RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
This year is the 30th anniversary of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. It takes place on the weekend of 24th to 25th January 2009.
The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s biggest bird survey, providing us with a vital snapshot of the UK’s birds each winter.
Here are three reasons why you should help the RSPB celebrate their 30th birthday over the weekend of 24-25th January:
Reason 1: It’s fun
And you just never know what you’re going to see! Spend time with friends, family and children put out some food in the garden and enjoy yourself.
Reason 2: It’s easy
Was there ever a better excuse to stay in your armchair and stare out the window, than to say you’re just counting the birds in your garden? In fact, you’re likely to see more birds if you don’t go into the garden and disturb them.
For the last 30 years, the way the RSPB has done the survey has remained exactly the same – encouraging people to just watch the birds in your garden for an hour and record the maximum number of each species you see at one time.
You really don’t need to be an expert to take part. Whether you’re young or old, an ‘expert’ or a beginner, there really is no better place to start than our Big Garden Birdwatch.
Get yourself a cup of tea, something yummy to eat, put your feet up and enjoy watching the feathered visitors to your garden.
Reason 3: It only takes an hour
You can look at this two ways –
1: by giving up one hour you’re making a real difference to the RSPB’s knowledge of garden birds. They’ve learnt so much over the past 30 years about the birds in our gardens – not least how passionate people are about birds and wildlife.
They now have shedloads of data about house sparrows and starlings, blue tits and blackbirds and, well, probably any garden bird you can name.
This info is invaluable to them because there’s absolutely no way they could get so much of it without the help of all of you.
Their scientists can then use these patterns in bird numbers to help prioritise our bird conservation work. They’ve found that house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes really need our help – we’re seeing fewer every year. Because they now know this, they’re looking into what we can all do to help them.
Or 2: treat yourself to an hour watching the birds in your garden. Go on, give yourself a break and enjoy the wildlife around you. You’ll feel refreshed, relaxed and inspired.
So, at some point over 24-25 January put an hour aside for you and the birds.
You’ll be making a big contribution to conservation, we’ll be really grateful and you’ll feel lovely, warm and fluffy (just like some of those birds).
For more information about the Big Garden Birdwatch, to download a counting sheet or for hints and tips on spotting birds, go to the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch website.
If you would like to order some seed to put out to attract birds to your garden, you can buy it online at the RSPB online shop. You can even save 20% on bird food at the moment when you spend £30.
Why not join the RSPB and help birds and wildlife.
