Record participation in 2019 France-wide bird count

This was the largest number of participants since the event began in 2013. In the departments of the Deux-Sèvres, Cantal and the Pyrénées-Orientales, participation numbers doubled.

The bird counting weekends takes place regularly, on specific dates chosen by the LPO. Anyone wanting to take part needs to make themselves aware of the days required, and - for an hour during that specific window - count and identify any birds they see in their garden or chosen outside space.

In January, the common sparrow was seen in the largest number; while the coal tit, the robin red breast, and the blue tit were also among the most-seen in our gardens this year.

Yet, fewer birds were counted overall, with an average of 35 birds per garden in 2019, compared to 38 in 2018.

The LPO has now set the dates for the next event, which is set to take place over the weekend of May 25-26.

The instructions are the same: for your chosen hour during the weekend given, you must simply count the full number of birds that you see in your garden, balcony space, or public park.

Participants are then invited to log their results on the event website, to be included as part of the wider count.

A full guide and instructions on how to collect the data properly can also be seen on the website.