NEW Forest folk are being urged to join the world’s biggest wildlife survey on January 25 and 26.
The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch involved nearly 600,000 people across the UK, including 90,000 pupils and teachers at schools, who counted more than nine million birds between them in 2013.
All people 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.
Schools can also get involved in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch from January 20 until February 14.
They can pick any hour within this period to join in and take part in the initiative.
This year for the first time people can use their mobiles and tablets to take part in the survey.
To find out further information about the survey go to rspb.org.uk/birdwatch And for more details about Big Schools’ Birdwatch see www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch The more people involved, the more we can learn.
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