Go all out for the count
This weekend around half a million people are expected to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, says LOUISE MIDGLEY
THE WORLD’S largest garden wildlife survey is currently under way. Those taking part are required to spend just one hour recording birds in their gardens. The event lasts for three days (Monday included), so should the weather be bad or participants find they are too busy at the weekend, the option of a third day is very helpful.
The Big Garden Birdwatch (BGBW) began 40 years ago when the BBC’s Blue Peter programme joined forces with the RSPB and asked children to report on what birds they saw in their gardens.
The response was overwhelming; hundreds of replies were expected but thousands were received and from that point on there was no going back.
It’s certainly not too late to take part as an online participant either today or tomorrow, just visit: rspb.org.uk/getinvolved/activities/birdwatch/ to register, then find a seat with a good view of your garden and start the clock.
The Birdwatch allows the RSPB to monitor trends in bird populations, spot problems and give help where needed.
Last year’s results saw the humble house sparrow retain its top spot as the most-spotted bird, with starlings a non-mover in second place. But blue tits moved up a place to come third. Although house sparrows were the most commonly spotted birds in the UK, it’s important to note that their numbers have declined sharply over the past 40 years, particularly in urban and suburban environments where they are thought to have declined by 60 per cent. Research is under way to establish the cause, although changes in agricultural practices have not helped.
SADLY, house sparrows are not alone and the decline of many species of garden birds has been noted over the past few decades. With this in mind, make this the year you commit to making your outdoor space a safe haven for our feathered friends.
Simple measures can make all the difference. Feeding birds, particularly over winter, can make a real difference to their survival rates but do invest in good quality bird food as cheap products have very little nutritional value.
Birds feed in various ways. Blue tits and great tits cling to feeders, while robins and blackbirds are essentially ground feeders.
A selection of mealworms, suet balls, seeds, (niger seeds for finches) and nuts will attract a wide range of birds over time. A dish of water that is regularly changed will also be very welcome.
Birds need plenty of places to shelter and make nests. Mature shrubs, especially ones that carry berries in autumn and established ivy on fences and walls are ideal for small birds to secrete themselves inside.