Winter Bird Count 2025 – join the nationwide bird watching campaign!

On the last weekend of January, from January 24 to 26, 2025, the Winter Bird Count will be held throughout Poland – an event organized by the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP). It’s a great opportunity to get out into the fresh air, learn more about the natural world and contribute to the protection of birds wintering in our country.

Why count birds in winter? 

The main goal of the Winter Bird Count is to check how many birds winter in Poland and how they cope. The information collected helps to better protect birds and the places where they live. Thanks to regular observations, you can also notice whether there are any disturbing changes in nature and react to them. 

However, counting birds in winter is not only about research – it is also a great opportunity to learn more about birds, their diversity and role in nature. Everyone who takes part in the action can get to know the surrounding nature better.

Who can take part? 

Everyone! There are no age restrictions or requirements regarding ornithological knowledge. Participation in the event is free of charge, and you do not need any specialized equipment to observe birds. You can count birds alone, with family, friends or in a larger group. This is the perfect opportunity to spend time outdoors while helping to protect nature.

How to get involved? 

Taking part in the winter count is very simple. Enough: 

• Choose a place for observation – it can be your garden, a nearby park, a forest or any other place. 

• Spend an hour counting birds – preferably at a time convenient for you on one of the action days. 

• Record all species observed and their abundance. 

• Send your results to OTOP using the form available from January 24 on their website. 

If you are not sure how to recognize individual species, don’t worry – on the OTOP website you will find photos and descriptions of the most common birds that will help you identify them.

What birds can we meet? 

During the Winter Bird Count, participants most often see birds that feel good in cities and around people. Among them are sparrows – small birds that used to be very numerous, but their population has begun to decline in recent years. The great tit is also very popular, a bird with a characteristic yellow belly that likes to visit feeders in gardens and parks. In cities you can often see jackdaws, small birds from the corvid family, and city pigeons, which are a permanent element of the urban landscape. 

However, depending on where you observe, you may encounter more unique guests. For example, waxwings, which have beautiful plumage and appear in winter when they come to us from the north, or bullfinches – birds with a characteristic red belly that stand out especially against the snow. It is this diversity that makes bird watching a fascinating experience.

Are waterbirds also counted?

Water birds, such as ducks, swans and seagulls, are an important element of Polish nature, but their counting does not take place as part of the Winter Bird Count. The counting of these species is carried out as part of a separate program – Monitoring of Wintering Water Birds (MZPW), which is also coordinated by OTOP. This year it took place on January 18-19, 2025. The organizers emphasize that if for any reason it was not possible to count birds on this date, it can be done on another date, but no later than January 31, 2025.

Both experienced ornithologists and less experienced people who want to contribute to nature conservation can take part in the MZPW. It is important that participants have basic knowledge about waterbirds and are able to perform reliable counting. To participate, please contact the regional coordinator (list available on the OTOP website) for detailed information and instructions.

Why is it worth taking part? 

Winter bird counting is not only an interesting way to spend time, but above all a chance to do something good for nature. By counting birds and sending our results to the organizers, we help scientists obtain valuable information. Thanks to this, you can understand how the number of birds in Poland is changing and which species are most exposed to threats. Participating in the campaign is also an opportunity to get to know the nature around you better. For children, it is an excellent lesson in nature that takes place in real life, not only in books. 

Where to look for information?

If you want to learn more about the Winter Bird Count, visit the OTOP website. There you will find all the necessary information – forms for sending results, photos and descriptions of birds that will help you recognize them, and instructions on how to take part in the action. Additionally, the organizers encourage you to share your observations on social media. You can post a photo or a short description of your experiences – perhaps you will inspire others to join this initiative.