Redland wildlife fans take part in RSPB Birdwatch Weekend

The annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch returns this weekend, inviting nature-lovers in Bristol to spend an hour taking note of the flighty visitors to their gardens and green spaces.

All people need to take part is a pen, some scrap paper and an hour to spend watching the birds in their garden or local park today or tomorrow.

Simply make a note of the highest number of each bird species seen on the ground (not flying over) at any one time, and enter the results on the RSPB website.

The charity then uses these results to create a 'snapshot' of bird numbers in each region. This is important because some of the UKs bird species are disappearing fast, with half the number of house sparrows and three-quarters of starlings already gone.

As well as highlighting these dramatic falls in numbers, the Big Garden Birdwatch helps the RSPB to spot problems and is the first step in attempting to prevent further decline.

For a list of the most common birds to look out for visit the RSPB website.

Taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch? Why not take some photos and submit them to our gallery section?