Nature Features

The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch – the world’s biggest wildlife survey – takes place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th January 2009, celebrating its 30th birthday... and everyone’s invited to join in the fun!

Up to 500,000 people across the UK are being encouraged to spend an hour of their time spying on their bird neighbours with their friends and family, not only to celebrate the 30th birthday but also to make it the biggest Birdwatch yet!

In 2008, almost 400,000 people spotted six million birds across 228,000 gardens, helping reveal the winners and losers in the garden bird world.

Chris Hunt

Chris Hunt from the RSPB in Derby, said: "Garden's are increasingly important habitat's for birds and counting them gives us important information as to how they're doing. as well as an insight into their habits."

Participants in Big Garden Birdwatch have made a significant contribution to monitoring garden bird numbers over the past three decades. The results highlight some garden birds are in need of help.

The house sparrow claimed the top position for the most birds seen in gardens in 2008 but the species has shown a rapid decrease since 1979, dropping from an average of 10 birds per garden to 3.6.

The starling has also seen its numbers plummet - from 15 per garden to an average of 3.44, a decline of 77%.

In decline: Song Thrush

The well-loved song thrush has also been a casualty. A prominent figure in the 1979 top 10, it now isn't seen in the top 20. In the last 30 years, song thrush numbers have declined by 63%.

Because of what the RSPB has learnt from the Big Garden Birdwatch, several studies are underway to identify how they can help these birds recover.

To join in with the Big Garden Birdwatch, simply spend one hour over the weekend of 24th and 25th January, counting the birds in your garden or local park. Remember, you need to make a note of how many of a particular species you see in your garden at any one time, NOT the total number (because some birds may visit a garden repeatedly).

An online survey form will be available from the weekend of Big Garden Birdwatch until 16 February 2009.

Alternatively, Big Garden Birdwatch forms can be obtained by phoning 0300 456 8330 (calls charged at standard rate).

The hotline number will be operational until 26 January 2009.

Bonanza Time

And don't forget to join in Derby's Garden Bird Bonanza on 7 February in Derby's Market Place. Use the links on this page for more details.