The serious side to armchair birding

The annual nationwide RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place this weekend. Everyone is encouraged to spend just 1 hour counting birds in the garden (or area of park, etc). 235,000 people took part last year.

All you have to do is count the maximum number of a particular kind of bird in your garden at any one time. Counting the maximum number prevents the same birds being counted repeatedly.

This relaxing and enjoyable armchair survey helps the RSPB map the various species of garden bird. Year by year comparisons of the number of recorded species provides us with general trends. Previous results have provided important information, such as a dramatic decline in the numbers of the once common tree sparrow and starling.

For further details, including instructions and photos to help with identification of various species, last year's results, or to submit your results, go to: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/