Weekend Appeal For Garden Bird Survey - Sky News

1:27am UK, Saturday January 29, 2011

Ayushman Jamwal, Sky News Online

The RSPB is appealing to people throughout the nation to take an hour out this weekend to count bird numbers in their garden.

The cold months before spring are seen as a crucial time for wildlife

The survey, organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), hopes to gain useful data to study trends in bird movements and spot any worrying declines.

"Around the UK, people will be settling down in the warm, with a cup of tea and a pen, and noting what birds visit their garden for one hour - it really is that simple," the RSPB's Richard Bashford said.

The charity thinks more birds than normal are coming into gardens because the early start to winter this year has led to a scarcity of food.

"Birds that wouldn't usually be found in gardens had to adapt their behaviour and look closer to home in our gardens," the RSPB's Mark Avery added.

The valuable information collected will help us understand more about why birds are in decline and what we do to help them

Minister for the Natural Environment Richard Benyon

"By now, these birds could have been making the most of our hospitality for over a month, meaning even more unusual sightings this weekend."

People will be taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch from places such as boats, old people's homes, as well as from caravans and plant nurseries.

The charity is regularly contacted by people looking for advice on feeding garden birds and for help identifying unusual visitors.

It has been advising people to put out supplementary food and water, to attract all kinds of species.

The Winter Wren bird sings to establish and defend territory and also attract mates

Richard Benyon, the Minister for the Natural Environment said: "Our bird populations are a good indicator of the wider health of our environment.

"The valuable information collected will help us understand more about why birds are in decline and what we do to help them.

"The Big Garden Birdwatch is something everyone can get involved in and I'm looking forward to taking part this year."