Bird lovers join Garden Birdwatch

The number of starlings has dropped 75% since the first survey in 1979.

Bird lovers across Britain have joined in the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Big Garden Birdwatch.

It is thought half a million people will take part in this year's survey, counting birds in a garden or local park for one hour this weekend.

Saturday morning's cold weather resulted in high numbers of sightings in gardens with bird feeders.

In Dorset a couple taking part were amazed to spot a raccoon up a tree and called in the RSPCA to rescue it.

People taking part in the survey were asked to submit the number of birds they see to the RSPB, which will publish the results in March.

It is just as important to see which birds are not around as which birds are there Tim Webb RSPB

They have been in decline so it will be interesting to see how many have been spotted nationally."

He added: "It is just as important to see which birds are not around as which birds are there."

Eileen Nelson, 58, who lives in Lancashire, spotted a goldfinch - a bird that traditionally spends its winter in warmer southern Europe.

She said: "We normally don't get goldfinches at all - it's only in these last couple of days that I have seen one. The survey will show the RSPB which breeds it needs to help."

Unusual birds

The RSPB says that since the project began in 1979, volunteers have spent some three million hours looking for birds. Unusual birds already reported this year include redpolls, yellowhammers and bramblings.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's director of conservation, said: "Despite the recent cold spell, UK winters are significantly warmer than they were 30 years ago.

"Through Big Garden Birdwatch we can all see the effect this is having on the birds in our gardens."

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