Call to join Big Garden Birdwatch and be ‘champion for nature’

Warmer winter weather may have boosted the survival chances for smaller birds such as wrens and long-tailed tits, wildlife experts said ahead of an annual bird survey.

People taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, the biggest wildlife survey in the world, may see the tiny garden visitors, organiser the RSPB said.

Species such as wrens and long-tailed tits suffer during long, cold winters but the milder January weather may have proved a boon to them this year.

The charity has also had reports of early nesting activity in some species, which is likely to be linked to the higher temperatures.

But warmer weather can also mean fewer birds seek out food and shelter in gardens as conditions are good in the countryside so wildlife watchers may spot fewer of their usual garden visitors in the survey.

The Big Garden Birdwatch has been running for the past 41 years, with almost 140 million birds counted over that time, helping conservationists identify dramatic declines and increases in garden birds, the RSPB said.

To take part, people just need to watch the birds in the garden or local park for one hour over the three days of the survey, taking place on January 25-27, recording the highest number of each species they see at any one time.

Beccy Speight, the RSPB’S chief executive, said: “The data gathered by Big Garden Birdwatchers over the last 40 years have helped chart the decline and rise of numerous species since the 1970s.

“And contributing to that important piece of citizen science is for many thousands of people a first step in becoming champions for nature.”

Picture: PA. Close to half a million people are expected to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, identifying birds such as the house sparrow.