’t have a garden.
“A park, balcony, allotment or window box will do. Simply spend an hour and count the birds you see.”
The Isle of Wight saw nearly 1,900 participants in 2025, with the wood pigeon topping the Island’s list, followed by the blue tit and house sparrow.
Anyone can take part by spending one hour counting birds in their garden, balcony, allotment, or a green space, and submitting the results to the RSPB.
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A robin on a magnolia tree. (Image: Andy Hay)
To register and receive a free Big Garden Birdwatch guide – which includes a bird identification chart, tips, and a voucher for the RSPB shop – visit the RSPB’s website.
The Big Garden Birdwatch began in 1979 and has since become a key source of data on the health of garden bird populations across the UK.
Participants are asked to record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time during the hour, rather than the total seen throughout.
The 2025 results revealed that the house sparrow remained the most commonly spotted bird nationwide, followed by the blue tit and wood pigeon.
The RSPB on the Isle of Wight also extended thanks to Wightlink Ferries for sponsoring crossings for staff and volunteers as part of their ongoing support.
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