How to take part


You, too, can help conserve birds and their habitat! Check on the garden birds in your area once a year, and share your survey results.

STEP 1

Choose a green patch you like --
a park nearby, garden or playground.
STEP 2

Sign up as a counter. Registration opens in January each year.
STEP 3

On either 4 or 5 JUNE, go to your chosen site and jot down the birds you see, for just 30 mins; anytime 7-11am and 4-6pm.
STEP 4

Submit your data -- email your count sheet to chirp@mygarden birdwatch.com OR key in your survey results on bird i*witness by 20 JUNE.














That’s it. Check this website for the survey results in August.

Frequently asked questions

  • Who can take part?

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    Anyone who is in Malaysia on the count dates (the World Environment Day or the nearest weekends) can participate. You don't need to be a veteran birdwatcher to participate. You can do the count alone or with your family and friends.

  • Do I need a pair of binoculars for this?

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    Not really. If you do not have a pair of binoculars, just record the birds you can see with your naked eye. However, if you have a pair of binoculars, bring them along. They may give you a better look of the birds to help you identify the birds accurately.

  • Where do I to carry out the count?

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    Your survey site can be your garden or your kampung, as long as the site is within Malaysia. If you do not have a garden (if you live in an apartment, for example), go to any green area nearby, such as a playground or recreation park where birds can be found.

  • How often is the count?

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    Just once a year. To effectively monitor changes in bird population/ distribution, statistical data needs to collected over a period of at least 5 to 8 years. Therefore we encourage you to carry out the count in the same area for at least 5 years.

  • How much time do I spend outdoors?

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    The count takes only 30 minutes. On either 5th or 6th June, go to your survey site between 7:00-11:00am or 4:00-6:00pm, when the birds are most active.

  • How do I register as a participant?

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    Register on this website else email your name and count site to chirp@mygardenbirdwatch.com. We will contact you with further details.

  • How do I conduct the count?

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    1. Take note of every bird that you see -- identify it and take note of how many you saw.
    2. Bring along the count-sheet (downloaded it here) and jot down the number of each species seen.
    3. Log on to the online portal Bird I-Witness and key in your survey results.

  • What's Bird I-Witness? I don't have a username and password to access the website.

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    You need access to Bird I-Witness only if you choose to submit your survey results directly onto the database. Bird I-Witness is the Malaysian chapter of the global online bird sighting database Worldbirds. Before you can submit your MY Garden Birdwatch survey results at Bird I-Witness, you will first need to register as a Bird I-Witness user. Here's a video to show you how.




  • How do I submit my survey results? Must I do it via Bird I-Witness?

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    There are two ways to submit your survey results. You can either email the filled up Count Sheet to chirp@mygardenbirdwatch.com, or you could key in your survey results online, using the portal Bird I-Witness. More on Bird I-Witness, above.

  • I would like to key in my survey results online, using my Bird I-Witness account. Show me how.


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  • I'm taking the easy way out. How can I submit my survey results without going through Bird I-Witness?

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    Simply download the Count Sheet, fill it up, and then email the details to chirp@gmail.com

  • How do I register as a participant?

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    Register on this website else email your name and count site to chirp@mygardenbirdwatch.com. We will contact you with further details.

  • Do I count the birds that fly overhead?

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    DO NOT include birds in flight.

  • Do I count the birds that keep chirping away but never gets out of the bush?

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    DO NOT include birds that are heard but not seen. Count only the birds that you can see.

  • What happens if the same individual flies in twice?

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    Please use the highest total seen of each species throughout the 30 minutes. For example,

    SCENARIO 1:
    You see 2 Common Mynas on a fence. 5 more fly in and perch on a tree nearby, followed byanother 3 landing on the ground, all at the same time, which bring the current total to 10 birds. Ten minutes later you have a similar scenario but there is a total of 11 Common Mynas. The number you submit should be 11, not 21.

    SCENARIO 2:
    You see Eurasian Tree Sparrows at three different times. 6 at 8.00am, 4 at 8.15am and 7 at 8.30am. Your total number of Eurasian Tree Sparrows to submit would be 7 (the highest number), not 17.

  • What if I don't know the birds' names?

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    Download and print the pocket-sized bird guide here and bring it along to your survey site; or better yet, learn up the common garden species beforehand.

  • There are birds in my garden that is not shown on the bird guide I downloaded from this website.

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    The pocket-sized bird guide features 27 key species found in lowland Malaysian gardens. Depending where you are, you may see other species at your survey site. For example, the common garden birds in Petaling Jaya may be different from what's common in Cameron Highlands and in East Malaysia. Please refer to relevant field guides found in bookstores to help you with bird identification. If you need advice on which field guides to get, send an email to chirp@mygardenbirdwatch.com

  • What is Bird I-Witness?

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    Bird I-Witness is an online database system that birdwatchers use to maintain their sightings. Once a registered user, you, too can be part of the Worldbirds family, and enjoy the perks that come with it -- the latest on bird sightings and birdwatching hotspots.

  • Do I stay in one spot at my survey site, or can I walk around?

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    Please stay in one spot and observe the area around you.

  • What if I don't see a single bird for the entire half-hour?

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    Please submit your count sheet all the same, with zero birds seen' as the survey report. This information counts as valid data and is crucial to us.

  • If my friend and I are both registered counters, can we count at the exact same spot?

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    We would suggest that you team up and submit one count sheet for one spot. Better yet, split up at two ends of a playground or park, so that you can provide two sets of valuable data when you submit your results individually!

  • I have a question that is not listed here.

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    Send an email to chirp@mygardenbirdwatch.com

TIME CHECK

Please keep the count duration to 30 minutes -- no more, no less -- even if it is tempting to keep going. Bring a stopwatch if that helps!

DRESSING DOWN

Keep a low profile when you are counting for the survey. Standing in the middle of the garden in a bright red shirt might shoo the birds away.

HIDE

If you are counting in your own garden or backyard, station yourself at the window or porch so that your presence does not scare the birds away.

STAYING PUT

If you are counting at a neighbour-hood green patch, remain at one spot. Resist the temptation to walk to the other end of the park. Simply record the birds that can be seen from where you are.

EVERY BIRD COUNTS

Count every bird that you see, whether they are on your side of the fence or your neighbours'.

NOT THE ONES IN FLIGHT

The survey targets perched birds -- those foraging in the bushes, feeding on the ground, singing and calling on the pillars etc.; DO NOT count the ones in flight.