Why join GBW?

Garden BirdWatch is all about spending time enjoying watching your garden wildlife, and then using this to help us collect the information we need for research into garden ecology. All you need to take part is a garden, an interest in garden wildlife and a little bit of time to spend recording. You don't have to provide food for birds and your garden doesn't have to be big. All types of garden are welcome!

The data collected by GBW helps us discover how wildlife uses the areas around our homes, and therefore how we can improve our gardens, towns and cities for wildlife.

As well as helping with important research, Garden Birdwatch is a great way to learn more about birds and other wildlife in your garden, to watch with a purpose, and to understand the annual cycles that you see. It is also a good way of introducing others in your family to garden wildlife.

Many people enjoy making weekly bird lists, but it's fine to send in lists less regularly. We also welcome people who join without sending in counts, supporting the project financially and receiving the quarterly magazine.

Garden BirdWatch is self-funded through the generosity of its participants. In return for an annual membership of £17, you'll receive:

• A welcome pack containing a free book 'Garden Birds and Wildlife' 
• Bird Table magazine, four times a year
• Access to our online data entry system to keep a record of all your sightings
• Access to the BTO's team of garden bird experts.