WHO’S TOP OF THE PECKING ORDER IN WELSH GARDENS?

RSPB BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH – 28/29 JANUARY 2006

Thousands of people across Wales will be watching their gardens on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January as part of the UK-wide Big Garden Birdwatch.

It is the biggest bird survey of its kind in the World and is now in its 27th year. Of almost 400,000 people who watched their gardens and local parks across the UK during the 2005 Big Garden Birdwatch, nearly 17,000 were taking part in Wales. RSPB Cymru hopes to involve even more people this time to make it bigger than ever!

Wendy Johnson, RSPB Cymru’s Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator, says; ‘The word birdwatching may conjure up images of individuals with wellies and binoculars scouring the countryside in all weathers, but in reality, most birdwatching is done by 'ordinary' people watching the birds in their garden or local park.

‘Big Garden Birdwatch is a fun family event and you certainly don’t need to be an expert to join in. It only takes an hour to complete and is a great way for people to become familiar with the wildlife in their gardens, whilst contributing to a valuable piece of research on the UK’s birds.’

The colourful blue tit climbed the rank to become Wales’ second most common garden bird in 2005, just ahead of the starling. Top spot was once again claimed by the house sparrow, which has declined during the 27 years of the survey from an average of around 10 birds per garden in 1979, to an average of just 5.5 per garden.

After a slight increase in recent years, song thrush numbers dropped again in 2005, and for the first time this red-listed species [note2] dropped out of the UK top 20 garden birds. It held 7th place in 1979.

Since 1979, Big Garden Birdwatch has provided valuable information, including how birds are faring in different geographical areas. This is important since some species, declining across the UK, may actually be stable or increasing in certain parts. The house sparrow is for example, doing much better in Wales than in England. So the more people who take part the more accurate the results will be.

To take part, simply spend one hour over the weekend of 28/29 January, counting the birds in your garden or local park, and record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time. The morning is the best time to look, when the birds are out and about feeding after a cold winter night.

For further information and online resources to help you with your birdwatch, visit the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
An online survey form will be available from the weekend of Big Garden Birdwatch until 17 February 2006.

Alternatively, bilingual Big Garden Birdwatch forms can be obtained by phoning RSPB Cymru Headquarters (029) 2035 3000 or emailing cymru@rspb.org.uk

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