RSPB BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH 27th/28 th January 2007

Another year has come round, and looking at the weather where we are today this Saturday morning , it looks like a good one for the hour that the RSPB want us to observe.

You can look out your window over your garden, wrap up warm and go and sit quietly in your local park, anything really where there are birds, as long as you're not visible or putting them off you'll be fine.

Idea is to jot down each species you see in the hour you choose be it Saturday or Sunday, Robin, Blackbird etc. Next to the species, note how many of that bird you saw in one go, if you count 8 Goldfinches at one, note that down and keep this going for an hour. If after 10 minutes of the sighting of the 8 goldfinches, you count 12, then erase the 8 and 12 is now your sighting and just keep going. It's good fun, great for children, gets them interested and it's good for the birds.

Big question mark this year will be whether the Finches are notably down since the dreadful "T" situation over the Summer/Autumn, and whether unusual visitors are spotted, I had reports of a Snow Bunting around Clee Hill in Shropshire only the other day!

I do remember this time last year, I counted 12 Blackbirds in one go which was wonderful, I'll be interested to compare this time and I know my Greenfinch population is down so it will be a pointer to how our feathered friends are doing, and especially after this cold snap we've had.

Enjoy your hour !
Use a pencil it's easier ! Unplug the phone, Drink tea and it's compulsory to eat biscuits, and don't let anyone put you off, tell them you're doing your bit for birds, and if you find you loved doing it, then the BTO have a all year round Birdwatch so contact your local one for more details.