Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 Highlights Cornwall’s Best Winter Birdwatching Spots

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch returns from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th January 2026, inviting people across the UK to spend one hour counting birds and helping build the world’s largest wildlife survey.

Interest in birdwatching continues to grow, with UK Google searches for “winter birds” up by 37 percent compared with last year. For those without a garden of their own, Cornwall static caravan sales provider Away Resorts has highlighted a number of local spots where people can still take part and enjoy winter birdlife.

Big Garden Birdwatch in Cornwall

The annual RSPB event encourages people to observe birds from gardens, balconies or local green spaces. The data collected helps track how bird populations are changing across the UK.

With Cornwall’s mix of wetlands, estuaries and woodland, there are plenty of places to spot winter visitors during the survey weekend.

Marazion Marsh

Located near Penzance, Marazion Marsh is one of Cornwall’s most important wetland reserves. Its reedbeds, open water and surrounding scrub offer strong winter birdwatching opportunities. January sightings often include teal, snipe and reed buntings, with water rail hiding in the reeds. Stonechats and meadow pipits are also regularly seen, with occasional bittern sightings during colder months.

Hayle Estuary

The Hayle Estuary is a key wintering site for migratory birds. Its extensive mudflats and saltmarsh attract large numbers of waders and wildfowl. Birdwatchers may spot herons, little egrets, curlews, oystercatchers, redshanks and dunlin feeding along the estuary. Shelduck and wigeon are often seen on the water, while nearby dunes and scrub support finches and pipits throughout winter.

Loe Pool and Penrose Estate

Loe Pool is Cornwall’s largest natural freshwater lake and offers a quieter inland birdwatching experience. Winter species can include pochard, tufted duck and little grebe, with kingfishers occasionally seen along the water’s edge. Woodland areas within the Penrose Estate are home to nuthatches, treecreepers and great spotted woodpeckers.

Goss Moor National Nature Reserve

Situated between Bodmin and Newquay, Goss Moor features a mix of wetlands, heathland and scrub. In winter, birdwatchers can spot snipe, skylarks and meadow pipits, while stonechats and reed buntings remain active all year. Its varied habitats make it suitable for both beginners and more experienced birdwatchers.

Camel Estuary

Stretching inland from Padstow, the Camel Estuary is one of Cornwall’s top winter birdwatching destinations. Tidal mudflats attract large numbers of waders, including black tailed godwits, curlews and occasional avocets. Brent geese may be seen grazing nearby fields, while little egrets and grey herons patrol the shoreline.

Connecting With Nature

Kate Watts, spokesperson at Cornwall static caravan sales provider Away Resorts, said:

“Participating in the Big Garden Birdwatch is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to connect with nature and appreciate the incredible birdlife that Cornwall has to offer. Whether you’re counting birds from your garden, balcony, or local green space, it’s a simple way to observe the diverse species that call Cornwall home. From its coastal wetlands to its woodland reserves, Cornwall is filled with winter visitors at this time of the year.”

The Big Garden Birdwatch takes place over three days, giving people plenty of opportunities to get involved and contribute to this nationwide survey.