Big Garden Birdwatch – January 29, 2027

History of Big Garden Birdwatch

The Society for the Protection of Birds (S.P.B.) was founded by Emily Williamson in 1889 who wanted to protect birds and animals from extinction. Emily believed that the British Ornithologists Union was not doing a good job to protect the birds and that they did not give the matter much of their time and focus. Emily thus proceeded to form the S.P.B., which was an all-woman movement initiated for the protection and welfare of birds.

In 1904, the S.P.B. received royal status, and thus the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (R.S.P.B.) was born. One of its first successful campaigns for the protection of ecosystems was in 1921 when the Importation of Plumage Act was passed. The R.S.P.B bought its first natural reserve in 1930, and today it has over 200 natural reserves all across the United Kingdom.

In 1965, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds started the Young Ornithologists Club to encourage young adults and children to be a part of the movement that works toward the protection of birds and other species. In 1979, the Big Garden Birdwatch was launched in U.K. schools as Big Schools Birdwatch. The R.S.P.B. became a partner of BirdLife International in 1993, and by 1997, there were over one million members in the R.S.P.B

In 1998, the Big Garden Birdwatch project was organized in the U.K. as a project to raise awareness and protect the lives of birds and animals and their natural habitat. This observance takes place every year in January, and hundreds of U.K. citizens register themselves with the R.S.P.B. to take part in this drive. The R.S.P.B. then provides participants with the necessary resources and guidelines. House sparrows, Magpies, and Robins are some of the species to look out for.