RSPB asks UK to watch the birdie

Nature lovers across the UK have been urged to put one hour aside this weekend and take part in a national bird survey.

The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch has been an annual event for the past 30 years and about half a million people join in every year. All participants have to do is sit down for an hour on Saturday or Sunday and make a note of the different birds that use their garden. People without their own garden can still take part by heading to their local park instead, the charity has said.

After the weekend, the information will be collated by the RSPB and used to provide a snapshot of the numbers and types of birds seen in the UK on a typical day.

It is hoped that this year's survey could provide information on the effect that the unusually warm winter may have had on Britain's bird population.

RSPB visitor and promotions officer Chris Andrews said: "This is a great and easy way to help nature, whilst at the same time being a great excuse for a nice sit down and a cuppa."

A specially designed recording sheet can be downloaded from the RSPB's website.

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