Can the big bird survey count on you?
Residents in Perth and Kinross are this week being urged to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch.
The world’s largest garden wildlife survey will take place fron January 29 to 31.
For over four decades the event has highlighted the ups and downs in the garden bird world, with Perth and Kinross households playing a key role.
The public is asked to spend one hour watching and recording the birds from their garden, balcony or window, then send their results to the RSPB.
Close to half a million people join in the birdwatch every year across the UK.
Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen just how important our connection to nature is.
“With more time spent in our homes and local areas noticing the wildlife around us, many of us have found a renewed appreciation for nature locally.
“I would encourage everyone who can to take part in Big Garden Birdwatch, not only for the phenomenal amount of data it produces, but also to take some time really focussing on the little things, to relax and to enjoy the benefits of spending time watching nature.”
Keith Morton, senior species policy officer, said: “The data you submit from your Big Garden Birdwatch helps us create a picture of how bird populations in Scotland are faring, which then informs the work we do to protect those species most at risk.
“Last year almost 18,000 households in Scotland counted their garden birds for an hour, which makes for a massive amount of data.”
The house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird, visiting 70 per cent of Scottish gardens in 2020. Despite that, a closer look at the data showed that numbers have in fact dropped dramatically since the birdwatch began in 1979.
To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2021, watch the birds you can see from your home for one hour at some point over the three days.
Only count the birds that land, not those flying over. Record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour.
Go to www.rspb.org.uk/ birdwatch for more info.