RESIDENTS are being encouraged to get involved in what is being called the world's largest wildlife watch event.

The Big Garden Birdwatch, taking place between January 29-31, is a nationwide survey which many other countries also do at the same time.

To take part people have to simply pick an hour during that weekend and watch and count which birds show up in their garden.

Those taking part can then share the recording of the birds that landed that were spotted from their windows, balconies or gardens with the RSPB.

With people at home in lockdown, and after a surge of interest in nature on people's doorsteps in 2020, the RSPB is hoping this year will beat the beat the more than 6,000 residents who took part nationally last year.

In our area, house sparrows topped the rankings in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch results last year, despite a wider national decline, and the blue tit and wood pigeon joined house sparrows to form the top three most sighted birds.

Information can be shared at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch, and the data collected during the Big Garden Birdwatch event is used by the charity to create a snapshot of bird numbers across the UK.

Anyone who registers before the weekend, by texting BIRD to 70030 or registering at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch, receives a free Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch and RSPB shop voucher.

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.”