Ptasia Godzinka: Birdwatching Hour in Poland
- ladybirdnaturetour
- Dec 29, 2025
- 3 min read
Do you know what’s happening in between 16–18 January?
Do you live in Poland and fancy taking part in something a bit different this winter? Here’s an idea: join in Ptasia Godzinka (“Bird Hour”), organised by OTOP – the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds.
Even if you’ve never tried birdwatching before, don’t worry — it’s a simple, relaxing way to connect with nature, spot some winter wildlife, and contribute to real science. And yes, you don’t need to speak Polish to take part.
👉 Official OTOP page: Ptasia Godzinka
When and where
📅 16–18 January 2026 — pick any one-hour slot that suits you.
📍 Anywhere with a good view of birds (you don't even need to leave the house):
Your garden or balcony
Local park or green space
Nature Reserve
Or even from a window if it’s too chilly outside — a cuppa and a cosy chair make a perfect perch!
How to take part
1. Pick your hour
Choose one full 60-minute slot — morning, noon, or afternoon.
2. Choose your spot
Stay put and enjoy the show. Birds will come to you — no chasing about required.
3. Sit back and relax
Think of it as a mindful hour. Listen, watch, and let your thoughts drift. Winter birdwatching is oddly soothing — a great way to take a proper break from screens.
4. Count only the birds that land
Only record birds that land in your patch
Don’t count birds flying past
Record the highest number of each species at one time
Use the online form on the OTOP site while you birdwatch, or, for a screen-free experience jot down your count in a notebook or on the printed PDF provided.
5. Submit your count
Once your birdwatching hour is up, submit your findings through the online form on the OTOP website.
To make this easier, OTOP provides downloadable PDF identification charts. These PDFs help you spot and correctly record species, they're in Polish but the illustrations help with the language barrier, and if you want to use google lens to translate the text that's a good idea too.
Bonus: Get a certificate for your efforts
When you submit your count, you can enter your email address to receive a certificate showing the rsults of your own count, as well as the overall Ptasia Godzinka results in February.
It’s a lovely keepsake — especially for children — and a fun way to celebrate your contribution to science. A proper little bragging-rights moment!
New Year - less screen time?
Take this opportunity, to put your phone down (really, go on) and take an hour to be present with nature. Watch birds feed, hop about, and fluff up against the cold. Listen to the subtle sounds around you. You might notice more than just the birds — the wind through the trees, light catching the fence, or even a cheeky squirrel sneaking about.
If you're doing the count outdoors then we recommend you take a flask of your favourite hot beverage and maybe some nibbles. Use the time to slow down, notice, enjoy.
Family-friendly ideas
If you’re taking part with kids, turn your hour into a mini birding day:
Try some bird-themed crafts or colouring sheets
Do some bird-inspired baking with this Gingerbread Robin recipe
Go for a short walk afterwards to spot more species
Make it a fun way to get the little ones outside while still contributing valuable data
Bad weather? No worries!
This January is forecast to be a chilly one with minus temperatures throughout Poland. Too cold for comfort? No problem. You can still take part from behind a window, as long as your feeder or nearby trees are in view. Your hour still counts — and watching birds with a hot drink and warm socks is arguably the cosiest way to do it.
UK readers
If you’ve stumbled upon this post and are in the UK, don’t worry — the RSPB runs a similar Big Garden Birdwatch on 23–25 January 2026. You can join in from home and help track UK garden birds.
Feeling inspired? Come birdwatching with us in Gdańsk
If Ptasia Godzinka sparks your interest, why not join us for a proper nature fix? We run relaxed, small-group birdwatching and nature tours in the North of Poland, covering the Tri-City area, including Sobieszewo Island.
✨ From the new year:
Discounted group tours for locals
Child-friendly nature workshops
Sign up to our newsletter to hear about upcoming tours, new dates and special offers:
Join our newsletter here
Comments