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The RSPB Garden Birdwatch, the Worlds Biggest Wildlife Watch Hits 30!

17h January, 2009

On 24-25 January, the RSPB celebrates its 30th Big Garden Birdwatch - why not find out what it's all about and get stuck in?

The aim of the survey is to ask everyone to spend just an hour in their garden and record which birds they see. By reporting this to the RSPB, either online or by post, a better idea of the state of British birds can be found. The past 30 years have produced some really valuable data.

Last year, more than 1,360 Chichester residents joined half a million people across the UK, spotting the birds in their garden to reveal which species are doing well and which are struggling.

Last year's results put house sparrows as the most common garden bird in Chichester, followed by blue tits and starlings.

Hester Phillips, of the RSPB South East, said: “The survey started 30-years-ago as a winter activity for our youth members. Now it appeals to both children and adults because it's fun, easy and only takes an hour to join in.

'Reaching our 30th birthday is a huge achievement and shows just how passionate people in Chichester are about birds and wildlife. Over the last 30 years we've clocked up more than three million Big Garden Birdwatch hours in the UK, which is just incredible.'

Last year, Chichester participants recorded an average of three house sparrows per garden, in-line with the rest of West Sussex. In 1991, an average of seven sparrows were reported in gardens. This echoes the national trend, which has seen house sparrows decline by around two-thirds in the survey's 30-year period.

A similar story is true of the third most common bird in Chichester gardens, the starling.

In 1991, half way through the survey's history, an average of nine starlings were recorded per West Sussex garden. Last year, this had dropped to just two in Chichester, and three in West Sussex. Again, starlings have decline by around two-thirds in the UK since the Seventies.

Because of what the RSPB has learnt from the Big Garden Birdwatch, several studies are underway to identify how struggling species can be helped to recover.

Ms Phillips added: 'Big Garden Birdwatch is a great way for you to contribute to a significant piece of wildlife research without even having to leave the comfort of your home. You really don't need to be an expert to take part. It's simple, easy and anyone can do it – even you!

'To join in the fun, simply spend one hour over the weekend of 24 or 25 January, counting the birds in your garden or local park, and record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time.'

To try BGBW with the experts, and get some tips on how you can help wildlife in your garden, come along to RSPB Pulborough Brooks during the BGBW weekend. Brighton and Hove City Council is also running a BGBW event in Preston Park, Brighton.

The findings of BGBW 2009 will be published at the end of March.

To take part in Big Garden Birdwatch visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch or call 0300 456 8330 . Online survey forms will be available until 16 February.