From 24th to 26th January 2025, nature lovers across the UK will unite for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. It’s a simple yet impactful way to contribute to vital research on how garden birds are faring, and Hilltop Garden Centre is here to help you get ready with fantastic offers on bird food to support your feathered friends over the cold winter months.
Why Take Part in the Big Garden Birdwatch?
The Big Garden Birdwatch is more than just an enjoyable hour of birdwatching; it’s a powerful way to help scientists understand how our garden birds are coping with the challenges they face. Over 600,000 people participated last year, recording an astonishing 9.7 million visiting birds in their gardens. The humble House Sparrow topped the charts, but it's important to know that these chirpy chappies have declined by 60% since 1979, making your part in the Big Garden Birdwatch so vital to their research.
Every count matters — whether you spot dozens of birds or none at all. Your data provides the RSPB with crucial insights into bird populations and helps guide conservation efforts. With 38 million birds lost from UK skies in the last 60 years, this year’s Birdwatch is more important than ever.
How to Take Part
- Get your guide: Download your free Birdwatch guide from the RSPB’s website.
- Stock up on supplies: Visit Hilltop Garden Centre to grab bird food and feeders to attract a variety of species, and enjoy up to 33% extra FREE on this month's offers.
- Spend an hour watching: Between 24th and 26th January, record the birds that land in your garden.
- Submit your results: Share your findings with the RSPB online or by post — even if you didn’t spot any birds!
Special Offers on Bird Food at Hilltop
To help you prepare for the Birdwatch and support your garden birds, Hilltop Garden Centre has fantastic offers on bird food this January:
- 25% extra free on Tom Chambers Mealworm Munch (packed with protein), a great all-rounder to attract a wide variety of garden birds. - £7.99
- 25% extra free on No More Mess Mix (less husks) to attract Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Dunnocks, Great Tits, House Sparrows and Robins - £6.99
- 25% extra free on Multi-Mix Suet Pellets (insect and mealworm) to attract birds from the Tit and Finch families - £9.99
- 25% extra free on Insect & Seed Blend (good source of protein) to attract Tits, Flycatchers, Sparrows, Wagtails and more - £8.99
- 25% extra free on Rockin’ Robin Feast (packed with energy), the best blend to attract Robins, but Wrens love it too - £6.99
- 33% extra free on Nyjer Nibbles (rich in oil), best for attracting gold finches and green finches - £9.99
These blends are designed to provide the essential nutrients birds need during the colder months, helping them stay healthy and strong.
Winter Feeding: Why It’s Important
Winter is a tough time for birds. Shorter days and colder temperatures make food harder to find, and birds need extra energy to survive. By supplementing their diets with our high-quality bird food, you’re (quite literally) helping them survive the winter.
Birds play a vital role in your garden’s ecosystem. They keep pests like aphids in check, help with pollination, and bring life and activity to your outdoor space. What's more, watching them can also be a great stress reliever and a wonderful way to connect with nature.
Top Tips for Attracting Birds
- Diverse Food Offerings: Different birds have different preferences, for example, mealworms are loved by robins and blackbirds, while nyjer seeds attract goldfinches.
- Fresh Water: Keep a birdbath filled with fresh water for drinking and bathing, even in winter.
- Clean Feeders: Regularly clean your feeders to prevent the spread of disease - pop in to check out our wide range of feeders in-store.
- Shelter: Provide safe spaces for birds to rest, like hedges, or take a look at our range of birdhouses available in-store.
Join the Hilltop Community
At Hilltop Garden Centre, we’re proud to be part of the local community, helping you create a haven for wildlife. Whether you’re stocking up for the Big Garden Birdwatch or just looking for expert gardening advice, we’re here for you.
Visit us at our garden centre in Clacton on Sea and explore our garden centre with a café, where you can relax after a day of birdwatching. Let’s make this Birdwatch the best one yet — for you, your garden, and our precious wildlife.
