Page 10 - Oundle Life January 2023

the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird with more than 1.7
Beccy added: “Whatever you see - one blackbird, twenty sparrows or no birds at all - it
million recorded sightings in 2022. Blue tit and starling remained in the number two and three positions respectively.
Over its four decades, Big Garden
Birdwatch has highlighted the winners
and losers in the garden bird world. It
was first to alert the RSPB to the decline
in song thrush numbers, which are
down a shocking 81% compared to the
first Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979.
This species was a firm fixture in the
top 10 in 1979, but by 2009, its numbers were less than half those recorded in 1979. It came in at 20 in the rankings last year, seen in just 8% of gardens.
To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2023, watch the birds on your balcony, in your garden or in your local green space for one hour at some point over the three days. Only count the birds that land, not those flying over. Tell
us the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour.
all counts. It helps us build that vital overall picture of how our garden birds are faring from one year to the next. With so much challenging our birds now, it’s more important than ever to submit your results. Our garden birds are counting on you!”
The parallel event RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch takes place during the first half of spring term, 6th January – 20th February 2023. In 2021, it celebrated its
20th anniversary of connecting children with nature in their school grounds. Since its launch, over a million school children and teachers have taken part. www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch
“Whatever you see - one blackbird, twenty sparrows or no birds at all”
For your 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, text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
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Top and bottom left: Rahul Thanki (rspb-images.com)
Nigel Blake (rspb-images.com)