RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
Conservation work in your back garden
The world’s biggest bird survey takes place in the UK on the 26th and 27th of January. Every year the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) conducts a census of garden birds in a bid to determine the overall state of the British bird population.
The findings have recorded both good and bad news, the number of starlings and house sparrows has dropped drastically and other species are becoming increasingly scarce through the effects of climate change, intensive agricultural practices and the spread of urbanised areas.
Last year the survey attracted over 400,000 participants nationwide recording a staggering 6, 500,000 birds in 236,000 gardens.
How to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Survey
Spend an hour in your garden or local park on either the 26th or 27th of January and record the highest number of birds which land, don’t count any which fly overhead. The results can be posted online at the RSPB website where they have a counting sheet and simple bird guide avaliable for download.
I shall give it a go in between clearing the damm pigeon of my summerhouse roof. I am sure this little fella will be making a visit.
Miles,
Thank you for reminding me of the birdwatch. I have participated over the last 3/4 years, initially by filling in a form and in subsequent years on-line where you can get the feedback later on.
We seem to have plenty of sparrows because we feed seeds. Starlings too visit briefly in flocks. They never seem to hang about like the pigeons!
Good photo.
Elsie
January 20, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Elsie,
I used to hate seeing starlings in the garden, I held them in the same (well almost) contempt as pigeons. Now that their numbers are declining I am a little more sympathetic.
Miles
January 20, 2008 @ 7:12 pm