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Britain's first Olympic event of the year is almost here - the 2012 Big Garden Birdwatch!
Last modified: 17 January 2012
The Big Garden Birdwatch results helped confirm alarming declines in birds like the house sparrow, starling and song thrush
As Britain prepares for London 2012, the RSPB is preparing for its own Olympic event in the form of its annual Big Garden Birdwatch (28-29 January).
Thankfully, you don’t need to be an athlete to join in; all you’ll need is a pen and paper, a comfy seat, one hour of your time and, preferably, a nice hot cuppa!
Following the success of last year’s Big Garden Birdwatch when over 600,000 people took part nationally, the RSPB is appealing for more sets of eyes in Lancashire than ever before to step up for nature and help form a picture of the fortunes of garden favourites in the recent topsy turvy weather.
Carolyn Jarvis, The RSPB’s People Engagement Manager for Northern England, says: “Taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch not only helps the RSPB track the ups and down of garden birds, but it gives participants the perfect excuse to sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy the wildlife that they share their outside space with.
“You’ll be a part of the biggest garden bird event in the world and you won’t even have to leave the warmth of your armchair!”
Recent harsh winters have seen some garden bird populations in Lancashire drop, only to make a comeback after a good breeding season the following year.
Last year, some of the UK’s smallest garden birds bounced back, and the wildlife charity wants to know whether they have managed to maintain their numbers.
Sightings of the UK’s smallest birds goldcrests, doubled in Lancashire while long tailed tits increased by a third and coal tits increased by just under a quarter.
And many people in Lancashire were also lucky enough to see waxwings with an influx of the striking birds to the UK from Scandinavia known as a ‘waxwing winter.’
The Big Garden Birdwatch is one of the first indicators to show how UK birds have fared during the previous breeding season and winter. With over half a million people taking part each year and over thirty years worth of data the results give an early indication of garden bird trends.
Carolyn Jarvis added: “The RSPB keeps a watchful eye out for new and emerging trends from Big Garden Birdwatch results, which helped confirm that there was an alarming decline in birds like the house sparrow, starling and song thrush.
“It’s important that we keep a close eye on how our birds are faring, like the house sparrow for example. With so many people stepping up and taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch, if a pattern emerges, we take it seriously. Half a million people can’t be wrong and that’s why the survey is so important.”
To celebrate this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch in Lancashire, a number of events are taking place.
At RSPB Leighton Moss, Silverdale, the reserve is hosting a two-course home-cooked meal and a talk with warden David Mower who will explain how more about the garden birds that visit your garden and how you can help them.
Taking place on Tuesday, 24 January between 7pm and 9.30pm, booking in advance is essential. Cost is £16 (RSPB members £14). A pre-booked veggie option is available and you can bring your own bottle. For more information call: 01524 701601
At the Ribble Discovery Centre, near Lytham St Anne’s, on 28 and 29 January, staff will be hosting a free drop in session, demonstrating how to get ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch, between 1pm and 3pm each day.
Learn how to make bird feeders and get hints and tips on how to feed and identify birds in your garden. Quizzes will also take place to test visitors’ knowledge of garden birds. Call 01253 796292 for more information.
At Witton Country Park, the RSPB and Blackburn and Darwin Council will be on hand to promote the Big Garden Birdwatch on 29 January between 10am and 4pm.
An RSPB information stand will see staff give advice to visitors on how to do the Big Garden Birdwatch, while a guided walk will take place at 2pm.
To step up for nature and take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, simply spend one hour over the weekend of 28-29 January, counting the birds in your garden or local park, and record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time. You can submit your results online at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch from 28 January.
To pre-register for the Big Garden Birdwatch and request a free pack visit: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch or call 0300 456 8330.
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