Germany’s Winter Bird Count Reveals Shifting Populations Amidst Severe Weather
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Germany’s annual “Hour of the Winter Birds” count is underway, offering a crucial snapshot of avian life as the nation experiences a particularly harsh winter. Now in its 16th year, the citizen science initiative, running from January 9th to 11th, is already revealing intriguing trends, including a concerning decline in sparrow populations and a surge in participation despite challenging weather conditions.
A Snowy Start to the 2026 Count
The counting campaign launched on January 9th amidst storm warnings and widespread snow, with “Storm Elli” bringing slippery conditions and heavy snowfall to many regions. Despite the adverse weather, participation has been robust, particularly in the northern federal states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein, where observation rates are reportedly 50 percent higher than last year.
However, initial results indicate a roughly 10 percent decrease in the average number of birds reported per garden compared to the same time last year, though organizers caution that this is only the first day of the count and the picture may evolve.
Sparrows in Decline, Tits Thrive
The top five most frequently observed birds remain consistent with previous years: the house sparrow, great tit, blue tit, blackbird, and chaffinch. However, the house sparrow and great tit are locked in a tight race for first place, with the house sparrow’s lead potentially threatened by a noticeable decline in its numbers. This decline is part of a multi-year trend, raising concerns among conservationists.
“The frost and snowfall that has been going on all over Germany for days could mean that more winter birds come to the feeders,” explained Julian Heiermann, a NABU nature conservation expert.
Conversely, great and blue tits, linnets, chaffinches, robins, greenfinches, great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, long-tailed tits, wrens, crested tits, and song thrushes are being reported more frequently than last year, likely drawn to feeding areas by the snow cover.
Unusual Sightings and Migratory Patterns
Beyond the common sightings, the count has also yielded some unexpected observations. Reports of blackcaps, typically wintering in Southern Europe or North Africa, and even a hoopoe – a warmth-loving species – suggest that some birds are altering their migratory patterns in response to the severe conditions.
Additionally, the sixth-ranked Buchfink is attracting attention, with increased sightings potentially indicating a surge in local populations or the arrival of birds from Northern and Eastern Europe. Bramblings, siskins, and waxwings, known as “invasive birds” that migrate to Germany during harsh winters, have so far been reported in lower numbers, but this could change as the weather persists.
The Importance of Supplementary Feeding
The challenging weather underscores the importance of supplementary feeding for birds. With natural food sources hidden under the snow and frost, feeding stations provide a vital lifeline. Experts recommend offering high-quality grain and fat-based foods, and caution against using nets, which pose a danger to birds.
“Currently, a closed snow cover and frozen ground in many places are causing [it to be] difficult for birds to find food in the wild,” NABU stated. “They are then particularly happy to accept the supplementary feeding.”
A Call to Participate
The “Hour of the Winter Birds” is Germany’s largest scientific participation event, with around 122,000 people taking part last year. Participants are encouraged to observe birds for one hour in their gardens, parks, or local areas and report their findings to NABU via the website www.stundederwintervoegel.de or the “NABU Bird World” app by January 20th. The data collected provides valuable insights into population trends and helps inform conservation efforts. A parallel initiative, the “School lesson for winter birds,” aims to engage children in bird observation and counting, with information available at www.naju.de/sdw.
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