By Isle of Wight Observer
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch kicks off today (Friday), offering Islanders the chance to spend an hour reconnecting with the outdoors, while contributing to vital scientific research.
Running until Sunday, the largest wildlife survey in the world invites people across the UK to count the feathered visitors to their gardens. The data gathered provides important insights into the state of the nation’s bird populations.
Last year over 600,000 people took part, recording an extraordinary 9.7 million birds. However, the results also revealed a sobering reality. Though house sparrows claimed the top spot as the UK’s most counted garden bird, their numbers have dropped by a staggering 60 per cent since the first count in 1979. Even more concerning is the loss of 38 million birds from the UK’s skies over the past 60 years. These findings underscore the importance of the Birdwatch, with every observation contributing to the broader understanding of the challenges facing the bird populations.
Families looking to attract more birds to their gardens can take simple steps, from planting berry-rich shrubs, like hawthorn and rowan, to installing bird feeders, baths, and nesting boxes. These efforts play a big part in supporting birds through the harsh winter months.
The Big Garden Birdwatch is a chance to make a difference and help us reconnect with the natural world. Join the flock this weekend and take part in finding out more about the birds that bring song to our gardens.
Go to iw.observer/birdwatch to download a free guide to help you identify the birds you see.
