Public urged to take part in major UK bird count amid population fears
Public urged to take part in major UK bird count amid population fears
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Conservationists are calling on the public to join the world’s largest garden wildlife survey this weekend to see how birds are faring across the UK. Hundreds of thousands of people take part in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch, spending an hour over the weekend counting the birds they see in their garden, balcony, local park or other green space.
The charity said the recent cold snap could have affected birds, particularly smaller species such as wrens and long-tailed tits, and the count would show the impact the freezing temperatures and snow may have had. With the nature and climate emergency threatening even our most familiar birds, every count matters.
With January returning to milder conditions, people taking part in the count may also see an increase in the number of winter migrants such as fieldfare and redwings which come from Europe throughout the winter months to take advantage of the weather here, the RSPB said.
Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, said: “The weather can sometimes be harsh on our wildlife, especially our small garden birds. “Now that the snow and icy conditions have passed, we hope everyone can take part in the birdwatch to help determine how our birds are faring and see if the weather has impacted their numbers.”.
