Thousands of people are expected to watch and count their garden birds for the upcoming RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2018.
The world’s largest garden wildlife survey, now in its 39th year, takes place on 27, 28 and 29 January 2018. The public are 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 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 remained top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings, with starling and blackbird rounding off the top three.

To help prepare for Big Garden Birdwatch 2018, there are events on offer during January at RSPB Leighton Moss in Silverdale, including a ‘Big Garden Birdwatch wild challenge trail’.  Families are encouraged to take part in this self-led activity to discover more about garden birds and how to take part in the Birdwatch. Normal entry fees apply to non-members visiting the reserve (RSPB members free), no additional charges for the trail and no booking needed.

Then on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 January,  you are invited to drop-in between 10am-3.30pm for a variety of activities and workshops to help prepare for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch! Learn how to identify garden birds and find out ways to help give nature a home. Normal entry fees apply to non-members visiting the reserve (RSPB members free), no additional charges for the event and no booking needed.

For a free Big Garden Birdwatch pack, which includes a bird identification chart, plus RSPB shop voucher and advice to help attract garden wildlife, text BIRD to 70030 or visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

More details can be found at rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss

Photo: House sparrow © Ray Kennedy rspb-images.com