As of: May 8, 2024 4:44 p.m
Which birds fly most often through gardens and parks? NABU wants to determine this at the “Hour of the Garden Birds”. Nature lovers can help and count – from May 9th to 12th.
Whether in the garden, on the meadow and in trees, in the country or in the middle of the city: In order to find out how bird populations have developed, NABU traditionally calls for its “Hour of the Garden Birds” campaign on the second weekend in May. From May 9th to 12th, 2024, as many nature lovers as possible should observe, count and report the birds in their neighborhood.
“Those who take part are taking part in one of the largest citizen science projects in Germany. It’s also fun to get to know and count birds. It’s also healthy,” says NABU Federal Managing Director Leif Miller. Engaging with nature and watching birds has a positive effect on mental health.
More young birds due to mild temperatures
Many overwintering species this spring would have started breeding early because it was quite warm early on. “We could potentially see more young birds during garden bird hour than in other years,” suspects Miller. For house sparrows, wood pigeons and blackbirds, the first offspring of the year have already left the nest.
This time the count will take place one day longer than before. The focus is on the development of the 15 most common species in recent years and that of the house sparrow in the individual federal states.
Look for birds for an hour
The house sparrow has occupied first place in bird counts for many years.
Participating is easy: look for birds in the garden, from the balcony or in the park for an hour, note down your observations and then report them to NABU. Important: only note the highest number of each bird species that can be seen at the same time during that hour. Example: If a sparrow flies into view five times in an hour, it only counts as one bird. If five sparrows can be seen at the same time, a five is entered. If eight sparrows then settle down at once, this number is noted.
Report observations:
via online form: On the “Hour of Garden Birds” website, the data can be recorded and evaluated quickly and cost-effectively (until May 20, 2024). via app: via the free NABU “Bird World” app by telephone: on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the free number 0800 -11 57 115 by post: Registration form by May 20, 2024 to: NABU, Hour of Garden Birds, 10469 Berlin
Results should be reported even if only a few birds show up during the counting session. They can provide evidence that bird species populations are declining. The Nature Conservation Association has a practical counting aid that can be printed out and further information available online. You can also download a bird guide as a smartphone app there.
Anyone who takes part in the count can also win something: NABU is giving away binoculars, nesting boxes, bird baths and bird identification books.
In 2023, almost 59,000 people nationwide took part in the campaign. As in previous years, the house sparrow took first place among the 1.3 million birds reported, followed by the blackbird, great tit and starling. There was also a strong downward trend in swifts and martins. Tit and finch species, on the other hand, were spotted more frequently.
NABU is committed to better protection of birds
With the “Hour of the Garden Birds” and its sister campaign “Hour of the Winter Birds”, NABU wants to find out which bird species are most common in cities and villages. From the results, the experts derive trends in the development of the various populations and the animals can be better protected, for example by creating suitable habitats. The first “Hour of Garden Birds” took place in 2005.
Further information
In 2023, significantly fewer birds were counted, and the jay was rarer than ever. The climate could endanger the stocks. more
Binoculars are useful for observing animals in nature. What is important when buying, what do the technical details mean? more
In winter, birds are happy about extra food. You can easily mix it yourself and design it however you like. more
Trees may only be heavily pruned between October and February. The ban serves to protect breeding birds. more
If you plant a hedge made from native shrubs, you have a decorative privacy screen and also protect nature. more
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NDR 1 Radio MV | May 12, 2023 | 07:07 am