Watch the Birdie!

 

Climate change and bird 'flu appear to be decimating UK garden bird populations. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) organises an annual Big Garden Birdwatch. Volunteer participants count the numbers of birds of different species that visit their plots in a one hour session. The RSPB is encouraging all 'nature lovers' to participate in the 2025 exercise. It hopes the increased observations will provide answers to a number of timely questions (illustrated above)  (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/24/nature-lovers-urged-to-take-part-in-uk-bird-count-amid-fears-over-climate-and-disease). The RSPB wants to assess population numbers of birds in UK gardens. It would also like know whether there've been reductions in migratory species, like the Redwing (Turdus iliacus), visiting UK gardens. In addition, it wants to see if small-bodied birds, like the Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), were decimated by the cold spell in December 2024. Finally, it wants to assess the possibility bird feeders (illustrated with Blue tits [Parus caeruleus]), help spread the bird 'flu virus to garden birds.