THE RSPB are calling on Wharfedale residents to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch as well as other fun nature-based activities from home

The UK’s biggest citizen science project has been recording the winners and losers in the garden bird world for over four decades with the help of half a million people.

Set to enter its 42nd year this month, the largest wildlife survey in the world, the Big Garden Birdwatch, runs from January 29 to 31 and combines over 40 years of records to monitor vital bird trends. People across West Yorkshire are set to get involved, spending just an hour of their time recording the birds that land as seen from their windows, balconies or gardens, and submitting their results to the wildlife charity.

Over 15,800 West Yorkshire residents took part last year. Both across the country and here in West Yorkshire, house sparrows topped the rankings and starling and blue tit joined house sparrows to form the top three most sighted birds in West Yorkshire.

Other birds featuring in the West Yorkshire “top ten” were goldfinches, robin and long-tailed tits.

Allowing the RSPB to monitor similar bird trends across the country, the data collected during the Big Garden Birdwatch will create a ‘snapshot’ of bird numbers across the UK and how they have fared since the project began over 40 years ago. To help with their research, the charity is asking for all those taking part to ensure they share what they’ve seen during the hour by submitting their results at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.

The RSPB will provide a free Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden, for those who text BIRD to 70030 or register at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch .

Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s Chief Executive, said: “We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider world and bring enormous joy. Lockdown brought few benefits, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people. There has been a broad and much needed realisation that nature is an important and necessary part of our lives especially for our mental health and wellbeing. But nature needs us too.

“By taking part in the Birdwatch, you are helping to build an annual snapshot of how our birdlife is doing across the UK. It is only by us understanding how our wildlife is faring that we can protect it. We know that nature is in crisis but together, we can take action to solve the problems facing nature.”

The RSPB are on hand to provide plenty of other wildlife inspired activities to take part in from home with their free Wild Challenge. To find out more, head to rspb.org.uk/wildchallenge.

Teachers can make use of the charity’s range of resources for RSPB’s parallel event, the Big Schools Birdwatch. Taking place from January6 –February 21, 2021, the event is this year celebrating its 20th anniversary of connecting children with nature in their school grounds. Visit  rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch,