PatchBird Surveys

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.

19/08/2025

Celebrate World Shorebirds Day with us – and support independent bird journalism. For a limited time, new members get 50% off for 3 months or 15% off yearly plans. Explore the offer: https://theornithologist.org/shorebirdsday-offer Valid until midnight, 7 September 2025 (BST).

20/07/2025

What can 15 minutes in your local patch reveal? A growing network of birders is showing how consistent observations can drive real conservation.

12/07/2025

The PatchBird Initiative was just featured in The Ornithologist Magazine! I also want to thank every participant who’s kept the project alive while I’ve been busy launching the magazine. Read the update and check out the article here:

A thank-you to PatchBird participants, a personal update from the field, and a look at our feature in The Ornithologist magazine.

21/04/2025

New name, same mission! The BirdUTM Project is now PatchBird – and the website is live in English, Spanish, and Portuguese! We’re building a global bird monitoring network.

Join us today: https://www.patchbird.org/post/new-name-same-mission-now-in-three-languages

PatchBird is the new name of the BirdUTM Project – and now the website is live in English, Spanish, and Portuguese! A fresh identity and wider reach to welcome more birders into a growing global effort.

21/04/2025

Our website is now available in 3 languages:
English
Spanish and
Portuguese.
Please spread the word. :)

20/04/2025

The PatchBird Initiative website is now available in English, Spanish and Portuguese and they are live.

20/04/2025

We’ve Changed Our Name — But Not Our Mission!

The BirdUTM Project is now officially the PatchBird Initiative! 🎉

Why the change? Because we believe conservation should feel accessible, meaningful, and easy to talk about. While we still use the UTM grid for structure behind the scenes, the name PatchBird reflects what truly matters:
🟡 Birding consistently
🟡 Collecting structured data
🟡 Protecting species and habitats — one patch at a time

PatchBird is not an app. It’s a global method built on eBird checklists, designed to turn your local patch into a powerful conservation tool.

👉 What’s Next?

Keep submitting your 15-minute surveys
Keep your UTM square
Help bring new PatchBirders into the network
🌐 Learn more and explore the updated site: https://www.patchbird.org/home

Thank you for growing with us — and for making every bird count.

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.

07/04/2025

04/04/2025

How do we know when a species is truly declining — and not just shifting its range?

In the case of the Eastern Wood-Pewee, citizen science played a vital role. Thanks to eBird, acoustic monitoring, and consistent observations, we now know the species is in trouble — and we can do something about it.

Read the story and see how your checklists can help shape the future of bird conservation.

https://www.birdutmproject.org/post/the-power-of-citizen-science-tracking-the-decline-of-the-eastern-wood-pewee

Bird populations are always in flux—but how do we know whether a species is genuinely declining or simply shifting its range? Traditional bird monitoring efforts can’t be everywhere at once. That’s why citizen science has become a game-changer in tracking bird populations across vast regions.A...

04/04/2025

Some numbers have just been added to the Statistics and Leaderboard page. Check it out.

Track birding progress across UTM grids with real-time stats and the BirdUTM Top 20 leaderboard. Discover who’s contributing the most checklists, covering the widest areas, and helping expand our knowledge of bird distribution.