molly_issue29_winter_WEB

HOBBIES & ACTIVITIES
RSPB
count the wildlife that’s
counting on you...
RSPB big garden
birdwatch 2018
Half a million people are expected to watch
and count their garden birds for the 2018
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in January.
The world’s largest garden wildlife survey, now in its
39th year, takes place on 27, 28 and 29 January 2018.
The public is asked to spend just one hour watching
and recording the birds in their garden or local green
space, then send their results to the RSPB.
Close to half-a-million people across the UK, over
8,000 of whom took part in Lincolnshire, joined in the
world’s largest garden wildlife survey in 2017 counting
more than eight million birds and providing valuable
information about the wildlife using our gardens in
winter. In Lincolnshire, the house sparrow was top of
the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings, with starling and
blackbird rounding off the top three. [Note 1]
Last year’s Big Garden Birdwatch also revealed an
explosion in the number of recorded sightings of
waxwings. These attractive looking birds flock to UK
gardens in winter once every 7-8 years when the berry
crop fails in their native Scandinavia. Known as an
‘irruption’, results showed that waxwings were seen in
around 11 times more gardens in 2017 compared to
the last couple of years, with sightings as far west as
Wales and Northern Ireland.
Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientist said:
“The birds we see in our garden are often the first
experience we have with nature – whether it’s a flock
of starlings at the feeder, a robin perched on the fence
or some house sparrows splashing in the bird bath. But
it may come as a surprise to know that some of our
most-loved species are in desperate need of our help
as their numbers have dropped dramatically.
“The Big Garden Birdwatch is a great opportunity
to get involved with helping our garden wildlife. By
counting the birds that visit your outdoor space, you’ll
be joining a team of over half-a-million people across
the UK who are making a difference for nature. It only
takes an hour so grab a cuppa, sit back and see who
makes a flying visit to your garden.”
Species such as starlings and greenfinches have seen
their numbers visiting gardens decline by 79 and 59 per
cent retrospectively since the first Birdwatch in 1979.
But it wasn’t all bad news. There was good news for
robins in last year’s survey, with the average number
seen visiting gardens at its highest level since 1986,
helping it climb two places to number seven, its joint
highest-ever position in the Big Garden Birdwatch
rankings.
Daniel added: “With over half a million people now
regularly taking part, coupled with nearly 40 yearsworth
of data, Big Garden Birdwatch allows us to
monitor trends and helps us understand how birds are
doing. With results from so many gardens, we are able
to create a ‘snapshot’ of the birds visiting at this time
of year across the UK. Even if you see nothing during
your Big Garden Birdwatch hour, that’s important
information too, so please let us know.”
As well as counting birds, the RSPB is once again
asking participants to log some of the other wildlife
they have seen throughout the year. This year, people
are being asked to look out for badger, fox, grey
squirrel, red squirrel, muntjac deer, roe deer, frog and
toad. [Note 3]
To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2018, watch
the birds in your garden or local park for one hour at
some point over the three days. Only count the birds
that land in your garden or local park, not those flying
over. Tell us the highest number of each bird species
you see at any one time – not the total you see in the
hour.
The parallel event, Big Schools’ Birdwatch takes place
during the first half of spring term next year, 2 January
– 23 February 2018. Further information can be found
at www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch
Big Garden Birdwatch and Big Schools’ Birdwatch are
part of the RSPB Giving Nature a Home campaign,
aimed at tackling the house crisis facing the UK’s
threatened wildlife. The charity is asking people to
provide a place for wildlife in their gardens or outdoor
spaces – whether it’s putting up a nest box for birds,
creating a pond for frogs or building a home for
hedgehogs.
For your free Big Garden Birdwatch pack, which includes a bird identification chart, plus RSPB
shop voucher and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD to 70030 or visit
www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch Registration for Big Garden Birdwatch 2018 opens 13 December 2017.
46
Winter 2017