TWITCHERS, nature lovers and families alike are being called on to watch and count the birds this weekend.
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch will take place from January 27 to 29 and will provide a snapshot of how garden birds are faring across the country.
Last year around 19,000 took part across the West Midlands.
With birds now facing so many challenges due to the climate emergency the RSPB is calling on residents to spend one hour watching and recording the birds that land in their garden, balcony or local park then send their results to the charity.
This year marks the 44th Big Garden Birdwatch.
Over that time 172 million birds have been counted and nearly 11 million hours spent watching garden birds.
Last year, the house sparrow was top of the West Midlands rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird with the woodpigeon and blue tit making up the top three.
Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s chief executive, said: “The birds we see in our gardens, from our balconies, and in our parks, are a lively, colourful and endlessly fascinating part of all our lives, offering a real connection to the natural world.
“By taking part in the Birdwatch you, and hundreds of thousands like you, play an important role in helping us understand how UK birds are doing.
“With birds now facing so many challenges due to the nature and climate emergency, every count matters.
“Whatever you see – one blackbird, 20 sparrows or no birds at all – it all counts. It helps us build that vital overall picture of how our garden birds are faring from one year to the next.”
Registration for Big Garden Birdwatch 2023 is now open.
For a free Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD to 70030 or click here.
The charity is also running the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch which takes place during the first half of spring term from January 6 to February 20.
This challenge calls on school to count the birds landing on school grounds.
Since its launch in 2000 over a million school children and teachers have taken part.
For more on this click here.
