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Bird lovers set for garden watch Bird lovers join Garden Birdwatch
(about 7 hours later)
Bird lovers across Britain are set to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, organised by the RSPB. Bird lovers across Britain have joined in the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Big Garden Birdwatch.
The annual birdwatching survey was started by the RSPB 30 years ago, and almost half a million people are expected to get involved. It is thought half a million people will take part in this year's survey, counting birds in a garden or local park for one hour this weekend.
They will see how many birds they can spot and identify in their garden or a nearby park for one hour this weekend. Saturday morning's cold weather resulted in high numbers of sightings in gardens with bird feeders.
This information will be submitted by the public to the RSPB, which will then publish the results in March. In Dorset a couple taking part were amazed to spot a raccoon up a tree and called in the RSPCA to rescue it.
The RSPB says that since the project began in 1979, volunteers have spent some three million hours looking for birds. People taking part in the survey were asked to submit the number of birds they see to the RSPB, which will publish the results in March.
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's director of conservation, said: "As well as contributing to our understanding of the changes in bird numbers, Big Garden Birdwatch does a fantastic job of inspiring adults and children about nature. It is just as important to see which birds are not around as which birds are there Tim WebbRSPB The RSPB's Tim Webb, who lives in Hackney, east London, said: "I have not seen any house sparrows or starlings and they should be our most common bird.
"There's no denying that the timing of our seasons is changing. They have been in decline so it will be interesting to see how many have been spotted nationally."
"Despite the recent cold spell, UK winters are significantly warmer than they were 30 years ago. He added: "It is just as important to see which birds are not around as which birds are there."
"Through Big Garden Birdwatch we can all see the effect this is having on the birds in our gardens, even if we're unable to see the wider effects with our own eyes." Eileen Nelson, 58, who lives in Lancashire, spotted a goldfinch - a bird that traditionally spends its winter in warmer southern Europe.
The RSPB is predicting there will be some unusual visitors recorded this year, with reports of redpolls, yellowhammers and bramblings in gardens already being received. She said: "We normally don't get goldfinches at all - it's only in these last couple of days that I have seen one. The survey will show the RSPB which breeds it needs to help."
Unusual birds
The RSPB says that since the project began in 1979, volunteers have spent some three million hours looking for birds. Unusual birds already reported this year include redpolls, yellowhammers and bramblings.
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's director of conservation, said: "Despite the recent cold spell, UK winters are significantly warmer than they were 30 years ago.
"Through Big Garden Birdwatch we can all see the effect this is having on the birds in our gardens."
Are you taking part in Birdwatch? Have you spotted anything of interest? How long have you participated in the project?Are you taking part in Birdwatch? Have you spotted anything of interest? How long have you participated in the project?
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