Take part in Bi
People in Sussex are being encouraged to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch weekend this month.
The world’s largest garden wildlife survey returns between January 28 and 30.
Over its four decades, with the help of local people, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world, giving the RSPB an astonishing amount of insight into how our wildlife is faring.
In 2021, more than one million people across the UK took part – making it the biggest Birdwatch ever, with an incredible 17million birds counted over a three-day period
Last year it was the humble house sparrow that topped the charts for the most sightingsnationally, accounting for 64 percent of all recorded sightings.
It was followed by the starling, in second place, and the blue tit in third.
Figures for East and West Sussex mirrored the national figures for the three most common sightings.
Blackbirds and robins also did well last year, both moving up the table and coming in at fourth and sixth place respectively.
Meanwhile, finch numbers continued to fall, with greenfinches and chaffinches recording their lowest numbers ever.
Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s chief executive, said: “Over the past year, we’ve seen how important the natural world is to our mental health and wellbeing.
“There has been a surge in interest in the nature on our doorsteps and many people have come to rely on garden birds to bring joy and comfort in these unsettling times.
“This year’s event takes place on January 28, 29 and 30 and people across Sussex are invited to get involved, spending just an hour of their time recording the birds that land as seen from their windows, balconies or gardens, and submitting their results to the wildlife charity.
“The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the largest garden wildlife citizen science project. Now in its 43rd year, over 150million birds have been counted, giving us an astonishing amount of insight into how our wildlife is faring.
“We were blown away by the enthusiasm with which people took part in the Birdwatch in 2021. We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider natural world and bring enormous joy.
“Over the last year, there has been a broad and much-needed realisation that nature is an important and necessary part of our lives especially for our mental health and wellbeing. But nature needs us too.
“By taking part in the