Get involved in the Big Farmland Bird Count

The Farmers’ Union of Wales will be supporting the GWCT’s Big Farmland Bird County again this year, encouraging farmers and landowners to take a moment to pose and record the birdlife on their farms between 6 and 22 February 2026.

Taking place each February, the Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) invites farmers, land managers and gamekeepers to spend just 30 minutes recording birds they see or hear on their land. Heading into the 12th year, this simple, accessible activity repeated across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, builds an invaluable long-term picture of how our farmland bird species are faring.

2025 Big Farmland Bird Count

Last year’s count saw encouraging levels of participation, a total of 35 Welsh farmers, estates and land managers took part, collectively surveying 14,152 acres (5,727 hectares) of farmland. Participation continues to grow, reflecting a rising awareness of how practical on-farm conservation work can influence wildlife populations. 

There are multiple pressures on farmers, yet many of them already do so much to support wildlife, often unnoticed by the public. The GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count is an opportunity for them to see just what impact their efforts are having and to highlight and celebrate their hard work. Farmers and land managers are uniquely positioned to contribute to this national effort: with over 70% of the UK’s land under agricultural management, no other group interacts with the countryside so consistently or has such direct influence over its habitats. Their knowledge of the land, seasons and wildlife provides insight that no other dataset can match. 

The results from last year’s count tell a rich story. In total, participants recorded 4,565 birds, belonging to 81 species, including 1,784 counts of red-listed birds, among which where yellowhammer, linnet, and skylark. More widely across the UK a total of 352,647 birds, belonging to 125 species, were recorded across 796,106 acres (322,173 hectares) of farmland by 1,332 farmers and land managers. 

There were notable decreases in sightings of some species, including red-listed fieldfares which were down 52%, long-tailed tits were down 27%, and curlew with a 25% drop. On a positive note, sightings of amber-listed kestrels had increased by 182%. These records help reveal both encouraging trends and areas that need attention - and every farm that takes part strengthens the reliability of this nationwide picture. 

More than a birdwatching activity 

The BFBC is more than just a birdwatching activity - it is a meaningful scientific effort that relies on grassroots participation. More than 1 in 4 UK bird species is in serious trouble, many of the struggling species are farmland and upland birds. Long-term data is essential for understanding how species are responding to changing conditions, weather patterns and land management practices. For conservationists, the count provides one of the clearest windows into what is happening on real farms, in real time. For farmers, it offers an opportunity to have their environmental work recognised and to contribute directly to national knowledge about countryside biodiversity. Without their involvement, much of this vital information would simply go unrecorded. 

FUW Montgomeryshire member, John Yeomans, who is a regular supporter of the Big Farmland Birdcount said: “Sarah, our sons and I have done the Big Farmland Bird Count for a number of years, it is great to sit down for a second and see how much birdlife we have. As farmers we are always busy but it only takes half an hour, and is a way of showing how biodiverse productive farmland is in Wales. I would urge all farmers in Wales to get involved.” 

Taking part

Getting involved in the count couldn’t be easier. Any farm, large or small, can get involved by choosing a spot - a hedgerow, yard, woodland edge or field margin - and spending 30 minutes recording birds they see or hear. Results are submitted online through the GWCT website, and participants can use the free ID guides and resources provided. Many people find the count a refreshing break from winter routines, offering a peaceful moment to observe their land from a new angle, and reflect on the nature that thrives alongside their work.

As the BFBC continues to grow, we hope even more farmers and land managers will take part this year. The success of the count depends on the strength of the farming community behind it. Every additional participant helps build a clearer, more accurate picture of the state of our farmland birds - and adds to a collective effort that has become one of the most important farmer-led wildlife monitoring projects in the UK. Whether you’re an experienced birder or completely new to it, your contribution is valuable, appreciated, and easy to make.

To find out more, or access identification guides, visit the www.GWCT.wales website. Together, we can continue building a positive future for farmland birds - one 30-minute count at a time.