Big Garden Birdwatch - 25 and 26 January 2014
The countdown has commenced for the world s biggest
garden wildlife survey and more
people in Merseyside than ever before are being called upon to take part in the RSPB s Big Garden
Birdwatch (January 25-26)
Now in its 35th year, the popular event is fun for all
ages and it couldn t be easier to take part. Simply count the birds
in your garden or local park for one hour over Big Garden Birdwatch
weekend and tell the RSPB what you see
but this year, there is a difference. For the first time ever in the event s history, the RSPB wants to
hear about the other wildlife which snuffles and settles in your
garden or local park, to create an even better picture of what is
happening to our wildlife.
To help you prepare for the Big Garden Birdwatch, there
are plenty of events taking place in Merseyside throughout January from discovering how to attract more wildlife into your garden to gaining
tips on how to
identify the creatures which live on your doorstep.
Go along to RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands to learn how to
recognize a variety of different garden birds and make your own
delicious bird cakes to take home.
Whose on the feeders events will
be held at the
reserve on Saturday 4 January, Saturday 11 January and
Saturday 18 January, while the bird feeder making will be held on
Sunday 5 January, Sunday 12 January and Sunday 19 January. Both drop-in
sessions run from 11am 3pm and are
free, but donations are welcome to cover the cost of materials. Friendly, knowledgeable staff will also be on
hand to offer advice about what scraps of food waste can be left out
for birds this winter. For more information call 0151 353 8478 or email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk.
Find out all about how to take part in the Big Garden
Birdwatch by joining Liverpool RSPB Local Group at Sefton Park's Palm
House on Sunday 19 January from 12 pm - 4 pm. The free event is a great chance to pick up handy tips and also gain advice on how to give
nature a home where you live. For more information visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/Liverpool/events/
Or join the Liverpool Liverbirds RSPB Wildlife Explorers
outside the visitor centre at Pex Hill to take part in the Big Garden
Birdwatch on Sunday 26 January at 10am. For further details and
information on event charges, call 07587 155705 or email liverpool.liverbirds@gmail.com.
Jo Keene, RSPB People Engagement Manager in Northern
England, said: Whether this is
the first time you re taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch or you are an expert, there are plenty of ways
to prepare and it s a great opportunity to appreciate the wildlife where
you live. Not forgetting it s a brilliant feeling to be part of the
world s biggest wildlife survey
without having to leave the sofa!
Over half a
million people took part last year, which is fantastic, helping to provide the RSPB with a vital snapshot of
garden bird numbers in winter and highlight any dramatic
declines but this year we are calling for even more people to count the wildlife
as UK nature is in trouble. It s not just the
birds which need our help; almost half our hedgehogs have disappeared in the last 25 years. So although we
still want you to
count our feathered friends during the hour, as they are
a brilliant indicator of the health of our countryside, we also want
to hear if you have ever seen other wildlife such as badgers, squirrels
or frogs in your garden or local park. It really is a great chance to
become a wildlife detective and help build a picture of how
important our gardens are for giving a nature a home.
A brand new Big Garden Birdwatch website has been
launched this month and this year, participants will be able to record the
birds as they see them directly onto a laptop, tablet or smartphone
with an online
bird counting tool or send results in the post. To help attract wildlife into your garden, there are
plenty of tips for helping to give nature a home where you live on the RSPB
website. No matter how big or small your outside space, there s
something you can do to make a difference. Visit www.rspb.org.uk/homes for more information.
Register to take part in Big Garden Birdwatch 2014 and
find out more information about Big Garden Birdwatch events near you at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.
Alternatively, call 0300 456 8330.
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