Garden Bird Survey 2024

Blue tits on suet block © Nicholas Watts, Vine House Farm Bird Food

Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records

Gloucestershire Garden Bird Survey

The Garden Bird Survey has been running since 1993 and is an important long-term study on how bird populations and habits have changed over time in Gloucestershire.

The survey runs annually from the first 9 weeks of the New Year, this year it will begin the week commencing 28^th December, and will finish on Saturday 28^th February 2026.

In 2023 the Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records, hosted by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, took over the running of the survey from the Gloucestershire Ornithological Coordinating Committee. Since 2024, the survey has also been available as an online survey.

Anyone can take part from birdwatching novices to experienced birders; you just need a garden or residential communal space and are confident in your identification. If you are not sure, use a bird watching book or use GWT Wildlife Explorer.

Robin bird perching and eating off of bird feeder

How to take part

Each week, record the maximum number (peak count) of each species seen at any one time. Only birds using the garden area, its trees or on your house, should be counted and birds of prey chasing other birds in your garden. A peak count is the maximum seen at any one time, therefore if one day you see 6 blue tits and the other days that week you only see 4, your peak count will be 6.

Participants can devote as little or as much time to the survey as they like, if you are unable to record for a few weeks during the survey period, simply record that on the survey.

The online survey can be filled in from 3^rd January 2026

Fill in the form online

How to complete the survey online?

Paper copy of survey (useful to keep a record during the week)

GGBS 2026 - Survey Form.docx

How we use the data

At the end of the survey GCER creates a report that is published online, old reports are listed below. The data is added to the GCER database that stores biological records on all species found in Gloucestershire, this data is used by a range of local users, from strategic planning to student research.

In 2025 the data from previous surveys contributed to the creation of a Gloucestershire Priority Species list that was developed alongside the Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, this was a large piece of strategic work overseen by the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership which will influence landowners and policy makers in the county.

If you would like to report other wildlife sightings or birds outside the survey dates, please use the GCER record a wildlife sighting form HERE