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Join the Big Garden Birdwatch in your area Join the Big Garden Birdwatch in your area
(about 17 hours later)
Thousands of people around the UK are taking part in the world's biggest wildlife survey on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 January - the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.Thousands of people around the UK are taking part in the world's biggest wildlife survey on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 January - the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.
The charity is asking you to help survey birds living in your local area, from the north of Scotland to the southwest of England; across Wales and Northern Ireland.The charity is asking you to help survey birds living in your local area, from the north of Scotland to the southwest of England; across Wales and Northern Ireland.
To coincide with the event, the BBC is bringing you live webcam action of the UK's garden birds, helpful identification guides and expert analysis of what you're seeing.To coincide with the event, the BBC is bringing you live webcam action of the UK's garden birds, helpful identification guides and expert analysis of what you're seeing.
We'd like to hear from you too, to share your sightings and pictures and to compare how our garden birds differ around the nation.We'd like to hear from you too, to share your sightings and pictures and to compare how our garden birds differ around the nation.
The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world's biggest wildlife survey.The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world's biggest wildlife survey.
Almost 600,000 people across the UK, including 90,000 pupils and teachers at schools, took part in 2012, counting more than nine million birds between them.Almost 600,000 people across the UK, including 90,000 pupils and teachers at schools, took part in 2012, counting more than nine million birds between them.
The survey takes just an hour of your time.The survey takes just an hour of your time.
All you need to do is count the birds in your garden or a local park for one hour - then tell the RSPB what you see.All you need to do is count the birds in your garden or a local park for one hour - then tell the RSPB what you see.
As well as bringing you closer to wildlife near you, the survey helps scientists discover which species of bird are doing well or are in decline and how different birds, such as finches, starlings and sparrows, are faring in different regions.As well as bringing you closer to wildlife near you, the survey helps scientists discover which species of bird are doing well or are in decline and how different birds, such as finches, starlings and sparrows, are faring in different regions.
Disappearing starlingsDisappearing starlings
For example, data collated over the past 10 years shows that mistle thrushes are seen in fewer than half the number of gardens they were seen in a decade ago.For example, data collated over the past 10 years shows that mistle thrushes are seen in fewer than half the number of gardens they were seen in a decade ago.
Now in its 34th year, the Big Garden Birdwatch survey has helped highlight some dramatic declines in UK garden birds.Now in its 34th year, the Big Garden Birdwatch survey has helped highlight some dramatic declines in UK garden birds.
In the first survey in 1979, an average of 15 starlings were seen per garden, but that fell to an average of just three starlings per garden in 2012 - the lowest ever level.In the first survey in 1979, an average of 15 starlings were seen per garden, but that fell to an average of just three starlings per garden in 2012 - the lowest ever level.
House sparrow numbers have fallen by two thirds over the lifetime of the survey too.House sparrow numbers have fallen by two thirds over the lifetime of the survey too.
Bird populations also differ around the country, which is why it is so important to survey the birds in the gardens in your area.Bird populations also differ around the country, which is why it is so important to survey the birds in the gardens in your area.
The href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/" >RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch survey runs from Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 January 2013. BBC Nature is streaming live webcams of UK garden bird action, helpful identification guides and expert analysis across the weekend. The href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatchbbc/" >RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch survey runs from Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 January 2013. BBC Nature is streaming live webcams of UK garden bird action, helpful identification guides and expert analysis across the weekend.
Join BBC Nature on Facebook and Twitter @BBCNature.Join BBC Nature on Facebook and Twitter @BBCNature.