Count the birds that are counting on you

The RRSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from January 27-29. Photo: Ben Hall

To celebrate, RSPB Scotland are running a special events on Saturday, January 27 at RSPB Scotland Loch Leven nature reserve.

People can get up close to wild garden birds with a ringing demonstration from the Tay Ringing Group at 10am – 12pm.

At all these events, RSPB Scotland will be providing people with tips and advice to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch at home.

The world’s largest garden wildlife survey, now in its 39th year, takes place on January 27, 28 and 29.

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 in the UK 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. The house sparrow made it to top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings in Fife, with starling and blackbird rounding off the top three.

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.”

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 including badger, fox, grey squirrel, red squirrel, muntjac deer, roe deer, frog and toad.

Visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch for further information.