We would love to get 100 people in Portsmouth to join by spending 15 minutes recording birds in a local green space, you can help build vital national research and show the value of Portsmouth park's, greens and open spaces.
The BTO Birds in Greenspaces project will run from 1 April to 30 June 2026 and aims to find out just how important greenspaces are for UK birds, and provide guidance on effective greenspace management for birds and people.
About Birds in Greenspaces
Birds in Greenspaces is a new, UK-wide citizen science survey of birds that use our public-access greenspaces. These spaces play many important roles for both birds and people, particularly in urban areas. For birds they offer resources and shelter that cannot be found in the surrounding built-up environment, and for people, are important hubs for socialising, exercise, and cultural activities. For many they are also the only accessible place to connect with the natural world, something which can be very beneficial for mental health.
The project is open to people of all ages and experience levels, across the UK and we want as many people as possible to get out into their local greenspace and learn about and connect with the wildlife there and help us to find out more about these understudied spaces.
Taking part
Anyone can take part in Birds in Greenspaces! From 1 April to 30 June, we will be asking you to record the birds in your local greenspace(s). By simply recording which greenspace you visited, how long you spent there, which birds you saw and how many, you will be contributing key data. Whatever your experience level, we will be offering a range of resources to help you to take part and build your skills.
What should I record?
You should record all birds, you see and/or hear in the greenspace and on the boundary. You should also include birds that are flying within or low above the greenspace.
Birds flying high overhead, such as large groups of geese, should not be recorded as it is unlikely they are using the greenspace.
How long you spend is up to you! For most greenspaces, 30 minutes to one hour is enough to survey the whole greenspace, recording all the birds you observe, but if you only have a short time to spare then we'd still love your data.
In order to ensure we collect the most complete data possible, we recommend carrying out multiple visits to your greenspace, ideally one per month (April, May, and June), but even a single visit can provide us with valuable data.
Our quick record method allows you to submit single species records, so if the only time you have to visit a greenspace is on your commute to work or while going for a run, for example, you can still contribute to the project.
Where can I go?We are including tens of thousands of greenspaces, throughout the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
These are public-access greenspaces in and around cities, towns, and villages, ranging from tiny postage stamp community gardens to huge parks (some of which we've even had to divide up!).
Skills
- need to be able to set up an online account with the charity and log your sightings.
We can provide printed out resources that you can collect from Portsmouth Central Library
Details
- Suitable for Families - (under 16's with an adult)
- Suitable for Under 18's (if yes state min age)
Any age can get involved
When can I volunteer?
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Afternoon | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Evening | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Location
This opportunity is available Countywide.
More Opportunities from British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
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One Off - Record Birds in Greenspaces
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
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