PatchBird Surveys

20/09/2026

Good news about PatchBird Surveys in Bird Observer. 😊

PatchBird’s new survey maps make joining easier: find a point, count every bird for fifteen minutes, and return to repeat the survey.

06/09/2026

World Shorebirds Day 2026 looks at recent progress for shorebirds and why continued monitoring of local sites matters beyond a single day or count.

09/01/2026

Two simple opportunities to join PatchBird in 2026 — no long-term commitment required.

We’re introducing two optional anchor dates:
• PatchBird Midwinter Counts (17–18 January)
• Global Big Day (9 May)

Both are designed as low-pressure entry points: one grid, one 15-minute survey, full flexibility. Over time, these shared moments help build a meaningful long-term picture — while leaving participation entirely voluntary.

If you’ve been curious about PatchBird, this is an easy way to try it.
And if a square catches your interest, you’re always welcome to return.

Read more:

PatchBird Surveys have always been about flexibility. You choose when to survey, and how deeply you want to be involved. That will not change. In 2026, however, we are introducing two optional anchor dates – simple opportunities to take part without committing to regular surveys.17–18 January: P...

26/12/2025

The PatchBird website has just been restructured — and with it, the project’s purpose is now clearer than ever.

PatchBird is about something simple, but often missing from bird monitoring: consistency.
Not chasing hotspots. Not ticking lists. But returning to the same ordinary places — roadside stops, farmland edges, urban margins — and applying the same 15-minute survey method over time.

The updated site now explains more clearly:
• why standardised surveys matter
• how PatchBird Surveys and PatchBird Explorer differ
• and why even low-effort, repeat visits are scientifically valuable

As the project grows, patterns emerge — often long before declines become obvious.

If you already take part, thank you. 🙏🏽 Your consistency matters more than you may realise.
If you have been curious but unsure where to start, this is your invitation.

PatchBird is open, flexible, and built around what people can do — not what they should do.

Explore the refreshed site, choose a patch, and contribute when it fits your life.

The PatchBird Initiative advances bird conservation through citizen science and structured patch birding. Using the eBird platform and a standardised survey method tied to UTM grids, PatchBird collects consistent, spatially organised data to track bird abundance, habitat use, and seasonal change.