It’s time to prepare for garden wildlife survey with a difference

Photo: Ray Kennedy

A Robin on bird table in a garden

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

Big Garden Birdwatch - 25 and 26 January 2014

The countdown has commenced for the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey – and more people in Greater Manchester than ever before are being called upon to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch (January 25-26).

Now in its 35th year, the popular event is fun for all ages and it couldn’t be easier to take part. Simply count the birds in your garden or local park for one hour over Big Garden Birdwatch weekend and tell the RSPB what you see – but this year, there is a difference. For the first time ever in the event’s history, the RSPB wants to hear about the other wildlife which snuffles and settles in your garden or local park, to create an even better picture of what is happening to our wildlife.

To help you prepare for the Big Garden Birdwatch, there are plenty of events taking place in Greater Manchester throughout January – from discovering how to attract more wildlife into your garden to gaining tips on how to recognise the creatures which live on your doorstep.

Head to Dove Stone to learn how to identify feathered friends in your garden and discover what to feed garden birds at this time of year. The free ‘What’s that bird’ events will take place every weekend throughout January until Sunday 26 January (weather permitting). There will be three sessions per day at various locations around the Dove Stone site, each lasting approximately an hour; 10-11 am at the feeding station in Binn Green car park, 12-1 pm at Ashway Gap picnic area and wood, and 2-3 pm at the main Dove Stone car park feeding station. For more information, call 01457 819880.

Experts will also be on hand at Chorlton Water Park on Saturday 25 January from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm, showing people how to get involved and sharing top tips on attracting more wild visitors to your garden. For more information, call 07540 121309.

Jo Keene, RSPB People Engagement Manager in Northern England, said: “Whether this is the first time you’re taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch or you are an expert, there are plenty of ways to prepare and it’s a great opportunity to appreciate the wildlife where you live. Not forgetting it’s a brilliant feeling to be part of the world’s biggest wildlife survey – without having to leave the sofa!

“Over half a million people took part last year, which is fantastic, helping to provide the RSPB with a vital snapshot of garden bird numbers in winter and highlight any dramatic declines – but this year we are calling for even more people to count the wildlife as UK nature is in trouble.

“It’s not just the birds which need our help; almost half our hedgehogs have disappeared in the last 25 years. So although we still want you to count our feathered friends during the hour, as they are a brilliant indicator of the health of our countryside, we also want to hear if you have ever seen other wildlife such as badgers, squirrels or frogs in your garden or local park. It really is a great chance to become a wildlife detective and help build a picture of how important our gardens are for giving a nature a home.”

A brand new Big Garden Birdwatch website has been launched this month and this year, participants will be able to record the birds as they see them directly onto a laptop, tablet or smartphone with an online bird counting tool or send results in the post.

To help attract wildlife into your garden, there are plenty of tips for helping to give nature a home where you live on the RSPB website. No matter how big or small your outside space, there’s something you can do to make a difference. Visit www.rspb.org.uk/homes for more information.

Register to take part in Big Garden Birdwatch 2014 and find out more information about Big Garden Birdwatch events near you at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. Alternatively, call 0300 456 8330.