In 2026, the “Hour of the Winter Birds” will again invite you to observe and count native birds for an hour. From January 9th to 11th, the State Association for Bird and Nature Conservation (LBV) and NABU are calling on all nature lovers to take part in Germany’s largest participation campaign in nature conservation. The aim is to make changes in the populations of our winter birds visible and to better understand long-term developments. Every single report helps to get a more accurate picture of the bird life in gardens, parks and on balconies.
This is how participation works
Participating is easy: you choose a fixed observation spot and watch all the birds that appear there for an hour. The highest number that can be seen at the same time is noted for each species. You can then report your observations online to the LBV. Beginners are also welcome – identification and counting aids are available at NABU and make it easier to recognize the species.
Why your observations are important
The data collected helps to document population developments, record rare winter visitors and identify changes in bird behavior. On this basis, nature conservation measures can be planned and evaluated in a targeted manner. Typical species that are often observed in winter include house sparrows, blackbirds, great and blue tits and robins. Winter guests such as the Brambling also appear regularly and always provide exciting observations.
An hour that makes a big difference
The “Hour of the Winter Birds” offers a wonderful opportunity to consciously perceive nature and at the same time make a valuable contribution to species protection. Whether alone, with family or with friends – every observation counts and helps to better understand and protect the diversity of our bird world. All information about participation, the registration form and the results can be found here directly at the LBV.
And a particularly adorable garden bird is the long-tailed tit – maybe you have one in your garden too… You can find the most common garden birds here: native bird species.
You can hear more about the hour of winter birds on January 9, 2026 on Bayern 1 in the morning.
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